Trip prep: Germany → Barcelona
A complete checklist for traveling from Germany to Barcelona, Spain. Synthesized from every layer — visa, plugs, tipping, weather, packing, transit, embassy.
1 Passport & entry
- Visa/entry: Visa-free for up to 0 days.
- Passport expiry: Most countries require 6 months validity beyond your departure date — check yours now.
- Photo your passport: store a scan in cloud + email it to yourself for emergencies.
2 Money
- Tipping in Spain: Tip 5-10% at restaurants.
- Cards vs cash: Notify your bank of your travel dates. Bring 2 cards from different networks (Visa + Mastercard) in case one is locked.
- ATM strategy: Use bank ATMs (not currency exchange counters). Withdraw in larger amounts to minimize per-transaction fees.
- Foreign transaction fees: Use a card with no foreign transaction fees (most travel rewards cards). Pay in LOCAL currency when card terminals ask — never accept "your home currency" conversion (DCC steals 5-8%).
3 Health & safety
- Emergency number: 112 — save this to your phone with country code.
- Healthcare: Healthcare is excellent and relatively cheap for tourists. Spanish pharmacies (Farmacia, green cross) are full-service.
- Travel insurance: Pick a policy with $100K+ medical and $250K+ evacuation. Buy within 14 days of your first booking for Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) eligibility.
- Vaccinations: Check the CDC destination page 4-6 weeks before travel.
- Prescription meds: Bring 2× what you need + a doctor's note for controlled substances. In original bottles.
4 Power & tech
- Power plugs: No adapter or converter needed — your plug fits and voltage matches.
- SIM/data plan: Check if your phone supports eSIM (most iPhones + Pixels since 2018). Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad sell affordable data eSIMs for Spain — far cheaper than roaming.
- VPN: Install before travel. Some hotels/cafes have insecure wifi; some countries block apps you use at home.
- Power bank: 10,000+ mAh, with at least one USB-C port. Long sightseeing days drain phones fast.
5 Weather & what to pack
January
14°C / 5°C
cool · dry
May
22°C / 14°C
mild · dry
September
26°C / 18°C
warm · moderate rain
- Light layers — t-shirts + 1 light jacket for evenings
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
6 Once you're in Barcelona
- Public transit: Metro + Tram + Bus — single fare €2.55, day pass €11.35 (Hola Barcelona 1-day). The T-Casual gives you 10 rides for €12.55 and IS sharable among multiple people on the same journey. For 2+ days, the Hola Barcelona 48h/72h/96h passes (€16.40/€22.80/€28.60) are great.
- Where to stay: First-timers usually pick Eixample (Dreta + Esquerra) — Gaudí buildings + grid streets + chic shopping. Full neighborhood guide →
- Day trips worth planning: Montserrat, Sitges, Girona. Full day-trips guide →
- Scams to know: Barcelona Las Ramblas pickpockets, Madrid 'sleepy waiter' theft (someone drops a hand on your phone when you turn away), fake petitions.
7 The night before you fly
- Hold mail, water plants, set out-of-office
- Download offline maps for Spain in Google Maps
- Pre-book airport parking or ride share
- Print boarding passes + first night's hotel reservation
- Set 3 alarms for the morning of departure
- Phone wallpaper = your booking confirmation