Back at Hamburg Airport: how to get your car after your trip

The aircraft taxis to its parking position, the seat-belt signs go off – welcome back to Hamburg. Now only a short sequence of steps separates you from your car. If you know them, you get home faster. This guide describes the procedure at Hamburg Airport for valet and shuttle customers – including special cases.

From the aircraft to the arrivals hall

At Hamburg Airport you leave the aircraft via a jet bridge or by apron bus. If you are coming from a Schengen country, you go straight to baggage reclaim. For flights from non-Schengen countries – for example from the United Kingdom, Turkey or overseas – passport control comes first. After baggage reclaim you pass through customs and are in the arrivals level.

The right moment to call

Follow the instructions in your confirmation. Often you get in touch as soon as you have your luggage – then it is clear when you will be at the meeting point. Some providers track the flight number and have the car ready accordingly. In the event of major delays you should still let them know; see frequently asked questions about a delayed return flight.

Valet: the car is waiting

The driver brings your car to the agreed meeting point near the terminal. You get the key, walk once around the car and drive off. More on the procedure: Valet parking at Hamburg Airport.

Shuttle: back to the car park

You go to the provider's pick-up point and take the shuttle to your car. In the evening the service may be less frequent; a quick call helps. More: Shuttle parking at Hamburg Airport.

The quick check

• Walk around the car, compare with the handover photos
• Mileage and fuel or battery gauge
• Interior and boot
• Raise anything unusual immediately on site and have it recorded

Why this is important: Vehicle handover at Hamburg Airport.

Special cases

Luggage missing: report it at the baggage desk before leaving the area and tell the parking provider that it will take a while.

Diversion or cancellation: inform the provider immediately if you will only arrive in Hamburg later or on another day – additional days may be charged. See frequently asked questions about a cancelled flight.

Car won't start: after a long period of standing, the battery may be weak. Ask the provider for a jump start or call your breakdown service.

Provider cannot be reached: call again, send a message with your flight number, and for Friend-Park bookings contact support; see frequently asked questions about a provider who cannot be reached.

Back in the northern German climate

The moment the aircraft door opens in Hamburg is often a small temperature shock. After two weeks of sun, you are greeted by wind, clouds and perhaps drizzle. For the walk to the car this means: a light jacket belongs in your hand luggage, not in your suitcase. Valet customers are only outside briefly because the car is ready at the meeting point. If you take the shuttle, you wait a few minutes at the stop – a hood or umbrella makes these minutes much more pleasant, especially with children.

Short distances thanks to a compact airport

Hamburg Airport is compactly built. From baggage reclaim, your terminal's exit is not far, and Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are close together via the Airport Plaza. This is an advantage over more sprawling airports. Still, read in the confirmation beforehand exactly where the meeting point or pick-up point is, so that you don't have to search.

Call, message or automatic?

Providers organise the return differently: some ask for a call after baggage reclaim, others for a message, others again track the landing via the flight number. What applies to you is stated in the confirmation. What matters is that you let them know yourself if anything changes – a major delay, a different terminal, a lost suitcase. The provider can only react if it knows about it.

Luggage missing

If a suitcase does not come onto the belt, report it at the lost luggage desk before you leave the arrivals area. This can take a while. Tell the parking provider that you will be later so that it does not have the car ready too early or a shuttle does not wait in vain. Keep the loss report safe.

The handover back

At the car, take a look all around the vehicle and compare it with the handover photos. Also check the mileage and fuel gauge. If everything is in order, adjust your seat and mirrors and drive off. If you see a scratch or dent that was not there before, raise it on site and have it recorded in writing.

If nobody comes

In rare cases the car is not ready or the provider does not get in touch. Call again, send a message with your flight number and location and check whether the confirmation lists an alternative. For bookings via Friend-Park, you can also contact our support. Usually the matter is resolved quickly, because it was just a misunderstanding about the time or place.

A family member collects the car

If the car is collected not by the traveller but by a partner, son or neighbour, the provider must know this in advance. Enter the name in the notes field and give the person the booking number and photos. Without prior agreement, no reputable provider will hand over a vehicle.

Home through northern Hamburg

From the airport, the route leads through northern Hamburg to the city districts or the A7. If you have to go south, take a quick look at the situation at the Elbe Tunnel. And if you are tired after a long-haul flight, allow yourself a short break in the terminal before driving.

If you land earlier than planned

A tailwind over the North Sea, early boarding – sometimes a flight lands well ahead of time. Then you may be at the meeting point before the booked return time. Call the provider and ask whether the car can be made ready earlier. Many providers are happy to arrange this if they are informed in good time. Without a call, you may otherwise have to wait until the booked time.

Allowing for passport control and customs

For flights from outside the Schengen area – for example from London, Istanbul or overseas – passport control comes before the baggage belt. If you are then carrying goods above the duty-free allowances, you declare them at the red customs exit. Both take time, especially when several long-haul flights arrive at the same time. Only contact the parking provider once you have completed these steps.

Bulky luggage

Pushchairs, golf bags or bike cases often arrive at a separate counter. Look out for the signs or ask the staff. Allow a few extra minutes before you go to the meeting point.

Returning with children

After a family holiday everyone is tired, and the luggage is heavier than on the way out. Split up: one adult collects the suitcases from the belt, the other stays with the children. Only when everything is there do you contact the provider. At the car, the children get in first, then you load up. With a shuttle, the driver usually helps load the suitcases. If you have to collect the pushchair from the bulky luggage counter, allow a few extra minutes. And a small treat for the children after landing – a snack, a drink – makes the last stage home easier.

Returning in winter

If you return in winter and your car was parked outdoors, it may be covered in ice or slush. Scrape all the windows clear, check whether the wipers are frozen and drive off calmly. After a long period standing in the cold, the battery may be weak; if in doubt, ask the provider for a jump start.

The drive home

From the airport, the route leads along city roads to the districts or to the A7. If you are heading south, check the situation at the Elbe Tunnel in the evening too. After a long flight, it is worth taking a breather. For late arrivals: Late arrival at Hamburg Airport.

Everything about parking at Hamburg Airport – and whether offers can be booked via Friend-Park – can be found on the page Parking at Hamburg Airport.