Hamburg packing list for families with kids: what you need, what you don’t, what to expect from the weather
Our complete Hamburg packing list for families: what to pack for Hamburg with kids in each season.
Hamburg is a fabulous city for kids. It is beautiful, mostly stroller friendly, full of playgrounds, safe and a city that just works well.
It is however a city with very distinct weather patterns by season and also temperatures that feel rather different to what the thermometer suggests – so a packing list to help choose what to bring and what to leave home is handy!
After spending time in Hamburg, I’ve learned that packing successfully here is much less about extreme temperatures and much more about layers, waterproof clothing and comfortable everyday outfits.
Because what I noticed there is that on paper, the temperatures often look innocently mild, especially inspiring and summer.
In reality, Hamburg’s combination of wind, rain and harbour humidity can make the city feel much colder or much hotter than thermometers suggest!
Our last time in Hamburg was in summer, you can find our Hamburg itinerary with kids here, so our photos reflect that trip specifically.
Hamburg weather and clothing style
Hamburg has four distinct seasons and weather that goes from very cold in winter to properly hot in summer: therefore, what to pack for Hamburg with kids is primarily determined by your time of travel.
The city doesn’t require particular gear or style tips (huge variety of styles here!) and it is very well equipped with shops with baby essentials which means you can also pack rather light, knowing many things can be purchased locally.
Hamburg style tends to be practical, understated and fairly casual.
Comfortable shoes, good outerwear and weather-proof layers will usually serve you better than overly dressy outfits, although there are a lot of fancy bars and restaurants too so if dressy is your style, you can definitely embrace that here too!
The one thing that is good to have with you in any season is a rain layer!
Even in summer, the glorious Hamburg sunshine may quickly leave room to a shower (or more!) so a light layers to protect you from the rain and a travel umbrella can help.
In winter, a warm waterproof jacket is a must.
Good to know: you can buy toiletries and baby essentials such as diapers, wipes, formula and baby food in supermarkets all across the city. Unless you need specific brands that are not available in Germany, I recommend you only pack what you need for the journey and the first couple of days, then buy once in Hamburg as needed.
Documents and Tech (all seasons)
- Passport /ID with sufficient validity and all Visa / Stay permit if relevantA good source for this is the US travel department
- Documents to travel with your kids: if you are traveling alone with a child, you may be asked to prove you are their parent /guardian etc. Check all documentary requirements that may apply to you well in advance of your tips.
- Phone and relevant charger
- Spare battery pack
- Adaptor/converter if needed
Need to know: If traveling from a country with different voltage, for instane the US, you may need a converter for all non-dual voltage appliances such as hair straighteners etc or they’ll get fried!
Baby / toddler essentials
- Stroller
- Stroller footmuff (winter)
- Stroller rain cover (winter, fall, spring)
- Stroller canopy
- Baby carrier – not a must but can be useful, especially for things such as the boat tours, where strollers are allowed but will mostly stay folded
- Baby essentials for your first day in the city, so you don’t have to hit the shops as soon as you land.
- Toys, teethers, dummy, favorite blank/ cuddly toy
- Booster seat / Mifold for taxi rides if relevant. If staying long, you want to get a EU approved seat instead, at they are tested for safety in EU cars specifically
- Baby sleeping bag if using
Toiletries
You can buy all your toiletries in Hamburg and many hotels will offer basics such as hand and body wash and sometimes shampoo.
Conditioner is not usually supplied, nor are washcloths, which is common in Europe (they are not a thing here).
If you prefer familiar brands, and you’re using this list as a checklist, items you may consider bringing with you are:
- Face wash and washcloth if using
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Face and body hydrating cream with UV filter + hands cream against the cold
- Deodorant
- Tweezers
- Dental kit
- Feminine higene products
- Make up
- Travel pillow for plane or train/bus
- Basic medications such as anti fever, anti allergy etc. All prescription medications you use, with prescriptions and original packaging.
- Basic first aid kit for travel
Essential clothing by season
What to wear in Hamburg in spring and fall: packing list
- Underwear for all family / baby grows an onesies for small kids
- Socks
- Long pants/trousers
- Tights and mid season skirt /dress
- Long and short tops for layering
- Cardigan / Sweater
- Mid-season jacket, make it a warm one for early spring and late autumn, ideally rain proof and with a hood
- Travel umbrella
- Scarf
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Pajama
- Very good walking shoes
Hamburg packing list for winter: clothing
I find Hamburg absolutely artic in winter so I need very warm things!
If you are used to very cold winters, you may find it less demanding than I did winter is cold here: don’t think UK or Irish winter, think proper, deep cold days and nights.
- Socks and underwear, including thermal top layer
- Long pants
- Warm skirt and tights
- Long and short sleeve tops for layering
- Winter sweater/hoodie
- Warm waterproof coat with hood
- Scarf, hat, gloves
- For babies / toddlers, a warm winter snowsuit can be a great investment
- Travel Umbrella
- Pajama
Hamburg packing list summer
- Underwear
- Shorts / skirts / linen or other light fabric pants
- Short sleeve tops and sleeveless tops
- Light cardigan
- Light summer rain jacket
- Good walking sandals
- Sunhat
- Sunglasses
- Pajama
Good to know: Hamburg is a very bike friendly city and in summer cycling is a lovely way to get around. Packing for easy bike rides is a good idea!
Best shoes for Hamburg
In Hamburg you’ll walk a lot and if you follow our family itinerary you’ll also cycle and spend time a the park. So, the best shoes for Hamburg are comfortable ones!
You do not need to stress about style or blending in as Hamburg has an incredible variety of styles, so you will be ok with whatever you fancy!
Shoes style that work well are sneakers (New Balance, Adidas etc), walking sandals like Teva or similar in summer and boots with rubber sole in winter.
The city doesn’t require particular gear or style tips (huge variety of styles here!) and it is very well equipped with shops with baby essentials which means you can also pack rather light, knowing many things can be purchased locally.
Hamburg packing list for families pin this!
