Having been in Hamburg now twice I am lucky enough to know my bearings and know both options of travel from Bremen airport where most will travel from to Hamburg. You have option one, the boring and easy route of taking the bus which is run by a German bus company which set their timetable to run with that of Ryanair flights from Edinburgh - www.bus2fly.de. For the price of €16.00 you will be transported from Bremen airport to Hamburg ZOB – the city’s main bus station.
Although for the adventurous types there is the much improved and more scenic option two, as you come out of Bremen airport take a right and cross the tram tracks, heading for the tram shelter where you will buy your ticket. Your destination being Bremen Hbf (Hauptbahnhof) now this is around eleven stops from the airport but the stops are very clearly stated over a tannoy within the carriage and some, including Hbf, are given in English also. Once at Hauptbahnhof venture inside the main building and look for the ticket centre, as can be expected all staff are very capable in speaking the English language. You can then purchase a Niedersachen ticket; these cost approximately €23.00 and are the perfect anecdote for travel within Bremen and Hamburg. The ticket covers your train from Bremen to Hamburg, but it also covers you until 3am the next day whilst travelling on the U and S Bahn’s in Hamburg and also the buses around the city.
Once you arrive in Hamburg ask at any help desk within the station which region your hotel is in and they will give you maps etc to help direct you on your journey.
To touch briefly on hotels I can recommend Zleep hotel, the price of the hotel is reasonable and can be split three ways as the rooms sleep three persons anyway. However, the location is also fantastic with the hotel being at the foot of the infamous Reeperbahn! From this hotel you will be in walking distance of the area of the Reeperbahn which bears will most likely make their home for the few days spent in Hamburg.
The London Pub is the pub you will spot whilst walking in a north direction from either Zleep hotel or the Reeperbahn station, with the Union Flag under the sign and our famous red, white and blue tones forming a magnetic pull for anyone from Blighty. This pub is great for being a bear on a visit to Hamburg never mind the Bears visiting Hamburg. Normally when in Hamburg this is the place to visit and ask to get the Rangers on TV. It is the start of Hans-Albers-Platz which is the area which host various pubs and also the gateway to Hamburg’s hookers if that’s part of your away day adventures.
As you come out of London pub take a left and walk 300 yards, you will find yourself at the Sportpub Tankstelle, the best HSV boozer in Hamburg! Ran by a big guy who loves Rangers you’ll be more than welcome in the Tankstelle where you can enjoy one or ten bottles of Hamburg’s finest brew, Holsten Edel. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out closer to the match that there is some form of entertainment lined up within the pub during the bears stay. A great boozer and a place anyone who is sceptical about the RFC & HSV bond must visit, it will open your eyes!
I thoroughly recommend that all bears try their very best to visit a good HSVer and brother of the Rangers family at his popular Hamburg merchandise store, 1887 street wear. Joachim who runs this store is a great guy and someone who regularly visits us in Glasgow.
And for those who are looking to take in some of the city itself, look into doing a boat tour of the city. These are free of charge and the harbour is pretty much hard to miss in one of the biggest ports in Europe.
For the most that is the best advice I can give, the basics are there. Just go, take it all in and enjoy the trips bears. The people of Hamburg will be waiting and make it a trip to remember.
Glasgow is Blue,
Hamburg ist Blau-Weiß-Scwarz!
BarcaBillyBoy.