Hamburg Airport (EDDH)

Last update 2016-07-01: IFR slot required; see http://www.fhkd-speicher.org/. GCR format not necessary; just call +49 69 257585120.

VFR arrival via harbor and Alster, 2× 360 to wait, "keep speed up", long landing to vacate RWY quickly.

IFR departure RWY23, intersection U; due to lower performance compared to an airliner: frequency change before 2000 ft and vectors away from the SID.

Apron 4 is directly in front of the GAT and within walking distance. Apron 2 is a bit farther and requires a bus shuttle due to crossing a taxiway. If you are only picking up a passenger, call directly before takeoff and ask for short-term parking (<1 h) on Apron 4—sometimes you are lucky. Airport is expensive but a bus stop is within walking distance (5 min).

In comparison to Uetersen (EDHE), you pay more for the airport but save on taxi costs (65€ round trip from Uetersen to Pinneberg station) and time. Café next to the GAT is nice and has a good view.

Last update 2016-06-30: IFR slot required; see http://www.fhkd-speicher.org/. GCR format not necessary; just call +49 69 257585120.

VFR arrival via the harbor and the Alster, two 360° orbits, then to RWY15 (plan fuel for the wait); "keep speed up", long landing to delay other traffic as little as possible.

Fuel: AVGAS truck comes to the aircraft; AirBP carnet; 2,424€/L.

IFR departure RWY23, intersection U. Due to lower performance than an airliner: frequency change before 2000 ft and vectors away from the SID.

I only picked up 1 PAX. Therefore called two days in advance to ask if short parking directly at the GAT (Apron 4) was possible. Request was accepted but did not work out. Therefore parked on the apron (Apron 2), which requires bus back and forth (time and 8€ each way). The bus driver recommended calling only shortly before departure and asking for Apron 4.

Costs for 999 kg MTOW and approx. 1 h parking: 24,50€ landing, 24,50€ takeoff, 3,85€ position fee, 11,25€ terminal GAT, 2× transport Apron 2 = 16€, total 94,72€. Expensive, but a bus stop is within walking distance (5 min). In comparison, Uetersen is farther and only about 20€ cheaper, due to LDG (6,70€) and taxi to Pinneberg station (round trip 65€).

Very GA-friendly large airport. If you arrive VFR, you can always ask the controller for a sightseeing orbit over the harbor and the alster. They are highly collaborative, very friendly and professional.

Due to the above, expect quite some VFR traffic of all sorts over the city, especially on sunny days.

A proper briefing regarding taxiways is recommended upfront as depending on your landing and departure runway, you might be required to cross runways, etc.
Ahead of the apron, a follow-me car will pick you up.

From the GAT you can either take a taxi to the city centre (40EUR) or walk 15min to the S-Bahn station. Next to the GAT, there is the Café Himmelsschreiber, where you can grab a decent bite, view departing airplanes and also use the restroom whilst you wait for your taxi.

Visited on 23 Dec 2025. Everyone very friendly and helpful. All slots were adhered to. All-in landing fee for a Cessna 414 (MTOW = 2880 kg) amounted to 230,50 €. Despite being an international airport, no problem for GA. Everyone relaxed.

Visited HAM/EDDH as part of the PPL/IR event. For IFR, slot required via SLOT system with fraztxh@fluko.org or +49 69 257 585 120.
Total costs were (Paid by AerOps);
Landing - 13.16 EUR
Entry - 13.16 EUR
Terminal - 16.70 EUR
Emissions Landing 0.36 EUR
Emissions Entry - 0.36 EUR
Parking Fee (Per 15 min) x127 (0.50 EUR) - 63.50 EUR
Transport between GAT and Aircraft x2 - 52.60 EUR
Total 159.84 (incl 19% VAT)