In Short
A bus drives through Hamburg and suddenly heads straight into the water, that is exactly what awaits you on the HafenCity RiverBus. This unusual amphibious vehicle is both a bus and a boat, making it one of the more extraordinary ways to discover Hamburg. The entire tour takes around 70 minutes. Of that, you spend about 30 minutes on the water. But the real highlight is, of course, the moment in between: the “Big Splash”.
From Speicherstadt to Entenwerder
The tour starts at Am Brook 2 in the historic Speicherstadt. After boarding and a short safety briefing, the route takes you through Speicherstadt and modern HafenCity. For about 25 minutes, the RiverBus first travels quite normally on the road. Along the way, you learn a few things about Hamburg and the places along the route. I especially liked the crew, who were incredibly friendly during our trip and were also happy to answer questions.
A Bus Drives Straight into the Water
In Entenwerder, the moment everyone is probably waiting for finally arrives: the Big Splash. The RiverBus drives down the ramp and straight into the water. Even though you know in advance what is going to happen and everything is carried out safely, the moment is still exciting. From the outside, it must look even crazier. A bus that appears to simply drive into the Elbe has apparently caused confusion among bystanders on more than one occasion, even leading to emergency calls.
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30 Minutes on the Water
After entering the water, the journey continues for around 30 minutes afloat. The route passes through the Tiefstack flood barrier towards Billwerder Bucht and Holzhafen. Along the way, you get to see a rather unusual side of Hamburg. Instead of the familiar postcard views, the route passes waterways, harbor areas and industrial scenery. That is exactly what sets this tour apart from a classic harbor cruise.
Good to know: On the water, the RiverBus does not pass the Elbphilharmonie or the Landungsbrücken. If those are the views you are looking for, a regular harbor cruise is probably the better choice. The RiverBus is clearly all about the experience of traveling through Hamburg’s streets and then across the water in the same vehicle.
Practical Tips for the HafenCity RiverBus
- Duration: Allow around 70 minutes for the entire tour, with about 30 minutes spent on the water.
- Starting point: The tour starts at Am Brook 2 in Speicherstadt.
- Prices: Adults pay €42, children up to age 14 pay €28.
- Toilet: There are no toilets on board, so it is best to go beforehand.
- Arrive early: It is best to arrive at the meeting point a little before departure so you have enough time to board.
- Not a classic harbor cruise: You will not see the Elbphilharmonie or the Landungsbrücken during the water section. For that, you should plan a separate harbor cruise.
- Book in advance: Especially on weekends and during peak season, it is worth securing a spot early.
Our Verdict on the HafenCity RiverBus
The HafenCity RiverBus is less of a classic sightseeing tour and more of an experience on its own. Speicherstadt and HafenCity are interesting, but the moment when the bus suddenly drives into the water is definitely what stays with you most. If you would like to experience Hamburg from a slightly different perspective or are looking for an unusual activity, the tour is an exciting change of pace. After all, you do not see a bus that first drives through Hamburg and then turns into a boat every day.
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