The weather in Hamburg in September is beautiful. The average temperature in late September is a high of 18°C (65°F) and a low of 9°C (48°F). the average duration of daylight in September in Hamburg is nearly 13 hours. Sunrise is around 6:30am and sunset is around 8:00pm. There is always the possibility of rain in Hamburg at this time of the year.

Tipping is commonly practiced in Germany. Gratuities to hotel and restaurant staff are at your discretion. Many leave 10 percent tips for good service and often 5 percent tips on small bills (10 euros or less). For more information, please see here. In Germany, tips are expected to be handed directly to the waitstaff, as the common practice of leaving change on the table often appears rude. In general, waitstaff will state the amount of your bill at the time of presenting it to you and will have the ability to make change at the table as necessary, factoring in the amount you would like to tip.

The local currency is the euro (EUR, €). Currency Exchange is available at the airports, most major hotels and at currency exchange kiosks in the city. For more information, please see here.

Banks are typically open from 8:30am to 6pm from Monday - Friday, and 9am to noon on Saturdays. Like most businesses’ banks are closed on Sundays. Main bank branches normally do not close at noon for lunch. ATMs or "Geldautomat" are available everywhere in the city.

Credit Cards are widely accepted in most businesses, but please be aware that many bars, shops, bakeries and some restaurants only accept cash payments or German debit cards. It is recommended to always have some cash on you.

Government offices are generally open from 8:30am to 4pm Monday - Friday. Some might end their working days at 5:00pm. Closing for the lunch hour (12:30pm – 1:30pm) is a common practice with businesses and like others, most businesses are closed on Sundays with the exception of bakeries and Petroleum stations. Please visit specific websites of stores or restaurants for precise information.

Shops and malls open around 10:00am Monday- Saturday and are closed on Sundays. Restaurants typically offer food until 10:00pm and are closed on Mondays.

The official national language in Hamburg is German. English is often spoken in public businesses.

TRAIN: Hamburg public transport (HVV) is extensive and efficient. The Underground train (U-Bahn) and Light-Rail Network (V-Bahn) making navigating Hamburg easy. Both the U-Bahn and V-Bahn connect the city center to the greater region. If use of public transportation trains is extensive, it is recommended that tourists obtain the Hamburg CARD which allows for multiple trips and discounts on various other activities throughout Hamburg.

Event Tickets for the railway are available at a discounted rate to all congress attendees. Download instructions to purchase discounted Deutsche Ban Event Tickets here. 

BUS: The bus network is very efficient and compliments the U-Bahn and V-Bahn networks well throughout the city.

AIRPORT: 70 or more airlines connect with Hamburg nonstop around the globe. The Hamburg transport association (HVV) ensures efficient public transit from the airport. The S-Bahn (S1) connects the airport with the city center and runs every ten minutes. In approx. 22 minutes you will reach Hamburg main station. There is also a good bus service provided and plenty of taxis are always available.

For more information on public transit, please see here.

Your enjoyment and wellbeing during your stay in Hamburg are of the utmost importance. Violent crimes are rare in Hamburg, and it is advised to take the same security precautions in Germany that one would practice in any large city abroad. The most common crime tourists can experience is pick-pocketing. For more information, please visit your governments international travel advisory pages.

Emergency numbers

To make calls while in Hamburg, please use the Germany Country code: 49.

To get from Hamburg Airport to the city center, you have many transfer options: taxi, public transit or private car. For the public train, S1 on the S-Bahn connects the airport with the city centre and runs every 10 minutes. It is approximately 24 minutes from the airport to the Haupthahnhof station and 27 minutes to the Jungfernstieg station, which is more centrally located to the city centre.

For more information, please visit the airport website here.

In a medical emergency, Asklepios Clinc Wandsbek (+49 40 1818830) and Marienkrankenhaus Hamburg Central (+49 40 25460) in addition to several other hospitals have Emergency Rooms. If you are injured in a traffic accident, you will automatically be taken to the closest emergency room.

For many, Hamburg is Germany’s finest city – a cosmopolitan host open to change, refreshing by day and exciting by night. The city of Hamburg is an example of the fusion of tradition and modernity.

Internet and Electricity: Free Wi-Fi hotspots are common throughout Germany, specifically in some restaurants, cafes, bars, and shopping malls. Power plugs and sockets are of Type F. The standard voltage is 230 V.

Food: Hamburg tends to stick to its roots. Typical dishes contain meat, potatoes and gravy, accompanied by vegetables or salad. There is are a high number of small shops where "croques" (French version of sandwiches) or Doner (Kebab) can be purchased. Do not forget to try Labskaus, a traditional dish of Northern Germany! Despite the traditional dishes of Germany, vegetarianism is on the rise in Hamburg, often including at least one dish in restaurants.

Coffee: Germans love to drink coffee. Coffee can be found everywhere in the citty and is generally always freshly brewed. Hamburg is also the world's busiest place for coffee trading.

Entertainment: The Kiez or Reeperbahn is a street and nightlife entertainment district in Hamburg's St. Puli district, located approximately 3 kilometers (10 minutes) from the CCH.