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Ein DT5-Zug der HOCHBAHN fährt vor der Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg entlang.

Our transport operations

The HOCHBAHN U-Bahn network: The quick and easy way around town!

With our U1, U2, U3 and U4 lines, we transport Hamburg to all the most important places in the city. And what’s more: our network continues to get bigger and bigger ...

Over 100 kilometres of environmentally friendly, emission-free mobility for Hamburg: Our U-Bahn system transports the people of this city reliably, comfortably and quickly, 365 days a year – and has been doing so for more than a century now. The “circle line”, now known as the U3, is arguably the most picturesque underground line in the whole of Germany and has been in operation since 1912. There are currently four U-Bahn lines in total: the U1, U2, U3 and U4. With 93 stops all over the city. HOCHBAHN’s underground network is also set to grow by around a third in the coming years, with the extension of the U4 and a completely new line linking people across the city: the U5. 

Where does the U-Bahn run in Hamburg? 


U-Bahn-Linie U1 unterwegs durch Hamburg

The U1: From Norderstedt via the city centre to Schleswig-Holstein

Covering 55.8 kilometres of track, the U1 is our longest underground line, transporting passengers to a total of 47 stops. As well as connecting Hamburg with the neighbouring federal state of Schleswig-Holstein at its beginning and end, it also links up numerous districts in Hamburg’s city centre. From Norderstedt, the U1 runs through Langenhorn to Fuhlsbüttel, Ohlsdorf, Alsterdorf, Winterhude, Eppendorf, Harvestehude, Rotherbaum, Neustadt, Hamburg-Altstadt, St. Georg, Hohenfelde, Eilbek, Wandsbek, Dulsberg, Wandsbek, Farmsen-Berne, Rahlstedt and on as far as Volksdorf. There, the U1 divides into two branches and travels east via Ahrensburg to Großhansdorf along one branch, and north to Ohlstedt on the other.

The U1 takes passengers to some central points in the city such as the Main Station, Jungfernstieg and, at the Stephansplatz stop, to the popular park Planten un Blomen and long-distance railway station Dammtor as well. The famous Ohlsdorf Cemetery and Hamburg’s Stadtpark are also situated along the U1 route.

Die Kunstfiguren Freaks des Hamburger Künstlers Rebelzer an der U-Bahn-Haltestelle Billstedt

The U2: Deep below the ground linking Niendorf to Billstedt

While much of our U-Bahn network is above ground on many routes, the U2 is mainly underground and serves 25 stops along a route that’s 24.3 kilometres long. From Niendorf, it travels through the districts of Lokstedt, Eimsbüttel, St. Pauli, Neustadt, St. Georg, Borgfelde, Hamm, and Horn, all the way to Billstedt and Mümmelmannsberg at its other end. The U2 also transports passengers with comfort and convenience to the city centre, with transport links in all directions at the Main Station. They can get off at the Gänsemarkt stop to go shopping or take a walk along the banks of the Alster lake. The U2 is also the line of choice for family outings to Hagenbecks Tierpark or Niendorfer Gehege.

Die U-Bahn-Linie U3 fährt vor der Kulisse der Elbphilharmonie am Hamburger Hafen

The U3: A circle line and sightseeing tour in one

Elbphilharmonie, Landungsbrücken, Eppendorf and Co. – It takes about 45 minutes to experience the whole of the U3, and passenger’s eyes are automatically drawn out of the window as they travel along many of its above-ground sections. The circle line, our oldest underground line, is also very popular with tourists. And no wonder, as the 26 stops that make up the U3 connect a whole array of Hamburg sightseeing spots. Starting in Barmbek, it takes people through Winterhude, Eppendorf, Harvestehude and Eimsbüttel to Sternschanze, then on to St. Pauli, Neustadt, Hamburg-Altstadt, St. Georg, Hohenfelde, and back around to Barmbek-Süd, Barmbek-Nord and Wandsbek.

Just a small selection of the sights to be enjoyed along the U3 include: Mönckebergstraße, Hamburg’s Town Hall, Elbphilharmonie, Speicherstadt, HafenCity, the Michel church, Landungsbrücken, Millerntor, the famous Reeperbahn party mile, Schanzenviertel, Isemarkt, Stadtpark, and much more besides!

Die U-Bahn U4 an der Hamburger Haltestelle HafenCity-Universität

The U4: HafenCity, Elbbrücken and soon even further to the south

Hamburg’s most recently built underground line, the U4 has been transporting passengers to and from the HafenCity since 2012 and to Elbbrücken since 2018. From here, the U4 is set to become the first U-Bahn line to run further south across the River Elbe, creating a rail link with the Grasbrook neighbourhood currently under development. In 2021, work also began on extending the U4 in the other direction to the Horner Geest.

The line already runs from Billstedt to Elbbrücken. The section between Billstedt and Jungfernstieg runs parallel with the U2 and serves nine stops, including Hamburg’s Main Station. It takes just seven minutes to travel from Jungfernstieg to the banks of the River Elbe at Elbbrücken. On the way, the U4 stops at Überseequartier and HafenCity University. Just perfect for getting off and exploring Hamburg’s newest quarter and the adjacent Speicherstadt warehouse district, or for attending a concert in the Elbphilharmonie.

The U5: From the university to the hospital and on to the city arenas

It’s time to give Hamburg’s mobility offering a radical shake-up. With the U5 we’ll be setting new standards in terms of service and comfort, and be building one of the most modern underground lines in the whole of Europe. Find out here how we’ll be connecting the city in brand new ways in the future.