Being far from home, it is important to have an opportunity to keep in touch. In Munich you will find various facilities for this purpose.
Telephones
The country code for Germany is 49. When dialing a German number from abroad, drop the initial 0 from the local area code.
Directory & Operator Information
The German telephone system is fully automatic, and it's unlikely you'll have to employ the services of an operator unless you're seeking information. If you have difficulty reaching your number, call 0180/200-1033. You can book collect calls through this number to the United States but not to other countries. For information dial 11833 for numbers within Germany and 11834 for numbers elsewhere. International operators speak English.
International Calls
The country code for the United States and Canada is 1; for Australia, 61; for New Zealand, 64; and for the United Kingdom, 44.
International calls can be made from just about any telephone booth in Germany. Use a phone card or make international calls from post offices. You pay the clerk the cost of the call plus a EUR1 connection fee. At a hotel, rates will be at least double the regular charge, so never make international calls from your room.
Long-Distance Calls
Telephone links between western and eastern areas of the country have now been completely upgraded.
AT&T, MCI, and Sprint access codes make calling long distance relatively convenient, but you may find the local access number blocked in many hotel rooms. First ask the hotel operator to connect you. If the hotel operator balks, ask for an international operator, or dial the international operator yourself. One way to improve your odds of getting connected to your long-distance carrier is to travel with more than one company's calling card (a hotel may block Sprint, for example, but not MCI). If all else fails, call from a pay phone.
Access Codes
In Germany: AT&T Direct (Phone: 0130-0010).
MCI WorldCom (Phone: 0130-0012).
Sprint (Phone: 0130-0013).
Public Phones
Most telephone booths in Germany now are card-operated, and it's risky to assume you'll find a coin-operated booth when you need one, so buy a phone card. You can purchase one at any German post office (they're also available at many exchange places). Most phone booths have instructions in English as well as German. Another advantage of the card: It charges only what the call cost. Coin-operated phones don't make change.
Mail
Sending Mail Home
Airmail letters to the United States and Canada cost EUR1.53; postcards, EUR1.02. All letters to the United Kingdom cost EUR.56; postcards, EUR.51.
Receiving Mail
You can arrange to have mail sent to you in care of any German post office; have the envelope marked "Postlagernd." This service is free. Or you can have mail sent to Munich's American Express office (Promenadenpl. 6, tel: 089/290-900. There's no charge to cardholders, holders of American Express traveler's checks, or anyone who has booked a vacation through American Express.
Netcafes
Surfinn Munchen
Pötschnerstr.5
Phone: 089/13077170
e-mail: muenchen@surfinn.com
homepage: http://www.surfinn.com
hours: 9-20
prices: EUR1.5/30 min
acilities: 15 computers available, printer, video conference, aol 'friendly' Downloads, e-mail, Multiplayer Games, Printer
Internet Cafe Muenchen
Nymphenburger Str. 145, (near U 1 Station Rotkreuzplatz) , NRW
Phone: 089 / 1291120
e-mail: manager@icafe.spacenet.de
homepage: http://www.icafe.spacenet.de
hours: 11:00 - 04:00
Café - Ristorante - Pizzeria - Bistro - Bar - Internet
Cyberb@r
Haus am Dom - Neuhauser Strasse 21
e-mail: cyberbar@karstadt.de
homepage: http://www.cyberbar.de
