Do not forget your passport. All citizens from countries outside the European Union might also need a valid visa.
Please consult the German Consulate or Embassy in your home country for details on entry regulations and visas.
JLU Giessen will not accept responsibility for individual medical, travel or personal insurance. All participants are strongly advised to take out all necessary insurances on their own before travelling to the Convention.
112: Fire/ Ambulance/ Emergency
110: Police
The EURO is the only accepted currency in Germany.
It is possible to pay with credit cards and debit cards in most shops, restaurants, museums, etc.
Bank services are available at the airport, throughout the city of Giessen, and close to the conference venue. You will find Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) throughout the city of Giessen. Look for the “EC”-sign near bank offices and post offices.
Most shops in Giessen are open from 10:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday, and from 10:00 to 16:00 on Saturday. Supermarkets are usually open from 8:00 to 20:00 and shopping centres from 10:00 to 20:00, Monday to Saturday. All shops are closed on Sundays. Petrol stations offer a (very) limited supply of goods on Sundays. Traditional bakeries will usually open in the morning on Sundays to sell fresh rolls and bread.
Germany uses the 230 volt 50 Hz system. Sockets follow the European standard.
Germany is on Central European Time, i.e. Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) plus 1 hour. For details and daylight saving time (DST/Summer Time) please see the time zone converter website.
The weather in Giessen in October is usually quite mild and can include long “Indian Summer” periods. However, it can also already include wet and windy spells of bad weather! So we suggest you bring along a coat and do not forget an umbrella – even if you might not need them.
Service is always included in bars and restaurants throughout Germany, but tips are welcome. If you enjoyed good service, we suggest leaving a small tip – usually around ten percent of the bill (it is good practice to round up to the nearest sum, i.e., to say “10 Euros are ok” if your bill amounts to 9 Euros 50 Cents).
The official language of the convention is English. Staff at hotels, most shops, and restaurants in Giessen speak English. Knowledge of a few phrases in German can be useful, however. A kind “Danke” (thank you) is always appreciated for service; approaching a stranger with “Entschuldigung” (excuse me) is a good idea – even if only asking a stranger in English whether s/he is able to speak English.
The staff of the Giessen Tourist Office will be happy to help you during your stay in Giessen.
Eating out in Giessen can be a great experience. We suggest the Badenburg / http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badenburg_(Gießen) for hearty medieval dishes in original surroundings (overlooking the Lahn river, the Badenburg has been a restaurant for the last 250 years – the “shovel of dirt” is legendary) and Tandreas for Gault Millau-style cuisine.