How to get from Berlin to Hamburg: train, bus, car or bicycle
Berlin and Hamburg are separated by almost 290 kilometers. A direct ICE covers this route in 1 hour 48 minutes (as of 09/2026, official Deutsche Bahn website). The bus takes longer, but it's cheaper. A car gives you the freedom to stop along the way.
Which should you choose? Look at your budget and your time. The fastest way to get there is by high-speed train. A car or bicycle suits those who want to turn the journey into an adventure.
Below we've compared five options: travel time, price, and the right scenario for each.
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Comparison: time and price
💡 In short:
- A direct ICE takes 1 hour 48 minutes, the bus about three hours, a car 2.5-3 hours.
- A train ticket with the Sparpreis fare starts at €17.99 (as of 09/2026, Deutsche Bahn).
- The bus is usually cheaper, but the journey depends on traffic.
- Prices and travel times: 09/2026, verified on the official Deutsche Bahn website.
Option | Travel time | Price | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|---|
ICE train | 1 hr 48 min (as of 09/2026, DB) | Sparpreis from €17.99 | business trip, short on time |
FlixTrain | 2 hr 14 min (as of 09/2026, FlixTrain) | from €12 | budget and rail travel |
FlixBus | about 3 hr (as of 09/2026, FlixBus) | price changes daily | minimum budget |
Car | 2.5-3 hr (per map) | fuel and parking | family, stops along the way |
Bicycle | 4-6 days for 400 km (as of 09/2026, Radfernweg Hamburg-Berlin) | accommodation and food | active travel |
Plane | no direct flights (as of 09/2026, FlightConnections) | ticket with a connection | onward transit |
What does this mean in practice? In 1 hour 48 minutes you get comfort and punctuality, while three hours on the bus saves you money. The price difference isn't fixed. Check it for your date before buying.
Train: ICE in 1 hour 48 minutes
© Sebastian Terfloth User:Sese_Ingolstadt · CC BY-SAPhoto: Sebastian Terfloth User:Sese_Ingolstadt, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsDirect high-speed trains between Berlin and Hamburg run all day. The fastest service takes 1 hour 48 minutes, with around 36 departures per day (as of 09/2026, DB timetable). In Hamburg you arrive at the main station, right in the city center.
A Sparpreis ticket starts at €17.99 (as of 09/2026, DB fares). The flexible fare without a fixed train is more expensive, sometimes several times over. Book early: discounted tickets sell out weeks before the travel date.
see Berlin-Hamburg trains on Trip.com
FlixTrain is cheaper than the state railway. The journey takes 2 hours 14 minutes, tickets start at €12, the first train leaves at 07:57 and the last at 19:55 (as of 09/2026, FlixTrain timetable). These services are convenient to plan for the first half of the day.
How much the ticket costs
The price depends on the fare and the day of travel. The Deutschland-Ticket is not valid on high-speed ICE trains: regional trains covered by it take much longer.
Book tickets on weekdays outside peak hours. Friday and Sunday are more expensive, and window seats go first.
Bus: three hours and a low price
The bus takes around three hours from Berlin to Hamburg (as of 09/2026, FlixBus route page). The ZOB am Funkturm bus station is in the western part of Berlin. Morning departures start at around seven in the morning.
© Fridolin freudenfett · CC BY-SAPhoto: Fridolin freudenfett, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe ticket price changes every day. Book in advance and the trip will cost noticeably less than the train (according to the FlixBus website). Tickets are more expensive on Friday evening and Sunday.
- Who it's for: you want to spend as little as possible on the journey.
- The catch: around three hours on the road versus 1 h 48 min on the ICE.
Car: 290 kilometers on the A24 autobahn
© Hans G. Oberlack · CC BY-SAPhoto: Hans G. Oberlack, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsBy road, the distance from central Berlin to central Hamburg is about 290 kilometers. Without stops, you can cover it in 2.5 to 3 hours. Road markings and signs on the highway are clear, so you rarely need a navigation app.
The route is simple. From Berlin you take the A10 ring road, then merge onto the A24. From there, a wide autobahn leads straight to Hamburg.
Driving makes sense when you are traveling with your family or want to make detours along the way. Ridesharing sites help you split costs with other travelers. If you do not have your own car, you can easily compare car rental prices.
Hitchhiking is free, but you may wait a long time for a ride. Bring water and a rain jacket.
- Who it's for: you are traveling in a group and want stops along the way.
- The catch: fuel and parking eat into the savings if you are traveling alone.
Bike: 400 kilometers on the Radfernweg
The dedicated Radfernweg Hamburg-Berlin bike route stretches for almost 400 kilometers (as of 09/2026, route on Radtouren-Checker). At a relaxed pace, you can cover 80 to 100 kilometers per day, which means 4 to 6 stages (by map).
Along the way there are plenty of fields, lakes, and small towns. Look for overnight stays at roadside campsites: some are paid, some are free. Bike parking is available at the Berlin and Hamburg train stations.
The best time to ride is from April to October, when there is no frost. For tent camping, the months from May to September work well.
- Who it's for: you enjoy active travel and are ready to ride for several days.
- The catch: you need preparation and extra time for bad weather.
Plane: only with a connection
There are no direct flights between Berlin and Hamburg (as of 09/2026, FlightConnections). You will have to fly via another city.
With a connection and the trip to the airport, this route takes longer than the train. Flying makes sense if you are continuing onward or traveling from another city. see options on Kiwi.com
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
How much is a ticket from Berlin to Hamburg?
An ICE ticket with the Sparpreis fare starts at €17.99 (as of 09/2026, Deutsche Bahn). The bus is usually cheaper than the train, but the price changes every day. Buy tickets two to three weeks before your trip, when the chance of a low fare is higher.
What is the fastest way to get there?
The fastest option is a direct ICE: 1 hour 48 minutes from station to station (as of 09/2026, train schedule). The bus takes about three hours, and driving without stops takes the same. A bike or a plane is not a good choice for speed.
Are there direct flights?
There are currently no direct flights between these cities (as of 09/2026, FlightConnections). All options involve a connection. Together with the trip to the airport and waiting time, flying takes longer than the train.
How long does it take by car?
By map, it is about 290 kilometers, and without stops the drive takes 2.5 to 3 hours. In summer, on Fridays and Sundays, traffic on the A24 can be heavy, so allow extra time. There are no toll sections on this route.
Does the Deutschland-Ticket work?
The Deutschland-Ticket covers regional trains, but not high-speed ICE trains. Between Berlin and Hamburg, the regional route takes noticeably longer than the ICE. If you already have the ticket, compare travel time, not just price.
In short: what to book
- If you are short on time: take the ICE.
- If budget matters: look at the bus and FlixTrain.
- If you are traveling with family: rent a car.
- If you want an adventure: plan the bike route.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.