WELCOME TO HANNOVER

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(source: www.hannover.de)

Hannover is the capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony and, with a population of round about 520,000, one of the major hubs of northern Germany. The city is well known in Germany and beyond for hosting annual commercial expositions, such as the Hannover Fair and the CeBIT. Moreover, it is a major intersection of Europe’s main railway lines and highways.

Business Hours/Attire: Businesses operate Monday-Friday between 8 am and 6:30 pm and Saturdays between 7 am and 2 pm. About one third of the stores, usually department stores and other large establishments, stay open till 8 pm on weekdays and 4 pm on Saturday. If you need something late at night or on a Sunday, try the stores at the Hannover central station or a gas station convenience store. Other than that, all stores are closed on Sundays, except for restaurants, so please plan your Sunday’s accordingly! Government employees, unionized workers and others tend to begin their weekend at 2:30 pm Fridays. While Hannover’s businessmen wear suits and ties, they don't confine themselves to traditional dark colors and pinstripes. Ties tend to be colorful, as do women's business fashions.

Airport: The international airport is easily reached from Hannover by taking the S-Bahn 5 from the central station (runs every 30 minutes from 4:30 am until midnight).

Taxis: A cab ride will get you downtown in about 20 minutes and will cost about 20 Euros. (The S-Bahn is faster and cheaper, if you don't have cumbersome luggage.)

Trains: The S-Bahn commuter train will save you money and time, especially during rush hours and is quick and easy to use. However, don’t forget to buy a ticket at one of the automated kiosks in the station, which offer an English setting, before you board; to be caught without one will cost you 40 Euros.

Telephone Codes: Country code: 0049; city code: 0511. When dialing from outside the country, drop the first 0 on the country code. Local phone numbers do not necessarily have the same number of digits.

Emergency Telephone Numbers: Police 110; ambulance and fire 112. Get a German speaker to call. Orange S.O.S. phones are located throughout the city. In an emergency, pull the lever and speak into the box.

Emergency Health Care: For an ambulance, a German speaker should dial 112. The U.S. and British Consulates provide lists of English-speaking doctors.

Emergency Pharmacies: The pharmacy in the hall of the central station (Leine Apotheke), is open Monday-Saturday 7 am - 10 pm, Sunday 8 am - 8 pm, phone 0511 / 533 4825.

Currency: The monetary unit is the Euro, abbreviated €, with 100 Eurocents to 1 Euro. In Germany, when prices are expressed in writing, a comma (rather than a period) is used to separate euros from cent, and a period is used to separate the thousand’s place. For

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example, one thousand two hundred euros and 15 cents would be €1.200,15. At press time, the exchange rate was one € for 1.09$.

Currency Exchange: ATMs (automated teller machines, called Geldautomaten in Germany) are abundant in Hannover, in the foyers of or just outside banks. ATMs accept some major foreign bank cards (and credit cards if you obtain a PIN prior to travel). They dispense Euros at the going rate of exchange. Using a debit card, your financial institution will charge a small ATM fee, but you avoid paying the larger commissions charged by Bureaux de Change. MasterCard is accepted wherever Eurocard is. You'll see both names and logos displayed on ATMs (and

1: exterior of convention center

at stores and restaurants). However, don't rely on just one bank or credit card to obtain cash. Sometimes a card, inexplicably, won't work in an ATM. If in doubt, however, find a Sparkasse ATM, as they are the most international debit card friendly.

Avoid changing currency at hotels, as they will add a hefty surcharge for the convenience. Banks throughout the city will give reasonable rates (usually 1%, which may be less than what your credit card company charges for using an ATM for cash advances). American Express exchanges currency and has Express Cash machines at the American Express Foreign Exchange Service, located at Georgstrasse 54, phone number 3681003.

Banking Hours: Monday-Friday 9:30 am-6:30 pm. Branches at train stations and the airport are typically open longer hours.

Tipping: Service charges are included in restaurant bills, but it's customary to round up anywhere from the nearest Euro (on bills less than 10 Euro) to 5%. Pay this directly to the server (don't leave money on the table.)

Weather: It’s not uncommon in Germany for rain to come and go throughout the day. Therefore, it’s a good idea to monitor the weather situation as it progresses. Additionally, weather forecasts are available in newspapers, on television and even on some public information screens throughout the city. For a rough estimation of the temperature in Fahrenheit, double the degrees of Celsius and add 30 for the degrees in Fahrenheit (the actual formula is to multiply by 1.8 and add 32). Taxes: All goods and services, including restaurant and hotel bills, include a value-added tax (VAT) of 7% on food and 19% on other purchases. Visitors who reside in countries that are not part of the European Union may apply for reimbursement of the VAT on all goods purchased at stores affiliated with Europe Tax-Free Shopping. The cash refund can be obtained at the airport before departing the country. A brochure with instructions in English is available at the airport's information desk.

