Visit Germany: Travel Scams to Watch Out For
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about travel scams you might run into in Germany. Generally, Germans are pretty straight-laced and rule-abiding, so you aren’t likely to run into any trouble when you visit Germany. However, there are a few things worth mentioning so you can be on the lookout to avoid them as you visit Germany tourist attractions.
Germany Train Ticket Scams
You might run into people trying to re-sell their train tickets. The Bayern ticket is good for a group of people traveling through Bavaria, and I’ve seen people trying to re-sell those in Munich. You might also find someone trying to sell a U-Bahn or S-Bahn ticket in some of the larger cities. Most of the time, these tickets are already used and you’ll basically be throwing money away trying to buy one from someone on the street. You are better off to research your Germany itinerary and buy the right transportation package, the legal way.
Also, when you go to buy your German train ticket, if anyone other than a uniformed employee tries to help you, ask them to step away. They may be trying to scam you by buying an extra ticket, grabbing your ticket, or grabbing your change.
The Bump
This pickpocket move is a bit more traditional; someone on the street or on public transportation will bump into you. A few blocks later, you realize your phone (or wallet or passport) is gone. You might think you would definitely feel this happening, but you can’t. These thieves are trained professionals, and super smooth when they are picking your pocket. This happens most often in crowded areas, especially during big festivals like Oktoberfest or Christmas Markets.
Watch: What to Do if You Lose Your Passport
Bird Poop / Mustard Scam
I see this one a lot, and it’s even happened to my parents. Someone will walk by you and notice something on your shirt, or they may even “accidentally” squirt some mustard on you. They nicely offer to help clean you up, while their accomplice swoops in to pickpocket you or snatch your bag while your attention is diverted. Even if there is something on your shirt, politely refuse help and clean it off yourself. The people who run this scam will be dressed nicely or seem like other tourists. Do pay attention at all times with your personal property.
Six Most Popular Places for Pickpockets
Sympathy Scams
Sometimes when you are eating at a restaurant, someone will drop off a card telling you they are blind or deaf, or some other way to drum up sympathy from you. Often, it’s not even true, but it’s almost always a scam. Don’t even take the card from them, or they’ll expect you pay them. This happens most often at fast-food restaurants around the train station, as a lot of tourists are passing through. You may also see them pass through trains on longer stops. They may have even have small trinkets you can buy in order to help them.
Street Beggars
These aren’t necessarily scammers, but something to look out for and be aware of. In larger cities of Germany, a lot of street beggars congregate around the train station, so when you exit, you may be overwhelmed with several people asking you for money. They are usually harmless and not aggressive, so you can pass by and not worry too much about it.
Not a Scam: Toilet Women
When you visit Germany, you’ll notice women in or right outside of the public toilets, asking for money. Many people think this is a travel scam, but it’s not. These ladies actually keep the public restrooms clean, so it’s entirely appropriate to tip them. I always try to carry some coins to toss in and generally tip them around 50 cents. They are called Toilettenfrauen or Toilet women, and make sure you leave them a tip after you use that clean bathroom.
Hopefully, by discussing these travel scams and rip-offs, we can help you avoid becoming a victim during your Germany vacation. Fortunately, tourist crime in Germany is pretty rate. Germans are typically very honest and tend to look out for each other, so your risk of falling victim to a travel scam in Germany is pretty low. Need more travel tips for Germany or elsewhere? Check out these blog posts!