Major city · Germany
Hamburg
Give Hamburg 2–3 nights: one day for the harbour and Speicherstadt, one for the Elbphilharmonie and Alster, one for St Pauli at night.
Hamburg is Germany's second city and its biggest port, built around the Elbe and the Alster lakes. The centre is walkable and the U-Bahn and S-Bahn reach everything else in 20–30 minutes. Two nights covers the core; three lets you add a harbour day trip or a full evening in St Pauli.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (dark, wet, windy)
- Airport
- HAM
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Germany ↗Germany is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Germany ↗Nazi symbols and gestures are criminal offences, including as jokes or souvenirs.
- Germany ↗Many city centres are low-emission zones: a car needs the right sticker (Umweltplakette) to enter.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Hamburg112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Hamburg, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Germany-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelekom, Vodafone and O2 are the networks; Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect and congstar resell them cheaply in supermarkets and electronics shops.Germany-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.Germany-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or add 5–10%; say the total you want to pay as you hand over money or card.Germany-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Germany-wide
- SafetyHamburg is a safe big city by day.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsStation toilets cost €0.50–1.50 (≈ US$1–2) (Rail&Fresh WC); restaurant toilets are for customers…Germany-wide
- Emergency numbers112 fire and ambulance · 110 police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops close on Sundays and public holidays nearly everywhere except stations and airports.Germany-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportHAM Hamburg Airport (Fuhlsbüttel) (S1 S-Bahn to Hauptbahnhof, about 25 min).
- Getting aroundU-Bahn and S-Bahn cover the city; the HVV day ticket pays off from three rides.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€3–5 (≈ US$4–6)
- Street or quick mealCurrywurst or fish sandwich€4–8 (≈ US$5–10)
- Beer0.5 l in a bar€5–7 (≈ US$6–9)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€10–20 (≈ US$12–25)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry€8–16 (≈ US$10–19)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, mid hotel, a night, per room€140 (≈ US$170)
- High-end bedDouble room, mid hotel, a night, per room€260 (≈ US$350)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €110 (≈ US$130) · High €200 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- HAM Hamburg Airport (Fuhlsbüttel) (S1 S-Bahn to Hauptbahnhof, about 25 min)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jul
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Dec
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)), coolest Jan (−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Apr (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Hamburg: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
12 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
11 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
12 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 rd
Nov
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
12 rd
Dec
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
U-Bahn and S-Bahn cover the city; the HVV day ticket pays off from three rides. Buses and ferries are on the same ticket, and the Elbe ferries are a cheap harbour tour. Most of the centre is flat and walkable.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Lübeck
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Regional or IC train from Hamburg Hbf, about 45–50 min
Old town on an island; half a day is enough.
Bremen
goDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
IC train from Hamburg Hbf, about 1 h
See the /bremen guide; easy half-day or full day.
Berlin
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h 30 min
ICE train from Hamburg Hbf, about 1 h 45 min–2 h
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep there.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Altstadt and Neustadt
Central, walkable to the harbour and the Alster; quietest for early nights.
St Georg
East of the Hauptbahnhof; hotels, cheap food, 10 min walk to the centre.
St Pauli and Altona
Nightlife and the Reeperbahn; louder at weekends, good S-Bahn links.
HafenCity
New waterfront district; modern hotels, few restaurants, 15 min walk to the Altstadt.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–95 (≈ US$70–120) excl. bed
- Mid
- €95–170 (≈ US$120–200) excl. bed
- High
- €170 (≈ US$200)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, mid hotel1 × 2 nights × €140 | €280 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €110 | €440 |
| S1 airport to Hauptbahnhof, one way2 × €4 · check | €8 |
| HVV day ticket, one day2 × €10 · check | €20 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €78 |
| Trip total≈ €214 per person per day, bed included | €856≈ US$1,000 |
2026 estimate in euro; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €3–5 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Currywurst or fish sandwich | €4–8 (≈ US$5–10) |
| Beer, 0.5 l in a bar | €5–7 (≈ US$6–9) |
| Museum entry | €8–16 (≈ US$10–19) |
| HVV single ride in the centre | €2.10–4.20 (≈ US$3–5) (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | €10–20 (≈ US$12–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Pickpockets on the Reeperbahn and in the Hauptbahnhof area at night.
- Some Reeperbahn bars and clubs have no posted prices: ask the total before you order.
- The S1 splits at Ohlsdorf: only the front cars go to the airport.
- No S-Bahn between about midnight and 04:00; bus 606 covers the airport route.No S-Bahn between about midnight and 4:00 AM; bus 606 covers the airport route.
Emergency numbers
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
- Police
- 110
Pocket card
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HamburgHamburg
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Zu dieser Adresse, bitteTo this address, please
Emergency
- Fire and ambulance112
- Police110
Embassy
The US has a consulate-general in Hamburg; most other countries keep embassies in Berlin (check addresses).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- HAM airport → Hauptbahnhof, S1: about €4.10 (≈ US$5), about 25 min (check)
- HVV day ticket (Zone A/B): about €10 (≈ US$12) (check)
- ICE Hamburg → Berlin: about €40–80 (≈ US$50–95), 1 h 45 min–2 h (check)
Say or show
- Moin — Hello (moyn)
- Danke — Thank you (dahn-kuh)
- Die Rechnung, bitte — The bill, please (dee rekh-noong, bit-tuh)
- Kann ich mit Karte zahlen? — Can I pay by card? (kahn ikh mit kar-tuh tsah-len)
- Wo ist der Bahnhof? — Where is the station? (voh ist dair bahn-hohf)
- Entschuldigung — Excuse me (ent-shool-dee-goong)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Hamburg. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (dark, wet, windy) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for HAM: last S1 departures, bus 606 fallback, taxi rung.
Sources
- officialHamburg official city site
- officialHamburg Tourism
- officialHamburg Airport
- secondaryWikivoyage: Hamburg, revision 5334364 (CC BY-SA 4.0)