Hamburg Tourism - Travel to Hamburg
Hamburg is a major port city situated on the Elbe river in northern Germany. It is at the same time one of the German Bundesländer (states).
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Understand Hamburg Tourism
Hamburg is a city-state; it values its status as a "free city". Traditionally one of the most important harbors in Europe, the city takes great pride in its mercantile background. Millions left Europe on their way to the new world. Even today, one of Hamburgs taglines is "The Gate to the World".
With the decline of sea travel, Hamburg has been trying - with some success - to cast itself as a hub of the service industry, especially media.
Get into Hamburg
Travel to Hamburg By Plane
Hamburg has the fifth-largest international airport in Germany, so arrival by plane is an obvious choice for those visiting from far away.
The airport is being modernized (as of 2004). Facilities are by and large adequate and you won't get lost. Depending on the gate your flight arrives at or leaves from, walking longer distances can be a problem.
Despite the fact that the airport is basically in the city, it isn't quite trivial to reach it. If you are in a hurry or feel like you do not want to bother, take a taxi - but be aware that this can be costly. Buses connect the airport to the central station, to Ohlsdorf and to Rahlstedt - you can change to regional trains and subways at all three, or national/international trains at the central station. Fare is roughly 2-3 Euros per person, depending on where you wish to go. Trips can take a while, since you likely will have to change to a connecting transport.
This situation is being addressed; part of the construction at the airport is for a new subway station which will hopefully result in much better connections to the city itself.
Travel to Hamburg By Train
Hamburg has five major stations: Hauptbahnhof (central station), Altona, Dammtor, Harburg, Bergedorf. Various types of train service are available.
- ICE (Inter City Express) high speed train service from or to most major German cities, including Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich also to Basel and Zurich (Zürich) Switzerland -- hourly service to most destinations during daytime
- service from or to Copenhagen, Denmark
- "Metropolitan" service from or to Cologne (Köln), Dusseldorf, Essen -- 4 daily connections on weekdays, 2 daily connections on weekends
Travel to Hamburg By car
via the Autobahn:
- A1 to/from Lübeck (north) -- to get to the city change to the A24 at "Autobahnkreuz Ost"
- A1 to/from Bremen, Cologne (Köln) (south/south-west) -- to get to the city change to A255
- A7 to/from Flensburg, Kiel (north) -- to get to the city exit at "Bahrenfeld"
- A7 to/from Hanover, Kassel (south) -- to get to the city exit right after the "Elbtunnel"
- A23 to/from Husum
- A24 to/from Berlin
Be prepared to pay for parking or park outside the city and use public transportation.
Travel to Hamburg By Bus
Buses serving other cities arrive at or depart from the "ZOB" which is located near the central station (Hauptbahnhof) (2 minute walk), destinations include Berlin
Buses to Lübeck depart from Wandsbek
Travel to Hamburg By Boat
Ferry service available from or to Harwich, England by DFDS Seaways (English site) (German site)
Get around in Hamburg
Public Transportation
Hamburg has a well developed public transportation system. Buses going around the clock. Underground/metro service from approx. 5 AM until 1 AM. See HVV - Hamburger Verkehrsverbund for lines and prices. Group tickets, day tickets, 3-day tickets available. Try to avoid rush-hours before 9 AM and 4-7 PM. You are not allowed to take bikes into subways before 9am and between 4pm and 6pm.
See Hamburg
- Hamburg is known to host a number of different Musicals.
- The Speicherstadt is a district of warehouses near the harbor. Some are still in use, but many have been converted to apartments. Some house other attractions. It's a "typical" location and worth a visit.
- You can't visit Hamburg without taking a tour of the harbor. Ship tours are available from various companies and take 1+ hours. They're well worth the money. Inquire about English language tours. Subway station Landungsbrücken. There is also an annual festival celebrating the "birthday" of the harbor.
- Another Hamburg landmark is the Reeperbahn - probably one of the most famous red-light districts in the world. And that's exactly what it is. From variety to prostitutes, from bars to sex-shops you can find an assortment of attractions. Common sense and caution are advised here as in any such area. It's relatively safe and a definite touristy place to see.
- The town hall is another landmark in Hamburg.
- The Fernsehturm ("Television Tower") has a restaurant and a viewing platform.
- Hamburg Dungeon is a live-action presentation of the "darker times" of Hamburg. Probably mostly suited for a younger, easily impressed audience. Might not be suitable for young children. http://www.hamburgdungeon.com/
- Planten un Bloomen is a park in the city with an emphasis on flower displays. Subway station Dammtor.
- The AOL-Arena (formerly Volksparkstadion) is the stadium of the local Bundesliga soccer club HSV. It is arguably the prettiest stadium in Germany with a great atmosphere; apart from guided tours it also features a museum presenting the history of the club. See also the HSV Website.
