Standing beneath the distinctive green copper dome at Landungsbrücken in Hamburg, I looked down the shaft at the enormous lift cages. The Old Elbe Tunnel, opened in 1911, drops 24 metres below the Elbe River, connecting St Pauli with Steinwerder on the opposite bank. Two tiled tubes, each 6 metres in diameter, run 426.5 metres beneath the water. Art Deco ceramic reliefs showing aquatic life line the walls. This wasn’t built for tourists. It was Europe’s first river tunnel for vehicles and pedestrians, constructed to move dock workers to Hamburg’s expanding shipyards.
Quick overview
The Old Elbe Tunnel costs nothing. Entry is completely free for pedestrians and cyclists, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. There are no tickets or bookings required. Four large freight elevators transport people to the tunnel bottom on both sides. Freight elevator hours are Monday to Friday 6am to 8pm, weekends 10am to 6pm. Glass passenger elevators operate all day Monday to Friday. You can also take the stairs. The north entrance sits at Bei den St Pauli Landungsbrücken 7, directly at the Landungsbrücken U-Bahn and S-Bahn station. Motor vehicles are currently prohibited until further notice.
At a glance
| Price | Opening hours | Address | Free for | Last entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | 24 hours daily (elevator hours vary) | Bei den St Pauli Landungsbrücken 7, 20359 Hamburg | Everyone | No restrictions |
How much does the Old Elbe Tunnel cost?
Nothing. There are no admission charges, ever.
| Ticket type | Price | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrians | Free | Everyone |
| Cyclists | Free | Everyone (push bikes in elevator areas) |
The tunnel is managed by Hamburg Port Authority as functional infrastructure. While it has become a tourist attraction, its primary purpose remains providing a crossing under the Elbe. Motor vehicles previously paid fees but are currently prohibited from using the tunnel until further notice. The tunnel can be hired for private events, which requires separate arrangements with the port authority.
What time does the Old Elbe Tunnel open?
The tunnel itself is accessible 24 hours daily. However, the elevators operate on specific schedules.
Freight elevators (both sides):
Monday to Friday: 6am to 8pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 6pm
Glass passenger elevators (both sides):
Monday to Friday: All day (24 hours)
Weekend hours may vary
Stairs: Always accessible 24 hours
When freight elevators aren’t operating, you must use passenger elevators or stairs. The stairs descend steeply and climbing back up can be strenuous. There are approximately 132 steps each way. Cyclists must push their bikes when using elevators or stairs.
Engineering marvel beneath the Elbe
Construction began in 1907 under engineer Ludwig Raabe. Hamburg’s port was expanding rapidly, with major shipyards like Blohm+Voss operating on Steinwerder island. Thousands of dock workers needed to cross the Elbe daily, but ferries were slow and unreliable in bad weather. The city needed a dependable connection.
The tunnel design was modelled on the Clyde Tunnel in Glasgow, Scotland, which opened in 1896. Earlier proposals for a suspended railway, ferry improvements, or viaduct were rejected. Hamburg chose a subaqueous tunnel with vehicle lifts on both sides.
Building beneath a major river posed enormous challenges. Workers used compressed air caissons, working under pressure to prevent water flooding the excavations. This technique had been used on the Brooklyn Bridge foundations in New York City. Of 4,400 workers, three died during construction, 74 suffered severe decompression sickness, and over 600 experienced lighter symptoms from what was called “caisson disease.”
The tunnel opened on 7 September 1911 to great fanfare. Two tubes, each 6 metres in diameter, connected St Pauli with Steinwerder. Four hydraulic vehicle lifts on each side could transport cars, motorcycles, horse-drawn carts, and pedestrians to tunnel level 24 metres below the surface. The lifts themselves were engineering achievements, each capable of carrying multiple vehicles simultaneously.
The tunnel became essential infrastructure for Hamburg’s port. During World War II, it served as an air raid shelter. Bombing damaged the Steinwerder entrance building, but the tunnel tubes survived intact. Post-war, the tunnel continued regular service until the New Elbe Tunnel opened in 1975, taking most vehicle traffic.
In 2003, the Old Elbe Tunnel was designated a Historic Landmark of Civil Engineering in Germany. The tunnel remains operational with regular maintenance ensuring structural integrity.
Walking beneath the Elbe
The north entrance is beneath the distinctive domed building at Landungsbrücken, near the Rickmer Rickmers and Cap San Diego museum ships. The square structure houses the lift machinery and four large cage elevators. These original hydraulic lifts from 1911 still operate, carrying people to tunnel depth.
Descending in the freight elevator feels like entering another era. The large metal cage, big enough for several cars, drops slowly with mechanical precision. Through the cage mesh, you see the shaft walls passing. At the bottom, tunnel entrances open into two parallel tubes.
The tunnel walls are lined with 20 glazed ceramic reliefs depicting marine life: fish, starfish, dolphins, crabs, shells, and traditional maritime designs. These Art Deco tiles, many original from 1911, survived World War II bombing and decades of use. The symmetrical arrangement of period light fixtures creates atmospheric lighting.
