World City Guide

Getting Around

Public Transport
The city’s exemplary transport system is run by the Üstra Hannoverische Verkehrsbetriebe AG, Passerelle 6 (tel: (0511) 16680 or 1668 2238, customer information; website: www.uestra.de), and consists of buses and Stadtbahnen – trams that travel underground in the city centre and on special designated tracks in the suburbs. Services run 0500-2430. Night buses run hourly 0000-0400 and Stadtbahnen every half hour 0100-0500, both Friday to Sunday from Kröpcke (the central square).

Urban transport is integrated with regional services, including Deutsche Bahn (tel: (01805) 996 633; website: www.bahn.de), which operates five suburban train (S-Bahn) lines, as well as RegioBus Hannover, Georgstrasse 54 (tel: (0511) 368 880; fax: (0511) 368 8899; e-mail: info@regiobus.de; website: www.regiobus.de).

The umbrella organisation, Grossraum-Verkehr Hannover (GVH), Amswaldstrasse 19 (tel: (0511) 1668 2020; e-mail: gvh@hannover-region.de; website: www.gvh.de) oversees the entire system.

Single tickets are valid for up to one day on all transport and cost ¬1 for a Kurzstrecken (a short journey of up to three stops), ¬1.70 for one zone and ¬2.30 for two zones or ¬2.80 for three zones. Day, group, concession and multi-tickets are also available. Tickets are available for purchase using pre-paid cards (GeldKarte from banks or PayKarte from Deutsche Telekom) from automated Tix dispensers at bus and tram stops – tickets bought in this way are slightly cheaper and will eventually replace tickets purchased with cash from the driver or from other ticket outlets.

The GVH Tages Einzel Ticket (whole-day card) costs ¬3.10 for unlimited daily travel within one zone. The Hannover Card, available from tourist information and other outlets, allows free travel on GVH buses and trams in the Hanover ticket zone and discounts at tourist attractions (see Sightseeing).

Taxis
Taxis are beige Mercedes and tourists can safely hail these on the street or call for one in advance. Radio taxi companies include Flughafen-Taxen GmbH (tel: (0511) 724 9230) and Funk-Taxi-Ruf Hannover GmbH (tel: (0511) 2143 8484). After dusk, tram and bus drivers will often order taxis for single women passengers, on request. These meet the passenger at the relevant bus stop. A flat rate of ¬2 is charged on entering the taxi, plus a further ¬1 per kilometre. Drivers normally stick to the efficiently regulated meter system. A tip of 10% is expected.

Limousines
Interline Hannover, Hainhaus 11D, Langenhagen (tel: (0511) 972 630; fax: (0511) 973 5956; e-mail: hannover@interline-limo.com; website: www.interline-limo.com) offers limousine, chauffeur and sightseeing services. The minimum charge for limousine hire is ¬180 for three hours.

Driving in the City
Thanks to Expo 2000, Hanover’ roads have been improved and driving conditions in the city are now among the best in Germany. Wide, five-lane-streets in the city centre make driving very easy and prevent congestion.

Given the excellent public transport system, in most cases it is advisable for drivers to park and ride. In the city centre, 24-hour parking is available at Friesenstrasse/Lister Tor, Raschplatz, Rundestrasse/Hauptbahnhof, Leonhardstrasse (Schweizer Hof), Schmiedestrasse, Opernplatz and Friedrichswall. Parking fees range from ¬2 to ¬5 per hour, depending on the area.

Up-to-date information on driving conditions and transport in the Hanover region is available from Move GmbH (tel: (0511) 700 800; website: www.move-info.de).

Car Hire
In addition to the outlets at the airport and the main station, cars can be hired from Avis, Hauptbahnhof, Ersnt-August Platz 1 (tel: (0511) 322 610; website: www.avis.de), Hertz, Schulenburger Landstrasse 150 (tel: (0511) 635 092; website: www.hertz.de), and Sixt/Budget, Karl-Wiechert-Allee 74 (tel: (0511) 547 4141; website: www.sixt.com). Europcar, Osterstrasse 55 (tel: (0511) 302 710; website: www.europcar.de), charges ¬80 per day for a standard small car, plus ¬20 for insurance. Drivers must be a minimum of 19 years old and have held a full driving licence for at least one year, although some companies hire out very small cars (such as the Smart Car) to 18-year-olds, for approximately ¬50 (plus insurance). Payment is in cash or by credit card, on presentation of a valid licence (an International Driving Permit is preferred).

Bicycle Hire
Bicycles can be hired from Werkstatt Treff Vahreheide, Lilienthalstrasse 12 (tel: (0511) 633 293; fax: (0511) 371 879), for ¬6 per day or ¬25 per week. The workshop also carries out bike repairs.