Tours/Kiel/All-in-One Hamburg Shore Excursion from the port of Kiel
Viator · group up to 35 pax

All-in-One Hamburg Shore Excursion from the port of Kiel

4.6(39)Kiel1 hour
VIATOR4.2(13)TRIPADVISOR4.8(26)

Description

If you are travelling on a cruise ship to the port of Kiel and have only one day on shore, let us take you on a fascinating, all-encompassing journey to Hamburg! Hamburg is second largest city in Germany after Berlin and it is one of the most beautiful and exciting cities in Europe. It became a well-known tourist destination due to its wild, red light district but is now attracting a more discerning clientele with its modern architecture in the form of the Elbphilharmonie, Speicherstadt, and the Hafencity, not to mention the canals, Alster, stunning Rathaus and high end shopping. This shore excursion is adjusted to each ship’s docking times and starts promptly after your vessel’s arrival, returning with plenty of time to spare before its departure. Our expert team has been organizing these tours for nearly a decade. We have never missed a cruise ship’s departure and imparted our knowledge and enthusiasm for our unique and beautiful city to thousands of satisfied passengers!

Tour Options

Shared ShorEx
Ticket for a shared tour 2027
Ticket for a shared tour
  • Shared tour: This option includes a ticket for a shared tour from your cruise ship to Hamburg and back.
Fully Private Tour
  • Private Tour: This tour includes a private vehicle for the entire journey. Tour guide and free time: A private guide will accompany you for 3 hours in Hamburg. Afterwards, you’ll enjoy 1.5-2 hours of free time.

Itinerary

120 min

Your unforgettable shore excursion begins right at the cruise terminal, where our hosts eagerly await your arrival. Step aboard a modern, air-conditioned bus for a comfortable 1.5-2 hour journey to the captivating city of Hamburg

40 min

You will arrive at Landungbrücken, your your first taste of Hamburg. Be captivated by panoramic views, the iconic Landungsbrücken Piers, and a historic riverside promenade, Here you will have the opportunity to take elevator down into the historic Old Elbe Tunnel.

Pass by

You will have a chance to marvel at the modern architectural splendour of the Elbphilharmonie.

Admission not included20 min

During a short stop in Krameramtsstuben you will be able to visit the beautiful baroque church of St. Michaelis.

Pass by

Take a scenic drive through the UNESCO-listed Speicherstadt, a historic warehouse district. Immerse yourself in the red brick buildings and intricate network of canals of this maritime wonder, seamlessly transitioning into the modernity of Hafencity.

20 min

Your exploration of Hamburg takes you to Deichstraße, Hamburg's Oldest Street. Enjoy the stroll and absorb the medieval charm of the street, relishing in the well-preserved architecture and the tales of centuries past.

20 min

As you traverse Trost Bridge, enjoy breathtaking views of the waterway below. This picturesque crossing not only offers a moment of serenity but also serves as a symbolic link, seamlessly connecting Hamburg's rich past with its vibrant present.

Admission not included20 min

St. Nikolai Church was originally built in the 12th century but was severely damaged during World War II. Now preserved spire and remains of the St. Nikolai Church serve as a memorial and observation platform. It's symbolizing the city's wartime history and honoring those affected by conflict.

Admission not included60 min

Walk towards Rathaus, Hamburg's stunning City Hall. Along the way, receive explanations about the significance of Rathaus, its architecture, and the historical events that have unfolded within its walls. Here you will enjoy some free time for grabbing a lunch and souvenir shopping

Pass by

After your free time at Rathaus, the bus will take you on a scenic drive through Gänsemarkt, past Staatsoper, Dammtorbahnhof, and the University, leading to iconic spots like the TV-Tower (Hertz-Tower), Planten un Blomen, and, if possible, the Bunker at Heiligengeistfeld, before heading to the lively district of Reeperbahn.

Admission not included15 min

At the end of the tour, you'll have the opportunity to see the Beatles monument on the Reeperbahn, an iconic tribute to the place where the legendary band began their career in Hamburg's famous red-light district.

120 min

At the finish of our tour, the coach will take you comfortably to the port, providing at least 1-1.5 hours until the departure of the ship.

Highlights

Modern, air-conditioned shared bus transportation
Free time for a snack or souvenir shopping (duration is subject to traffic and ship docking times)
Full refund if your ship cannot dock
Guaranteed return to ship on time
In Hamburg: professional local English-speaking tour guide
Pick up and drop off at cruise ship port of Kiel
24/7 Customer support, assistance with other arrangements and tours

What's included

Included
Modern, air-conditioned shared bus transportation
Free time for a snack or souvenir shopping (duration is subject to traffic and ship docking times)
Full refund if your ship cannot dock
Guaranteed return to ship on time
In Hamburg: professional local English-speaking tour guide
Pick up and drop off at cruise ship port of Kiel
24/7 Customer support, assistance with other arrangements and tours
Not included
Food and drinks
Entrance fees (none will be required during your tour)
Tour guide during the journey from Kiel to Hamburg and back (the tour guide only joins in Hamburg)
Gratuities are welcome if you enjoy your tour. We recommend 10% for guides, and 5% for bus drivers
Please note this tour does not include enough free time for extensive shopping and dining

Traveller Ratings

4.6
39 reviews
5
30
4
4
3
4
2
0
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1

Important Information

  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Reviews(39)

V
Vanee_K
July 17, 2026
Fair excursion

The excursion was okay but could be improved to offer better experience to travelers if given adequate time to explore the places.