Mail and Package Service: Mailboxes are yellow. Most post offices are open Monday- Friday 9 am-6 pm, Saturday 9 am-1 pm. The post office near the central station is located inside the Postbank (Ernst-August-Platz 2) and is open Monday-Saturday 10am- 8pm, phone 0180-3040700 (€ 0.12 per minute). UPS and FedEx both pick up anywhere in Hannover. UPS toll-free number: 0800-882-6630, Monday-Friday 8 am-6 pm. FedEx number: 01803-123-800 (€ 0.09 - € 0.42), Monday-Friday 8 am-7 pm.

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Entertainment Guides: Information on events, restaurants and nightlife is also available from the tourist information offices and ticket brokers.

Tourism Offices: They are located directly opposite the main train station, open Monday- Friday, 9am to 6pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 3pm. There is also one located in the New Town Hall, open Monday-Friday 9:30am to 6:30pm and weekends from 10am to 6:30pm. Tel: +49-511-12345 111

Shopping: The pedestrian zone is one of the longest in Germany and offers a huge variety of shops in close proximity. The shopping arcades Niki-de-Saint-Phalle-Promenade, Kröpcke-Passage and Galerie Luise and the Ernst-August Galerie offer something for everybody. More high-end shopping can be found near the opera in Georgstrasse. For a special shopping atmosphere, visit Marktkirche in the Altstadt.

3: Ernst-August-Galerie 2: Niki-de-Saint-Phalle-Promenade

Nightlife: GOP Varieté-Theater, Georgstrasse 36, (artists from all over the world perform spectacular acrobatics, fascinating magic and comedy; tickets: (0511 / 30 18 67-10), Theater am Aegi, Aegidientorplatz 2, (program varies from comedy or drama to special performances by famous German-speaking actors; tickets: (0511 / 98 93 334).

Live Music: Jazz Club Hannover, Am Lindener Berge 36, phone 0511 / 454455; Brauhaus Ernst-August (offers virtually every kind of food, dancing and live music), Schmiedstrasse 13, phone 0511 / 365950.

Taverns and Pubs: Oskar’s Bar (classic bar: sophisticated cocktails, over 300 single malts), Georgstrasse 54, phone 0511 / 2352434; Mini Bar (hotspot in the heart of downtown), Thielenplatz 2, phone 0511 / 327691.

Year-Round Entertainment in Hannover

Hannover, typically hosts most of the nightlife, restaurants and hotels in its town center, but nightlife is not restricted to the big city: the surrounding towns of the Hannover Region also offer plenty of opportunities. Herrenhäuser Gärten (Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen): The world-famous baroque gardens of Herrenhausen and the adjacent George Garden, a landscape garden in the English style, together form a grand display of the art of European horticulture over a period of three centuries. Opposite them is the Hill Garden (Berggarten), where between 500 and 800 orchids in resplendent bloom can be admired throughout the year. Spring water babbles in hidden corners, while the Great Fountain rises to an impressive height of 70 meters (230 feet).

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Lake Steinhude / Deister Hills: Lake Steinhude in the north-west of Hannover with its 32 square kilometers (12.3 square miles) offers plenty of space for aquatic activities. 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) south of Hannover lies the Deister, a chain of hills where cyclists and hikers will find well-made and clearly marked paths with huts and barbeque sites.

Hannover Zoo: Exotic landscapes, over 2,600 animals and awe-inspiring shows can be found at Hannover Adventure Zoo, which consist of six Zoo Worlds. With the ability to go on safari through the African Zambezi River Landscape, climb the imposing Gorilla Mountain and discover the sumptuous Jungle Palace, the zoon is a must see for all ages.

Hannover’s Main Attractions

Aegidienkirche: Built in the 14th century and destroyed in World War II, the church was not been rebuilt afterwards and serves as a memorial for all war victims. It accommodates a bell donated by Hannover’s twin city Hiroshima.

The “red thread”: Is a red line that leads visitors through Hannover’s city center and connects places of historic and architectural interest. It is 4,200 meters long (2.6 miles) and will, in combination with an information brochure available at the Tourist Information, provide you with an array of new views and insights.

4: Aegidienkirche

Leineschloss: Situated on the Leine is the former residence of the Hannoverian Kings and the current seat of the Landtag (state assembly) of Lower Saxony. Constructed around 1636 and renovated several times, it burnt down completely during World War II and was completely rebuilt between 1957 and 1962.

Sea Life: On an area of 3,500 square meters (37, 674 square feet) in the Herrenhausen district of Hannover, visitors can experience a whole range of aquatic habitats, from the River Leine to the Caribbean and the Amazon, along with Germany’s first Sea Life tropical aquarium holding more than 5,000 aquatic creatures.

