Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival: the event and its location
Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival takes place with the large fireworks over the Alster, usually in late May, as a thank-you from Hamburg's Japanese community. 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 Innenstadt.
Route and travel time from HAM
From HAM via Alsterkrugchaussee to the Alster. For the fireworks the whole Alster shore fills up. For the roughly 9 km allow about 20 bis 30 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
Around the inner and outer Alster the shore paths and roads are closed for the fireworks, and the city centre is busy. 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). Get picked up a little away from the Alster shore, for example in Neustadt or St. Georg, so you get away 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 Innenstadt.
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
Picnic blanket, camera and light luggage travel comfortably; for groups there are vans and minibuses. 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 Alster is cheap to reach by U/S-Bahn (Jungfernstieg), but overcrowded for the fireworks. The transfer takes you to and from HAM 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 Cherry Blossom Festival?
Usually in late May, with the fireworks over the Alster as the highlight.
Where is a good pickup point after the fireworks?
A little away from the Alster shore, for example in Neustadt or St. Georg.
Is the transfer worth it despite the central location?
For getting to and from HAM with luggage yes, without changing or crowds.
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.