D
Dave_J
July 14, 2026
The tour was just OK. On...

The tour was just OK. On the bus the guide would quickly point out something but I never saw many of what he was referring to. Others said the same thing. On the walking part he made no effort to find a shady spot to talk and there were plenty around. It was an older group and a hot day. And after going through a lot of cool areas of Hamburg he leaves us in a typical high end street with the same shops as any other major city. It would have been nice to have been dropped in an area with more character. We only had an hour or so for lunch so not enough time to go into other more interesting areas. Not the best tour but OK.

Operator response

Dear Dave, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback regarding your Hamburg shore excursion. We are sorry to hear that the tour did not fully meet your expectations. We would like to clarify that some of the sightseeing areas in Hamburg are located in open spaces where shade may not always be available. When the guide is explaining specific landmarks or points of interest, they usually stand close to the location being discussed so that guests can better see and understand what is being presented. We are also sorry to hear that the heat made the experience more challenging. If at any point during the tour you feel uncomfortable, unwell, or need a short break, we kindly encourage you to let your guide know directly. Our guides are always happy to assist and make adjustments whenever possible to ensure guests feel comfortable. Regarding the lunch time, please note that this excursion is designed around the ship’s docking and departure schedule. Due to the limited time available in port, there is unfortunately not enough time for a seated lunch during the tour. The schedule is planned to allow guests to enjoy some free time while still returning to the ship on time. We truly appreciate your comments, as they help us continue improving our services. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again in the future and provide you with a more enjoyable experience. Kind regards, Natalia Vexperio

D
Davida G
July 13, 2026
Great trip

Very informative. Ralph was very knowledge. Especially enjoyed the under water tunnel

I
Inna_S
July 6, 2026
The time for the cruise...

The time for the cruise ship to stay in Kiel was short. We would be more appreciated if people who registered and had the head count of participants would be more attentive. We were waiting for more people to come to the bus (early morning), and were already there. We lost almost 45 min. of the tour time and was not able to go to some places, as we were in rush to get back on time to the port in Kiel. The tour guide was good, but would be nice to have a tour guide right from Kiel, not to pick him up in Hamburg. It would be additional 2 hours of information to get.

Operator response

Hello Inna, Thank you for sharing your feedback. The cruise ship arrived later than expected, and unfortunately some guests entered the buses without first checking in with our assistant. This created confusion and caused delays, as we always ask all participants to check in before boarding the bus so we can make sure everyone is accounted for. Regarding the tour guide, please note that there are no major sights or points of interest between Kiel and Hamburg that we visit during the transfer, so having the guide join from Kiel would not add additional sightseeing time. The guide joins the tour in Hamburg where the main sightseeing portion begins. We appreciate your understanding and your feedback, and we will continue working to make the check-in process clearer for future tours. Thank you again Natalia Vexperio

D
Dan M
July 4, 2026
A great way to see Hamburg via bus

Great way to see Hamburg. Luxury charter bus took us the one hour south. Ralph was our tour guide. Ralph is incredibly knowledgeable and was a great narrator. We made many stops and had time for lunch and shopping. Overall a great day

C
Clarice_Moise
July 3, 2026
Hamburg bus and walking tour

Departure was initially delayed by the cruise. However when we left the ship to meet our guide/bus it was total chaos. The checkin people waited 45 minutes for 1 person that was on the bus already. She should have come on the bus and called out nanes then said is there anyone on the bus that I haven’t called. At that point the person would have raised their hand and said you didn’t call me. Instead they waited outside and left us waiting inside the bus causing us to lose almost 1 hour for the tour.

Operator response

Dear Clarice, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your Hamburg shore excursion. We are truly sorry to hear about your experience during the meeting and boarding process, and we sincerely apologize for the frustration and delay this caused. The tour was scheduled to depart at 9:30 AM. However, due to the cruise ship’s disembarkation process, passengers were only able to leave the ship starting around 9:35 AM. As you can imagine, with a large ship and many guests, not everyone was able to exit at the same time once the gangway opened at 9:00 AM. We also want to clarify that one passenger you referred to had unfortunately boarded the wrong bus without checking in with our staff. This created confusion during the check-in process and contributed to the delay while our team worked to account for all guests. We would also like to emphasize that we always do our very best not to leave any guest behind when we are in contact with them, and we make every effort to ensure everyone is accounted for before departure. We also extended the tour by 15 minutes to compensate for the time lost during the port departure. Please accept our sincere apologies once again. We appreciate your understanding and your honest feedback, which helps us improve our service. Warm regards, Vexperio

9
981misterp
July 3, 2026
Great Guide, good balance of bus and walking

The guide Alexander was very knowledgeable and very personable. We had fun and learned a lot! The tour includes a very good balance of walking versus riding on the bus.

Y
yakovd886
July 3, 2026
Happy tourist

Leo was an excellent Guide very knowledgeable

S
S7380PYkaic
July 3, 2026
Kai

Had a great experience with Leo today

1
147robc
July 3, 2026
Hamburg Highlights

Lucas was a great guide. He is very knowledgeable about Hamburg. Pick up from the port was smooth

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