Hamburg Hauptbahnhof, or Hamburg Central Station, is one of the busiest train stations in Germany and Europe. It opened on December 6, 1906, and connects travelers with destinations across Germany and Europe. Located in the center of Hamburg, the station combines historic architecture with later modern additions. Its large train hall and glass-and-steel roof are among its most recognizable features. Today, around 550,000 travelers and visitors use Hamburg Hauptbahnhof each day. The station has 14 tracks, with more than 800 long-distance and regional trains and around 1,200 S-Bahn trains operating daily.
Visitors at Hamburg Hauptbahnhof will find many services while waiting for their trains. There are shops, cafes, restaurants, a DB Travel Center, an hvv service point, toilets, Wi-Fi, a DB Lounge, and other passenger facilities. For those with extra luggage, Hamburg Hauptbahnhof has official luggage lockers, allowing you to store bags while you explore the station or nearby parts of the city.
Hamburg Hauptbahnhof Bag Policy
| ALLOWED BAGS No station-wide 55 × 40 × 25 cm limit
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| NOT ALLOWED Unsafe or obstructive handling is prohibited
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Hamburg Hauptbahnhof Lockers
If you need to store luggage, official luggage lockers are available at Hamburg Hauptbahnhof. The current Deutsche Bahn station information lists several locker sizes and rental periods.
For lockers measuring 35 × 45 × 55 cm, the current published price is €6 for 4 hours or €8 for 24 hours. Larger lockers measuring 52 × 62 × 85 cm cost €8 for 4 hours or €10 for 24 hours.
The station also has a small number of tall lockers measuring 35 × 192 × 55 cm, currently priced at €14 for 24 hours. The official locker page lists card payment as the payment method.
Locker availability depends on how many compartments are free when you arrive. If the station lockers do not suit the size of your luggage or are unavailable, you can also use luggage-storage services elsewhere near Hamburg Hauptbahnhof.
Hamburg Hauptbahnhof Transportation
Getting to Hamburg Hauptbahnhof is easy because it is one of Hamburg’s main public transport hubs. Several options are available:
- Train: ICE, Intercity, EuroCity, regional, and other long-distance services connect Hamburg Hauptbahnhof with destinations across Germany and Europe. Regional trains and Hamburg S-Bahn services also use the station.
- Subway (U-Bahn): All four Hamburg U-Bahn lines serve the Hauptbahnhof complex. U1 and U3 use Hauptbahnhof Süd, while U2 and U4 use Hauptbahnhof Nord.
- S-Bahn: Hamburg Hauptbahnhof is a major interchange for the city’s S-Bahn network. Because S-Bahn operating patterns can change, especially during construction or timetable adjustments, check the current hvv or S-Bahn Hamburg journey planner before travelling.
- Bus: Numerous city and regional bus routes serve stops around Hauptbahnhof, including Hauptbahnhof/ZOB, Hauptbahnhof/Steintordamm, and Hauptbahnhof/Mönckebergstraße. Hamburg’s central bus station, ZOB, is directly beside the railway station.
Hamburg Hauptbahnhof Camera Policy
Personal photography and filming for private, non-commercial purposes are allowed in areas of Hamburg Hauptbahnhof that are freely accessible to the public. You do not need prior permission for ordinary private photography in these areas.
When photographing people at close range, you should obtain their consent, and the personal rights of passengers and DB employees must be respected. Walkways, stairs, and platforms must remain clear, and photographers should keep a safe distance from the platform edge.
Tripods, lighting systems, and other movable structures are prohibited under the current DB station house rules. Commercial photography, film, and television recordings require prior approval, while media productions must follow Deutsche Bahn’s separate filming-permit procedure.
There is no ordinary airport-style security checkpoint at the entrance to Hamburg Hauptbahnhof, so references to avoiding photography at general station security checkpoints do not apply in the same way as they would at an airport.
Hamburg Hauptbahnhof Food Policy
There are many dining options at Hamburg Hauptbahnhof, including bakeries, cafés, takeaway outlets, food shops, and sit-down restaurants. Passengers can also generally bring their own ordinary food and non-alcoholic drinks into the station.
There is no airport-style liquid restriction for passengers entering Hamburg Hauptbahnhof or travelling on ordinary Deutsche Bahn services. Food and beverages should not create litter, block passenger areas, or disturb other travelers.
Hamburg Hauptbahnhof is, however, one of the Deutsche Bahn stations with a complete alcohol-consumption ban on station premises. Exceptions apply to shops, restaurants, and their associated dining areas where alcohol is sold or served. Alcohol that is being carried in a firmly sealed container and is not intended for consumption at the station is also exempt.
Other Hamburg Hauptbahnhof Rules & Information
There are several rules in place to keep Hamburg Hauptbahnhof safe and pleasant for all visitors.
Smoking, including e-cigarettes and vaping, is allowed only in designated smoking areas. It is prohibited elsewhere on station premises. Follow the signs marking any permitted smoking zones.
Passengers must not leave luggage unattended. Bags and other belongings should also be secured on platforms so that they cannot roll toward the tracks.
Riding bicycles, e-scooters, scooters, skateboards, inline skates, and similar vehicles inside the station is prohibited; they may generally only be pushed or carried. Flying drones in or around the station within the applicable restricted area is also prohibited.
Hamburg Hauptbahnhof has security personnel and other DB staff available to assist passengers. Travelers should follow instructions from station employees and security staff.
The station house rules require dogs to be kept on a leash and fitted with an appropriate muzzle, subject to applicable legal exceptions. On Deutsche Bahn trains, guide dogs and properly identified assistance dogs travel free of charge and do not need to wear a muzzle.
There is no general station rule stating that all children must be accompanied by an adult simply to enter Hamburg Hauptbahnhof. Rules for children travelling by train depend on their age, ticket, and railway operator.
Tips for Visitors
Before visiting Hamburg Hauptbahnhof, check the official website for current information on departures, arrivals, station services, elevators, accessibility, lockers, and temporary changes.
There is no clear-bag policy and no routine airport-style security screening simply to enter Hamburg Hauptbahnhof. You do not need to carry a transparent or unusually small bag. Instead, make sure your luggage complies with the requirements of the railway operator you are travelling with and does not block doors, aisles, or safety equipment.
If you have large luggage, you can use the official lockers at Hamburg Hauptbahnhof or nearby luggage storage. Qeepl storage costs €4.39 per item per day, and luggage is protected by insurance coverage of €1,000. This can be useful if the station lockers are unavailable, your luggage does not fit, or you want to leave your bags before exploring Hamburg.