M2016 Travel Guide

I. Getting to Hannover

International travelers have the following options:

If you are travelling via a major European airport, check for connecting flights to Hannover Airport (Hannover‐Langenhagen, small, regional airport). For example, a direct flight from Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) to Hannover airport via Lufthansa takes approx. 1:00h. Once you arrive at the airport, you can get to the city by taxi (approx. 20 minutes), or by suburban train (“S‐Bahn”) S5, which runs every 30‐minutes almost 24 hours/day from Terminal C (17‐20 minutes to Hannover main station/downtown). Or, fly into one of the large airports with a direct train connection to Hannover, such as Frankfurt International (direct connection from FRA to Hannover

main station: 2:40h) or Duesseldorf Airport (2:30h to Hannover main station). You may also fly into Hamburg or Berlin – please note: there are no direct train connections from these airports, you must transfer from the airport to the main station.

II. Public Transport within Germany – long‐distance/inter‐city travel:

Basic information: Deutsche Bahn (DB) operates the inter‐city rail network. For travel between major cities, use DB’s ICE (Inter‐City Express) or IC/EC trains –

you can recognize them by color (white chassis with a red stripe). Tickets: For general guidance, please visit DB’s dedicated website for a step‐by‐step introduction on where/how to buy tickets. Several options exist:

Recommended: online ticket, purchased in advance (via www.bahn.com, or through your local travel agent) – gets you the best available rate & will allow you to make a seat reservation throughout the booking process (recommended!)

Use one of the DB’s ticket vending machines, located at all main train stations (picture) – English option provided Purchase a ticket at one of the DB Travel Centers – located at each city’s main station (“Hauptbahnhof”) If you are in a rush – you may also purchase tickets on any long‐distance train (i.e. ICE/IC/EC). A surcharge will apply Call DB travel service hotline for support/tickets: +49 1806‐996633 (costs vary by network)

Connections: can be checked via www.bahn.com. We also suggest downloading the Deutsche Bahn Navigator App (available for iOS/Android/Windows). You can check & print train connections at any of the official Deutsche Bahn ticket vending machines.

Remarks: Seat reservation must be purchased in addition to a valid ticket (4.50 EUR/journey & seat) and are optional. If you are travelling on a Deutsche Bahn ICE/IC/EC without a seat reservation, you may sit in any untaken seat (first‐come, first‐serve). But, look out for reserved seats, which are indicated on the LCD displays at your head‐level (for every seat), as shown in this picture. If nothing is displayed, the seat is not reserved. Please note: you may still enter a train without a seat reservation, however, especially during rush hours and large events like trade shows, trains are often very crowed – so plan accordingly! We recommend, you make a seat reservation in advance! How to find the right coach: If you have a seat reservation, your ticket will show both, a seat & coach number (on DB trains, coach numbers are displayed next to each door). At the dedicated departure platform of your train, look for the travel information showcases (see pictures in glossary below) and look for the

“Wagenstandsanzeiger” (i.e. coach location indicator). Next, check your ticket for train number & departure time as well as the coach number of your seat reservation to identify the platform section where your coach is scheduled to park upon arrival of the train (differs by train & time). Platforms are divided in sections (A‐G) and indicated by blue signs with white letters. Please note: the scheduled coach order may change occasionally.

Further information on the booking process and other details can be found on the official Deutsche Bahn website. Ask CS Germany staff if you have questions!

III. Public Transport in Hannover:

Basic information:

The Public Transport Association for the greater Hannover‐region is called GVH. The local public transport operator/company is called Üstra. In order to use local public transport in Hannover, you will need to purchase a valid ticket before entering any bus, tram, subway, suburban train (“S‐Bahn”).

In most cases, it is NOT possible to buy tickets on a bus/tram/suburban train and should be purchased before entering. The option to buy a ticket on‐board is not always available. Single tickets bought at ticket vending machines are automatically validated for immediate use. They are valid for two hours and only to be used for one‐

way trips. A separate ticket must be bought for return trips, even if they are within the two‐hour period. Multi‐trip travel cards must be validated immediately upon entering a bus/tram/train in Hannover (look out for blue boxes and enter ticket for validation (picture). Validated tickets must be presented to authorized personnel in case of random checks.

