Hamburg Helmut Schmidt Airport

Hamburg Airport (HAM) is Northern Germany's main airport and Germany's fifth busiest, located approximately 9 km north of Hamburg city center. Officially named Hamburg Airport Helmut Schmidt, after the former German Chancellor, it serves as a gateway to Northern Germany and Scandinavia, handling over 15 million passengers annually.

The airport has two terminals connected within a single building complex:

• Terminal 1: The older terminal serving a mix of airlines including Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and various international carriers. Gates are in piers A, B, and C.
• Terminal 2: The newer terminal, home to Eurowings (the airport's largest carrier), easyJet, and other airlines. Gates are in pier D.

Both terminals share a central check-in area called the Airport Plaza, which sits between them. The compact layout makes Hamburg one of Germany's most efficient airports for connections and transfers. A distinctive feature is the viewing terrace on the roof of Terminal 2, offering panoramic views of aircraft operations.

Hamburg Airport is located 9 km (5.5 miles) north of Hamburg city center, making it one of the most conveniently located major German airports.

Travel time overview:

• S-Bahn to Hauptbahnhof: 25 minutes
• Taxi to city center: 20-35 minutes (traffic dependent)
• Bus to city center: 25-30 minutes

The airport has its own S-Bahn station (Hamburg Airport) directly connected to the terminal building, providing quick and frequent service to the city center.

Taxi

Licensed taxis queue outside the arrivals area of both terminals. Hamburg taxis are typically cream/beige colored.

Destination	Fare	Time
Hamburg Hauptbahnhof	€25-35	20-30 min
Hamburg Altstadt (City Center)	€25-35	20-30 min
Speicherstadt/HafenCity	€30-40	25-35 min
St. Pauli/Reeperbahn	€25-35	20-30 min
Hamburg Messe	€20-30	15-25 min
Lübeck	€90-120	60-75 min

Fares are metered with a base fare of approximately €4 plus €2.50-3 per kilometer. Night surcharges (22:00-06:00) add approximately 20%. No surcharges for luggage.

Uber

Uber operates at Hamburg Airport with pickup at designated areas.

• Pickup location: Follow signs to rideshare pickup zones in the arrivals area
• Services available: UberX, Uber Green
• Typical fare to city center: €20-30
• Advance booking: Reserve through the app up to 30 days ahead

Alternatives: FREE NOW (formerly mytaxi) and Bolt also operate in Hamburg with similar pricing.

S-Bahn (Suburban Rail)

The S1 line connects Hamburg Airport directly to the city center, departing from Hamburg Airport station located in the terminal building.

To Hamburg Hauptbahnhof (Central Station):

1. Follow signs to "S-Bahn" in the Airport Plaza
2. Board the S1 (direction: Wedel or Blankenese)
3. Exit at Hamburg Hauptbahnhof (approximately 25 minutes)

To Hamburg Jungfernstieg (City Center):

1. Same S1 train
2. Exit at Jungfernstieg (approximately 27 minutes)

Ticket Type	Price	Notes
Single ticket (Großbereich)	€3.90	Valid for airport to city center
Day ticket (Ganztageskarte)	€8.90	Unlimited travel in Greater Hamburg
Group day ticket (up to 5)	€14.80	Best value for groups
9-Uhr-Tageskarte	€7.30	Day ticket valid after 9am

Frequency: Every 10 minutes during peak hours, every 20 minutes early morning and late evening Operating hours: Approximately 04:30-00:30

Purchase tickets from HVV ticket machines on the platform before boarding. Machines accept coins, notes (euros), and cards. Validate your ticket before boarding.

Night Bus (Nachtbus)

When the S-Bahn stops running, night bus line 600 connects the airport to the city.

Detail	Information
Route	Airport → Ohlsdorf → Hauptbahnhof → Rathausmarkt
Journey time	35-40 minutes to Hauptbahnhof
Frequency	Every 20-30 minutes
Operating hours	00:30-04:30 (when S-Bahn not running)
Fare	Same as S-Bahn (€3.90 single)

Hamburg Airport offers over 12,000 parking spaces across multiple facilities.

Terminal Parking

Location	Type	Price
P1 (Terminal 1)	Premium/closest	From €5/hour, €35/day
P2 (Terminal 2)	Premium/closest	From €5/hour, €35/day
P3-P4	Covered parking	From €25/day
P5-P8	Economy parking	From €12/day
P9 (Holiday Parking)	Long-term economy	From €7/day

Tips:

• Book online at hamburg-airport.de for discounts (often 20-40% off walk-up rates)
• P1 and P2 are directly connected to terminals (2-3 minute walk)
• P5-P8 require a short shuttle bus or walk (5-10 minutes)
• P9 (Holiday Parking) requires free shuttle transfer
• Electric vehicle charging available in P1 and P2
• Maximum entrance height: 2.00 m for covered parking

Off-site alternatives: Several providers near the airport offer parking from €5-8/day with shuttle service.

