Banks: 09:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday; some stay open until 18:30 on Thursdays
Post Offices: 08:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday; 08:00 to 13:00, Saturdays
Department Stores and Shops: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday; 09:00 to 14:00, Saturdays
Museums: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday; some open on weekends
Business Offices: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday

Dusseldorf is by no means a dangerous city to visit, with statistics for crime, and violent crime in particular, leaning towards the low side. Petty crime is present to an extent, just as it is in any major European city; however, with due care and attention, most visitors can ensure that they do not become the victims of pickpockets, bag snatchers and other opportunist thieves.

Keeping a state of awareness of your immediate surroundings in busy places is advised, as is ensuring that your cash and personal effects are located in secure places. Avoid daypacks unless they have lockable double zips or you are prepared to wear them up front in locations where light-fingered characters are likely to be present.

Muggings are known to occur so be wary of wandering into poorly lit, sparsely populated areas on your own. Women are generally safe to go out and about unaccompanied but might want to avoid travelling alone on public transport late at night. The train station attracts a few undesirables at night, so be wary of frequenting it alone and keep valuable items well hidden whether on your own or accompanied.

Health concerns are minor in Dusseldorf and visitors from developed EU cities run no higher a risk of taking ill than they would at home. Tap water is safe to drink and hygiene standards in public eating and drinking establishments are high and rigorously maintained.

EU citizens visiting the city and requiring emergency medical care can take advantage of reciprocal healthcare agreements provided they are in possession of a European Health Insurance Card (formerly E111). All other visitors will need to arrange travel insurance with medical cover to avoid the possibility of expensive hospital bills.

Dusseldorf’s healthcare system is of a high standard and comparable with that of UK cities and those of other established EU member states.

Dusseldorf General: +49 211 8116608
Emergency services: 112

Dusseldorf’s residents speak standard German with the accent typical of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Competent English speakers can be found easily at most tourist industry sites and venues but are surprisingly uncommon among the general public.

Dusseldorf uses the euro as its official currency, a unit that is comprised of 100 eurocents. Notes are issued in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros. Coins come in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 euro cents, and 1 and 2 euro denominations.

Cash and traveller’s cheques can be exchanged at the majority of banks across the city and also at currency exchange desks in the airport and in major hotels. ATMs are ubiquitous and will accept most foreign cards but those endorsed by international credit firms are the safest bet.

EU visitors are permitted to bring unlimited volumes of alcohol, tobacco and other consumer goods into or out of Germany, although excessively large amounts will certainly raise eyebrows and place an onus on the individual to prove that the items are for personal use only and not for re-sale. Visitors from other countries who are at least 17 years old may bring the following into the country without incurring duty payments: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 2 litres of spirits with a maximum of 22 per cent proof or 1 litre of spirits not exceeding 22 per cent proof or four litres of wine (non sparkling, non fortified); 50g of perfume or 250ml of eau de toilette and 500g of coffee; Gifts and souvenirs to the value of €175. A traveler can take up to 430 euros for air and sea travel, 300 euros in other cases and 175 euros if they are younger than 15. There is no limit on in the amount for coffee or perfume any more.

Germans are fairly reserved and formal characters for the most part but among friends a more relaxed approach to communication is enjoyed. Introductions between strangers are observed with a handshake and the appropriate greeting for the time of day (guten morgen, guten tag or guten abend for good morning/day/evening respectively). Titles are important (Herr for a man, Frau for a woman) and used until such a time as any party indicates otherwise.

Germans are known for being highly organised people and punctuality is imperative in both business and social appointments.

Drinking (beer especially) is an integral part of German culture; however, intemperance and the loutish behaviour that is often associated with it is not well tolerated so know your limits with regards to alcohol consumption and avoid aberrant behaviour in public places.

Dining Etiquette
If invited to a German home for dinner, be sure to arrive on timeand consider bringing a small gift of wine, chocolates or flowers for your host or hostess as a token of your appreciation for the invitation.

In the dining room, wait to be shown to your seat and then when at the table, do not commence eating until the host or hostess is seated and says 'Guten Appetit’. Table manners are continental, so European visitors should have no problems with matters such as use of eating utensils and napkins and where to put elbows while dining. It’s polite to eat everything on the plate and to indicate that you’ve finished by laying the knife and fork parallel on the right side of the dining plate.

Hosts generally make the first toast, after which the guest of honour would usually reciprocate. Following this, any guest may make a toast when an opening presents itself.

Visitors from Schengen countries may enter Germany for as long as they like and do not need a passport. Citizens of the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand may do the same, while South African citizens require a valid passport and a Schengen visa for the same period of stay. All other visitors will need a tourist visa, which can be applied for at a German embassy in a major city in their home country.

The city has a number of offices geared towards assisting visitors; they employ English-speaking staff and provide information on topics such as sights and attractions, transportation and accommodation. The details of the offices are as follows:

Tourist Office Altstadt, Burgplatz 
Phone: + 49 211 602 5753
Opening hours: 12:00 to 18:00, daily

Tourist Office Finanzkaufhaus, Berliner Allee 33
Tel: + 49 211 300 4897
Opening hours: 10:00 to 18:00, Monday to Saturday

Tourist Office Hauptbahnhof, Immermannstrasse 65b
Phone: + 49 211 172 0222
Opening hours: 10:00 to 18:00, Monday to Saturday