Hamburg public transport · Public Transport in Hamburg  TodayTourism All Destinations | Europe | Asia | North America | Africa | South America | Oceania | Hotels

Public Transport in Hamburg


Public Transport in Hamburg

Hamburg has a well developed public transport system. Buses go around the clock. At night, a special "Nachtbus" (night bus) service connects the outlying districts and the city center. The buses depart and arrive at "Rathausmarkt", near the town hall and operate all through the night. The Intracity train service (underground and overground) runs from approximately 5AM until 1AM in the central city, but there is often no service past 11PM in outlying districts. On weekends, it runs all night. See HVV — Hamburger Verkehrsverbund for lines and prices. Vending machines in the rail stations (and at some bus stops) sell short distance, single ride, and day tickets. Group tickets are also available. On the buses, the driver will sell you what you need. To buy week or longer tickets, go to Hauptbanhof or Bahnof Altona, get passport photos in the automated photo booth, and buy your pass in the information office. Or you can buy a Hamburg Card, which includes the public transport system, museums, and other things. You can get the Hamburg Card at all ticket offices and from the bus drivers. Hamburg's public transit operates on a trust system. Officials in red waistcoats make spot checks, but aside from this you simply get on and off as you wish with no turnstiles or gates. The exception is late evening (after 9PM) and Sundays on the buses, when the driver must check passengers' tickets. Try to avoid rush-hour before 9AM and between 4-7PM. If you start your travel after 9AM buy a "9 Uhr Tageskarte" which is a day ticket valid from 9AM and also between 4-6PM. You are not allowed to take bicycles into subways before 9AM and between 4-6PM, unless it is a folding bike like a Dahon, Brompton, Bike Friday, etc... Folders are allowed on Hamburg public transit at any time of the day. Six ferry services operate in the harbour and along the River Elbe as part of the regular public transport system. (Tip: Take ferry line 62 from Landungsbrücken to Finkenwerder and back to enjoy a scenic trip through the harbour on a day ticket.) On the two Alster lakes, a ferry boat travels once every hour from Jungfernstieg in the city centre to Winterhuder Fährhaus. These boats are not in the general HVV ticket system, thus more expensive, however, they offer a splendid view to some of the wealthiest neighborhoods of Hamburg. If you are traveling to Hamburg using a Niedersachsen ticket or Schleswig Holstein ticket, then you have access to all the HVV lines.

The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Hamburg


Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Hamburg - updated Mar 2024

SAVE up to 75% on Last Minute deals! Search for discount Hamburg hotels, motels, apartments, hostels, guest accommodations and vacation resorts. Book now and pay at the hotel. Instant email confirmation!


>>> SEARCH FOR DEALS <<<

WHERE TO TRAVEL NEXT IN 2020


Hamburg Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.

Europe | Asia | North America | Africa | South America | Oceania | All Destinations