.png)
Summer closure period ended – What are the next steps?
Works at Hamburg Central Station are in progress: the trains of S-Bahn Hamburg run as before on tracks 3 and 4.
The construction works that were planned for the summer holidays have been terminated successfully: new platform edges were installed on both tracks and the track layout was adjusted accordingly. The lift is back in operation and two of the three escalators are taking you back upstairs again.
Elevator works
The third escalator was installed during the night of 10 September – this required scaffolding, and half of the fixed staircase had to be closed temporarily. Once everything has been installed, the escalator must be inspected and examined before it can be put back into operation.
Escalator
A wooden platform floor?
Some of you may have already noticed that the current platform floor consists of wooden panels – a temporary solution. During the autumn closure, we will begin laying the final floor covering.
Which brings us to the topic at hand: during the Hamburg autumn holidays from 18 October to 2 November 2025, half of the platform will be closed again. First it will be the turn of track 4, then track 3 follows.
And now?
We will start with the so-called safety area of the platform, i.e. the 2.5 metres from the platform edge to the centre of the platform – the most important area of the platform.
The rest of the platform will then be completed gradually until early 2026 – this construction works will mainly take place in the evenings and at nights in order to keep restrictions for travellers as low as possible.
We will inform you as soon as possible about your travel options during the autumn holidays.
Insights into the construction site – Update August 8, 2025
Construction work on tracks 3 and 4 is in full swing. As described below, the platform edge on track 3 is currently being removed and replaced. Track 4 will follow immediately afterwards. Here are some initial insights for you.
Photo credits: DB InfraGo
News for you – Update July 29, 2025
Generally, we prefer holiday periods to push important construction projects on the S-Bahn network, for there are fewer schoolchildren and commuters on the move. During the summer holidays this year, we will carry out further track and platform works at tracks 3 and 4 at Hamburg main station.
Review
At Whitsun, the platform at tracks 3 and 4 was fitted with a new platform bridge. During this working process, we completely closed the platform over the Whitsun weekend and all S-Bahn trains ran from tracks 1 and 2.
Next steps in the summer holidays 2025
The next step will be to renovate the platform at tracks 3 and 4. First, it will be completely removed and fitted with new platform edges. Second, we will lay a temporary surface on top of the edges. The final surface of the new platform will be installed during the autumn holidays in October.
During the works on the platform, we will close tracks 3 and 4 alternately. From 4 to 19 August 2025, track 3 will be the first to be closed and all our trains will stop at track 4. Afterwards, from 19 August to 4 September 2025, works will continue at track 4 which will then be closed during that time.
Lift on platform 4 out of service
During the closure of the platform on track 4 (19 August to 4 September), the lift to the platform will be out of service, as access to the lift is within the closed platform area. During this time, there will be no barrier-free access to the platform of track 3.
Lift plan
The following lines will run via track 3 during this period:
- the S1 from Wedel towards Hamburg Airport / Poppenbüttel
- the S2 from Altona towards Bergedorf / Aumühle
- the S3 from Pinneberg towards Neugraben
- the S5 from Diebsteich towards Stade
If this affects you and you need a lift to move on, please check the hvv timetable information before you start your trip to find out where a barrier-free access is available. To find out which lifts are operating, please click on the hvv website under Lift map.
Position of the tracks will be adjusted
The renovation of the platform will change its height and thus changes the distance between the platform and the trains. To compensate the difference and ensure safe boarding, we will also carry out track construction works and adjust the height of the tracks to the new platform.
Preview
Special situation on the weekend of 30 and 31 August 2025
On 30 and 31 August 2025, the tracks in the S-Bahn section of the eastern part of Hamburg Central Station, known as the “Ostkopf”, will be closed. This section covers the area of tracks 1 to 4. At the weekend of August 30 and 31, we renew the switches in this area.
Due to this construction work, the track sections between main station and S-Bahn Hamburg station Berliner Tor as well as main station and S-Bahn Hamburg station Hammerbrook cannot be used and will therefore be closed. This also leads to extensive timetable changes. Please check your personal schedule on the timetable information on the Deutsche Bahn website.
What happens in the autumn holidays
At the end of September, the construction of the escalators on the south footbridge (towards central bus station / Mönckebergstraße) will be finished. In Addition, we will start working on the final flooring on platforms 3 / 4 and we will replace some of the display cases with new digital information screens, as has already been done on tracks 1 and 2.
Working on this will require another alternating closure of platforms 3 and 4 during the autumn holidays from 18 October 2025 to 2 November 2025. We will keep you informed about this and all other upcoming work here in this article and on our website.
There is news again – Update 03.06.2025
Since mid-February, we have been modernizing tracks 3 and 4 at Hamburg's main train station. Now, the next milestone is approaching: the replacement of the old platform bridge. Here is what this means for you.
As previously reported, we removed an escalator at the southern walkway and are working on a walkable cable duct. Progress is ongoing, and once the cable duct is completed, the new escalator can be installed. This is expected to happen in the summer of this year.
What's coming up
In June, we will renew the existing platform bridge at tracks 3 and 4. Since the platform needs to be completely closed for this, we have scheduled these works for the Pentecost holidays so that peak traffic times during weekdays are not affected. During the Pentecost weekend from Saturday, June 7th to Monday, June 9th, 2025, our S-Bahn trains will all run from tracks 1 and 2.
