How to get to Hamburg Hbf Train Station

Travel from Hamburg city center to train station Hamburg Hbf

Hamburg City Center is famous for attractions such as its canals, the neo-Renaissance Town Hall and the St. Nikolai Memorial - the ruins of a church bombed in WWII. It is home to the train station Hamburg Hbf (Hauptbahnhof) which sees up to 450,000 daily travelers, making it Hamburg's main station and one of the busiest passenger railway stations in Germany; approximately 720 local and national trains pass through Hamburg's railways every day.

Hamburg Hbf is the heart and soul of Hamburgh's public transport system which is made up of eight mainline railway lines, four urban railways, including the S1, which leads directly to the airport, and six underground platforms for local trains. Tourists cannot leave Hamburg without visiting Jungfernstieg, a promenade on Alster Lake, the galleries around the boxy Brick Expressionist buildings of the Kontorhaus area. The best streets for shopping include Spitalerstrasse, and Neuer Wall, not far from the station.

What is the best way to get to Hamburg city center from train station Hamburg Hbf

The city center is within walking distance of Hamburg Hbf train station. If driving, passengers can leave their cars at one of the many parking lots at the train station. Trains depart from the city center for Hamburg Hbf every ten minutes. Travelers can purchase HVV ticket which allows them access to any public transport including trains, buses and passenger ferries. From the ferry port, passengers can take the U-Bahn U4 line into the city center or take a bus. Tourists can take buses or book a canal boat tour at the harbor to visit tourist attractions such as the port of Hamburg and St. Michael's Church. Hamburg also has walking trails through the city for tourists who prefer walking. The main bus station, Zentral-Omnibus-Bahnhof, is next to the main train station, so taking the bus is also a convenient option, even for those with limited mobility. Taxis are also available at Hamburg train station. Although rental cars are available, this is not a recommended transport option for the short journey. 

How far is it from Hamburg city center to train station Hamburg Hbf? 

Hamburg city center is seven minutes away by train from the city center. The city center is 1.2 miles (two kilometers) away from the train station, so by no means far. Hamburg is best described as a compact city which can be easily explored. Passengers traveling with excessive luggage can book an Uber or take the bus from the city center to the Hamburg trains station, a journey which takes under ten minutes depending on the route and traffic. The express and Regio trains arrive at and depart from platforms below ground level.​ The underground platforms have an arching glass roof which makes it feel less like an underground train station. Since Hamburg is not a terminus train station, trains do not spend a lot of time waiting. Several trains arrive and depart within an hour, giving travelers getting to and from Hamburg Hbf loads of flexibility. 

How accessible is the train station Hamburg Hbf for those with limited mobility?

The public transport system, including buses, U & S-Bahns and ferries, accommodates individuals with disabilities. Most train stations have elevators that offer easy access to the platforms for wheelchair-users and passengers with limited mobility. The U&S-Bahn platforms have raised markers that help visually impaired individuals navigate to the doors of the train. Buses have access ramps for passengers using wheelchairs to help them board easily. Trains, buses and ferries have special seating areas for wheelchair users and those with special needs. Tourists or visitors who plan long-term stays can request a special pass for individuals with disabilities letting them and their companions travel for free in Hamburg. Museums, tourist attractions and landmarks can be accessed by individuals with limited mobility and wheelchair users. Most museums in Hamburg are wheelchair accessible and offer discounts to people with disabilities and their companions.

Local tips: train station Hamburg Hbf points of interest

Hamburg Hbf has unique observation deck where passengers can look down at the underground platforms. Some of the popular tourist attractions near the Hamburg train station include the Fischmarkt markets, the Landungsbrücken piers, and the Cap San Diego ship. 

Hamburg has four railway stations, Hauptbahnhof, Dammtor, Altona & Harburg, and a long-distance bus terminal (ZOB). Hamburg Hauptbahnhof is one of the largest and busiest train stations in northern Germany, and connects Denmark to central Europe. Hamburg railways have InterCityExpress lines to Berlin, Frankfurt (Main), which continue to Stuttgart and Munich, and Bremen, then leading to the Ruhr Area and Cologne.

ICE trains connect Hamburg with Aarhus and Copenhagen in Denmark and Kiel in Schleswig-Holstein in the north. Hamburg Hbf station is located on the Wallring in Hamburg's city center, between Altstadt and St. Georg. It is close to the Deutsches Schauspielhaus theatre in the St. Georg quarter, an art gallery, and the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg.