Hannover Airport connects to the city centre by a direct suburban train, the S5 S-Bahn, which runs from a station inside the terminal to Hannover's main railway station in around a quarter of an hour — simple, cheap, and the obvious first choice for almost anyone arriving without a mountain of luggage.
The S5 S-Bahn: the direct link
The S5 line, part of the GVH (Großraum-Verkehr Hannover) regional network, runs from the airport station directly to Hannover Hauptbahnhof, the city's main railway station, in around 15 minutes. Trains run roughly every 30 minutes for most of the day, which is less frequent than some big-city airport rail links, so it's worth checking the timetable against your landing time rather than simply walking down to the platform and assuming a train will be along shortly.
A standard GVH ticket covers the whole journey, bought from machines on the platform before boarding — there's no separate airport supplement to worry about, and the same ticket works onward on Hannover's trams and buses within the relevant fare zone.
Taxis
A taxi rank sits directly outside the terminal for anyone who'd rather skip the walk to the S-Bahn platform, useful late at night when S5 frequency drops further, or for a group with heavy luggage. The drive into the centre takes a comparable amount of time to the train on a clear run, but at a considerably higher fare, so it mainly makes sense when the S5's roughly half-hourly gaps don't line up well with your arrival, or during a major trade fair when platforms and trains are at their most crowded.
Rideshare
Rideshare apps operate in Hannover, though as in many German regional cities, coverage is more limited than in Berlin or Munich. For the airport transfer specifically, it rarely beats the S5 on cost, and availability can be patchy outside daytime hours, so it's worth checking the app before ruling out a taxi or the train.
Renting a car
Rental car desks operate at the airport for visitors planning to explore beyond the city — the Harz mountains, the Steinhuder Meer lake, or a wider loop through Lower Saxony are all realistic day trips by car, and Hannover's location at the junction of several major Autobahns makes it a genuinely convenient base for a longer road trip across northern Germany. Driving into central Hannover itself brings little advantage over the S5, given the ease of the train link and the cost of city parking, so most visitors are better off picking up a car only once they're ready to head out of town. See our guide to driving in Europe for the paperwork and kit worth carrying.
Connecting onward by train
Hannover Hauptbahnhof is one of Germany's major rail junctions, with fast ICE connections in multiple directions, making the S5 a genuinely useful first leg even for travellers passing straight through rather than staying in the city. See our guides to Hamburg to Hannover and Hannover to Berlin for two of the busiest onward routes, both departing from the same station the S5 arrives at.
Trade fairs: expect it to get busier
Hannover hosts some of the world's largest trade fairs, including the giant Hannover Messe industrial fair each spring and other major exhibitions through the year, held at the vast Deutsche Messe grounds south-east of the centre. During these events, the airport, the S5 and the wider transport network all get noticeably busier than the city's usual quiet rhythm, with extra trains sometimes laid on to cope with demand and hotel rooms considerably harder to come by. If your visit coincides with a major fair, check the Deutsche Messe calendar in advance — it affects more than just fares and hotel availability; it also shapes how crowded the S5 platform is likely to be when you land.
Timing and first-timer tips
The walk from the terminal to the S-Bahn platform is short and clearly signed, and the platform itself is step-free, which helps with a heavy suitcase or a pushchair. Because the S5 runs only about every 30 minutes rather than every few minutes, it's worth checking the current timetable on arrival — if a train has just left, a taxi may actually get you into the centre faster than waiting for the next one, particularly late in the evening when frequency can drop further still. Signage at the airport and on the platform is in German and English, so navigating the short walk shouldn't cause any confusion even on a first visit.
Which option should you choose?
For most visitors, the S5 S-Bahn is the cheapest and most straightforward way into central Hannover, provided the timetable cooperates with your landing time. A taxi is the sensible choice for a late arrival, an awkward gap between trains, or heavy luggage. For onward travel, see our guides above, our Hamburg airport to the city guide if you're comparing the equivalent trip at Germany's other big northern hub, or the wider Germany by train overview for how Hannover fits into the national ICE network.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Hannover Airport to the city centre?
Take the S5 S-Bahn directly from the airport station to Hannover Hauptbahnhof, a journey of around 15 minutes. Trains run roughly every 30 minutes.
Do I need a special ticket for the S5 from the airport?
No — a standard GVH ticket, bought from platform machines, covers the journey with no separate airport supplement, and also works onward on Hannover's trams and buses.
How often does the S5 run to Hannover Airport?
Roughly every 30 minutes for most of the day, less frequently late at night — check the current timetable if your flight lands outside normal daytime hours.
Is a taxi worth it from Hannover Airport?
Mainly if your arrival time falls awkwardly between S5 departures, if you're travelling late at night, or if you have heavy luggage — otherwise the train covers the same distance for considerably less.
Sources and further reading:
- Ground transport information: Hannover Airport official site.
- S-Bahn routes, fares and tickets: GVH (Großraum-Verkehr Hannover).