Hamburg travel tips: what to know before you go

Things to know

1. Say 'Moin' as a greeting at any time of day; 'Moin moin' is considered talkative.
2. Keep out of the red cycle lanes on pavements; cyclists ride fast and expect pedestrians to stay clear.
3. Wait for the green pedestrian light even when the road is empty.
4. Return deposit (Pfand) bottles to supermarkets for a refund, or leave them beside bins for collectors.
5. Keep noise down on Sundays and after 10pm in residential streets.
6. Book Elbphilharmonie and Plaza ahead: Concert tickets sell out months ahead; check the official site for returns and less popular dates.
7. Book Miniatur Wunderland ahead: Reserve a timed entry online, especially for weekends and school holidays.
8. Use ferry 62 on a normal HVV ticket instead of a paid harbour cruise for similar views.

Tipping

Round up or add about 5–10% for table service, telling the server the total when you pay rather than leaving cash on the table.

Language

What to wear

Bring a waterproof jacket in any season; wind and drizzle off the Elbe are common, and layers are the local norm.

Practical details

Plugs and voltage

Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz

Drinking water

Tap water is safe to drink and of high quality.

Emergency number

112 (fire and ambulance), 110 police

Phone and internet

EU roaming applies to European SIMs; free Wi-Fi is available in many cafés, at the airport and in some public spaces.

Time zone

Europe/Berlin

Hamburg is generally safe for visitors, but pickpocketing occurs on busy trains, at the Hauptbahnhof and on the Reeperbahn at weekends. The area immediately around the Hauptbahnhof can feel uncomfortable late at night, so stay alert.

Plan the trip

Hamburg travel guide · When to go · Costs.

Questions travellers ask