Hamburg: World Cup Host City
City facts: More than 1.7 million people call Hamburg home. As Germany's largest port, it also has the second-largest population in the country. Hamburg was a host city during the World Cup in 1974, along with the 1988 European Championships and a number of international matches.
How to get there/get around: The closest airport to Hamburg is Hamburg Airport. To find the best flight deals, search our airfare engine. Keep in mind that the cheapest days to fly are Tuesday and Wednesday.
If you're coming overland, trains can be taken from Berlin, Bremen or Hanover. The best way to travel across Germany is the World Cup Eurail Pass. This pass allows you flexible days of travel within Germany. Youths under 26 and two or more adults traveling together can also save money. Advantages include not having to deal with traffic or signs in foreign languages, easier navigation from one city to another and increased socialization with other excited World Cup fans!
If you'd rather be on your own schedule, then hiring a car might be a better option. Renting a car in Germany allows you to get off the beaten path and explore more of Germany's varied countryside. Hitting the road can give you a much needed break from other sports enthusiasts and the chance to drive no-holds-barred on the Autobahn!
Buses offer in-city transport.
Who's playing: Argentina, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Italy, Ivory Coast, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine
What's the schedule:
Saturday, June 10: Argentina vs. Ivory Coast
Thursday, June 15: Ecuador vs. Costa Rica
Monday, June 19: Saudi Arabia vs. Ukraine
Thursday, June 22: Czech Republic vs. Italy
Friday, June 30: Hamburg Quarterfinal TBD
Full World Cup Schedule
Stadium information: The FIFA World Cup Stadium Hamburg is a new stadium that seats almost 45,000 fans. Built to the tune of 97 million euro, the stadium opened in 2000 with rave reviews. The European commission gave the arena its highest star rating.
Where to get tickets: You can get tickets to every match played in the World Cup through World Cup Blog! Find tickets by team, grouping, individual game or city. Buy World Cup tickets for matches in Hamburg.
What else to do: If you need a break from the soccer madness, Hamburg boasts a number of attractions including the Art Mile, St Michaelis Church, and harbour tours. Reeperbahn and St. Pauli are the main shopping centers, and its Red-Light district is famous. For those that just want to relax, Hamburg is Germany's 'greenest city'.
Where to stay: You can find accommodation throughout the country with World Cup Blog's hotel database. It allows you to search multiple sites at once for the best deals on rooms in Germany. Use the search box in the right column, or find hotel deals in Hamburg. Hostels more your style? Check out these hostels in Hamburg.
How to keep in touch: If you own a mobile phone with a removable SIM card, you can buy a pre-paid German SIM card. You can find out your local German number before you arrive, and get free incoming calls while in the country. If you don't have a phone that will work, look into renting a German cell phone, which costs less than you think!
Wireless hot-spots and internet cafes can be found around the city. Locations include Coffee-Net Hamburg, FunClub Internetcafe, ElCafe and Docks, Tim Buktu Cafe and Lekebusch.
How to protect yourself: Many insurance carriers do not provide coverage overseas. Beat the odds and make the most of your holidays with affordable travel health insurance. In case of trip cancellation, you can also recover your costs with trip protection insurance.
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