Shuttle parking at Hannover Airport: procedure, transfer and tips
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No car parks can be booked through Friend-Park at Hanover Airport yet.
As soon as a partner is activated, you will find their offers with real prices on the airport page.
For holidaymakers from Lower Saxony travelling for a week or longer, shuttle parking is one of the most popular solutions: the car stays at a site near the airport, a bus takes you and your luggage to the terminal and picks you up again after your return. At Hannover Airport there is a special feature you should know about: Terminals A, B and C each have their own security areas. The bus should therefore drop you at your terminal if possible. This guide explains the procedure, time planning and typical pitfalls.
Key facts at a glance
- Park yourself at the provider's site, bus to the terminal and back.
- State Terminal A, B or C when booking.
- Factor in the transfer time as a fixed block.
- Put the car park's address into the satnav, not just "Hannover Airport".
The procedure
Satnav set to the address from the booking, check in at the entrance, park the car – either yourself in an allocated space or you leave the key if the company moves the cars itself. Suitcases into the bus, off to the terminal. On the way back you wait at the stated stop, ride to the site and get into your car. Answers to general questions can be found under frequently asked questions about the shuttle procedure.
Where the car parks are
The airport lies in the north of Hannover in Langenhagen, surrounded by residential areas, commercial zones, fields and woodland. Private providers' sites are mostly in commercial areas of Langenhagen, Isernhagen or other neighbouring towns. The distance to the terminal, and thus the bus ride, varies. Look at the address on the map before booking. For travellers from Celle or the heath, a site to the north may be more practical; for travellers from Hildesheim, one near the motorway.
Planning the transfer time
Between arriving at the site and arriving at the terminal there are several steps: checking in, perhaps waiting a few minutes for the next bus, loading suitcases, driving. This total is your transfer block, and it belongs firmly in the schedule. During the day, many buses shuttle at fixed intervals; in the first and last hours of the day they often run less frequently or only on request. How your provider handles this is stated in the offer. For early departures, see Early flight from Hannover.
A worked example from Hildesheim
Suppose you depart at 11:15 from Terminal B and your airline wants to see you two hours beforehand. Then 09:15 in the terminal is the target. With 35 minutes for check-in, bus and suitcases, you reach the site at 08:40. From Hildesheim via the A7 and A2 it takes a good 40 minutes in the morning; because of the many lorries you add a 25-minute buffer – so you set off at 07:35. Other starting points and providers give other values.
The right terminal
Because each terminal in Hannover has its own security area, it is important to get off at the right one. State your terminal when booking and tell the driver again when you get on. The terminals are connected landside, but an unnecessary change with luggage is a nuisance. More: Terminals at Hannover Airport.
Luggage, children and groups
Pushchairs, golf bags or bike cases need space on the bus – register them when booking. If you are travelling as a group, check the provider's rules on numbers: frequently asked questions about the number of people on the shuttle. Child seats usually stay in the car. With small children, a clear division of tasks helps when transferring.
Shuttle or S-Bahn?
The S5 S-Bahn line connects the airport with Hannover main station. For travellers from the city with light luggage, this is a real alternative. If you come from the surrounding area – from the Wedemark, from Schaumburg, from the Weser Uplands or the Peine area – you are often more flexible by car. Shuttle parking combines the convenient drive with a short bus ride for the last few kilometres.
The return trip
Landed, suitcases off the belt, possibly a short message to the parking service – then to the stop in front of your arrivals terminal. If your flight is delayed, the provider ideally tracks this via the flight number. If you only arrive late in the evening, clarify when booking until when buses run: Late arrival at Hannover Airport.
When the shuttle suits you
For holidays of a week or longer, shuttle parking is often the most economical choice – see Long-term parking at Hannover Airport. For day trips, tight schedules or small children, valet may be better: Valet or shuttle at Hannover Airport.
The car at the car park
A few photos all round the car, valuables in your hand luggage, vehicle registration document at home – then you are on the safe side. If the key stays with the company, the cars are often parked bumper to bumper; this saves space and is standard in the industry. In the Lower Saxony winter, a windscreen cover saves you scraping after your return; in high summer, a sunshade keeps the interior cooler.
When the bus keeps you waiting
If the bus is not ready at the stated time, call the company. Often it is just briefly stuck in traffic in Langenhagen. Stay at the stop so that the driver can see you. If it takes unusually long, note the times; for Friend-Park bookings you can inform support.
Shuttle in the northern German winter
In winter you wait briefly outdoors at the site and at the stop. A warm jacket in your hand luggage for the return is therefore sensible. If your car was parked outside, allow time to scrape it free. If you are flying to the mountains, register ski luggage in advance.
A good stop
A reputable provider describes the stop after landing so precisely that you can find it even when tired: which terminal, which exit, which level, possibly with a photo. Unclear details are a reason to ask before booking.
Shuttle and terminal changes
If your airline changes terminal at short notice, tell the driver when you get on. He can then drop you at the right entrance. Because the security areas are separate, this small arrangement is worthwhile.
In brief
Shuttle parking at Hannover Airport works well if location, frequency, number of people and terminal are right. For longer trips, it is often the most economical choice.
Planning waiting time realistically
The bus is not always ready when you arrive at the site or step out of the terminal. Depending on frequency and demand, you wait a few minutes. Factor this time in firmly, especially on the first day of the holidays, when many families park at the same time. If you have ten minutes more in reserve, you can board relaxed.
Hand over the key or park yourself?
With some providers you park yourself in an allocated space and keep the key; with others you hand it over and staff move the car. Both are common. If you keep the key, you can drive off immediately on your return; if you hand it over, the car is often already waiting.
A bus full of families
On the first day of the holidays, many families board the buses at the same time in the morning. You may then have to wait for the next one. Be at the site in good time, keep children and luggage together and give the driver time to load.
After your return: a quick check
Back at the site, walk once round the car, compare it with your photos and check the mileage. If you notice anything, mention it straight away and have it recorded. Later, clarification is much more difficult.
Shuttle and bulky luggage
It is best for travellers to register golf bags, pushchairs or bike cases when booking. Then the company plans enough space on the bus, and you don't have to wait for the next one at the site.
Have a good trip from Langenhagen!
Checklist
- Car park address saved in the satnav
- Terminal A, B or C stated when booking
- Bus frequency checked against your times
- Bulky luggage and all fellow travellers registered
- Provider's phone number saved
Whether shuttle offers at Hannover Airport can be booked via Friend-Park is shown on the page Parking at Hannover Airport.