- The Millerntor-Stadion is the home of the cult soccer club FC St. Pauli. It lacks the modernity and prettyness of the AOL-Arena, yet it's atmosphere during games is unique and well worth a visit. The Millerntor-Stadion is at the end of Reeperbahn.
- There's a pretty good Planetarium situated in an old water tower in the middle of the Stadtpark (city park).
Do Hamburg
Learn
Work
Buy
The main shopping area of Hamburg is the Mönckebergstraße in the center of the city. Take the subway to either central station or Rathaus (town hall).
Eat - Travel to Hamburg
Budget
- Geelhaus, Koppel 76 (St. Georg), 20099 Hamburg, phone +49 40 28052886, dine from 6pm until 11pm, some meals until midnight; menu changes frequently, fresh food, creativity. http://www.geelhaus.de/
- Murphy's Roadhouse, Saseler Markt 1 (Subway station Poppenbüttel, then take the Bus to Saseler Markt), +49 40 6370880. Mo-Th Noon-1AM, Fr+Sa Noon-2AM, Su 10am-Midnight. Serves a variety of American type food; good quality and portions at decent prices. Located in the northern suburbs. Typical meal should run about €10-17.
Mid-range
- La Mirabelle, Bundesstraße 15, phone +49 40 4107585; French cuisine, fresh 4- or 5-course changing daily, including wine @ approx. 55 EUR
Splurge
- Fischereihafen Restaurant, Große Elbstraße 143, 22767 Hamburg, phone +49 40 381816; excellent view of parts of the port and the river Elbe; many celebs have dined here, including English royals. http://www.fischereihafen-restaurant-hamburg.de/
Drink
- Christiansen's Fine Drinks & Cocktails, Pinnasberg 60, 20359 Hamburg, phone +49 40 3172863, fax +49 40 3172863, bar@christiansens.de -- award winning bar (Playboy Bar of the Year 1998, Best Bartender 2000, Marcellinos Top 10, etc.), open Monday thru Saturday nights from 8pm. http://www.christiansens.de/
Live-Music (Rock)
- The Academy, Hans-Albers-Platz (right off the Reeperbahn) -- people in wheelchairs not always welcome
- Molly Malone, Hans-Albers-Platz (right off the Reeperbahn)
- The New Thomas Read, Reeperbahn opposite from Hans-Albers-Platz
- Molotow/Meanie bar, Spielbudenplatz 5 (Reeperbahn). A retro Bar and a great little venue in the cellar hosting alternative live acts.
GLBT
- G-Bar The New Generation, Lange Reihe 81, 20099 Hamburg, open 6pm until 2am. http://www.g-bar.org/
- Cafe Gnosa Lange Reihe 93, 20099 Hamburg, phone +49 40 243034, open 10am until 1am, Fridays and Saturdays until 2am; also a great place to have breakfast or lunch. http://www.gnosa.de/
Sleep - Hamburg Tourism
Budget
Youth Hostels:
- Jugenherberge Hamburg - Auf dem Stintfang, Alfred-Wegener-Weg 5, 20459 Hamburg, phone +49 40 313488, fax +49 40 315407, jh-stintfang@t-online.de -- river/harbor view!!!, walking distance to the Reeperbahn
- Jugendherberge Hamburg - Horner Rennbahn, Rennbahnstraße 100, 22111 Hamburg, phone +49 40 6511671, fax +49 40 6556516, jgh-hamburg@t-online.de
- Schanzenstern Hostel, Bartelsstrasse 12, 20357 Hamburg, phone +49 40/4398441 - in the middle of the trendy quarter Schanzenviertel
Mid-range
- Hotel Engel, Niendorfer Straße 55, 22529 Hamburg, phone +49 40 554260
- Hotel Königshof, Pulverteich 18, 20099 Hamburg, phone +49 40 2840740, fax +49 40 28407474, Hotelkhh@aol.com; gay people welcome - run by an all-male couple.
Splurge
- Kempinski Hotel Atlantic, An der Alster 72-79, 20099 Hamburg, phone +49 40 28880, fax +49 40 247129, hotel.atlantic@kempinski.com
- Raffles Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten, Neuer Jungfernstieg 9-14, 20354 Hamburg, phone +49 40 34940, fax +49 40 34942600
- Le Royal Meridien Hamburg, An der Alster 52-56, 20099 Hamburg
Contact
Free WLAN access available in various locations. See HOTSPOT HAMBURG
Stay safe - Hamburg Tourism
Cope
Get out
Discount service by Ryan Air to London-Stansted from Lübeck available. Lübeck is a 30-60 minute drive away (Autobahn A1). Free parking at Lübeck makes this a very attractive way of getting to England for locals.
External Links for Hamburg Tourism
- Official Hamburg website
- Hamburg Tourism GmbH Company that promotes tourism to Hamburg
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