With just 288 km (180 miles) separating Berlin from Hamburg, both cities are just a day’s drive away. Whether you want an arts capital city or a dynamic coastal metropolis, the two are within easy reach and must be visited.
So what is the best way to get from Berlin to Hamburg (or vice versa)? Here are your options, from plane to train, car and bus.
Berlin to Hamburg by train
The best option is to take the train to Hamburg. Traveling by train is the best way to get around Germany and, with a little planning, one of the cheapest.
Train tickets start at $ 75, and the Intercity Express (ICE) train, which reaches speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour, takes you to Hamburg in just 1.5 hours. The Eurocity (EC) train is another option that may offer discounted tickets but is a bit slower. You can reserve your ticket, look for special sales online, and reserve your seat on the Deutsche Bahn (German Railway in English) website.
A slower but cheaper option is the Schönes-Wochenende-Ticket, which allows up to 5 travelers for just 40 euros. And while booking in advance is generally the best way to get a low price, you can also try last-minute train tickets that cost as little as 26 euros per ticket. More about discounts on German train deals.
Berlin to Hamburg by car
Another great way to get to Hamburg? The world famous Autobahn. Driving on this highway is usually a neat fair, but it can offer a chance to check something off your bucket list.
If you are driving from Berlin to Hamburg, it will take 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on traffic. Getting to Hamburg is easy: from Berlin, take the B 114, then the A 10, which merges with the A 24. Follow the A 24 Autobahn to Hamburg (there are many signs along the way too).
For car rentals, base rates vary wildly based on time of year, length of rental, age of driver, destination, and rental location. Compare prices to find the best price. Note that the charges generally do not include the 16% Value Added Tax (VAT), the registration fee, or any airport fees (but they do include the required liability insurance). These additional fees can be up to 25% of the daily rent
Driving in Germany:
- The legal driving age is 18, but generally drivers must be over 21 to rent a car. Depending on the company, they can pay a premium up to 25 years.
- Reserve your car in advance (14 days in advance, ideally) to get the best deals.
- Sign up for the newsletter of major companies (such as Hertz, Sixt, etc.) or follow social networks for offers.
- German cars generally come with a manual transmission (gearshift). If you prefer an automatic transmission, ask the rental company and most can accommodate you. This can, like so many things, result in an additional charge.
If you feel like getting hooked, the mitfahrgelegenheit.de site (now known as BlaBlaCar) lets you organize carpooling. These can be very cheap and organized just a few days in advance. On the downside, keep in mind that these are less secure than official options and last minute cancellations do occur.
Berlin to Hamburg by bus
The cheapest option to get from Berlin to Hamburg (and vice versa) is by bus. Tickets start at 30 (with some special discounts as low as 10 euros), and it takes a little over 3 hours to get to Hamburg. Bus tickets are a real bargain!
In addition, comfort levels are increased thanks to bus services such as Wi-Fi, air conditioning, toilets, plugs, free newspapers and sleeping seats. air conditioning, bathrooms, a dash kitchen and sleeping seats. Coaches are generally clean and on time, once again avoiding problems with traffic. A recommended bus company is Berlin Linien.
Berlin to Hamburg by plane
Going from Berlin to Hamburg by plane is one of the most expensive options, and not the fastest either. Most flights from Berlin to Hamburg have stopovers in other German cities, such as Düsseldorf or Frankfurt; Compared to a train or car trip, flights to Hamburg often take twice as long. Airline tickets generally start at $ 250 (roundtrip).
