3rd EuCheMS Chemistry Congress Nürnberg 2010

The official currency in Germany is the Euro. You can change foreign currency in several banks and Currency Exchange Businesses. Bank cheques are not so widespread and they are rarely accepted. Credit cards are very common in the urban areas. Shops and restaurants that normally accept credit cards display a list of these cards on their shop windows.
It's advisable to carry some cash money with you, since for small purchases shops do normally prefer to be paid cash. Banks are usually open: Mon-Fri, from 09:00 to 12:30 and from 14:30 to 16:30; they are closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Shopping

The usual shopping hours in Nürnberg are from 09:00 to 20:00. The bigger warehouses like Karstadt, Kaufhof, H&M are open from 10:00 to 20:00 Mondays till Saturdays.

Parking

Parking with fee is available at the several Parking areas around the Congress Centre of the Congress Venue.
If you park in downtown in the controlled parking zones, you have to pay a fee from about 0,50 and 1,50 Euros for 1 hour parking. Private vehicle traffic and parking are strictly controlled inside the city centre. In the historical centre there won’t be many parking areas. At midday starting at 2.00 p.m. the parking lots will be reserverd for residents.
Please be so kind and use the signposted parking areas, as the biggest ones you will find as following. Parking area “Sterntor” in direction to the main station and the other one is called “Am Hauptmarkt”. For further information please click here http://www.parkhaus-nuernberg.de/parkhaeuser.php

Public Transport in Nürnberg

Public transport in the city is well organized. Tickets must be purchased in advance at metro stations and punched on the bus/tram before the first stop. It is possible to buy different types of tickets: ordinary city solo/plus, all day city, weekly (valid from Monday to Sunday). For more information, please, visit http://www.vgn.de or contact the VGN toll-free number: 0800 4 6 3 6 8 4 6 or the 0911 27075-99.

Taxis

You can take a taxi anywhere in the city. You can ask the reception of your hotel or you can dial numbers +49 (0)911-19410. Or you can have a look in the internet under the following webpage: http://www.taxi-nuernberg.de/index.php/taxi/preise_angebote

Notice for drivers

Drivers should be aware that the tolerance of blood alcohol level while driving in Germany is 0,5 g/l.

Smoking

Smoking is not allowed inside the Congress Center, the venues for the social events. Smokers are kindly required to smoke outdoors or in the smoking areas.

Electricity Supply

In Germany electricity is generally supplied at 220 volts and a frequency of 50 Hz. Plugs are normally with two or three pins.
Plug adaptors or converters might be necessary for those coming e.g. from the USA, UK and Japan.

Telephones

International calls can be made using any public telephone in the city centre. Please remember to dial the international code of the country you want to call to. The dialling code for Germany is +49 followed by the code of the city (i.e. if you want to call Nuernberg you should dial +49 (0)911 and the telephone number of the person you are calling). Pre-paid telephone cards are very easy to use and can be bought in any tobacco shop or in newspaper kiosk.

Weather

The average high in August/September is 26° and the low is 11°. We suggest you to bring a cotton wool pullover with you. (See wetteronline.de) http://www.wetteronline.de/Bayern/Nuernberg.htm