Fans can already pre-book their hotel accommodation today. The 2006 FIFA World Cup Accommodation Services offers city specific bookings or team specific bookings. Team specific bookings enable you to reserve rooms to see your team - before you even know where they will be playing.

The national rail network is operated by Deutsche Bahn (German Rail) and is one of the most extensive and advanced networks anywhere in Europe with the flagship InterCityExpress (ICE) trains capable of travelling up to 198 miles per hour. Tickets and information can be found at any station in Germany or, if you require tickets or reservations prior to departure from the UK, you can call Deutsche Bahn UK Booking Centre (German Rail) under the number 08702 43 53 63 or visit www.bahn.co.uk


Frankfurt Airport

There are regular internal flights between the major cities mostly run by Lufthansa and Deutsche BA. For internal flight information contact your local travel agent in the UK or call Lufthansa on 08457 737747 or British Airways 08457 799977.

Most major German cities boast an underground, bus and tram system. Note that on public transport services you should pay your fare prior to boarding the vehicle using the automated ticketing machines at the stop. Your ticket then needs to be date stamped separately using the dating machines on board the vehicle or at the entry gates of major stops.

Most cities in Germany feature Welcome Cards (see below) which give visitors discounts or free admission on many tourist attractions and unlimited travel on local public transport.

Taxi Stand

Taxis are very easily available in all major cities and are usually recognizable as cream coloured Mercedes Benz. The average taxi fare in Germany is aproximately €1.30 per Km with a minimum charge of €2.50.

Welcome Cards’ have become very popular within German cities and regions.

The cards are usually valid for between 1 and 7 days and give visitors free or discounted travel on local transport, reduced or free admission to local tourist attractions and discounted tickets for events within a city or region.

Welcome Cards are available from the Deutsche Bahn UK Booking Centre (German Rail) on tel. 08702 43 53 63 or in Germany at local tourist offices as well as many railway stations.

Länder Tickets” offer exceptional value for money. From only €23 for up to 5 people it provides unlimited Travel for one whole day (Mon-Fri, 9am-3am next day, in some counties the Länder Ticket can also be purchased at weekends).

Tickets can be used on all local DB trains within a Bundesland (Federal State, ie, Bavaria, Rhineland-Palatinate) plus on most local transport networks (please check locally) within a city, i.e, S/U-Bahn, trams and buses.