Hamburg Harbor Tour: 1 Hour by Boat
- Duration
- 1 hour
- From
€30.00€24.00- Guide
- German live commentary
- Departure
- Landungsbrücken, Pier 1
The harbor tour for everyone seeing Hamburg from the water for the first time
The Hamburg harbor tour lasts about one hour and starts at the St. Pauli Landungsbrücken, Pier 1, every 15 to 20 minutes in summer. By launch, passenger ship or paddle steamer you head to the container terminals and, when the tide allows, right through the canals of the Speicherstadt. The captain commentates live in German; an audio guide app in 11 languages, including English, is free. You book a fixed date and can rebook free of charge up to 24 hours in advance.
Hamburg Harbor Tour at a glance
- About 1 hourDepartures throughout the day. You will see the times for your chosen date after selecting it.
- Your choice of boatYou choose: launch, passenger ship or the paddle steamer.
- Live commentaryIn German by the captain, plus a free audio guide in 11 languages via app, including English.
- Start at Pier 1St. Pauli Landungsbrücken. The team on site and digital boards show you the next departure.
- Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before the booked date. Applies to online tickets.
- Free rebookingFixed date, rebook up to 24 hours in advance by email or phone.
What to expect
- Container port: past the container terminals and huge cargo ships.
- Speicherstadt from the water: when the tide allows, through the canals between the red-brick warehouses of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Live commentary by the captain: anecdotes, facts and maritime charm, in German.
- Audio guide in 11 languages: free via app, for example in English, Spanish, French or Low German.
- Flexible: fixed date, free rebooking up to 24 hours in advance.
Departure times
March to October
- Monday to Thursday: about 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, roughly every 20 minutes
- Friday to Sunday: about 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, every 15 to 20 minutes
November to February
- Daily about 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, roughly every 30 minutes
These times are a guide: when it is busy, boats leave more often, sometimes a little later. There is always someone from the team at Pier 1, and boards show the next departures.
Meeting point and getting there
St. Pauli Landungsbrücken, Pier 1. The Landungsbrücken stop (U3 and S-Bahn) is directly opposite.
How your ticket works
- Fixed date and time: you book the date and time of your tour and take part on that date.
- Free rebooking: if the date no longer suits you, rebook to another day or time up to 24 hours in advance by email or phone.
- Free cancellation: online tickets up to 24 hours before the booked date.
- Valid for 12 months: from the date of purchase, for one tour.
Launch, passenger ship or paddle steamer?
You choose: a traditional launch (Barkasse), a comfortable passenger ship or the paddle steamer LOUISIANA STAR. Step-free are the RIVER STAR, the HAMBURG and the LOUISIANA STAR (see below).
Accessibility
Three boats are step-free: the passenger ships RIVER STAR and HAMBURG and the paddle steamer LOUISIANA STAR. They have a gangway for level boarding and a wheelchair-accessible restroom.
Which boat sails when depends on demand, so we cannot guarantee fixed departure times for these three boats. Feel free to contact us in advance. The launches (luxury and traditional launches) are not step-free.
Rather have your own boat for your group?
For company parties, birthdays and bachelor or bachelorette parties we put together your own cruise: route, catering and schedule as you wish, with one contact for everything.
Frequently asked questions about the Hamburg harbor tour
How long is the Hamburg harbor tour?
About one hour.
How much does the harbor tour cost?
Tickets start at €24 per person.
Where does the harbor tour start?
At the St. Pauli Landungsbrücken, Pier 1, opposite the Landungsbrücken stop (U3 and S-Bahn).
Can I change my date?
Yes. You book a fixed date and take part on that date. If it no longer suits you, rebook free of charge up to 24 hours in advance by email or phone. The ticket is valid for one tour for 12 months from purchase.
Is the harbor tour live commentated and is it available in English?
The captain or crew give a live commentary in German, full of facts and anecdotes about the port. International guests can listen along with a free audio guide app available in 11 languages, including English, Spanish and French.
Are there restrooms on board?
Yes, every boat used has a restroom on board.
Does the harbor tour run when it rains?
Yes, the boats sail in almost any weather. Even in the rain you sit sheltered and dry on board.
Does the boat always go through the Speicherstadt?
No, that depends on the tide. The canals of the Speicherstadt can only be navigated at a suitable water level. The team at the Landungsbrücken will tell you whether it works on your day.
Can I bring a stroller or wheelchair on board?
Strollers are usually no problem. Whether a wheelchair can come along depends on the boat: the passenger ships RIVER STAR and HAMBURG and the LOUISIANA STAR are step-free. Please contact us in advance and let the team on site know.
Can I get food or drinks on board?
Drinks yes: most launches have a drinks vending machine on board. Snacks are not offered on board.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, well-behaved dogs on a leash are welcome on board.
What our guests say
The whole process, from the quote and route planning to answering questions and the tour itself, went smoothly. We were even able to include individual route requests.
The relaxed harbor cruise in the evening is really worth it. In the evening, with all its lights, the harbor looks far more impressive and romantic.
The hour flew by, and the guide led the program with wit and charm.
Excerpts from our Google Business Profile, translated (4.9 out of 5 from 14 reviews). All reviews on Google