Each tube handles one-way pedestrian traffic. Cyclists use the central lane and must push their bikes when pedestrians are present. The arched ceiling rises overhead, white tiles reflecting the lights. You’re walking 24 metres below the Elbe’s surface with approximately 8 metres of water overhead. The tunnel maintains comfortable temperature year-round, staying cool in summer and relatively warm in winter.
The 426.5-metre walk takes 10 to 15 minutes at normal pace. Information panels along the route explain the tunnel’s history, construction, and technical details. Photography is popular, particularly near the decorative tile reliefs.
At the south end, you emerge at Steinwerder via similar lifts. The view from the southern bank looks back across the Elbe toward Hamburg’s skyline. St Michaelis Church, Rickmer Rickmers sailing ship, and the Landungsbrücken buildings create a classic Hamburg panorama. This perspective explains why many people walk through specifically for the southern-side views. It’s certainly one of the more unusual reasons to take a Hamburg city break.
You can return immediately or explore Steinwerder briefly before heading back. The round trip takes 30 to 45 minutes including both walks and elevator rides.
What’s included with your ticket
Your free access includes use of both tunnel tubes, four hydraulic freight elevators on each side (during operating hours), glass passenger elevators (Monday to Friday all day), stairs on both sides (24 hours), and the opportunity to view Art Deco ceramic reliefs and original 1911 engineering throughout.
Not included are guided tours (available through third-party tour operators), event access when the tunnel is hired privately, and harbour ferry connections (these are separate public transport tickets).
Things to do near the Old Elbe Tunnel
St Pauli Landungsbrücken (immediate location) – Historic floating pier complex where the tunnel entrance sits. The 205-metre terminal building from 1907-1909 features distinctive green-domed towers. Major transport hub connecting S-Bahn, U-Bahn, and harbour ferries. Numerous restaurants and fish sandwich stalls.
Hamburg Fish Market (600 metres, 8-minute walk) – Operating since 1703, Hamburg’s famous Sunday morning market draws 70,000 people weekly. Summer hours 5am to 9:30am, winter 7am to 9:30am. Market criers hawk fish, fruit, and flowers. Live bands play in the Fish Auction Hall from 1894.
St Michael’s Church (600 metres, 8-minute walk) – Hamburg’s largest baroque church with distinctive copper-domed tower. The Michel provides panoramic city views from 106 metres. Climb 452 steps or take the lift.
Reeperbahn (500 metres, 7-minute walk) – Hamburg’s famous entertainment district. Theatres, musicals, bars, clubs, and the Schmidt Tivoli line this historic street. The Beatles played early gigs here in the 1960s.
Rickmer Rickmers (100 metres, 2-minute walk) – Three-masted sailing ship from 1896 moored at Ponton 1a. Museum ship showing 19th-century cargo sailing operations. Walk directly from the tunnel entrance to the ship.
Practical tips
Getting there: U-Bahn U3 to Landungsbrücken. S-Bahn S1, S2, S3 to Landungsbrücken. The domed building housing the tunnel entrance sits directly at the station. Harbour ferries 62, 72, and 73 also stop at Landungsbrücken.
Time needed: Twenty to 30 minutes for a simple round trip. Add time for photography or exploring the southern bank.
Photography: Allowed throughout. The ceramic reliefs photograph well. Low light in tunnels may challenge cameras. The southern bank provides excellent Hamburg skyline views.
Accessibility: The large freight elevators accommodate wheelchairs during operating hours (Monday to Friday 6am to 8pm, weekends 10am to 6pm). Outside these hours, only stairs access the tunnel, making it inaccessible for wheelchair users.
Crowds: Busiest on sunny summer weekends and when cruise ships dock. Early mornings (before 9am) and late evenings (after 8pm) are quietest. The tunnel’s 24-hour access means you can visit anytime to avoid crowds.
Safety: The tunnel is well-lit and generally safe. Late night visitors should exercise normal urban caution. Cyclists must be courteous to pedestrians in the narrow tubes.
FAQs
Can you really walk under the river? Yes. You’re 24 metres below the surface with approximately 8 metres of water overhead. The tunnel tubes are watertight and regularly maintained.
How long does it take? Ten to 15 minutes to walk through one way. Allow 30 to 45 minutes for a complete round trip including elevator waits.
Are there stairs? Yes, approximately 132 steps descend to tunnel level on each side. Steep but manageable for most people. The climb back up is strenuous.
Can cyclists use it? Yes, but they must push bikes in elevator areas and when pedestrian traffic is heavy. There’s a centre lane for cyclists in the tunnel tubes.
Is it open at night? Yes, 24 hours. However, freight elevators stop operating after 8pm on weekdays and 6pm on weekends, so you’d need to use passenger elevators or stairs.
More Hamburg travel
Other Hamburg travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Where to eat, drink, shop and stay in Hamburg.
- How to get cheap Hamburg to Berlin train tickets.
- What to expect at the St Nikolai Memorial in Hamburg.
- How long should you spend at the International Maritime Museum Hamburg.
- Why it’s worth booking ahead to see the Miniatur Wunderland model railway.
