Hamburg is Germany's second-largest city and its great maritime gateway, a proud Hanseatic port that has traded across the North and Baltic Seas for centuries. Known as the 'Venice of the North' for its extensive network of canals and bridges, the city pairs a historic warehouse district with the striking modern Elbphilharmonie concert hall. From the red-light glamour of the Reeperbahn to the quiet green banks of the Alster lakes, Hamburg blends maritime heritage with contemporary culture.
Local currency: Euro (EUR).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Hamburg.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- €25-35 ($22-30)
- Budget
- €55-90 ($47-78)
- Midrange
- €90-160 ($78-138)
- Luxury
- €270+ ($233+)
Food
- Street
- €4-8 ($3-7)
- Local
- €11-16 ($9-14)
- Midrange
- €22-38 ($19-33)
- Fine
- €65+ ($56+)
Transport
- Bus
- €3.40 single / €9.20 day pass ($2.93 / $7.93)
- Taxi
- €4.20 base + €2.20/km ($3.62 base + $1.90/km)
- Airport
- €3.40 by S-Bahn / €35-45 by taxi ($2.93 / $30-39)
- Daytrip
- €15-35 by train ($13-30)
Activities
- Museum
- €10-16 ($9-14)
- Sites
- €6-16 ($5-14)
- Tour
- €18-35 ($16-30)
- Excursion
- €25-70 ($22-60)
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Hamburg costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
€385 for 7 days ($332)
Midrange traveller
€945 for 7 days ($814)
Luxury traveller
€2,660+ for 7 days ($2,293+)
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Buy the Hamburg CARD (from €12.90/day) for unlimited public transport plus discounts of up to 50% on museums, tours, and harbor cruises
Use the €58 Deutschlandticket for unlimited regional and city transport across Germany, including Hamburg's HVV network
Visit the Sunday Fischmarkt early for free entertainment and cheap breakfast food from the vendor stalls
Cook simple meals - Hamburg has excellent supermarkets like Rewe and Edeka for self-catering
Book accommodation in St. Georg or Altona rather than the pricier city center or HafenCity
Many museums offer reduced admission on the first Thursday evening of the month with extended hours
Take the HVV public ferry line 62 across the harbor instead of a paid tour boat for a fraction of the cost
Check for free walking tours (tip-based) departing daily near the Rathaus
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Speicherstadt Walk
Stroll the world's largest historic warehouse district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, free to explore on foot
Alster Lakes Walk
Circuit walk or jog around the Binnenalster and Außenalster lakes in the city center, free year-round
Fischmarkt Entry
Sunday morning Fischmarkt in St. Pauli with vendors, music, and the historic Fischauktionshalle; entry is free
Elbphilharmonie Plaza
Free public viewing platform (Plaza) inside the Elbphilharmonie concert hall with panoramic harbor views; timed ticket required but no charge
St. Michaelis Church Exterior
View the Baroque exterior of the Hamburg landmark 'Michel' free; only the tower climb and crypt charge admission
Rathausmarkt and City Hall Exterior
Admire the ornate Hamburg City Hall (Rathaus) from the square for free; only guided interior tours are ticketed
HafenCity Waterfront Promenade
Walk the modern quaysides and bridges of HafenCity, Europe's largest inner-city redevelopment project
Landungsbrücken Harbor Piers
Watch ships and ferries come and go along the historic St. Pauli piers, free to visit
Planten un Blomen Park
Large central park with free entry; only the water-light concerts and some special gardens carry a small charge
Reeperbahn Street (Daytime)
Walk Hamburg's famous entertainment street and side alleys during the day to see the architecture and history for free