Getting Here & Around

Getting Here & Around

By Air

Hamburg's international airport, Fuhlsbüttel, is 11 km (7 mi) northwest of the city. The Airport-City-Bus (the private Jasper Airport-Shuttle) runs nonstop between the airport and Hamburg's main train station daily at 15- to 30-minute intervals between 5:45 AM and midnight. Tickets are EUR 5 (one-way). The (public) Airport-Express (Bus 110) runs every 10 minutes between the airport and the Ohlsdorf U- and S-bahn stations, a 15-minute ride from the main train station. The fare is EUR 2.50. A taxi to the downtown area will cost about EUR 20. If you're driving a rental car from the airport, follow the signs to stadtzentrum (downtown).

By Boat & Ferry

HADAG ferries to Altes Land and Lühe depart from the Landungsbrücken twice daily during the week and four times daily on weekends from April through October. Get off at the stop in Lühe. To reach Neunfelde, take the ferry from Blankenese.

By Bus & Subway

Hamburg's bus station, the Zentral-Omnibus-Bahnhof, is directly behind the main train station.

The HVV, Hamburg's public transportation system, includes the U-bahn (subway), the S-bahn (suburban train), and buses. As this book was being updated, the city was planning to revamp the ticketing system. At this writing, a one-way fare starts at EUR 1.30; EUR 1.65-EUR 2.60 covers one unlimited ride in the Hamburg city area. Tickets are available on all buses and at automatic machines in all stations and at most bus stops. A Ganztageskarte (all-day ticket), valid until 6 AM on the next day, costs EUR 6. A 9 Uhr-Tageskarte for just EUR 5.10 is valid between 9 AM on the day of purchase and 6 AM the next morning. If you're traveling with family or friends, a Gruppen- or Familienkarte (group or family ticket) is a good value—a group of up to five can travel for the entire day for only EUR 8.60-EUR 21.60 (depending on the number of fare zones the ticket covers).

You must validate your ticket at a machine at the start of your journey. If you are found without a validated ticket, the fine is EUR 40.

In the north of Hamburg, the HVV system connects with the A-bahn (Alsternordbahn), a suburban train system that extends into Schleswig-Holstein. Night buses (Nos. 600-640) serve the downtown area all night, leaving the Rathausmarkt and Hauptbahnhof every hour.

By Car

Hamburg is easier to handle by car than many other German cities, and traffic is relatively uncongested. During rush hour, however, there can be gridlock. Several autobahns (A-1, A-7, A-23, A-24, and A-250) connect with Hamburg's three beltways, which then easily take you to the downtown area. Follow the stadtzentrum signs. To reach Altes Land and Stade from Hamburg, take B-73 west.

By Taxi

Taxi meters start at EUR 2.40, then add EUR 1.68 per km thereafter. You can hail taxis on the street or at stands, or order one by phone.

By Train

There are two principal stations: the central Hauptbahnhof (Main Train Station) and Hamburg-Altona, west of the downtown area. EuroCity and InterCity trains connect Hamburg with all German cities and many major European ones. InterCity Express "supertrain" lines link Hamburg with Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich. Trains to Stade depart from the Hauptbahnhof.

Visitor Information

Hamburg has tourist offices around the city. The main office is in the Hauptbahnhof (Main Train Station) and is open Monday to Saturday 8 AM to 9 PM, Sunday 10 AM to 6 PM. At the harbor there's an office at the St. Pauli Landungsbrücken, between Piers 4 and 5, open April to November, daily 8 to 6, and March to October, Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday 10-6; Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday 10-7.

In addition to its comprehensive hotel guide, the tourist office also co-publishes Hamburger Vorschau, a free monthly program of events in the city. The free magazine Hamburg Tips is issued quarterly and details major seasonal events.

All tourist offices can help with accommodations, and there's a central call-in booking office for hotel and ticket reservations and general information, the Hamburg-Hotline. A EUR 4 fee is charged for every room reserved.

Essentials

Airport Information

Fuhlsbüttel (040/50750. www.ham.airport.de).

Bus Information

Hamburg Passenger Transport Board (Hamburger Verkehrsverbund, Steindamm 94, Altstadt. 040/325-7750. www.hvv.de. Daily). Zentral-Omnibus-Bahnhof (ZOB, Adenauerallee 78, St. Georg. 040/247-576).

Taxi Information

Taxi (040/441-011, 040/686-868, or 040/666-666).

Train Information

Hauptbahnhof (Steintorpl., Altstadt. 11861).

Visitor Information

Hamburg-Hotline (040/3005-1300. www.hamburg-tourism.de). Hamburg Tourismus GmbH (Hauptbahnhof, Altstadt. 040/3005-1300. www.hamburg-tourism.de). Stade Tourismus GmbH (Hansestr. 16, D-21682, Stade. 04141/40910. 04141/409-150. www.stade.de).