Germany Guide
Getting around
Car shares
Eco-aware Germany has a shared-car system called Mitfahrzentralen that operates as a form of organized hitchhiking. Agencies in cities connect drivers with passengers, who pay towards fuel costs usually on the basis of an even split. Most agencies publish searchable online lists of journeys, many of them international, so you can see who's going your way – since all drivers are required to provide details of addresses and registration numbers, the ride should be safe. Prices vary according to passenger numbers, but you can expect to pay around €20 from Hamburg to Berlin, or €35 from Hamburg to Frankfurt. Website 
www.mitfahrzentralen.org publishes the offices of agencies, which exist in all large towns and cities throughout Germany, as well as operating a searchable database of rides. Other good online sources of journeys are www.mfz.de and www.drive2day.de .