Trains from all over Europe run to Hamburg, terminating at the main central station Hauptbahnhof Sud (Hbf), its satellite Hauptbahnhof Nord or at Altona, Dammtor, Bergedorf and Harburg. All are connected to the U-Bahn (underground railway) and S-Bahn (overground light railway) network.

There is no direct rail link between the UK and Hamburg. If you want to do the trip in the same day, you will have to change at Brussels and Cologne. If you take an overnight train, you only need change once, at either Paris or Brussels. For both options contact Eurostar (tel: 0870 518 6186, in the UK; website: www.eurostar.com). For more journey details go to www.seat61.com/Germany.htm#Hamburg.