Your Hamburg trip
What this solves
Hamburg is unique among the German major cities in having a serious harbour ferry system that runs through the city. HADAG ferries 62-74 are integrated into HVV AB — you ride them on a normal AB ticket. Most tourists do not know this and buy a separate €9 ferry ticket at the boat. The day ticket also covers them.
The other pitfall is the airport. Many travellers assume that the S1 to Hamburg Airport has a special fare like Frankfurt's RMV (€11.20 single) — it does not. The S1 ride from Hauptbahnhof to HAM is a normal AB trip at €3.80 single, or part of any AB day ticket. The C/D ring fare only matters if you leave Hamburg proper (Pinneberg, Stade, Wedel outer).
How to read the result
- Best ticket — Kleinstreise Single (€2.20, 3 stops bus / 4 stations U+S), Single (one trip in given ring), Tageskarte (unlimited rides that day), or 9-Uhr-Tageskarte (cheaper Tageskarte valid 9 AM onward on weekdays).
- Total — your actual outlay for all trips combined. If you make 2 trips in AB, the day ticket wins above a single AB ticket.
- Per person — total cost / passenger count. Group tickets up to 5 adults; larger groups buy multiple Tageskarte or singles.
- Ferry rule — HADAG ferries 62-74 are covered by an AB ticket. Tour boats on the Alster are NOT.
Limitations
- Does not model the Hamburg-Card tourist pass (24/48/72h) — it bundles transit + many museum discounts but is rarely the cheapest pure-transit option.
- Does not include the HVV monthly subscription (Abo, IsarCard) — usually wins for residents, irrelevant for tourists.
- Does not model the Fahrkartenkauf counter surcharge (€2 per ticket if bought at a HVV counter).
- HADAG harbour ferry lines 62-74 are covered; line 75 (Elbe commuter ferry Wedel-Hamburg) requires a separate ticket.
- Children 6-14 ride free with parent on most tickets — not modelled.
- Special tariffs on long-distance regional trains outside the HVV area (e.g. Lübeck, Bremen, Hannover) require a Niedersachsen-Ticket or Schleswig-Holstein-Ticket for cheap coverage.
FAQ
Which HADAG ferries are part of HVV?
HADAG harbour ferries with even-numbered lines 62-74 (62, 64, 65, 68, 71, 72, 73, 74) are part of HVV AB. They run between Landungsbrücken, Finkenwerder, Elbphilharmonie pier, and various harbour stops. The Alster tour boats (Alster-Touren) and the river Elbe commuter ferry line 75 are NOT in HVV — buy a separate ticket.
Does the Hamburg Airport S1 cost €3.40?
Some sources quote €3.40, some €3.80. The 2026 single fare for one trip from Hauptbahnhof (zone A) to Hamburg Airport (still zone B) is the AB single at €3.80. €3.40 was the 2024 fare before the 2025 increase. If you buy a Tageskarte AB at €8.90, the airport ride is included.
Is the Hamburg-Card worth it?
For transport alone: rarely. For transit + Speicherstadt museums + harbour cruise discount + bus tours: usually yes for first-time visitors. The card is sold as 1/2/3/4/5-day variants. The card 2-day for €36-40 single + children free is the sweet spot for museum lovers.
When is a Tageskarte better than singles?
AB single €3.80 vs AB Tageskarte €8.90 — break-even at 3 trips per person. ABC single €4.90 vs ABC Tageskarte €11.20 — break-even at 3 trips. ABCD single €6.30 vs ABCD Tageskarte €14.20 — break-even at 3 trips. Below that, singles win. At 3+ trips, day-ticket wins.
Related tools
Sources
- HVV · hvv.de — 2026 fare tables, ring tariff
- HADAG · hadag.de — harbour ferry line list, HVV integration
- HAM Airport · hamburg-airport.de — S1 directions, terminal connections
- hamburg.de — city transport overview
About this tool
Built for Hamburg visitors who need to decide which HVV ticket covers the harbour ferry, the airport S1, and the day-tour bracket. Inputs are simplified. Confirm exact routes on hvv.de or the HVV app.
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Disclaimer
Fares reflect 2026 published values and may change. Ring borders sometimes shift with new suburban stations. Always confirm with HVV.