How To Get From Hamburg Airport To Hamburg Hbf
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If you are visiting Hamburg for the first time, you might be wondering how to get from Hamburg Airport to Hamburg Hbf.
Hamburg Hbf is Hamburg’s Central Station so it’s exactly where you want to get to.
Luckily, there are lots of options for getting from the airport to the central station.
As a full-time traveller, and having visited Hamburg, I am here to provide a guide on the best way to reach the centre of the city from Hamburg airport.
🇩🇪 When planning a trip to Hamburg, I recommend using:
✈️ Flights: Skyscanner
🏨 Hotels: Booking.com
💵 Hostels: Hostelworld
🗺 Tours & Activities: Viator and GetYourGuide
🚗 Car Rental: Discover Cars
🚌 Transport: Flixbus
🏥 Travel Insurance: Safetywing
📱E-SIM: Airalo
💻 VPN: Surfshark
Hamburg Airport To Hamburg Hbf
It’s very easy to get from Hamburg Airport to Hamburg Hbf, and there are 5 main options for you to pick from.
Options to get from Hamburg Airport To Hamburg Hbf
The 5 options to reach the centre of Hamburg from the airport are:
- Train (S-Bahn)
- Bus
- Taxi
- Car Rental
- Private Transfer
Best Way get from Hamburg Airport To Hamburg Hbf
To see which transport method is the best, I will compare the options below. As you can see, getting the train is the best way to get from Hamburg Airport to Hamburg Central Station.
| Method | Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Train | €3.90 | 25-30 minutes |
| Bus | €4.50 | 30-35 minutes |
| Taxi | €25 | 25-30 minutes |
| Car Rental | – | 25-30 minutes |
| Private Transfer | €106 | 25-30 minutes |
From the table, we can see that train is the joint-fastest but the cheapest option too. So it’s the best option out of the lot. If you are backpacking Hamburg, it’s also good to save money where possible.
Hamburg Airport To Hamburg Hbf: By Train
Not only is the train the quickest and cheapest option, but it’s also extremely convenient. The train station is located within Hamburg’s airport so it’s really easy to find. Simply follow the signs for the S-Bahn (in English, surface train).
The trains leave every 10 minutes from the station “Hamburg Flughafen” which is just the German for “Hamburg Airport”. As I said, the journey takes around 25 minutes to reach Hamburg Hbf.
It costs €3.90 as of February 2023. However, it is included in the Hamburg Card. The Hamburg Card allows unlimited public transport, including to and from the airport. Not to mention the discounts on all the tourist attractions. It’s a no-brainer!
🚨Save a lot of money with a Hamburg Card. Buy yours by clicking here.
If you don’t choose to get the Hamburg Card, don’t worry, you are able to buy tickets for the train at the airport. There are a number of ticket machines similar to ATMs where you can buy your tickets.
Once you have purchased your ticket, you will want to get on an S1 train. They are very regular and prompt, leaving on time as they are so frequently. You can get off at a different stop if it suits you better, but for Hamburg Central Station, you need to get off at Hamburg Hbf.
Note: The S1 trains usually have Blacknese as their destination, not Hamburg Hbf
Hamburg Airport To Hamburg Hbf: By Bus
Another option for getting from Hamburg Airport to Hamburg Hbf is to get the bus. But it takes about 10 minutes longer than the train and costs an extra €0.60 so in my opinion, you’d be pretty silly to get the bus over the train.
Once again, there is a bus station at the airport, and outside the terminal, there are lots of bus stops.
Bus travel is also included in your Hamburg Card. One positive for getting the bus over the train could be you get to see a bit more of Hamburg on the journey than you would on the train.
As with the trains, buses are pretty reliable and on time.
Hamburg Airport To Hamburg Hbf: By Taxi
If you prefer to go straight to Hamburg Central Station, or your hotel in Hamburg, you could get a taxi. There’s a pretty fixed rate across the taxi companies of €25 from Hamburg Airport to Hamburg Hbf.
Germany does have Uber too, but it’s a lot more expensive than taxis, so it’s best to stick with the traditional taxi option rather than the ride-hailing service.
All taxis in Hamburg have a fixed meter and are licensed as taxi firms. There’s also a taxi rank at the airport so it’s very easy and convenient.
Taxis are the best option for families, particularly those with young kids as it’s a more comfortable experience than public transport.
You may also prefer to take a taxi if you have a lot of luggage. Most taxis in Hamburg are pretty nice, most of them are Mercedes like the one shown below.
Hamburg Airport To Hamburg Hbf: By Car Rental
Car Rental is another option for getting from Hamburg Airport to Hamburg Hbf. If you are staying in the city for more than a few days, you may wish to get a car so you can explore however you please, going wherever you want, whenever you want in the comfort of your own car.
You are able to pick up your rental car directly at the airport. Just follow the signs!
➡️Rent a car in Hamburg through Discover Cars by clicking here. You can pick your car up right at the airport! Hire a car now
Hamburg Airport To Hamburg Hbf: Private Transfer
The most luxurious and celebrity-esque way of reaching Hamburg Central Station from the airport is by getting a Private Transfer.
Booking your Hamburg Airport Private Transfer means you will be greeted in the arrivals hall by your driver and driven straight to Hamburg Hbf, or your accommodation. It truly is the VIP treatment.
➡️Want the VIP treatment? Book your private transfer from Hamburg Airport to Hamburg Hbf by clicking here.
Private transfers are ideal for those with a lot of luggage, larger groups or anyone who wants to travel in style!
Hamburg Airport To Hamburg Hbf: FAQ
Below are some questions related to getting from Hamburg Airport to Hamburg Hbf along with my answers.
Hamburg Hbf is just 9km from Hamburg Airport. If you travel by car, the most efficient route is 11km but the train journey is just under 9 kilometres.
The train from Hamburg Central Station to the airport costs €3.90 one-way.
There are 2 airports in Hamburg, but only one is for passengers. Hamburg International Airport is the airport you will fly into. Hamburg Finkenwerder is used for freight planes and private jets.
The best way to get from Hamburg Airport to the city centre is by getting the train to Hamburg Central Station which takes about 25 minutes and costs €3.90.
Hamburg Airport To Hamburg Hbf: Conclusion
And there you have it, a complete guide for getting from Hamburg Airport to Hamburg Hbf.
Remember, the best way to get there is by getting on the train. It takes 25 minutes and costs €3.90 making it the quickest and cheapest option.
Enjoy your trip to Hamburg, it’s a great city and I hope you have a safe journey from the airport to the central station 🙂
