Car Hire Hamburg

Driving in Hamburg offers spectacular views at every turn, with more than 2,000 bridges spanning the waters below. For a city with a claim to the most bridges in the world, however, it’s relatively easy to navigate.

There’s a wealth of parking to be found in the city centre, including metred pay and display street parking and various car parks. There’s also free parking outside the city through Park and Ride schemes.

Car hire from Hamburg offers the perfect opportunity to explore the wider joys of Germany too. From here, you have easy access to many of the major motorways – or ‘autobahns’ – including the A7 which runs from the town of Flensburg on the cusp of Denmark, right down to the border with Austria in the south.

The Hanseatic heritage town of Bremen is only around 90-minutes away via the A1 south-west, while the sandy shores of Cuxhaven take just over two hours to reach to the north-west. Additionally, the vast city of Hannover is 160km away on the A7 south, while the German capital, Berlin, lies 288km away via the A24, providing the perfect opportunity for a mini road trip across Germany’s north.

In Germany, you drive on the right side of the road and overtake on the left. Everyone must wear seat belts and, as the driver, you should carry proof of your ID and your driving license at all times.

Speed limits vary but the maximum speed on autobahns is 130km/h (there are famously some unrestricted stretches, but the 130km/h limit is still advised), and on major roads outside built-up areas it’s typically 100km/h. In towns and cities, limits usually drop to 50km/h, so always ensure you keep an eye on the signs while driving.

Germany’s second-largest city has something to transfix around every corner.  

Explore traditional Hanseatic brick architecture and history, live life on the water, and stroll through idyllic parks by day.

At night, watch Hamburg transform into an energetic hub of art and music. It pulsates through the streets, along the canals and deep underground, coming together to create a truly unforgettable city break.

All about art

For those seeking culture,theKunstmeile, or art mile, gives you access to five unique art museums with just one ticket.

First on the list is Bucerius Kunst Forum, which runs four exhibitions each year to connect today’s art with the past, as well as a variety of art, music and culture events. After that, you’ll find the Deichtorhallen Hamburg, which fills two former market halls with international contemporary art and photography. Just beside it, the Kunstverein in Hamburg serves as a platform for new up-and-coming artists. 

For more traditional art, Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg hosts a vast collection of masterpieces and antiquities, spanning four centuries of history – but has modern displays too. And the last stop, Kunsthalle Hamburg, hosts art from seven centuries, with works from French Impressionist painter Claude Monet and Italian Baroque painter Canaletto among the incredible collection.

Tranquil settings

Know as the city’s green heart, Planten unBlomen flourishes with 470,000 square metres of flowers, herbs and trees – and is the perfect location to catch your breath. Wander the park to discover different themes, from the Japanese Tea Gardens to the Mediterranean terraces, as well as serene lakes and ponds.

Walking along Hamburg’s canals also offers a refreshing shift from the thriving attractions in the centre. The most prestigious canal district is the Speicherstadt, with warehouse buildings dating back to the late 19^th century. Here you’ll discover the Miniatur Wunderland, the largest model railway in the world.

Hanseatic heritage

The Hanseatic League was a guild formed in medieval times to protect Germany’s northern towns from pirates and secure their independent trading. During the ensuing centuries of this alliance, the towns developed their own unique heritage and architecture, many relics of which can still be found in Hamburg and the nearby communities.

Venture outside the city to discover the crowning jewel of Hanseatic heritage. Renowned as the Queen of the Hanseatic League, Lübeck is just an hour or so’s drive away via the A1. Wander around its old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to bear witness to the dynasty which ruled here.

Perhaps most striking of all is the Marienkirche, St. Mary’s Church, an everlasting symbol of power and prosperity. Just below it sits the Museum Holstentor, housed inside the mighty gates of this old Hanseatic powerhouse.

Explore a remarkable city, the Hanseatic region and beyond with car hire in Hamburg. Book now and start planning your adventure.