Tickets: The best option for those staying for the entire duration of Hannover Messe is the official GVH Hannover Fair Card (“Messe Card”) for 23.8 Euros, which is

valid April 24‐29 and may be used for the entire Hannover region (including to/from Airport to city). The ticket can be purchased online: GVH ticket shop. You may also purchase (1) single tickets, (2) day passes, or (2) multiple‐journey tickets (“Carnet Tickets”). Information on ticket prices, zones as well as

outlets can be accessed via the GVH website. Single tickets purchased at a ticket vending machine are automatically validated for immediate use – all other tickets must be validated at dedicated

validation machines which are installed in trams & buses (picture) around Hannover. If you are travelling on a suburban train/”S‐Bahn” (e.g. from Hannover main station to the fair grounds/or airport,) make sure to validate any multiple‐journey ticket on the platform before entering.

How to Find Connections: GVH website (Quick timetable) and mobile App (https://www.gvh.de/service/gvh‐app/). Once you are in Hannover, you have several options to get to the Hannover Trade Fair premises:

Hannover HBF/main station to Hannover Messe (WEST Entrance): Take suburban train S4 to Hannover Messe/Laatzen (2 stops). Travel time is 7 minutes. The Hannover Messe/Laatzen station is approximately 400 m from the WEST 1 fair grounds entrance. During the fair German Railway extends its schedule by special train services at station Hannover Messe/Laatzen Hannover HBF/main station to Hannover Messe/Trade Fair (NORTH Entrance): Take tram lines 8 and 18, get off at tram stop Messe/Nord (duration: 17‐20

minutes) and enter at fair ground entrance NORTH. Taxi is another option, which takes approx. 20‐30 minutes from Hannover main stations (outside of rush hour). If you are staying outside of the city‐center, check GVH website for a personalized public transport connections

IV. Resources

Deutsche Bahn: www.bahn.com GVH: https://www.gvh.de/home/?no_cache=1&L=1 Hannover Fair/Travel Information: http://www.hannovermesse.de/en/info/for‐visitors/travel/ Hannover Airport: http://www.hannover‐airport.de/en/passengers‐visitors/traveling‐parking/directions/ Taxi Hannover: e.g. +49 (0)511 3811 (in Germany, dial: 0511‐3811) Emergency numbers Germany : Fire: 112 – Police: 110 U.S. Embassy Berlin: https://de.usembassy.gov/embassy‐consulates/addresses‐and‐opening‐hours/ (+49 (0)30 8305‐0)

V. Glossary/Pictures

Deutsche Bahn Inter‐City‐Express (ICE) train

‐ Fastest train in Germany, connecting all major cities in Germany ‐ Also connecting several cities in neighboring countries

(e.g. Amsterdam, Brussels, Copenhagen, Vienna, etc.)

Inter‐City/Euro City

‐ Similar to ICE, slightly slower, more stops ‐ Slightly less expensive than ICE

Suburban train / “S‐Bahn” ‐ Local &regional travel

Ticket vending machine (Deutsche Bahn)

‐ Tickets ‐ (long‐distance & local/regional travel) ‐ Seat reservations ‐ Connections ‐ Payment via cash & credit card ‐ Multi‐lingual

Connections and platforms

‐ Check your ticket for travel details (train number, departure time, and platform)

‐ Make use of travel information displays (shows train number, type, destination, departure time, platform number and additional information such as delays)

‐ Also check for train connections and details at (1) information counters, (2) ticket machines, (3) travel information showcase on platforms

Platform numbers and section

‐ Platform numbers are indicated on each platform display ‐ On some (especially smaller, regional) stations, blue signs with

white letters indicate platform numbers and sections: (sign to the right indicate: 2=platform number; B=section)

Seat Reservations on ICE/IC trains (1) – How to locate your coach, before the arrival of the train

‐ On the platform where your train departs, look for the travel

information showcases (see first picture to the right) ‐ Check for the sign: “Wagenstandanzeiger” (see picture #2) ‐ On your reservation, check your train number, time of departure,

as well as coach and seat number. With this information, you will be able to identify the (estimated) location of your coach once the train arrives at the station/platform.

‐ Use the chart to identify the section on the platform (i.e. normally from section A‐G) – wait here and look for coach numbers upon arrival of the train (on display next to each train door)

Seat reservations (2) ‐ how to find your seat on a train coach

How to check for existing reservations on an ICE‐train: ‐ Double‐check that you are in the right coach (check

ticket/reservation) – start looking for your seat number (see picture to the right)

‐ On the right‐hand side: the displayed text indicates that seat #56 is reserved from Hamburg‐Frankfurt.

‐ If you board a train without a seat reservation, keep looking for a seat that shows no such text next to the seat number

How do identify the right train on the platforms:

‐ Check platform displays with info on waiting/incoming trains ‐ Make sure you get on the right train (also check information

displayed on train before getting on!) ‐ Listen to announcements (typically in German& English)

GVH/UESTRA (local travel Hannover)

UESTRA ticket vending machine (including ticket validation machine)

Ticket Validation machine (on tram)

Trams Hannover

‐ Various modals/coaches in use