No journey through western Europe is complete without stopping in Germany, and the city of Hamburg in the north is one of the finest destinations in the country. While many people tend to skip over Hamburg during their trips through Deutschland, this city has a ton to offer. From sprawling parks to amazing restaurants to a wealth of cultural and historical attractions, the city of Hamburg is the perfect combination of cozy and vibrant. There are no skyscrapers in Hamburg; however, the city does have more canals and bridges than Amsterdam and Venice combined!
Hamburg is connected to the North Sea by the beautiful Elbe River, which is connected to Inner Alster lake right in the heart of the city. The city’s most vibrant areas are Neustadt (New Town) and Altstadt (Old Town), both of which have fun nightlife scenes as well as a ton of awesome restaurants and cafes. And, with a population of over 1.84 million, Hamburg is the biggest city in the European Union that’s not a capital, so there are surely some amazing people to meet throughout the city. If you want to make the most of your experience in Hamburg, rent a motorbike and cruise around the city for a few days.
Here is everything you need to know about hiring a motorcycle in Hamburg. Most things here can also be applied if you are renting a scooter. This guide includes:
- The best places to find motorcycle rental in Hamburg
- The price of motorbike rental in Hamburg
- Whether you need an international driving permit to hire a motorbike in Hamburg
- Whether it’s safe to hire a motorcycle in Hamburg
- The best things to do in Hamburg by motorcycle
Where Can You Find Motorcycle Rentals in Hamburg?
If you plan on flying into Hamburg Airport (known in German as Flughafen Hamburg), you should be able to find a motorbike rental service that will deliver your motorcycle right to the airport either online or right at your airport terminal. However, if you wish to wait until you get into the city and drop off your bags at your accommodation to rent your motorcycle, there are plenty of rental shops within the heart of the city as well.
If you’re looking for motorcycle rental within the city, you can certainly find a few rental shops around Altona-Altstadt, the city’s Old Town. You also shouldn’t have any problem locating motorcycle hire around the Hafencity section of Hamburg, which sits right on the harbor.
What Is the Normal Cost of Motorcycle Rental in Hamburg?
Germany is certainly not one of the cheapest countries in Europe. So, if you’re looking to rent a motorbike in Hamburg, you can expect to pay some fairly high prices. If you want to rent a motorcycle with some power in Hamburg, such as a KTM Super Adventure 1290 S, you can expect to pay around €130 per day. However, if you have a tighter budget, you should be able to find a motor scooter at a more affordable price. For instance, you can rent a Horwin EK1 for around €55 per day.
If you plan on staying in Hamburg for a longer period of time, it’s worth inquiring with your rental shop about discounts for weekly or monthly rentals. And, as always, you should make sure that the price of helmet rental and insurance is included in the stated rate.
Do You Need an International Driving Permit to Hire a Motorbike in Germany?
Unlike many other European countries, including Germany’s neighboring country of Austria, Germany does not require foreign driver’s to have an international driving permit to operate a motor vehicle within the country, including a motorcycle or motor scooter. So, if you have a valid driver’s license from the United States, you should have no problem at all renting a motorcycle in Germany.
However, if you want to, for instance, drive your hired motorbike from Germany into Austria, you’ll need to obtain an international driving permit, which you can apply for online here. There is a $20 application fee and the permit usually takes about two weeks to come in the mail, so you should apply at least two weeks before departing from your home country. Once you have your permit, it’s valid for one year.
Is It Safe to Hire a Motorcycle in Hamburg?
In general, all throughout Germany, the road conditions are some of the best in the world. The country has been widely praised for its Autobahns (which also offer some of the best riding experiences in the world) and, indeed, Hamburg has an Autobahn that runs right through it. However, Hamburg has long been the congestion capital of Germany, which can make driving in the city more stressful and dangerous at times.
With that being said, German drivers are typically very respectful of the rules of the road and as long as you follow the rules of the road as well, you should have no problem driving in Hamburg. Plus, crime rates throughout the city are fairly low, so you don’t have to worry too much about getting robbed. However, it’s still always better to keep your wits about you (particularly if you’re passing through the city’s sleazier districts of Hauptbahnhof and Reeperbahn).
What Are the Best Things to Do in Hamburg by Motorcycle?
Now that you have all the things you need to rent a motorcycle in Hamburg, Germany, here are some of the best things to do around the city with your rented wheels:
Elbe Philharmonic Hall
One of the most gorgeous buildings to admire in all of Hamburg is the Elbe Philharmonic Hall (or the Elbphilharmonie in German). This marvel of architecture towers over Hamburg’s Hafencity, which is also one of the best parts of Hamburg to drive through due to its location right along the Grasbrook peninsula of the Elbe River. The glassy, modern architecture resembles a wave or a raised sail sitting on top of an old warehouse.
The Elbphilharmonie is also home to three separate concert venues that host a ton of amazing events, including European symphonic orchestras and musicians from all around the world. So, go drive around Hafencity, admire the Elbe Philharmonic Hall, and maybe even catch a performance one night.
Planten und Blomen Park
One of the things that people love about Hamburg is the fact that, although the city is one of the largest in the European Union, it has abundant areas of green to relax in. One of the best places in the city to have a picnic or take a walk is through Planten und Blomen Park, a massive 47-hectare public park in the center of the city.
You can park your motorbike nearby and walk around the park’s many paths, admire the flowers, and watch the birds on the pond. There are also plenty of places around the park selling food and drinks.
Neuwerk Island
One of the best spots to get outdoors around Hamburg is on Neuwerk Island, a tidal island about 120 kilometers from the center of Hamburg that is technically considered a quarter of the city. Hamburg locals love to get away for the weekend to Neuwerk Island, which is abundant with nature and only has around 40 inhabitants.
On the island, you can see some wildlife or go checkout the lighthouse and the city flag, which has stood on Neuwerk Island for some 700 years or so. And, although you can’t drive your rental motorcycle directly onto the island, you can drive over to Cuxhaven, park your bike, and take the ferry from there.
Drive the Autobahns of Hamburg
Regardless of what sights you go to see, driving on the German Autobahns while you’re staying in Hamburg is an absolute must. Germany is one of the best countries in the world to drive in , so take advantage of it!
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