Parking at Hannover Airport during trade fairs: tips for travellers

Hannover is one of the best-known trade fair cities in the world. Some of the largest industrial and trade fairs take place on the exhibition grounds in the south of the city, such as the Hannover Messe in spring or the agricultural machinery fair Agritechnica, which attracts visitors from all over the world every two years in autumn. In such weeks the whole city changes: hotels are fully booked, taxis are in demand, roads are fuller. Hannover Airport in the north of the city is busier too, because numerous exhibitors and trade visitors arrive by plane. This guide explains what this means for you if you are travelling yourself or picking up guests during a trade fair week.

Two locations, one transport network

Unlike in Stuttgart or Düsseldorf, the exhibition grounds in Hannover are not next to the airport. They are located in the Mittelfeld district on the southern edge of the city, the airport in Langenhagen in the north. Nevertheless, the two are connected: many trade fair guests land in Langenhagen and travel by S-Bahn, taxi or hire car through the city or via the motorways to the fair. The A2, the A7 and the A37, known as the Messeschnellweg (trade fair expressway), carry considerably more traffic on these days. If you want to get to the airport, you share the roads with trade fair traffic, exhibitor vehicles and shuttle buses.

Which fairs matter

Not every event noticeably changes traffic. The major international fairs with exhibitors and visitors from many countries have the greatest impact. These include the Hannover Messe, one of the most important industrial fairs worldwide. The Agritechnica brings farmers and experts from all over Europe. The IAA Transportation, a commercial vehicle fair, also takes place in Hannover. Which fair is on during your day of travel is shown in Deutsche Messe AG's calendar. A quick look when booking your flight is enough.

Getting there during trade fair weeks

Before setting off, check the traffic situation on the A2, A7 and the A352 feeder. Especially in the morning when the exhibition halls open and in the late afternoon when the fair closes, the motorways around Hannover are full. For travellers from the south, for example from Hildesheim or Göttingen, it may make sense to bypass the city widely via the A7 instead of driving through Hannover. The same applies to travellers from Braunschweig or Wolfsburg via the A2. Enter the address from your parking booking in the satnav and follow the signs to the airport. More on the routes: Driving to Hannover Airport.

Parking areas under pressure

During trade fair weeks, many business people travel in addition to holidaymakers. Some of them leave their cars at the airport because they come from other regions of Lower Saxony and fly on from Hannover. The airport's multi-storey car parks and private providers' sites can therefore be fuller than usual. If you are flying during a trade fair week, book early. With free cancellation up to 24 hours before the service begins at Friend-Park, you take no risk. More: Reserving a car park at Hannover Airport.

Valet during trade fair weeks

With valet, the journey to the terminal is decisive. If it takes longer because of trade fair traffic, at least the bus transfer is then dropped. Inform the parking service if you are stuck in traffic so that they can schedule their employee accordingly. Valet services are also busier during trade fair weeks; booking early secures you a slot at your preferred time. More: Valet parking at Hannover Airport.

Shuttle during trade fair weeks

With shuttle parking, the site is in the vicinity of the airport, often away from the main traffic flows. That can be an advantage. The bus itself, however, uses the same roads to the terminal and can also get stuck in traffic. Allow a little more time for the transfer and ask the provider whether they run more frequently during trade fair weeks. More: Shuttle parking at Hannover Airport.

The S-Bahn during trade fair weeks

The S5 connects the airport with the main station. From there, light rail and S-Bahn trains run to the exhibition grounds. During trade fair weeks, many guests use this connection, and the trains are correspondingly full – especially in the morning and afternoon. If you are going to the airport with large luggage, it is better to take the car or travel outside peak times.

Picking up guests for the fair

Many Hannover companies pick up clients and partners at the airport in person. The multi-storey car park at the arrivals terminal is suitable for this. Check beforehand at which terminal – A, B or C – the flight arrives, because the arrivals areas are separate. Track the flight online and, for arrivals from non-Schengen countries, allow extra time for border control. A sign with the company name helps in the crowded arrivals hall, which is busier than usual during trade fair weeks. More on orientation: Terminals at Hannover Airport.

If you are flying to a trade fair yourself

If you travel from Hannover to trade fairs in other cities – Munich, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf or Barcelona – you have the opposite issue: in the trade fair city, hotels and transport are scarce. For parking in Hannover, little changes. What matters is a flexible booking in case the return trip is postponed because the stand has to be staffed for longer.

Exhibitors with material

Exhibitors from the region often take material, samples or promotional items to trade fairs in other cities. If you transport these on the plane, you need more time at check-in and at the bulky baggage drop. A valet service is then practical, because the material stays in the car right up to the terminal. Register bulky baggage with the airline in good time.

Returning during a trade fair week

If you land in Hannover during a trade fair week, the arrivals hall is fuller, taxis are in greater demand and hire cars are scarce. For you as a parking customer, little changes: collect your luggage, contact the provider, go to the meeting point. The drive home can take longer if it coincides with the fair closing. More: Returning: collecting your car at Hannover Airport.

Hotels and overnight stays

If you want to stay overnight near the airport before a very early flight, you will notice during trade fair weeks that hotels throughout the region are scarce and more expensive. Plan such a stay early or do without it and drive during the night instead. A parking booking with a provider that has an early drop-off time often makes the overnight stay unnecessary.

An example from April

A couple from Celle is flying to Lisbon on a Tuesday in April, departure 10:40. A major industrial fair is on in Hannover. The couple allows two hours' lead time, 15 minutes for the valet handover and, instead of the usual 30 minutes' drive via the B3, 50 minutes this time – departure at 07:35. The airport is lively, but the couple is at the terminal in good time and has breakfast in peace. The figures are an example; your trip may look different.

In brief

Even though the trade fair and the airport in Hannover are at opposite ends of the city, major fairs can be felt on the motorways and in the terminal. A look at the trade fair calendar, an early booking and a little extra time are enough for you to depart just as relaxed during a trade fair week as at any other time.

Have a good trip – whether on holiday or to the next trade fair.

Taxis and hire cars during trade fair weeks

During trade fair weeks, taxis and hire cars at the airport are in greater demand. If you depend on a taxi after landing, you may have to wait longer. Having your own car at a parking service makes you independent. If you are picking up guests, you spare them the taxi queue.

So an early look at the trade fair calendar is worthwhile for anyone flying from Hannover.

Checklist for trade fair weeks

• Deutsche Messe AG trade fair calendar checked
• Parking space reserved early
• Extra driving time planned, traffic situation checked
• Terminal A, B or C known
• Provider informed of any delay

Whether offers at Hannover Airport can be booked via Friend-Park is shown on the page Parking at Hannover Airport. More tips for business travellers: Business trip from Hannover.