Models Share the Fastest Ways Around Hamburg

Hamburg is Germany’s second-largest city, after Berlin, with a population of over 1.7 million. It’s considered the economic and cultural capital of Northern Europe, so needless to say, there’s a lot to do here.

To make the most out of your visit, it’s important to understand the different Hamburg transport options you have at your disposal.

That’s why we asked some of the high-class escorts Hamburg has to offer for the best ways to get around Hamburg.

HVV network

The HVV or Hamburger Verkehrsverbund is Hamburg’s public transportation network, which covers the U-bahn (underground subway), S-bahn (metropolitan train system), R-bahn (regional trains), buses and ferries.

An HVV ticket can cover access to all of these Hamburg transport options, which means less to think about. Their app also has a directions function that will give you route options and tell you which train or bus you need to get, etc.

The HVV splits the city up into 6 different zones, A-F, with zones A & B covering the majority of the city centre. Most tourists find that they stay within these two central zones.

They have a number of ticketing options, including single journeys, group tickets and tickets that cover several days. Costs are extremely reasonable, and trains and buses in the centre tend to run every 5-10 minutes or so, making the HVV a great way to get around Hamburg.

You can buy tickets from ticket machines at train stations, within the HVV app and directly from bus drivers.

By bike

When you think of bike-friendly locations, the Netherlands usually come to mind, but Hamburg has a prominent infrastructure for cyclists with over 1,700 km of cycling paths throughout the city.

In the city centre, many major streets feature protected bike lanes, and almost all train stations and apartment buildings have secure bike storage facilities.

For non-locals, there is a city-wide bike rental service called StadtRAD. Their signature post-box red bikes can be found all over the city. It operates on a pickup/dropoff system, so you’ll find StadtRAD stations with locked bikes available to rent. Simply scan the QR code, choose your bike and agree to the rental terms, then the lock will automatically open. When you’re done, just drop it back off at a StadtRAD station.

Helmets are recommended but not required by law; however, using lights at night is required by law, and if you need to take your bike on the train with you, you’ll have to buy a special bike ticket.

By foot

Walking a city might not always be the quickest or easiest way to get around, but it’s often the most fun. When you travel in Hamburg on foot, you’re going to find things you wouldn’t have otherwise and get a taste for the real city.

Central Hamburg is considered walkable, although this can be subjective. The city has been designed with pedestrians in mind, though, and its layout revolves around several districts, each with its own personality and selling points.

On the whole, Hamburg is very safe, but as with every city, there are always people and areas that may be best avoided. If you follow the usual precautions, like keeping valuables hidden and secure and being sensible when walking alone at night, you’ll find Hamburg to be trouble-free. If you do have any issues, the police force takes its job seriously and is quick to respond to any reports of crime.

Ferries

Hamburg is a city dominated by riverways and canals, and to take advantage of that, they have a robust system of ferries in use as public transport. Not only that, but they’re part of the HVV, so in most cases you can use the same ticket for a train as a ferry!

Some people choose to ride the ferries as a way to see the city from a different point of view, with people online even saying that they take snacks or drinks and treat it like a river cruise.

Ferry 62, for example, going from Landungsbrücken to Finkenwerder passes the stunning Elbphilharmonie concert hall, the Blohm and Voss shipyard, Altonaer Balkon, and the museum harbour.

Car rental

If you want to get around the city quickly and easily but stay in charge, or if you plan to head out of Hamburg, for example, for a day trip, then you might want to rent your own car.

If you do, there are a few key considerations that you’ll need to make. First off, the minimum age is usually 21, and you’ll need to have at least one year of driving experience.

Daily rates usually start around €38/day for compact cars and can be much higher for large cars like SUVs, although you can sometimes save money by booking in advance.

Sixt, Europcar and Avis are often cited as the most reliable and highest rated car rental companies in Hamburg.

Although renting a car in Hamburg is an option, with expensive and limited parking, lots of traffic and a highly efficient public transport system, most locals wouldn’t advise using a hire car to travel in Hamburg.

Taxis

For those of you who are just focused on getting from A to B, Hamburg has a quick and efficient taxi infrastructure. They have a variety of app-based providers and traditional taxi ranks, with the main choices being Uber, Free Now, and Hansa‑Taxi.

During peak times, traffic in Hamburg can be bad, so keep this in mind when you’re deciding how you’ll get around Hamburg.