Travelling from Frankfurt to Hamburg: what you need to know
Kick off your travels at Frankfurt Airport (FRA), the main airport in Frankfurt. Look for flights from Frankfurt to Hamburg that depart from this base.
Get off the plane at Hamburg Airport (HAM). This is the primary arrival point in Hamburg.
Jump on a direct Frankfurt to Hamburg flight and you'll be travelling for an average of 1 hour 5 minutes.
Frankfurt and Hamburg share the same timezone, UTC+1.
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Hamburg Airport (HAM) is the most traveled route that connects these two cities. There are 102 departures a week to pick from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from Frankfurt to Hamburg is with Lufthansa at 21:25. Opt for the first FRA to HAM departure with Lufthansa at 06:30 to fit in more activities on your first day in Hamburg.
For a relaxed travel experience, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. That way, you can comfortably board your Frankfurt to Hamburg flight.
During popular months such as July, you'll want to get to the airport earlier than normal. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of an international flight when you travel during high season in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Frankfurt to Hamburg
Book two months before travelling. Pricing trends suggest that this is the ideal window for finding cheap Frankfurt to Hamburg flights.
Organise your trip for May. That's the best month for landing great bargains on plane tickets from Frankfurt to Hamburg. If you have flexibility with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across each month.
Save time searching for cheap flights from Frankfurt to Hamburg by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or push notification on the app when a special offer becomes available.
Select your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops by using the filters. Or sort your Frankfurt to Hamburg flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'
Flying from Frankfurt
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Set out from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) on a nonstop flight from Frankfurt to Hamburg. From FRA, you can fly directly to Hamburg Airport (HAM).
Be on the lookout for deals with Lufthansa. This airline offers direct Frankfurt to Hamburg plane tickets out of FRA.
FRA is about 11 kilometres from central Frankfurt. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the trip time to be around 35 minutes.
Looking for a convenient hotel close to Frankfurt Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Frankfurt to Hamburg, these stays will have you sleeping moments from check-in:
When it comes to Frankfurt Airport's on-time performance, data shows 67.47% of flights arrive within the scheduled time frame.
Frankfurt - Hahn Airport (HHN)
On public transport, you can travel from central Frankfurt to HHN in around 2 hours 40 minutes. The airport is roughly 105 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 1 hour 30 minutes.
You're going on holiday, so why not book an extra night away? Consider checking in to one of these accommodation options near Frankfurt - Hahn Airport the day before your flight from Frankfurt to Hamburg:
53% of flights out of Frankfurt - Hahn Airport arrive according to schedule.
Arriving in Hamburg
Hamburg Airport (HAM)
Hamburg Airport (HAM) to central Hamburg takes around 30 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 10 kilometres away.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey time of about 30 minutes.
Consider staying in a hotel near HAM if you have a late flight from Frankfurt to Hamburg. Check in to one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Hit the road running by picking up a Hamburg Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Wheego, Alamo or star car and experience the lesser-explored corners of Hamburg and beyond.
Lock in the best possible rate by booking your vehicle from Hamburg Airport around one week before your travel date.
Luebeck-Blankensee Airport (LBC)
Central Hamburg is located around 56 kilometres from Luebeck-Blankensee Airport (LBC). Once your flight from Frankfurt to Hamburg has hit the runway and you've made your way out of the airport, expect a drive of around 1 hour.
Public transport will get you there in about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and relax at a hotel close to LBC. Here are a few options where you can take a load off after your flight from Frankfurt to Hamburg:
Grab a Luebeck-Blankensee Airport rental car and set off toward new discoveries with your own set of wheels. Enterprise is just moments from baggage claim, so you can hit the road without delay.
In general, the earlier you book, the better the prices and vehicle selection. Lock in your ride from LBC the moment you know your dates.
Best time to go to Hamburg
June is the busiest month for flights from Frankfurt to Hamburg. To skip the crowds, head to Hamburg in January.
When booking your Frankfurt to Hamburg tickets, consider the type of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Hamburg, with temperatures ranging from 12ºC (54ºF) to 26ºC (79ºF).
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Frankfurt to Hamburg in January when temperatures average between -5ºC (23ºF) and 6ºC (43ºF).
More about Hamburg
After booking your flight from Frankfurt to Hamburg, decide where you'll be dropping your bags. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Hamburg:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to know where to start. Miniatur Wunderland, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg and Port of Hamburg are major attractions which should feature on any well-planned Hamburg itinerary.
Explore more of Germany
You've done Hamburg, now it's time to explore other parts of Germany. Journey about 257 kilometres south-east to Berlin to tick off its leading sights. From Brandenburg Gate to Berlin Wall Memorial and East Side Gallery, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
Essen is another essential stop in Germany and is around 306 kilometres south-west of Hamburg. No journey is complete without seeing Aussichtspunkt Wattenscheider Hellweg, Bergischer Weg - 2 Etappe and Hasenwiese.