Hamburg and its System
The Hamburger Verkehrsverbund, or HVV as it is commonly known, is responsible for operating a comprehensive system of bus routes, regional rail services and rapid transit systems in and around Hamburg. They also have night buses and harbour ferries to complete the package. To help visitors manage the cost of their trip, there are a range of affordable tickets available, including day passes, group tickets, the Power Pass and the Hamburg CARD.
With the latter two in hand, you will not only be entitled to further cost reductions on the various leisure and cultural activities in the city, but you will also benefit from significant discounts on the various means of public transport in Hamburg. Let’s take a look at the various means of public transport that will help you get around the city of Hamburg with ease and give you easy access to many of the famous tourist attractions in and around the city.
Hamburg U-Bahn and S-Bahn Trains
The key element of Hamburg’s public transport system is the network of regional rail services and rapid transit systems, which focus exclusively on serving the city centre. No fewer than nine regional rail services, six suburban Hamburg S-Bahn lines and four underground Hamburg U-Bahn lines operate in the city, providing direct and fast connections within the Hamburg region, free from the threat of road traffic. On public holidays and weekends, the most important S-Bahn and U-Bahn lines run through the night. There are also a number of city bus and metro lines that connect with the rail and rapid transit systems to form an extensive public transport network in Hamburg, especially during the night hours.
Public Transportation Map
Map of Public Transportation in Hamburg showing different lines and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Metro map in PDF format.
Hamburg Bus Systems
There is an extensive bus service in Hamburg that effectively complements the city’s rail network. The metro buses have an excellent frequency and run on direct routes, the express buses offer passengers more comfort during their journey, while the regional or sprinter buses mainly connect the surrounding towns and major stations in Hamburg.
HVV Railway Network
Hamburg’s rail system is unusual in that it does not have a single tram on its network. Instead, there is a combination of buses and underground lines. The underground trains run on the ground as well as underneath it, making up for the lack of trams in the city. In some parts of the city, such as the Baumwall, these lines are elevated and offer excellent views of the buildings as they clatter through the city’s dense maze of streets. The many peculiarities of Hamburg’s metro system are due to the city’s intricate geography, particularly the network of canals that run through the city. With numerous canals, lakes and two rivers running through the city, it is not surprising that there are no tram networks in the city, as the road network is not convenient enough to establish trams as a means of public transport in Hamburg.
Harbour Ferries in Hamburg
The River Elbe and the many harbours around Hamburg are well connected and served by up to six ferry lines. Each of the routes is identified by a two-digit number. You can make the most of your HVV tickets if you want to go out to sea or take a short trip around the many harbours close to Hamburg. If you have nothing better to do on a sunny day, take the Landungsbrucken ferry from the number 61 stop on the riverbank. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed!
Using bikes to get around Hamburg
StadtRad Hamburg or CityBike Hamburg is the city’s public bicycle system. If you prefer to get around Hamburg by bike, this is the best service to use. Hamburg has up to eighty stations around the city where you can borrow a bike and return it at another station. The first half hour is free.
You can hire a bike by phone and you will be asked to show either a customer card, credit card or bank card to prove your identity. Hamburg is a very cyclist-friendly city, with many parks, cycle lanes and wide avenues, so you won’t have any problems cycling around the city.
Getting Around in Hamburg
Public transport in Hamburg and all the surrounding metropolitan areas is extremely easy to use and very well organised. Most information services and online systems are available in English for ease of use by visitors. There is an English interface on most ticket machines, but they can still be very complicated to use. However, most of the main railway and tram stations have service desks where you can buy tickets and get general information.