Returning to Hannover Airport: how to collect your car

The plane touches down in Langenhagen, taxis to its stand, and the trip is almost over. All that is left is the way home – via the A2 to Braunschweig or Bielefeld, via the A7 to Celle or Göttingen, through the city to Linden or the List. To make this last stage as relaxed as the holiday, a clear procedure helps. At Hannover Airport there is the added factor that each terminal has its own arrivals area. Here you will learn how the return works with valet and shuttle and what to do in special cases.

After leaving the plane

In Hannover, you go from the plane straight into your terminal's arrivals area. If you are coming from a country outside the Schengen area, you first queue at the Federal Police. After that you wait at the belt for your suitcases and choose the green exit at customs or – with goods above the allowances – the red one. During the holiday season, several aircraft often arrive in quick succession in the evening; then it gets crowded at border control and the belts. Only after that is it worth sending the message to the parking service.

Notifying the parking service

Your confirmation states how to get in touch – by phone, message or link. Give your name, booking number or number plate and, if applicable, the flight number. Most providers only want the notification once you have your luggage. Otherwise the driver waits with your car while you are still standing at the belt.

The right pick-up point

You arrive at the terminal your airline uses. Because A, B and C have separate areas, valet meeting points and bus stops are also in different places depending on the terminal. Read the description in your confirmation and, if in doubt, ask by phone. More: Terminals at Hannover Airport.

Return with valet

With valet, the employee brings your car to the front of the arrivals terminal. Depending on the location of the site and the traffic, this takes a few minutes. During this time, go to the meeting point with your luggage. When the car arrives, you do a quick walk round, take the key and drive off.

Return trip with the shuttle

With the shuttle, you go to your terminal's stop and wait for the bus. In high season a bus may be full; then you take the next one. Stay visible and keep your phone to hand. At the site you collect your car or key.

The quick check

Two minutes of checking before setting off saves later discussions. Hold the departure photos up next to the car, look at the bumpers, rims and door edges and compare the mileage. In the dark, use your phone as a torch. If you discover something new, take a photo immediately, speak to the employee and have the remark confirmed in writing. More: Vehicle handover at Hannover Airport.

Landed early

If your plane arrives half an hour earlier than planned, the parking service cannot yet be expecting it. A short call is usually enough for them to bring the car forward.

Landed late

If your return flight is delayed, the provider ideally sees this via the flight number. A short message with the new arrival time is safer. If the landing slips past its closing time, discuss how the return will then work. Further tips: Late arrival at Hannover Airport and frequently asked questions about a delayed return flight.

Luggage missing

If a suitcase is missing, report it at the baggage desk before leaving the arrivals area. Inform the parking service at the same time. Keep the loss report for settling the matter with the airline.

Someone else collects the car

If the traveller cannot collect their car themselves, the person collecting it must be named to the provider in writing beforehand, with name and mobile number. Give them the confirmation. Without prior arrangement, the provider will not hand over the car.

After a long time parked

If the car has been standing for three or four weeks, briefly check the tyre pressure and lights. In July the cabin is heated up, in January the windows may be misted up on the inside. A slight grinding of the brakes in the first few metres usually comes from surface rust and disappears. If the engine won't start, the parking service often has a jump starter.

Safely home

After a long day of travel, tiredness is the biggest risk. Take turns at the wheel, take breaks or stay overnight near the airport if the journey is long. Check the traffic on the A2, A7 and A352 and set the satnav before setting off.

Back with children

After a family holiday, split up: one person fetches the suitcases, the other stays with the children. Only get in touch once you have all your luggage. At the car, first buckle the children in, then load up.

After the trip

Check the car again at home in daylight. If you notice damage you overlooked, report it immediately in writing with photos and booking number. Keep the invoice and photos until everything has been settled.

A return example

A family lands from Hurghada at 21:25 in Terminal A. After border control and the baggage belt, it is 22:05. The mother texts the valet service, which has already been following the landing via the flight number. At 22:15 the car is in front of Terminal A, at 22:20 the family drives off via the A7 towards Hildesheim. Because the return time had been booked generously, there was no waiting. The times are an example.

If you can't find the meeting point

If you cannot find the meeting point straight away, call the parking service and describe where you are – for example at which exit of Terminal B. The employee will then guide you. Read the description before the trip, and this rarely happens.

Customs and allowances

If you are returning from a non-EU country, you should know the allowances for cigarettes, alcohol and other goods. Information is published by customs. If you are above them, take the red exit – it takes a little time but avoids trouble.

Little helpers

A charged power bank for the call, a warm jacket in your hand luggage for the northern German evening, water and a snack for the drive home – these little things make the last stage more pleasant.

When several planes land at the same time

During the holidays, several aircraft often arrive in quick succession in the evening. Then many travellers are waiting at the same time. Get in touch right after the baggage belt and keep your phone to hand.

Welcome back to Lower Saxony – and have a good drive home!

A note on driving home with children

Children who slept on the plane are sometimes wide awake on the drive home – or, conversely, completely exhausted. An audiobook, a drink and a short break at a service station help you get through even a longer drive to Bielefeld or Göttingen.

A review after the trip

If everything went well, an honest review helps other travellers choose. If there were problems, describe them factually and specifically – time, waiting time, communication. For Friend-Park bookings you can also contact support.

Welcome back!

In brief

Collect your luggage, notify the parking service, wait at the right terminal, check the car and set off rested – that is how the return at Hannover Airport succeeds even after a long day of travel.

If the key doesn't fit

Very rarely, the wrong key is handed over on return – for example with identical models. Before driving off, check that the key belongs to your car and that the number plate is correct. A quick look saves a detour.

Have a good drive home!

See you on your next trip from Langenhagen!

Checklist

• Luggage complete, checks done
• Provider notified
• Pick-up point at the arrivals terminal known
• Walk round the car, mileage compared
• Set off rested

Which providers at Hannover Airport can be booked via Friend-Park is shown on Parking at Hannover Airport.