The port of Kiel is one of the most popular ports for cruises visiting the Norwegian Fjords, Denmark, Iceland, Greenland, and Baltic capitals. However, it has an airport with very few connections to other countries, so it is necessary to fly to Hamburg Airport first and then take a train, bus, or taxi to the port of Kiel.
For this reason, we have created a travel guide for those travelers who have booked a cruise from Kiel and are not sure how to get there directly or stay at one of the hotels available in Kiel. Below, we provide all the ways to get from Hamburg Airport, terminals 1, 2, and 3, and you can see the airport map by clicking here.
The cheapest method to get from Hamburg Airport to the city of Kiel is by bus, and there are two companies that can take us:
These buses will drop us off at the central station in Kiel, so we need to plan which terminal our cruise departs from to choose the most suitable and affordable option to get there, which is quite easy.
The second way to travel to the port of Kiel is by taking the metro line 1, which departs approximately every 10 minutes from Hamburg Airport to Hamburg Central Station. The approximate price for an individual ticket is about 3.20 euros.
Tickets can be purchased from red machines with the DB logo, available in the baggage claim area and the metro station, accessible from inside the airport by going downstairs. Tickets can be purchased in various languages.
Once you have purchased the tickets, you need to go to the metro stop and follow the signs for the S-Bahn metro to access the train, which takes about 25-30 minutes to reach the central station, where you will find restaurants, a pharmacy, and a supermarket.
When you are at Hamburg Central Station, you need to take an Intercity (ICE) train that will take you to Kiel Station in approximately an hour and ten minutes. The price ranges from 15 to 30 euros, so it is recommended to buy online, as there are often special offers if you book in advance.
If you do not want to buy it online, you can also purchase tickets directly at the station from red machines with the DB logo. Once you arrive at Kiel Central Station, you can either walk to the cruise port or take a taxi, as it is approximately two kilometers to the port of Kiel.
In addition, there are some lockers at the Hamburg and Kiel stations, which cost around 3 euros per day for small suitcases and 5 euros for large ones.
The third and most convenient way to travel from Hamburg Airport to the Kiel cruise port is to take a taxi directly from the terminal. There is a taxi stand at the exit, and it costs approximately 155 to 210 euros for four passengers.
There is a more economical option if there are more than five people through the Rydeu website, which is like an Uber or Cabify but in Germany. You can book a Mini Van for 7 people starting from 206 euros, a Minibus for 18 people starting from 735 euros, or even a 45-passenger bus starting from 900 euros to take you to the cruise port in Kiel.