Hamburg Airport offers dining options in both terminals and the central Airport Plaza.

Airport Plaza (Landside - Between Terminals)

Sit-down restaurants:

• Marché Mövenpick: Market-style restaurant with freshly prepared meals
• Nordsee: Fresh fish and seafood, a Northern German specialty

Quick bites:

• Starbucks: Coffee and snacks
• McDonald's: Fast food, extended hours
• Jim Block: Hamburg's popular burger chain
• Dunkin': Donuts and coffee
• Kamps Bakery: German bakery with pretzels and pastries

Airside (After Security)

Terminal 1:

• Coffee Fellows: Coffee and light meals
• La Place: Fresh made-to-order food
• Various kiosks: Sandwiches and snacks

Terminal 2:

• Pier D Bistro: Sandwiches, salads, and beverages
• Wine & Dine: Wine bar with snacks
• Grab-and-go options: Various kiosks near gates

Tip: The Airport Plaza (landside) offers more variety and often better value than airside options. Allow time before security if you want a proper meal.

Free WiFi is available throughout Hamburg Airport with no time limit.

Detail	Information
Network name	Hamburg Airport Free WiFi
Registration	Accept terms (no email required)
Time limit	Unlimited
Coverage	All terminals, Airport Plaza, S-Bahn station

Quality: Generally reliable for browsing, email, and streaming. Speeds may vary during peak travel times. For faster connectivity, airline lounges offer premium WiFi.

Prepaid SIM cards are available at the airport in the arrivals area and terminal shops.

Where to Buy

• Telekom Shop: Airport Plaza
• Vodafone: Terminal 1 arrivals area
• Press & Book stores: Multiple locations (sell prepaid SIMs from various carriers)
• Relay/convenience stores: Various locations in terminals

Prices

Provider	Price	Data
Telekom	From €10	Varies by plan
Vodafone	From €10	5G available on select plans
O2	From €10	Budget-friendly options

Important: German law requires SIM card registration with ID. Bring your passport and provide a German address (your hotel address works).

Tip: Airport SIM prices are typically €5-10 higher than city shops or supermarkets. If you have time, consider buying in the city center.

ATMs are located throughout both terminals and the Airport Plaza.

ATM Locations

• Airport Plaza (central area between terminals)
• Arrivals hall (both terminals)
• Departure level near check-in counters
• Airside near gates (limited)

Major German banks represented include Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, Haspa (Hamburger Sparkasse), and others.

Currency Exchange

Currency exchange counters (Travelex, Reisebank) are available in the arrivals area. However, exchange rates at airports are typically unfavorable (3-8% worse than market rates).

Better alternatives:

• Withdraw euros from ATMs using a no-fee debit card
• Use Wise or Revolut for better exchange rates
• Pay directly with credit/debit card (widely accepted in Hamburg)

Currency: Euro (€)

Hamburg Airport offers shopping options in both terminals and the central Airport Plaza, with Heinemann as the primary duty-free operator.

Duty Free (Heinemann)

Location	Hours
Terminal 1 (airside)	05:00-21:00
Terminal 2 (airside)	05:00-21:00

Products: Perfumes, cosmetics, spirits, tobacco, chocolates, fashion accessories, Hamburg souvenirs.

Notable Stores

Airport Plaza (Landside):

• Hugendubel: Books and magazines
• WMF: German kitchenware
• Swarovski: Crystal jewelry
• Esprit: Fashion
• Tee Gschwendner: Premium tea shop

Airside:

• Heinemann Duty Free: Main duty-free shopping
• Relay: Travel essentials, books, magazines
• Hamburg-themed gift shops: Local souvenirs

Tips

• Pre-order online at heinemann-shop.com for in-store pickup
• Non-EU residents can claim VAT refunds on purchases over €50
• Airport Plaza (landside) has more retail variety than airside

Hamburg Airport has limited lounge options compared to larger German hubs.

