To Hamburg Airport with children and lots of luggage: how to keep it relaxed

Flying on holiday with children is an adventure – even before the plane takes off. If you set off from Hamburg Airport, you have an advantage: the airport is compactly organised, and Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 come together at the Airport Plaza. Even so, the parking option helps decide whether the start is relaxed or hectic. Here are practical tips for families.

Parking without reloading

With valet parking you drive to the meeting point near the terminal, unload and hand over the car. The suitcases go onto a luggage trolley, the children stay with you, and you go to check-in together. For many families this is the least stressful way.

Shuttle parking is cheaper and very doable with a little time buffer. State the number of passengers and bulky luggage so that the shuttle fits. Information in the frequently asked questions about the number of passengers in the shuttle and in the guide Shuttle parking at Hamburg Airport.

The start of the holidays in the north

When Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein start their holidays – often close together – the access roads to the airport, bag drop and security check are particularly busy. With children you need time for toilet breaks and dawdling anyway. So plan generously. The route in detail: Driving to Hamburg Airport.

The Airport Plaza as a family advantage

At Hamburg Airport, the central security check is located in the Airport Plaza between the two terminals. After check-in at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, you meet up there again. This makes orientation easier, especially when one parent hands over the car and the other goes ahead with the children. More on orientation: Terminals at Hamburg Airport.

Dividing up the tasks

• One person takes care of the car, photos and handover.
• The other looks after the children and luggage.
• Agree on a meeting point in the terminal beforehand.

How the handover is documented: Vehicle handover at Hamburg Airport.

Hand luggage for the little ones

• Children's ID cards or passports
• Change of clothes and wet wipes
• Snacks, empty water bottle
• Headphones and things to do
• Medication needed on the way

Liquids in hand luggage are subject to the rules at the security check; baby food is generally allowed in reasonable quantities. Check the current information from your airline or the airport.

Child seats and buggy

Whether you can take your pushchair to the aircraft and how child seats are carried is regulated by your airline. If seats stay in the car, record them in the handover photos and leave nothing valuable in them.

Schedule for a family departure

An example: departure 9:40, the airline recommends two hours. With children you allow an extra half hour, so 7:10 in the terminal. With a valet handover you are at the meeting point at 6:55. If you are coming from Pinneberg and allow 30 minutes' drive in the morning plus 25 minutes' buffer, you set off at 6:00. The evening before, the car is already loaded, the boarding passes are on your phone, and the children sleep in their clothes for the next day – little tricks that save a lot of time in the morning.

Two weeks of autumn holidays – the Hamburg family phenomenon

Hamburg is one of the federal states that traditionally has two weeks of autumn holidays. For many families, this is the opportunity to soak up some sun once more before the northern German winter begins. Accordingly, the airport gets busy on the first weekend of the holidays: at the access roads, at bag drop, at the security check in the Airport Plaza. If you fly with children at this time, plan more generously than usual and book your car park early, because family-friendly offers in particular are quickly booked up.

A rain jacket rather than a sun hat in your hand luggage

When packing, families think of their holiday destination – but often forget the Hamburg weather on their return. If you come back from Spain in October, you may land at ten degrees and drizzle. So pack a light rain jacket or a jumper for each child in the hand luggage so that nobody walks from the terminal to the car shivering. With shuttle parking, where you wait outside briefly, this is particularly important.

Pushchairs and wet weather

A pushchair standing in the rain at the meeting point quickly gets wet. A rain cover is therefore part of the basic equipment. Clarify with your airline whether the pushchair can be taken to the aircraft or must be checked in at the desk – this determines where you get it back after landing. There is often a separate counter for bulky luggage.

Family services at the airport

Many airports offer families facilities such as baby-changing rooms or play areas. Which services are currently available at Hamburg Airport is stated on its website. A look beforehand helps you plan the waiting time after the security check so that the children do not get restless.

S1 or car with children?

For families from the city centre, the S1 is an option – but with two children, a pushchair and four suitcases, every staircase and every full carriage becomes a challenge. For most families, their own car with a car park booked in advance is therefore the more relaxed solution. With valet you stay in the warm car right up to the terminal; with a shuttle you are only outside briefly.

Darkness on the return

In autumn and winter it is already dark when you return in the early evening. In busy car parks and at meeting points this means: hold the children's hands; light-coloured clothing or a reflector on the backpack helps. Put the children in the car first, then the luggage. And remember pillows and blankets so that the little ones can keep sleeping on the way home.

When one parent travels alone

If one parent travels alone with the children, valet is particularly helpful, because nobody has to juggle luggage and children at the same time between the car, shuttle and terminal. State in the notes field that you are travelling alone with children – some providers will then help with unloading.

Family checklist for Hamburg

• Car park for the autumn or summer holidays booked early
• Rain jackets for the return in the hand luggage
• Rain cover for the pushchair
• Number of passengers and bulky luggage stated when booking
• All children's IDs checked
• Return time chosen generously after landing

Making good use of the waiting time at the gate

After the security check, there is often still some time until boarding with children. Plan it deliberately: a walk around the departure area, watching planes through the windows, a snack, a game. Children who are allowed to move around sit more calmly on the plane. Keep the boarding passes to hand and listen for announcements so that you do not miss boarding while the little ones are playing.

Travelling together as an extended family

If grandparents, aunts and cousins go on holiday together, two or three cars quickly add up. Each needs its own booking with the correct number plate. Agree who drives which car and who goes where on the return. A shared chat with all booking confirmations helps so that nobody has to search for phone numbers on the evening of the return.

If a child gets ill

With children it happens that a fever or an infection shortly before the trip puts everything in question. If it becomes clear that you cannot fly, don't wait until the last evening to decide. Up to 24 hours before the booked start of parking, cancellation is free of charge at Friend-Park. And if you do fly: medication, a thermometer and the paediatrician's phone number belong in the hand luggage.

With this preparation, the family holiday begins in a relaxed way – even if it is drizzling in Hamburg once again at departure.

Have a good trip!

Back in Hamburg

After landing: collect your luggage, contact the provider, children in the car, suitcases in the boot. On late return flights with tired children, valet scores particularly well – tips in the guide Late arrival at Hamburg Airport.

Which valet and shuttle offers at Hamburg Airport can be booked via Friend-Park is shown on the page Parking at Hamburg Airport.