Please sign in to post.

Security Concern in Germany?

Does anyone check there State Dept. warnings before they leave for their destinations? Do I need to worry as a solo traveller in Munich and Berlin? Going out at night for dinner, walking, etc.?

Posted by
7731 posts

Nope nothing to worry about just pay attention you like you do when you go to Newark city.

Posted by
8934 posts

You are coming from New Jersey and are worried about safety in Germany, walking around at night?
I am 63 and never worry about anything like this. This is a non-issue here.

Posted by
1936 posts

Just take the same precautions a single woman would take in NYC.

Posted by
1335 posts

I'd be concerned about pickpocketing/phone snatching + groping. Use an ATM inside a bank during business hours. Beware of the people around you when you pull out cash/credit cards to buy transit tickets from a machine. Many of these scumbacks work in teams: the general tactic is to have one person distract you and then his/her "colleagues" try to steal your belongings.

Sadly, during my few trips in Germany in 2016-18 (Berlin 5 times, Cologne once), I experienced all the crime (or attempts of such) mentioned above. I don't know Munich well--it's been a decade since my last visit.

Posted by
996 posts

Just take the same precautions a single woman would take in NYC.

I think Heather says it best. That's the way I travel to any city in the US or abroad.

Posted by
7209 posts

I view State Department warnings as their own program of CYA! If there's truly a threatening safety issue you will have heard it from news agencies and travelers here.

Posted by
2487 posts

Germany is so intensily safe. Even the drunken homeless politely thanks you when offered a cigarette.

Posted by
32519 posts

You put this in the Tourist Scams section, not in the Germany section. What specific scams do you worry about?

Posted by
14482 posts

Would you be walking around at night in US cities other than in the tourist frequented areas?

I am a solo traveler in Germany, doing exactly what you have in mind, ie, no cause for concern at all unless you're out in the outer suburbs in eastern Berlin, even then my chances would be better than being in US cities

I never check what the State Dept has to say...not interested.

Posted by
32173 posts

To answer your first question I sometimes check the government travel websites, but not usually for countries in western Europe. Berlin and Munich are probably like most cities in that there are parts of the city that travellers shouldn't venture into, especially at night (and that includes the city that I live in). I've never had any concerns with walking about at night in the main areas frequented by tourists in either of those cities. I've spent more time in Munich than in Berlin and have often walked back to my hotel in the evenings. There are usually lots of people on the streets, street performers and many of the shops and restaurants are open.

Posted by
14482 posts

Where do you plan on going in Berlin? In which area are you staying in Berlin?

Traveling there solo I have no concerns taking the S-Bahn in Berlin, not on safety anyway, since I am a lot more familiar with the S-Bahn than with the U-Bahn.

At night I've been to a few of the outer eastern areas a few times, mainly on major lines. What I see is that everyone does it too. Every trip starting in 2009 (minus one time), I spend anywhere from 4 to 14 nights in Berlin, going to some of the "tourist" sights but mostly the non-tourist areas.

Bottom line here: Any fears you might have concerning Berlin are groundless.