Two tracks, three lines
.png)
Two tracks, three lines
Two tracks, three lines
Running all trains from only two tracks poses a significant challenge and necessitates an adjustment of the schedule. To provide you with a stable service, lines S1, S2, and S3 will run every 10 minutes through the main station.
The S5 will only operate between Neugraben and Stade. To compensate, we will use long trains on the S3 during the day.
Here is an overview of which track the lines will depart from during this period:
Track 1
► S1 towards Wedel via Jungfernstieg
► S2 towards Altona via Dammtor
► S3 towards Pinneberg via Jungfernstieg
Track 2
► S1 towards Airport/Poppenbüttel
► S2 towards Bergedorf Aumühle
► S3 towards Neugraben
Two tracks, three lines
Changed Transfer and Departure Times
Changed Transfer and Departure Times
Unfortunately, the three-day closure will not occur without limitations. During this period, transfer times at tracks 1 and 2 will be extended. Wait times during the 10-minute interval can be up to 8 minutes during the day, and during the 20-minute interval, they can be up to 18 minutes.
For one line, we have adjusted the travel times: The S2 towards Altona will run two minutes later between Berliner Tor and Altona than you are used to. Towards Bergedorf / Aumühle, it will run two minutes earlier between Altona and Berliner Tor.
The lines at the main station follow a 10-minute interval schedule as follows:
Track 1
► S3 at minute 6
► S1 at minute 8
► S2 at minute 0
Track 2
► S2 at minute 2
► S1 at minute 4
► S3 at minute 6
Due to the changed travel times, during the closure period, you unfortunately cannot make connections between the S1 and S2 at both the main station and Altona.
The changed schedules are updated on the website, in our apps, and through the hvv information media. Please also pay attention to our notices displayed in the showcases on the platforms.
Safe travels!
Construction works track 3 and 4 at Hamburg Central – next steps
That is what happened so far
The construction works on tracks 3 and 4 at Hamburg main station are making progress. The kiosk has been dismantled and last week we started working on the cable channel. These activities primarily take place during off-peak hours and when operations are paused at night.
In order to construct the cable channel, we are gradually opening the ground floor at the edge of the platform on track 4 and sealing it again with wooden planks so that there are no open holes during peak times.
Coming up next
Starting on Monday, March 3, 2025, we will have to close a part of the tunnel between S-Bahn Hamburg tracks 3 and 4 and the underground platform of the underground railroad line U3. As reported, we will construct a new bridge over the U3 line, whose tracks are directly beneath our S-Bahn tracks.
During bridge construction works, the display between the local supervision cabin and the escalator at the south part of the platform will be temporarily removed, as it obstructs the excavator.
Display
The escalator in this area will also be switched off and dismantled, beginning with March 31, 2025. The new escalator should be completed by the end of the summer 2025.
Escalator
Over Whitsun, i.e. from June 7, 2025, up to and including Tuesday, June 10, 2025, we will have to close the entire platform on tracks 3 and 4 due to the construction work. Our trains will then all depart from platforms 1 and 2.
We will keep you up to date and inform you about the next steps.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Coming up soon
February 14, 2025
In February, we start renovating tracks 3 and 4 at Hamburg central station. During the construction phase which will take several months there will occasionally be some restrictions for you as our passengers. Here on our website we will give you an overview and keep you up to date during the construction works.
Some Background information
More than half a million people pass through Hamburg central station every day to use local and long-distance public transport. We are expecting a significant increase in passenger numbers on the Hamburg S-Bahn, particularly as a result of the extension of the line S5 to Kaltenkirchen and the new line S4 to Bad Oldesloe.
In order to cope with this growth and to extend the capacity for the expansion of the S-Bahn Hamburg network, a number of modernisations are necessary. Above all, we need to comply with current safety standards.
We have already renovated platform 1 and 2: In 2023, we modernised the platform and the staircases and built a new local supervisor's house. Now we start working at platform 3 and 4.
That is what we plan
We have developed a package of measures for the works on platform 3 and 4. This includes the complete renewal, including platform edges and stair coverings, the construction of two new escalators at the south access to the platform and the renovation of an escalator at the north access.
We will also dismantle the kiosk, that is currently no longer in use, to create more space. The renewal of the platform makes it necessary to adjust the tracks and replace the bridge over the underground railroad line U3.
The schedule
The preliminary works will begin in February 2025, and we expect them to proceed until the end of May 2025. As working will mainly take place at night, it will have little impact on traffic and therefore there will be hardly any restrictions for you as our passengers.
At the Whitsun weekend, i.e. from 7th to 9th of June 2025, we install a new bridge over the underground tunnel and carry out some preliminary work on the platform edge. Due to safety reasons, we have to close platform 3 and 4 completely. During this time, our S-Bahn trains will run via tracks 1 and 2 in all directions.
During the Hamburg summer and autumn holidays we close tracks 3 and 4 alternately so that eastbound and southbound trains can stop on the opposite track.
Up to now, our schedule for the closures is as follows:
That is what is most important
In February, we close the elevator on several days between 9 pm and 5 am (following day) for construction works. In addition, the tunnel to the underground railroad will probably not be accessible for a longer period of time from March 2025 on, due to the building of the bridge over the U3. We will be able to determine the exact date of the closure during the active construction process.
As we construct a new cable duct along the platform, the train display between the platform supervisor's house and the south footbridge on platform 4 will not be available for around three weeks in February/March. We will inform you about the exact date in due time.