And trains.

While we're sometimes justified in moaning about pay packet deductions, drab elections and the annual invasion of beer monsters, trains are a different matter.

German Rail, or Deutsche Bahn (DB), has a reputation for delays, technical failures and strikes.

When things go right, however, negotiating the rail network is one of the most pleasant German travel experiences that doesn't involve a Mercedes-Benz 450.

Yes, punctuality has declined in recent years -- so hold your stereotyping comments about German efficiency for now -- but trains are generally on time and DB claims 90% arrive within five minutes of schedule.

And the network covers all of Germany, transporting 4.5 million people a day on 29,000 trains along 35,000 kilometers (21,700 miles) of tracks.

Here's how to get the most out of rail travel in Germany:

Before boarding

Although speedy ICE (Intercity Express) trains connect most major cities, the everyday InterCity (IC), EuroCity (EC) and regional trains are cheaper and also cover many destinations.

German trains are never reservation compulsory (except night trains), so travelers can always buy a ticket at the station.

Standard fares are flexible and refundable, and you can just hop on the next available train.

To avoid long lines at the ticket office, it's worth trying to buy tickets from the red ticket machines at stations, which have an English-language option.

For longer-distance journeys, discounted fares starting from €29 ($32) are available at www.bahn.de. The special fares are only valid on the day of travel and the specific train booked.

Anyone from any country can buy tickets on bahn.de and in most cases simply print out the ticket at home, but they'll need to carry identification with the ticket and the credit card number used in the booking process.

Good news for parents: children under six travel free, and those between six and 15 also go free when traveling accompanied by a paying adult.

The Schones-Wochenende ticket gives a whole day's unlimited travel on regional trains throughout the whole of Germany on weekends.

ICE or IC trains can't be used with this ticket, so a long-distance journey might be slower and involve several changes.

But it's cheap: a group of five can cross Germany for just €40.

Transport strikes can occur, as happened in October 2014 with major disruptions for passengers.

That being said, strikes are a fairly rare occurrence.

When a train is significantly late, conductors will hand out official certificates of train tardiness to passengers and tickets will be partially or fully refunded for any delay longer than 60 minutes. Just bring the certificate and train ticket to the ticket office after arrival.

Night trains are a dying breed in Europe, with many classic European routes like Berlin to Paris having recently been axed as passenger defect to low-budget airlines.

DB remains one the main overnight operators.

City Night Line trains connect Copenhagen and Amsterdam with Berlin, Prague and Munich.

Adventurers can even board the direct train to Moscow in Berlin.

On the train

Timetables are posted throughout stations either on printed posters or large electronic display boards, with signs in German and English.

At the platform, passengers will also find a practical chart called a Wagenstandsanzeiger.

This shows the composition of major trains and how to find where different cars stop -- useful for those with a seat reservation.

Just to keep everyone on their toes, platform changes are sometimes announced via loudspeaker at the last minute. If German-speaking passengers suddenly start grumbling and walking away, you can bet there's a switcheroo in progress.

Last-minute changes will also be posted on the main departure boards and the platform indicator signs.

Seat numbers are clearly posted. In open coach they're above the seat, in compartments they're shown outside the cabin.

On most ICE and some IC trains, reservation info appears on a small electronic display.

All trains in Germany have toilets, and most inter-city trains come with bistro and restaurant cars serving hot meals, snacks and beverages.

There's no issue with bringing your own food and drink.

(CNN)