Hamburg Airport is Germany's fifth busiest airport and the world's oldest still in operation, located approximately 11 km north of the city center.
Hamburg is known for its port, among Europe's largest, and for the Speicherstadt district, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
How to get to Hamburg Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to HAM
Parking near Hamburg Airport
A multi-level parking garage is adjacent to the terminal.
They are video-monitored; tiered rates (effective July 1, 2026): 2 euros up to 20 minutes, 4 euros up to 40, 6 euros up to 1 hour, then 3 euros per additional 30 minutes, daily maximum 29 euros.
How to get to Hamburg from HAM
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Hamburg Airport
Car rental is available at the desks of major companies in the arrivals area.
A credit card in the driver's name is required for the deposit, along with a license and passport.
Hotels near Hamburg Airport
Airport area
About a 4-minute walk from the terminal, connected by a covered walkway; the S-Bahn S1 to the center takes about 25 minutes.
Best for: those with a dawn flight or landing late at night
- Terminal reachable on foot, even with heavy luggage
- Airport S-Bahn station right across the way
- Area with no evening life outside the hotel
- Getting to the city center still takes 25 minutes
Recommended hotels
- Radisson Blu Hotel, Hamburg Airport Connected to the terminal by a covered walkway, useful for anyone with a very early flight or an overnight layover. View availability
- Motel One Hamburg-Airport About a twenty-minute walk from the terminal, convenient for anyone who wants to spend less without straying too far from the airport. View availability
Central Station and St. Georg
S-Bahn S1 from the terminal to the central station, about 25 minutes; from there the St. Georg neighborhood is a few minutes' walk away.
Best for: for those who need to catch a train and prefer to move easily to the rest of the city
- Central station a few minutes' walk away
- Lively neighborhood with many restaurants and bars
- Busy area, especially in front of the station
- Some streets around the station are noisy at night
Recommended hotels
- Holiday Inn - the niu, Fusion Hamburg St. Georg by IHG 600 meters from the central station, in the St. Georg neighborhood with its restaurant street, Lange Reihe. View availability
- Motel One Hamburg-Alster A kilometer from the central station, also convenient for anyone who wants to stroll around the Alster. View availability
Center, between Michel and Reeperbahn
S-Bahn S1 to the central station (about 25 minutes), then a short U-Bahn ride or taxi to the neighborhood.
Best for: for those who prefer to have the harbor, the Landungsbrücken and the Reeperbahn nightlife close at hand
- Harbor and Landungsbrücken within walking distance
- Reeperbahn nightlife just steps away
- Noisy area on weekend nights
- From the airport, a change of transport is always needed
Recommended hotels
- Motel One Hamburg am Michel Between St. Michael's Church and the Landungsbrücken, convenient both for the harbor and for the Reeperbahn in the evening. View availability
- ARCOTEL Onyx Hamburg Right at the start of the Reeperbahn, with the Landungsbrücken reachable in a few minutes on foot. View availability
HafenCity and Speicherstadt
S-Bahn S1 to the central station (about 25 minutes), then 15-20 minutes on foot or a short U-Bahn ride to HafenCity.
Best for: those who want the Elbphilharmonie and the Speicherstadt canals right on their doorstep
- Elbphilharmonie and the Speicherstadt canals a few steps away
- Quiet area in the evening compared to the center
- Fewer budget restaurants than in the historic center
- From the airport the route requires a change of transport
Recommended hotels
- 25hours Hotel Hamburg HafenCity 400 meters from the Speicherstadt, with a panoramic sauna overlooking the harbor on the top floor. View availability
- AMERON Hamburg Hotel Speicherstadt The only hotel inside the historic Speicherstadt, in the former coffee exchange, a few steps from the Elbphilharmonie. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The two terminals are connected by a pedestrian tunnel with moving walkways.
To be safe, it's best to arrive 2–3 hours in advance for international flights.
Map of Hamburg Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is it true that Hamburg airport is the oldest in the world still in operation?
Yes, it has been operating since 1911, the oldest airport in the world still in use.
Q. What is Hamburg's Speicherstadt?
The largest complex of historic brick warehouses in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage site, today partly converted into museums and offices.
Q. How do you get to central Hamburg from the airport?
With the S-Bahn line S1, which links the airport directly to the center in about 25 minutes.
Q. What is the Elbphilharmonie?
Hamburg's famous, futuristic concert hall overlooking the port, which has become one of the city's architectural symbols.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
