Public transport in Hamburg
Created | Updated Jan 19, 2009
Public transport in Hamburg is as you might expect, very good and very punctual. A sign saying that the next train is in 4 minutes is usually accurate and delays are fortunately rare. Buses in Hamburg are generally less reliable, although on some routes they are so frequent (every 3 minutes) that they do compete with the trains. A fun way to travel in Hamburg is by ferry and many commuters use these along the length of the Elbe.
S-Bahn and a U-Bahn.
Terminology is a little confusing. U-Bahn is short for Unter-Bahn and suggests a subterranean rail system. This is partly correct and some of Hamburg's U-Bahn does pass underground. S-Bahn is short for Schnell-Bahn and would suggest a quick journey. Again this partly correct and it would seem that most of the S-Bahn is actually underground and most of the U-Bahn is on the surface.
Tickets can be purchased from a machine at every station. Luckily nearly all of the machines have multi-language options. The fare system is a little confusing with different bands but the most you will pay at time of writing is €2.60. That covers a journey across the whole of Hamburg and includes trains, buses and even ferries as long as they are part of your journey. The only exception to this is for certain so-called "Schnell-Buses" which incur an extra charge. A tourist may well be better off buying a day ticket or a weekend ticket.
Some interesting stations;
Jungfernstieg
Possibly the largest underground station in Germany, Jungfernstieg continues to baffle tourists on a daily basis. Being central and near many attractions it's a nice place to get off and see the beautiful Rathaus (town hall) and the Alster lake with it's fountain and boat trips. The only problem is that there are so many exits and connecting tunnels that somebody new to the city will invariably end up half a mile from the sights that they want to see. Signs are being improved.
Reeperbahn
This station on the S3 line can certainly be an experience at 6am on a Saturday morning. The station that serves Hamburg's red-light district and party quarter sees hoards of football fans, stag/hen parties and curious tourists at all hours. As you can imagine this is not the cleanest station in Hamburg.
Landungsbrucken
From here you can explore the city's harbour. The station's exit has a pretty good view itself and you can take a connecting ferry or take a trip on a harbour tour.
S-Bahn and a U-Bahn.
Terminology is a little confusing. U-Bahn is short for Unter-Bahn and suggests a subterranean rail system. This is partly correct and some of Hamburg's U-Bahn does pass underground. S-Bahn is short for Schnell-Bahn and would suggest a quick journey. Again this partly correct and it would seem that most of the S-Bahn is actually underground and most of the U-Bahn is on the surface.
Tickets can be purchased from a machine at every station. Luckily nearly all of the machines have multi-language options. The fare system is a little confusing with different bands but the most you will pay at time of writing is €2.60. That covers a journey across the whole of Hamburg and includes trains, buses and even ferries as long as they are part of your journey. The only exception to this is for certain so-called "Schnell-Buses" which incur an extra charge. A tourist may well be better off buying a day ticket or a weekend ticket.
Some interesting stations;
Jungfernstieg
Possibly the largest underground station in Germany, Jungfernstieg continues to baffle tourists on a daily basis. Being central and near many attractions it's a nice place to get off and see the beautiful Rathaus (town hall) and the Alster lake with it's fountain and boat trips. The only problem is that there are so many exits and connecting tunnels that somebody new to the city will invariably end up half a mile from the sights that they want to see. Signs are being improved.
Reeperbahn
This station on the S3 line can certainly be an experience at 6am on a Saturday morning. The station that serves Hamburg's red-light district and party quarter sees hoards of football fans, stag/hen parties and curious tourists at all hours. As you can imagine this is not the cleanest station in Hamburg.
Landungsbrucken
From here you can explore the city's harbour. The station's exit has a pretty good view itself and you can take a connecting ferry or take a trip on a harbour tour.
