Sleeping in Airports

Hamburg Airport Guide

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Hamburg Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit.  Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

The early morning German charter flight crowd can be a bit rambunctious. – a traveller

HAM Airport Overview

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Hamburg Airport.

What to Expect

Hamburg Airport (code: HAM) comprises two large, interconnected terminals. The airport plaza, located between the two terminals, houses shops, restaurants and other airport services, though eateries and shops can also be found on the airside, and 24-hour dining is available. As Hamburg Airport is quite busy, expect long check-in and security lines. WiFi is available, and comfort can be found through fee-based access to the airport’s first-class lounge. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for locations and rates.

Hamburg Airport guide
(Photo courtesy of a guest traveller / 20Sept2017)

Sleeping in Hamburg Airport

The airport is officially closed between 1:00 AM and 4:00 AM, and travellers are not allowed entry between these hours. Those travellers already in the airport are restricted to the arrivals area until the facilities re-open in the morning. No benches are in the arrivals area, so floor sleeping is the only option. Those considering sleeping here overnight should have a travel mat or sleeping bag for added comfort. A traveller reported having some luck sleeping on the couches at the Scoom sandwich shop, though that area was closed for cleaning between 2:00 AM and 4:00 AM. For uninterrupted sleep, there is an airport hotel and other hotels nearby. See locations in the Airport Hotels section below or read traveller airport reviews for more tips.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information.  For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Hamburg Airport Guide.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.  For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.

Airport Hours

The airport is open 24 hours.

Rest & Relaxation Zones

There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Airport Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there is a hotel at Hamburg Airport:

Radisson Blu Hotel Hamburg Airport – Connected to Airport Plaza via pedestrian bridge, both terminals are within a 100-meter walk from the hotel.  » Check Rates

Hotels near the airport
  • Leonardo Inn Hotel Hamburg Airport – Located 500m from the International Terminal.  No airport shuttle.   » Check Rates
  • Ibis Hamburg Airport – No airport shuttle. » Check Rates

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Hamburg Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.

Airport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!

  • Airport Lounge – Location: Airport Plaza, Airside, Level 3 (Gallery Level). Showers are available. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.

Airline Lounges

You may have access to the lounge listed below if you are a First or Business Class traveller. For more information, check the airline’s website.

The Emirates Lounge (Location: Airport Plaza, Airside) • Lufthansa Senator Lounge (Location: Terminal 2, Airside) • Lufthansa Business Lounge (Location: Terminal 2, Airside).

Related Pages: Hamburg Airport Lounges

Drinking Water

Thirsty? Water dispensers are available Landside (Baggage Claims 4 and 7) and Airside (Gates B53 and C07).

Food & Drinks

Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. These options are open 24 hours: Scoom (T1, Arrivals).

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Temporarily Closed – Store your baggage and items in Left Luggage at the following rates: A 3 € processing fee applies in addition to the per baggage rates: 4 € per calendar day for a small suitcase • 5 € per day for a regular suitcase • 8 € per calendar day for oversized luggage • Rates available for extra-large bags, surfboards, golf bags, key storage, etc. Location: T2, Departures. Hours: 4:30 AM – 11:00 PM.

Mobile Charging

A reader tells us there are power outlets for mobile charging close to each gate and inside the lounge.

Showers

Feel refreshed after a long flight with a nice hot shower! A shower fee of €5,00 includes shampoo. If a towel is required, there is an additional fee of €10,00. Location: Airport Plaza, Arrivals Level • T2, Arrivals Level.

WiFi/Internet

Free WiFi is available at Hamburg Airport for 24 hours. Connect to the “HAM AIRPORT FREE WIFI” network.

In addition, internet kiosks are available in the following locations: T2, landside, Arrivals (three workstations and a printer available) • Pier (at Gates A20 – A18), airside, Level 1 • Pier (at Gate A/B37), airside, Level 1 • Pier (at Gate A21 – A26), airside, Level 1. Hours: 4:00 AM – 12:00 AM. There is a one-hour time limit.

More Airport Information

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

Airport Office – Get the answers to your general questions about the airport or your flight, make a hotel reservation, deposit keys and documents, send a fax, make copies and more at the Airport Office. Location: Airport Plaza, Arrivals Level.

Business Center – Fully equipped meeting rooms are available in Terminal 2, Level 2 and 4.

Family Services

  • Children’s Play Area – Location: Terminal 1, Level 3, Airside • Terminal 2, Level 3, Airside.
  • Strollers – Parents or small children can receive a free stroller until they board the flight. Pick-up at the Hamburg Airport Livery, Airside.

Laundry – If you will be in the airport for a few hours and need some laundry done, you can go to ZWO24Textilpflege in Terminal 1, Level 0, Landside. Hours: 3:00 AM – 8:00 AM.

Luggage

  • Luggage Storage & Lockers – see “Luggage Storage & Lockers” above.
  • Luggage Trolleys – Trolleys are available in front of the terminal and in the parking lots. A refundable deposit of 1 € or 0.50 € is required.
  • Luggage Wrapping – Services are available in the check-in area. Rates: Unknown.

Massage – Traditional Chinese and Western massage and acupuncture treatments are available at the Chi-Mas Institute. Location: Pier (at Gate B52), Level 1 (Departures, security-controlled area). Hours: 1:30 AM – 2:30 PM (Wed-Fri), 3:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Sat), 3:00 AM – 2:30 PM (Sun). Rates: Prices start at €15,00 for 10 minutes.