Lufthansa Lounges (Terminal 1)

Business Lounge:

• Location: Terminal 1, Pier B, after security
• Access: Lufthansa Business Class, Star Alliance Gold, Senator/HON Circle status
• Hours: 05:30-21:00 (varies with flight schedule)
• Amenities: Hot and cold buffet, beverages, bar, WiFi, newspapers, work areas

Senator Lounge:

• Location: Terminal 1, Pier B, adjacent to Business Lounge
• Access: Lufthansa Senator, HON Circle, Star Alliance Gold (when flying Business)
• Hours: 05:30-21:00
• Amenities: Enhanced food selection, quieter atmosphere, showers

Airport Lounge (Priority Pass)

Airport Lounge Hamburg:

• Location: Terminal 1, Pier B, after security
• Hours: 05:00-21:00
• Access: Priority Pass, LoungeKey, €35 day pass
• Amenities: Snacks, beverages, WiFi, seating area, newspapers
• Note: Smaller lounge; can get crowded during peak hours

Credit Card Access

• Amex Platinum: Access to Lufthansa Business Lounge when flying Star Alliance
• Priority Pass: Airport Lounge Hamburg (Terminal 1)
• LoungeKey: Airport Lounge Hamburg (Terminal 1)

At the Airport

Radisson Blu Hotel Hamburg Airport

• Connected to Terminal 1 and 2 via covered walkway (3-minute walk)
• 4-star, full-service hotel
• Direct access without going outside
• From €110/night

Near the Airport

• Holiday Inn Hamburg - City Nord: 10-minute drive, from €80/night
• Mercure Hotel Hamburg Airport: 5-minute shuttle, from €75/night
• Ibis Hamburg Airport: Budget option, 5-minute shuttle, from €60/night
• Leonardo Hotel Hamburg Airport: 5-minute drive, from €70/night

In the City (Quick Access)

Given the airport's proximity to the city center (25 minutes by S-Bahn), staying in central Hamburg is practical:

• Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten: Luxury on the Alster, from €350/night
• Park Hyatt Hamburg: Near Hauptbahnhof, from €250/night
• 25hours Hotel Hamburg HafenCity: Trendy option in HafenCity, from €120/night
• Motel One Hamburg-Alster: Budget-friendly central location, from €90/night

Hamburg is Germany's second-largest city and largest port, known for its maritime heritage, vibrant nightlife, and cultural scene. It's often called the "Gateway to the World" due to its historic trading importance.

Getting to the City Center

• S-Bahn to Jungfernstieg: 27 minutes (€3.90)
• Taxi to city center: 20-30 minutes (€25-35)

Top Attractions

Attraction	Travel Time from Airport	Highlights
Speicherstadt	35 min by S-Bahn	UNESCO World Heritage warehouse district, brick architecture
Elbphilharmonie	35 min by S-Bahn	Stunning concert hall with free public viewing plaza
Miniatur Wunderland	35 min by S-Bahn	World's largest model railway, in Speicherstadt
Reeperbahn/St. Pauli	30 min by S-Bahn	Famous entertainment district, nightlife
Landungsbrücken	30 min by S-Bahn	Historic harbor piers, fish market (Sunday mornings)
Jungfernstieg/Alster	27 min by S-Bahn	Lake promenades, shopping, boat tours
Rathaus (City Hall)	30 min by S-Bahn	Neo-Renaissance architecture, guided tours available

Layover Recommendations

• 4-hour layover: Visit Speicherstadt and walk to the Elbphilharmonie plaza (free entry to viewing platform)
• 6-hour layover: Add Miniatur Wunderland and lunch at a harbor restaurant
• Day trip from airport: Lübeck's medieval old town (45 min by train), or the North Sea coast

Hamburg Specialties

• Fischbrötchen: Fish sandwich, a Hamburg must-try (best at Landungsbrücken)
• Labskaus: Traditional sailor's dish (corned beef, potatoes, beetroot, fried egg) - an acquired taste
• Aalsuppe: Traditional eel soup (though modern versions may not contain eel)
• Franzbrötchen: Cinnamon pastry, Hamburg's signature sweet treat
• Astra/Holsten Beer: Local Hamburg beers
• Rote Grütze: Red berry pudding with cream

Practical Tips

• Hamburg Card: From €12.50/day for unlimited public transit plus museum discounts
• Reeperbahn: Safe to visit, though exercise normal nightlife caution after midnight
• Sunday Fish Market: Altona fish market operates Sundays 05:00-09:30 (summer), worth an early visit
• Weather: Hamburg is rainy; bring a jacket and umbrella year-round
• Cycling: Hamburg is bike-friendly; StadtRAD bike-share available throughout the city
• Cash: Many smaller shops and traditional restaurants still prefer cash