Sadgoth's Guide to Wave gotik treffen / leipzig 

Germany is the land of wonder, however in some respects they are behind the 8-ball and still have a few antiquated ways that certainly coming from the UK are a little surprising. Money / Cash is still preferred in Germany, things are a lot better than they were a few years ago, however you will need a certain amount of cash whilst in Leipzig. 

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The Euro € is the currency across Europe. In Germany you will find various Euro coins from across the continent, they all have the same front although German minted coins have German national emblems on the rear. Euro Bank notes are the same across Europe.

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You get to Leipzig and you need some money...

• Do they have Cash Points?

• Will your card work?

• Can you pay for things with your Card?

Relax, the answer to all three is Yes.

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However I recommend getting some money changed before you leave to go to Germany/Leipzig, just to pay for Public Transport and food on your way to the city, other than that I would not risk taking large sums, get it out of an ATM when you arrive. You will also need cash to eat at the numerous food stalls at the Agra and it will certainly be quicker if you use cash to buy drinks, esp. when you return your glass and want your pfand back

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What is Pfand?

It is simply one of the best things about Germany, the deposit system makes you take your cup / bottle back to where you purchased it to gain a small deposit back (normally €2 per drink), this has the added bonus of keeping venues clean, if you see an empty cup, pick it up its worth money! In addition you can help some of those people that are less well off outside many of the venues that collect bottles so that they can earn a few euros

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Cash points / ATMs
Cash points or ATM's in Leipzig can be a little hard to find at times, many are hidden away, however there is a solution, you just need to look for the Blue and Red 'ec eurocheque' sign, there is always a Cash Machine near it. You can also look for a sign that says 'Sparkasse' (Savings Bank) on the fronts of buildings, most have cash machines.

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If you are staying in a Hotel around the main Train Station you will find cash points within the station, as you enter the main front entrance. There are numerous cash points around the city centre, just keep an eye out for the signs.

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Cash at the Agra
Many of the stalls at the Agra Messepark (Halle 1) now have Credit Card facilities (although some will ask for you to produce your passport as proof the card is yours). Its best to take cash with you. If you see something that you must buy but don't have enough money then the Agra now has a cash point and 4 ATMs (just wander around the food stalls outside, you wont miss it).

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Credit Cards
Credit cards are not as widely used in Germany as they are in the UK or the US, not every shop will take your card, and if they do you will need your CHIP and PIN number. And to save embarrassment if you have time to stop at a Restaurant you may need cash to pay for your food, check the window of the Restaurant for Visa/Mastercard stickers before entering. You may also need your Passport as proof that the card belongs to you (this is quite standard across much of Europe).