Getting Connected

For information on the tramway and bus connections, are on the right side some Links that will help you. This one provides you with lots of information about the public transportation in the Rhein – Main region in English (and other languages):

Please note that you need the exact name of the relevant stations to fill in the bars. Although in German, this route map of Darmstadt on the right side may help:

Big electronic stores usually will have a booth inside where you can order phone services from several providers. If you are served well, you will be asked how you plan to use your mobile (e.g., rather for calling to you home country or within Germany a.s.o.). This is important for choosing the right service.
After having informed yourself and choosing a provider, you can also go to one of the shops held by one of these different providers.

In Darmstadt, the main post office is located at Luisenplatz 1-3. Larger post offices are usually open from 8:00 – 18:00 Monday through Friday and 8:00 – 12:00 on Saturday. Office hours vary for smaller postal outlets / small towns.
Rates for letters are adjusted to German-sized envelopes – and German-sized paper: you can exactly use three sheets of paper for one standard letter in an envelope that does not excess the maximum measure (length 235 mm, width 125 mm, height 5 mm, weight 20 grams). This will cost you 55 cents, more costs more.

Many letters arrive overnight without an extra charge. If you’ve got to be sure, you can use the express service. FedEX, DHL and UPS also operate in Germany.
At most post offices, you can buy a box to hold what you want to mail, wrap it and send it off directly. Deutsche Post also offers banking services.
If you get a package and aren’t at home to receive it, letter carriers will leave packages with neighbours or you’ll receive a form that tells you where and when to collect it. You will have to identify yourself when you collect it (passport or EU driver’s license). Mail in Germany is usually delivered before 10 a.m.

You will be able to receive numerous foreign stations with cable or satellite, but little to none terrestrially (through an antenna). Your new apartment or house will often already be wired with cable or satellite receiver.
If not, you will either have to call your local television company to find out if your building is cabled or buy and install your own satellite dish. Ask your landlord for permission to mount the dish in a suitable place.
You may have to pay monthly cable television fees, possibly included with your apartment’s monthly maintenance fee. In addition, each household must pay a fee (Rundfunkgebühren / GEZ) to use a TV or radio. Since 2007, you also have to pay GEZ-Gebühren for an internet account.
To receive a full scale selection of English TV programs, you will need a decoder.