Medical Services

  • Dental Services – Have a toothache? Complete preventative, maintenance, and urgent dental treatment is available at tryDent. Location: Airport Plaza, landside, House D/Level 2. Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Mon, Tues) • 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Wed, Thurs) • 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Fri).
  • Medical Services – Urgent and emergency medical treatment is available at the German Red Cross (DRK) medical centre. Location: Terminal 2, Departures Bed. Hours: 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM.
  • Pharmacy – Metropolitan Pharmacy – Location: Airport Plaza, Level 0 (Arrivals). Hours:  1:00 PM – 12:00 AM (Mon – Fri) • 2:00 PM – 12:00 AM (Sat-Sun )

Money

  • ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside and Airside.
  • Currency Exchange – Location: Terminal 1, Departures Level • Pier Gate C08, Airside • Pier Gate A20, Airside • Baggage Claim, Level 0, Airside. Hours: 5:45 AM – 8:45 PM.

Prayer Room – Location: Terminal 1, Level 2, behind the travel agents’ hall. Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM.

Shopping – Heinemann Duty-Free is available airside in these locations: Pier (Gate A20), Level 1 (Hours: midnight – 3:00 PM) • Airport Plaza, Level 1 (Hours: 2:30 AM – 3:30 PM). A variety of over 40 retail shops are available landside and airside throughout the airport. Most landside shops are open from midnight – 3:00 PM.

SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.

Smoking – Smoking is permitted in designated smoking cabins, both Landside and Airside.

Supermarket – If you are a local resident who would like to grab some essential groceries before returning home from the airport, the Edeka supermarket sells fruits, vegetables, bakery goods, drinks and more. Location: Arrivals Level, Airport Plaza. Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM.

Travel Agencies – If you are arriving in Hamburg and need local arrangements or help planning a last-minute trip abroad, visit the airport’s Travel Market with over 20 travel agencies to assist you. Location: Level 2, Terminal 1. Hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM.

Things to do & see

  • Airport Model Exhibition – A miniature version of the Hamburg Airport. You will see every detail of Hamburg Airport, with all its buildings, taxiways, runways and landing strips, on a scale of 1:500.  Rate: € 4.50 (adults). Shows: daily at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 4:00 PM without prior booking. Duration of the show: approx. 45 minutes.
  • Airport Tours – Find out what happens at the airport during a behind-the-scenes airport tour. Visit the Fire Brigade and the Apron. Reservations required. Departure Time: 10:00 AM and 1:30 PM. Tour Duration: 150 minutes. Rate: € 12,00 (adults) and € 8,00 (children up to age 14).
  • Art in the Airport – A rotating exhibit featuring the works of regional artists is on display at a designated area between Gates C09 – C14.
  • Casino – The Spiel-In Casino is Hamburg Airport’s “little Las Vegas.” Location: Terminal 1, Level 2, Landside. Hours: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM.
  • Observation Deck – Relax and watch planes taking off and landing from the vantage point of the airport’s observation deck. Location: there are three access points: (1) adjoining the Model Exhibition, (2) Terminal 1, HMS Host Terrace, and (3) Terminal 2, Mövenpick Terrace. Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

VAT Refund – Location: Global Blue, Airside, Level 1, Pier (near Gate A20).

Airlines
Hamburg Airport is served by the following airlines: Aegean Airlines • Aer Lingus • Aeroflot • Air Baltic • Air Cairo • Air Europa • Air France • Air Malta • Austrian Airlines • Blue Air • British Airways • Brussels Airlines • Condor • Corendon Airlines • Czech Airlines • Danish Air Transport • EasyJet • Emirates • European Air Charter • Eurowings • Finnairt • Freebird • Iberia • Icelandair • Iran Air • ITA Airways • KLM l • LOT • Lufthansa • Luxair • Norwegian • Nouvelair • Onur Air • Pegasus Airlines • Rhein Neckar Air • Rossiya • Ryanair • SAS • Sky Express • Sundair • Sun Express • Swiss • Sylt Air • Tailwind • TAP Portugal • TUIFly • Tunisair • Turkish Airlines • Vueling • Wideroe • Wizz Air.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Car Rentals

The following car rental agencies are located in Terminal 2, Level 0, Arrivals Hall: Avis/Budget, Buchbinder/Global Drive, Enterprise/Alamo/National, Europcar, Hertz/Dollar/Thrifty and Sixt.

Hamburg Card

If you plan to use public transportation during your visit to Hamburg, consider buying the Hamburg Card. The Hamburg Card includes:

  • Unlimited rides on the public transportation network in Hamburg
  • Discounts of up to 50% off on area attractions, restaurants and shops
  • Price for the Hamburg Card starts at €10,50 for a 1-day card, or €21.90 for a 1-day Hamburg Card plus regional
  • Additional days can be added to either card

Hamburg Cards are sold at The Airport Office (in Arrivals), Hamburg Tourist Information Offices, HVV service points and ticket machines. For further information, visit the Hamburg Tourismus website.

Hotel Shuttles

At the time of this update, we could not find any hotels offering an airport shuttle.  See Airport Hotels for hotels within walking distance.

Taxis

Taxis are available 24 hours a day at taxi stands in front of Terminals 1 and 2. All taxis are metered, and reservations are not required. Fares can be negotiated with the driver for trips to or from locations outside of Hamburg.

Train

Hamburg Airport railway station is located directly across from the passenger terminals, served by the S-Bahn S1 line. Trains depart every 10 minutes for the 25-minute trip between the airport and Hamburg Hauptbahnhof (main railway station). Connection to the U-Bahn U1 line available at the Ohlsdorf stop. For route maps, schedules and fares for the Hamburg public transportation network, visit the HVV website.

Last updated: 2024-08-26

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning.  All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice.   The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or  write a review.