London to Hamburg train with Deutsche Bahn

Trains London Hamburg

The 448 miles(722km) long journey from London to Hamburg by train takes approximately 10h 48min with Deutsche Bahn, the main operator of train services in Germany. One train operates this route per day, and there is one direct service offered per day.

London to Hamburg train time: daily departures

Deutsche Bahn provides one train a day from London to Hamburg. The earliest departure time from the London St Pancras station is 6.50 am, and the latest at 8 pm, but trains leave every one or 2h to Hamburg.

How long is the journey by train from London to Hamburg?

Hamburg is 448 miles (722km) from London. A train will take approximately 10h 48min to cover the distance. There are no direct trains from London to Hamburg. Your journey will require two changes. You can travel to Paris (France) or Brussels (Belgium) and then to Hamburg from either of the two stations.

What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from London to Hamburg?

Departure train station: The departure station from London to Hamburg is London St Pancras. The station is at the center of London and is easily accessible by bus, taxi or train services. You can access a taxi on midland road and Pancras road. The station also has a tube station linking to six London underground lines. There are limited car parking facilities accessible from Euston road and a disability meet point at the main entrance to the stations. Other facilities available include toilets, changing facilities, a pharmacy, a photo booth, public phones, and cash machines.

Arrival train station: Arrival train station is the Hamburg Hauptbahnhof station located at the center of Hamburg. Moving from the station is not a big issue as there are plenty of buses to facilitate movement to other areas from the station. The station hosts 75 shops open every day of the week and the Wandelhalle shopping center on the north side of the building. You will also enjoy free Wi-Fi for the first 30min, a domestic and international ticket office, cash machines, well-kept toilets, and restaurants.

Hamburg City View. Source: Shutterstock

Which train companies travel from London to Hamburg

Trains London to Hamburg include Eurostar, Deutsche Bahn Intercity-Express, intercity city, and the regional express. The intercity express trains are the fastest and most comfortable trains from London to Hamburg. They offer free Wi-Fi and restaurants onboard hence suitable for long-distance travel. The intercity is slower than the intercity express, but they also handle long distances. However, the intercity tends to stop more frequently and might take longer to get to Hamburg. The fastest train usually takes 9h. Unfortunately, all these carriers require train changes.

Eurostar trains from London to Hamburg

Eurostar trains are high-speed trains that run from London to Brussels every couple of hours. Some Eurostar trains make stops at Ebbsfleet, Ashford, and Calais amidst the journey. There is usually a light scan security check for baggage before boarding a Eurostar train which takes about an hour. A Eurostar train covers the 232 miles (373km) long stretch in 2h. On arriving at Brussels, you can board a Thalys or German intercity train to Germany.

Intercity-Express trains from London to Hamburg

The intercity trains are high-speed trains run by the Deutsche Bahn company. They are technologically advanced and comfortable trains with a reliable selection of business and leisure travel. The intercity express is suitable for long-distance travel.

Eurocity trains from London to Hamburg

The Eurocity is comfortable, sedate trains that can't be termed as fast compared to the intercity city high-speed trains. However, they offer long-distance services at affordable prices, and tickets are available from as early as 180 days for booking.

Hamburg Bridge. Source: Shutterstock

Intercity trains from London to Hamburg

The intercity also offers long-distance services, but they are slower than the intercity express. Their services are similar to Eurocity in comparison. Passengers are not subjected to customs procedures before onboarding the intercity trains but check ticket control and identity cards once they are on board.

Trains London to Hamburg: services on board

Most London to Hamburg trains have free Wi-Fi for you to surf the Internet as you cruise a long distance. They also offer a first-class and standard class of service which is also quite comfortable. For example, the Eurocity and intercity have comfortable legroom and enough luggage space. The intercity express is the most comfortable, as mentioned earlier, with a modern touch of class. You have a choice to either travel in the intercity express first-class or the standard style, which is still a notch higher compared to most European trains for this class. Air conditioning is a standard for intercity express trains, free Wi-Fi, reclining chairs, and power sockets around seats for both types of service.

A reservation for bicycles is offered with long-distance trains, which requires you to pay an extra charge. The Deutsche Bahn trains also provide food in the Bordbistro and Bordrestaurant, which have a wide variety on the menu. People with mobility impairment receive seat reservations, and their wheelchairs are carried on board. There is a mobility service centre where impaired people can book their services in advance.

How to find cheap train tickets from London to Hamburg

The best way to avoid paying high prices for your tickets is to buy early in advance. Train tickets are usually available three months in advance at a lower price so you can book. The other way is by choosing to travel during the off-peak hours. Most train operators increase their prices during peak hours and peak seasons. It helps to be flexible with travel dates because you can easily avoid the high charges. You can also find cheaper fare rates if you choose connecting trains or slower journeys.

Lastly, don't forget to take advantage of special deals when train operators release them. For example, the Deutsche Bahn offers limited super saver tickets throughout the year. That could get you low-cost travel on high-speed trains, but since most people know about these tickets, you need to act fast on them.

To Hamburg by train—travel tips

Hamburg has a rich history and lots of sites to visit. For instance, you can visit the Hamburg museum of art and design to glimpse city life over the centuries. Also, the international maritime museum has a rich history of human connection to water. Other interesting sites include the prototype museum for car lovers to learn more about early motorsport and racing.

You can also visit the Alster lakes where the meet. These lakes are popular for kayaking and sailing in summer or skating in winter. There is also a street fair held around late summer called the annual Alstervergnügen around the lakes with great entertainment.

The famous miniatur Wunderland is also a good point of interest. There are great restaurants, including the hairline, for tasty French gourmet cuisine; Estancia Steak for meat lovers, Liman restaurant; Alt Helgoländer Fischerstube for seafood; Bekaa for meat, seafood, and vegetables, among others. Before any travels please make sure that your finances are in order to avoid inconveniences during the journey. We recommend you look out for and take advantage of discounts and promotions. Doing this will ensure that you spend less but enjoy more than you bargained for.