Hamburg by Train
Explore Germany's gateway to the world by train. From maritime heritage to modern culture, discover the Hanseatic city by rail.
Getting to Hamburg
From Hamburg Airport, take S-Bahn to Hamburg Hbf. Explore routes like Hamburg to Sylt or Berlin-Hamburg. Book via DB Navigator.
Hamburg Hauptbahnhof (Central Station)
One of Germany's busiest stations with over 450,000 passengers daily. Perfectly located in the city center, just minutes from the Alster lakes and shopping district.
Major Train Connections:
- Berlin: ICE trains every 30 minutes, 1h 45min
- Copenhagen: Direct trains, 4h 50min
- Frankfurt: ICE trains hourly, 4 hours
- Munich: ICE trains hourly, 5h 45min
- Amsterdam: Direct ICE trains, 5h 30min
- Basel/Zürich: Night train available
Hamburg-Altona Station
Major station in western Hamburg, terminus for many long-distance trains from the south. Well-connected to the city center by S-Bahn (10 minutes to Hauptbahnhof).
From Hamburg Airport
Hamburg Airport is connected by S-Bahn line S1. Journey to Hauptbahnhof takes 25 minutes. Trains run every 10 minutes. Ticket cost: €3.70 (included in Hamburg public transport zones).
Pro Tip
The Hamburg-Berlin route is extremely popular and competitive. Book 1-2 weeks in advance for Sparpreis tickets as low as €17.90. Trains run every 30 minutes, so you have lots of flexibility.
Hamburg Public Transport
S-Bahn & U-Bahn Network
Hamburg has 6 S-Bahn lines and 4 U-Bahn lines. The S-Bahn connects the airport, main stations, and suburbs. U-Bahn covers the inner city efficiently. Key routes:
- S1: Airport ↔ Hauptbahnhof ↔ Altona ↔ Blankenese (Elbe views)
- S3: Connects Hauptbahnhof with Neugraben and Stade
- U3: Hauptbahnhof ↔ Landungsbrücken (Harbor) ↔ Baumwall (Speicherstadt)
Harbor Ferries
Hamburg's harbor ferries (lines 61-73) are part of the public transport system! Regular HVV tickets are valid. Line 62 is popular for sightseeing along the Elbe, connecting Landungsbrücken with Finkenwerder.
Ticket Options
- Single Ticket: €3.70 (inner zones, 2 hours)
- Day Ticket: €8.40 (unlimited travel until 6 AM next day)
- Hamburg Card: €11.50/day (transport + attraction discounts)
- Group Ticket (after 9 AM): €13.20 for up to 5 people
Understanding Rings
Hamburg uses a ring system (A, B, C, D). Most attractions are in rings A+B. The airport is in ring A+B, making it easy with standard tickets.
Important
Validate your ticket before boarding! Hamburg has frequent ticket inspections, especially on S-Bahn and harbor ferries. Fines are €60. Tickets from machines are usually pre-validated, but check the timestamp.
Hamburg's Top Attractions
Speicherstadt
Transport: U3 to Baumwall
From Hbf: 5 minutes
UNESCO World Heritage warehouse district. Visit Miniatur Wunderland and the Spicy's Gewürzmuseum.
Landungsbrücken
Transport: S1/S3 or U3 to Landungsbrücken
From Hbf: 5 minutes
Historic harbor piers. Take a harbor tour or ferry ride. Sunday fish market (5-9:30 AM).
Elbphilharmonie
Transport: U3 to Baumwall + 10 min walk
From Hbf: 15 minutes total
Iconic concert hall with free observation platform. Book Plaza tickets online in advance (free but limited).
Alster Lakes
Transport: S-Bahn to Hauptbahnhof
From Hbf: 5-minute walk
Inner and Outer Alster lakes perfect for walks, boat tours, or paddle boats in summer.
Reeperbahn
Transport: S1/S3 to Reeperbahn
From Hbf: 10 minutes
Famous entertainment district. Mix of nightlife, theaters, and Beatles history. Lively after dark.
Planten un Blomen
Transport: S11/S21/S31 to Dammtor
From Hbf: 5 minutes
Beautiful park with Japanese garden, water light concerts (May-Sep evenings), and free entry.
Day Trips from Hamburg
Lübeck
Duration: 45 minutes by regional train
Ticket: From €14 or Schleswig-Holstein Ticket (€30 for up to 5 people)
UNESCO World Heritage old town with stunning brick Gothic architecture. Famous for marzipan (Niederegger). Walk the Holstentor gate and enjoy the medieval atmosphere. Perfect half-day trip.
Bremen
Duration: 1 hour by regional train
Ticket: From €19.90 or Niedersachsen Ticket (€26 for up to 5 people)
Another Hanseatic city with its own UNESCO old town. See the famous Town Musicians statue, Roland monument, and Schnoor quarter. Smaller and quieter than Hamburg.
Sylt Island
Duration: 3 hours by train (car shuttle through Hindenburgdamm)
Ticket: Schleswig-Holstein Ticket (€30 for up to 5 people)
Germany's most exclusive beach resort. Long sandy beaches, dunes, and seafood restaurants. The train journey itself is spectacular - you ride across the causeway to the island!
Schwerin
Duration: 1 hour by regional train
Ticket: Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Ticket (€26 for up to 5 people)
Stunning lakeside castle (Schwerin Palace) that looks like a fairytale. Beautiful old town and seven lakes surround the city. Less touristy but equally impressive.
Book Your Train to Hamburg
Find the best prices for trains to and from Hamburg. Compare all options and book directly.
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Price Disclaimer: All prices mentioned on this page are non-binding and subject to change. Prices are examples only and may vary depending on booking time, route, and availability. Current and binding prices are available exclusively on the official websites of the respective providers (e.g., bahn.com or omio.com).
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Which train station should I use in Hamburg?
Hamburg Hauptbahnhof (Central Station) is the main station for all long-distance trains and is centrally located. Hamburg-Altona serves western routes and some long-distance trains. Dammtor station is convenient for the university district and trade fair.
How do I get from Hamburg train station to the city center?
Hamburg Hauptbahnhof IS in the city center! From there, it's a 5-minute walk to the Inner Alster lake and shopping district. The S-Bahn and U-Bahn connect you to all districts including the harbor and Speicherstadt.
What's the best ticket for Hamburg public transport?
The Hamburg Card offers unlimited transport plus discounts at attractions (€11.50 for one day). For groups, the 9-Uhr-Gruppenkarte (€13.20 for up to 5 people after 9 AM) is excellent value. Single tickets cost €3.70 for inner zones.
Can I take the train to Hamburg's harbor and cruises?
Yes! The harbor is easily accessible by public transport. Take U-Bahn U3 to Landungsbrücken for harbor tours and the famous fish market. From there, you can take harbor ferries (included in HVV tickets) to explore the port area.
Are there direct trains from Hamburg to Scandinavia?
Yes! Direct trains run to Copenhagen (4h 50min). For Stockholm, take the train to Copenhagen, then continue by X2000 train or overnight ferry. Night trains also connect Hamburg to Basel, Zürich, and southern Germany.