Fastest way from Bremen to Hamburg: Train, about 0h 58min (from €24). Cheapest: Bus, from €7 (about 1h 30min). Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 10, 2026): Deutsche Bahn, FlixBus; main departure point: Bremen Central.
There are 2 ways to get from Bremen to Hamburg
Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.
Companies selling this route on 12Go
Offers listed on 12Go on November 10, 2026 for a departure on December 1, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.
| Company | Mode | Departs from | From | Offers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deutsche Bahn | Train | Bremen Central | €24 | 8 |
| FlixBus | Bus | Bremen Fernbusterminal Bus Stop | €7 | 8 |
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Practical tips
The gap between bus and train fares is large on this route, while the time difference is modest. Check both on the same date so you don't overpay for speed you may not need.
Bus stops and train stations are often in different spots, even in the same city. Read the departure point on your e-ticket the evening before and look it up on a map.
Prices rise as seats fill, especially for the train and on weekends or holidays. Booking several days ahead usually secures the cheapest fares on both modes.
If you have an onward connection or a late check-in in Hamburg, avoid the final services of the evening. Choose an earlier departure so a delay doesn't leave you stranded.
Check where your bus or train arrives in Hamburg and how it links to your accommodation. Knowing the arrival point saves time, especially with a backpack and a late arrival.
The journey experience
Getting from Bremen to Hamburg is one of the easiest hops in northern Germany, and the real question is simply what matters most to you: saving money or saving time. Both options run on the same corridor, so you can compare them side by side on this page and decide in seconds.
The train is the faster choice and the more comfortable one if you like a bit of space, a table and a reliable city-centre-to-city-centre ride. It suits you if you have a tight schedule, a connection onward to Copenhagen, Amsterdam or Berlin, or just want to arrive fresh. The long-distance bus is the budget pick: the ride is only slightly longer, the seats are comfortable, and the fare is a fraction of the train price. It works very well for students and backpackers who are happy to trade a little time for real savings.
Our advice: if your day is flexible, take the bus and keep your money for Hamburg. If you need to arrive at a precise time, or your onward plan is tight, choose the train. Whichever you pick, check the exact departure stop on your e-ticket before leaving, as bus stops and train stations are not always in the same place. Book early for the best fares and enjoy instant confirmation on your phone.
Frequently asked questions — Bremen → Hamburg
It depends on your priority. The train is faster, at about 1 h to 1 h 10, with fares from €24. The bus takes about 1 h 30 and starts from €7. If you want to save money, take the bus; if time or a tight connection matters, choose the train.
By train, the journey takes about 1 h to 1 h 10. By bus, count roughly 1 h 30 to 1 h 35. The difference is only around 20 to 30 minutes, which is why the cheaper bus is so popular with budget travellers on this short route.
Bus tickets start from €7 and typically stay up to €8. Train tickets start from €24 and typically go up to €25. Booking early helps you secure these low fares, so the bus is clearly the cheaper option if budget is your main concern.
The departure point depends on the mode. Trains leave from a railway station, while buses use a separate bus stop that may be elsewhere in the city. Always confirm the exact stop on your e-ticket before you travel, so you don't go to the wrong place.
Yes, you can book online through the booking button on this page and receive your e-ticket straight away. Keep it on your phone, check the departure stop and time, and you are ready to go without queuing at a counter.
Why visit Hamburg?
- ✓ Stroll through the Speicherstadt, the world's largest timber-piled warehouse district, and visit Miniatur Wunderland
- ✓ Attend a concert at the Elbphilharmonie and enjoy the free Plaza viewing platform over the harbour
- ✓ Take a harbour cruise or ride the HVV ferry line 62 along the Elbe past the Landungsbrücken and container terminals
- ✓ Experience the nightlife of St. Pauli and the Reeperbahn, then eat a fish roll at the Fischmarkt on Sunday morning
- ✓ Walk the Elbstrand beach in Övelgönne and admire the villas and museum ships of the Elbchaussee
When to visit Hamburg?
TEMPERATE OCEANIC CLIMATE
May to September — mild, longest days and outdoor terraces, though showers are frequent year-round, so bring a light rain jacket
What to do in Hamburg?
Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you
How long to visit Hamburg?
Allow 3 days to cover Hamburg properly. In 2 days, focus on the Speicherstadt, HafenCity with the Elbphilharmonie plaza, the harbour and a evening on the Reeperbahn. With a third day, add the Alster lake, the Fischmarkt (Sunday morning) and a museum such as the Miniatur Wunderland. Buy a day ticket for public transport and book Miniatur Wunderland online to skip the queues.
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