Question 1

What is the "Fake Concert and Event Ticket Sellers" scam in Hamburg?

Accepted Answer

Street sellers near major Hamburg venues — including the Elbphilharmonie, Barclays Arena, and the Reeperbahn's music clubs — sell forged or invalid tickets for sold-out events. Tickets may appear genuine but are duplicates, already-used barcodes, or entirely fabricated. Sellers operate on foot near venue entrances in the hours before shows. Purchase tickets only from official venue box offices or verified ticketing platforms such as Eventim or Ticketmaster. The Elbphilharmonie has its own booking system through elbphilharmonie.de. Never buy tickets from individuals on the street regardless of how convincing the ticket looks.

Question 2

What is the "Port Area Fake Guide Commission Setups" scam in Hamburg?

Accepted Answer

Self-appointed "guides" near the Landungsbrücken ferry terminals and the Speicherstadt warehouse district offer to show tourists around and recommend restaurants or shops. These individuals receive commissions from overpriced tourist traps and steer visitors away from legitimate options. Some guides solicit payment for the tour itself, which was not agreed upon in advance. Decline unsolicited guide services near the Landungsbrücken. Use the official Hamburg Tourist Board (hamburg-tourism.de) for licensed city tours and restaurant recommendations. The Speicherstadt and HafenCity are easily navigated independently with a free map.

Tour & Activity Scams in Hamburg

Fake Concert and Event Ticket Sellers

Port Area Fake Guide Commission Setups

Experienced a scam here?