Transportation in Hamburg
Subway
The Hamburg subway, operated by Hamburger Hochbahn AG, covers large parts of the city with several lines and connects important points such as the main railway station, the airport and various residential and business districts.
- U1 (blue line): The U1 is Hamburg's longest subway line. It starts in Norderstedt Mitte and runs via important stations such as Farmsen, Wandsbek Markt and Hauptbahnhof Süd to Ohlstedt and Großhansdorf. It thus connects both the northern suburbs and the central areas of the city.
- U2 (Red Line): The U2 connects Niendorf Nord with Mümmelmannsberg. This line runs through central areas such as Hagenbeck's zoo, Schlump and Jungfernstieg. It is particularly important for connecting the residential areas in the east and west of the city.
- U3 (yellow line): The U3 is known for its route through the city center and along the Outer Alster. It starts in Barmbek, runs via stations such as Berliner Tor, Landungsbrücken and St. Pauli and ends in Wandsbek-Gartenstadt. The U3 is particularly popular with tourists as it provides access to many of Hamburg's sights.
- U4 (Green Line): The U4 is a relatively new line that runs from Billstedt via HafenCity University to Elbbrücken. This line is important for opening up the new development areas in HafenCity and for connecting the east of Hamburg.
S-Bahn
The Hamburg S-Bahn, operated by Deutsche Bahn, supplements the subway network and provides access to both the city center and the surrounding areas of Hamburg.
- S1: This line connects Hamburg Airport with Wedel. It runs through central districts such as Ohlsdorf, Altona and Blankenese. It is particularly important for connecting the airport to the city center.
- S11: This line runs between Blankenese and Poppenbüttel, but only during rush hour. It shares a large part of the route with the S1.
- S2: This line runs between Altona and Bergedorf on the same section of track as the S21, but only during peak times.
- S21: This line runs between Elbgaustraße and Aumühle. It serves important stations such as Sternschanze, Dammtor and Berliner Tor.
- S3: The S3 runs between Pinneberg and Stade via the main station and Harburg. It is important for accessing the western and southern suburbs.
- S31: This line runs between Altona and Neugraben via the stations Sternschanze and Harburg Rathaus. It only runs during rush hour.
Buses
An extensive bus network complements rail transportation in Hamburg. Numerous bus routes connect different parts of the city with each other and provide access to places that are not directly served by the underground and S-Bahn. Night buses also offer a reliable connection outside the operating hours of the underground and S-Bahn.
Ferries
Due to its location on the Elbe and the numerous canals, ferries also play a role in Hamburg's public transport system. Operated by the Hamburg Transport Association, they connect different parts of the city by water and offer a unique and picturesque way of traveling.
Regional trains
Regional trains are an important addition for journeys to more distant regions. They connect Hamburg with other cities and regions in northern Germany and are ideal for longer journeys outside the city area.
