Climate Hamburg enjoys a milder climate than the interiors of Germany, mostly because of its proximity to the sea. The cool sea breeze makes sure that it s pollution levels remain low and so the air is relatively clean. It can rain anytime of the year and there is no specific season, though it is wettest in July and August and driest in February.

On Arrival Hamburg International Airport is 8 km (5 miles) north-east of the city centre. There are no train services at the airport yet, but a bus shuttle service runs to the city centre every 20 minutes, which is more expensive than the bus which takes you to the nearest metro station, (S & U-Bahn). The Airport Express telephone: 40 22 71 06 61 runs bus services to the nearby Ohlsdorf U-Bahn/S-Bahn station every ten minutes, to Hamburg central station nonstop (a 30 minute journey) every 15-20 minutes, and to Altona train station every 30 minutes (a 31 minute journey) from Terminals 1 and 4. Hamburg Bus Lines run buses to the city centre and other points around Hamburg. For more transport information in and around the city please go to our Transport pages.

Tourist Information Centres For information, maps and further advice on Hamburg contact one of several centers. Tourist-Information, Hauptbahnhof, Kirchenallee exit telephone: 040/30-05-12-01, is open daily 7am to 10pm in and phone inquiries are accepted from 8am to 8pm daily; and Port Information, St. Pauli Landungsbrücken can be contacted on: 040/30-05-12-00. It is open April 1 to October 1 9:30am to 7pm, and October 2 to March 31 from 10am to 5:30 pm.

Hamburg is very easy to reach from all directions and by all means of transportation. Hamburg airport is located in the city zone and only 20 minutes from the city centre. You can reach Hamburg by car or bus via a total of five autobahns and many main roads. Hamburg is a stop on the North Sea Bicycle Trail and is a port of call for many a cruise ship

Tourist Discount Cards Experience Hamburg easy-going and at a good value with the Hamburg Card! Not only is all public transportation free with the purchase of this ticket, it also includes free admission to various museums and countless other reductions. The Hamburg Youth Pass is ideal for young adults up to age 30. It, too, features a number of reductions to various museums and theatres. Both cards are available at all Hamburg tourist information offices, in various hotels as well as youth hostels or by calling +49-40 / 300 51 300. The Hamburg Card is also available at Hamburg Transit Authority (HVV) Customer Offices and ticket machines. 

What to Wear European clothes with light to medium-weights in summer, medium to heavyweights in winter. Waterproofs are needed throughout the year. 

Useful Telephone Numbers
Country dialling code telephone: 49
Emergency Services telephone: 112
Police telephone:110
Fire Brigade telephone: 112

Health and Safety There are no health risks in this country. Exercise usual caution you would in a new place and you should be fine. As far as safety is concerned, follow the normal rules: Don't flash jewellery or money around, don't walk along deserted alleyways at night and you should be relatively safe. 

Hospitals
Allgemeines Krankenhaus Barmbek Rubenkamp 148, Hamburg, can be contacted on: 406 3850
Allgemines Krankenhaus St. Georg Lohmuhlenstr. 5, Hamburg, can be contacted on: 4028 9001
Universitatskrankenhaus Eppendorf (UKE) Martinistr. 52, Hamburg, is obtainable by calling: 4042 8030

Time Zone  GMT+1Daylight saving time GMT+2 (last Sunday in march till the 2nd to last Sunday in October) 

Business Hours Offices usually work 9 am to 5 pm with a five day week.

Languages The official language of Germany is naturally German although you will find that many people will understand and speak English quite well.