Hamburg Port Anniversary: the event and its location
Hamburg Port Anniversary takes place along the Elbe between the Landungsbrücken, Überseebrücke and HafenCity, around 7 May. If you travel to Hamburg for it, a private airport transfer takes you from Hamburg Airport (HAM) in Fuhlsbüttel straight to your hotel or the event site in St. Pauli.
Route and travel time from HAM
From HAM the drive runs via Alsterkrugchaussee and the city down to the harbour. Around the festival the riverside roads are congested. For the roughly 10 bis 12 km allow about 25 bis 35 minutes. You see the fixed price shown before bookingos before booking, and it stays the same regardless of traffic.
Getting there on the event day
Large parts of the Landungsbrücken, Baumwall, Johannisbollwerk and the HafenCity riverside roads are closed, and the trains are packed. So allow a little more time than on a normal day.
Pickup and meeting point
At HAM you meet your driver by default directly after baggage claim in the arrivals area, waiting with a name sign (how to find your driver at HAM). Agree a meeting point a little away from the water, for example in Neustadt or at your hotel, so the driver gets through quickly.
Hotel first or straight to the event?
Both work: if you want to check in and drop your luggage first, enter your hotel address as the destination; the driver takes you to the site later or the next day. If you head there directly, you go straight to the event site in St. Pauli.
The return after the event
For the way back you set the pickup time yourself. The driver collects you at the agreed point and brings you to the correct HAM terminal in good time, even late at night when buses and trains run rarely.
Groups, luggage and vehicles
A folding chair, camera gear or overnight luggage for a harbour weekend fit depending on the vehicle class. For groups the group transfer to HAM is worthwhile: everyone travels together at a fixed price instead of splitting across several taxis.
S-Bahn, taxi or private transfer?
The U3 to Landungsbrücken is cheap but means fighting through packed trains. The private transfer takes you to the agreed point without the crush. A taxi costs a variable amount depending on traffic and time of day; with the private transfer the price is fixed in advance. More on this in transfer options compared.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Port Anniversary busiest?
Friday evening for the opening, Saturday for the fireworks and Sunday for the departure parade. Plan rides with a buffer.
Can I even reach the waterfront by car?
Usually not right at the water, which is closed. A meeting point slightly away is faster.
Is the transfer worth it for the return to HAM too?
Yes, especially in the evening when trains are full and you want to reach your flight on time with luggage.
You can pay by credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay and – depending on the transfer provider and route – in cash to the driver. The payment methods available for your ride are shown before you complete the booking.