Hamburg Transport

Hamburg's extensive system of U-Bahn and S-Bahn trains, buses and ferries won't leave you stranded. S-Bahn and U-Bahn tickets can be purchased at the bright orange machines at station entrances, while bus tickets are available onboard buses, from the driver. We recommend you buy the Hamburg Card rather then normal tickets or day passes. With it, you can enjoy unlimited travel and it also gives free or reduced admission to most of the city’s museums.

City driving is surprisingly easy, with clear thoroughfares cutting through the city centre. The only drawback is expensive parking, particularly in the city centre or at hotel car parks.

By Metro

The ‘Hamburger HochBahn’ (elevated metro) is currently formed by three lines (U1, U2 and U3), with a total length of 101kms, 40kms of which are underground.

The U-Bahn is complemented by a dense S-Bahn service, which operates like a metro in central areas. Like the Berlin S-Bahn, Hamburg's S-Bahn is totally independent from other rail traffic and uses third rail power supply. The network consists of two inner-city links between the two mainline railway stations, Hamburg Hauptbahnhof and Hamburg-Altona and five branches.

Both U-Bahn and S-Bahn lines operate from 04:30 until midnight, every five minutes in central areas. S-Bahn lines run every 10 minutes in central areas and every 20 minutes in some outer areas. Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, U-Bahn and S-Bahn services operate all night long every 20 minutes (except on the Blankenese–Wedel and the Volksdorf-Ohlstedt/Großhansdorf routes).

At weekends and on public holidays, uninterrupted night-time services are provided on important U-Bahn and S-Bahn line sections within the city area of Hamburg (HVV-Infoline: +49 40 19 449).

By ferry

Six ferry services operate in the harbour and along the River Elbe as part of the regular public transport system. Take ferry line 62 from Landungsbrücken to Finkenwerder and back to enjoy a scenic trip through the harbour on a day ticket.

By bus

More than 1,500 of the very latest buses are in service around the clock and supplement the rapid transit rail network. On request, the drivers who operate these services can even call ahead and arrange for a taxi to pick you up at any bus stop along the way.

Taxis

Taxis in Hamburg are numerous and easy to get. They are available at all hotels and you can flag them down in the street. Taxi stands are also commonly found throughout the city. Prices for taxis in Hamburg are considered to be lower than in other German cities, and as in many European countries, taxi drivers in Germany do not expect to be tipped.

Tourist services

Experience Hamburg at a good value with the Hamburg Card. Not only is all public transportation free with the purchase of this ticket, but it also includes free admission to various museums and countless other reductions. The Hamburg Youth Pass is ideal for young adults up to the age of 30 years. It also features a number of reductions for entry to various museums and theatres. Both cards are available at all Hamburg tourist information offices, in various hotels as well as youth hostels, or by calling: +49 40 300 51 300. The Hamburg Card is also available at Hamburg Transit Authority (HVV) customer offices and ticket machines.

From the airport

Taxis services to central Hamburg are readily available. A door-to-door shuttle service is offered by TravelPorter (tel: +49 180 507 5286; website: www.travelporter.de) to destinations within Hamburg and farther afield. A limousine service is operated by STARS Limousine-Service (tel: +49 40 5075 3540). Many bus services run to the city centre and other points around Hamburg and the night bus number 606 stops at the main railway station. There is an Airport Express bus every 15 minutes to Hamburg’s central train station. The 110 Airport Express runs bus services from terminals 1 and 4 to the nearby Ohlsdorf Station for connections to the S-Bahn S1 and S11, and U-Bahn U1 to the main railway station and the city centre (Jungfernstieg).