Fastest way from Nuremberg to Hamburg: Flight (1 stop), about 3h 20min – 4h 20min (from €93). Cheapest: Bus, from €28 (about 10h 55min). Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 10, 2026): FlixBus; main departure point: Nuremberg Central Bus Station.
There are 2 ways to get from Nuremberg 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus | Bus | Nuremberg Central Bus Station | €28 | 3 |
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Practical tips
Look at the bus and flight side by side in the table, then weigh the price gap against the time saved. If the gap is small for you, take the flight; if budget rules, take the bus.
Your e-ticket names the exact bus stop or airport. Do not assume it is the main station. Open the location in a map app the day before so you know precisely where to go.
Prices tend to rise as the date approaches, on buses and especially on flights. Booking ahead locks in a better fare and gives you more departure times to choose from.
A flight with a stopover means a connection to catch. Choose a comfortable layover rather than the tightest one, and avoid the last departure of the day so a delay does not strand you.
If you continue from Hamburg to another city or country, do not book a tight connection on the same day. Arrive with a buffer, and check border and ticket conditions for the next leg.
The journey experience
Nuremberg to Hamburg is a long north–south leg, so choosing the right mode really matters. For this route, the options listed are the long-distance bus and a flight with a stopover. The bus is the budget pick, while the flight trades a change of plane for far less time in transit. The table on this page puts both side by side so you can decide in seconds.
The bus suits you if price comes first. You stay in one seat, you can check the luggage rules when booking, and if an overnight departure is offered it can save you a night of accommodation. The flight suits you if your days are short: you leave from Nuremberg Airport, change at a hub and reach Hamburg the same day with energy to spare. Remember to allow extra time for check-in and for getting into town at both ends.
Before paying, check the exact departure point on your e-ticket. A bus stop, a main station and an airport are rarely the same place, and that is where most mistakes happen. Book early for the best fares, leave a safety margin around the flight change, and keep your arrival time flexible if you plan to continue to Copenhagen or Amsterdam. Booking online gives you instant e-ticket confirmation.
Frequently asked questions — Nuremberg → Hamburg
It depends on what matters most. The bus is the cheaper option and keeps you in one seat all the way, which suits a tight budget and flexible schedule. The flight with a stopover is much quicker overall but costs more and means a connection. Compare both in the table on this page and pick according to your budget and time.
By bus, the journey takes about 11 hours. By flight with a stopover, the journey takes between 3 h 20 and 4 h 20 depending on the connection. Remember that the flight time does not include getting to the airport, check-in and the trip into Hamburg, so add some margin to your plans when comparing the two options.
The bus starts from 28 €, with typical fares up to 29 €. The flight with a stopover starts from 93 €, with typical fares up to 94 €. Prices change with the date and how early you book, so reserving ahead is the best way to secure the lowest fare shown on the booking page.
The flight leaves from Nuremberg Airport and arrives at an airport serving Hamburg. For the bus, the exact departure and arrival stops are shown on your booking and e-ticket, and they are not always next to the main station. Check the address and open it in a map app before travelling to avoid going to the wrong place.
The flight option includes a stopover, so you change planes on the way. For the bus, the booking page shows the details of each departure, including whether the trip is direct or involves a change. Check this before paying, especially if you have a tight onward connection or heavy luggage.
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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