Tours and Tickets to Experience Old Elbe Tunnel (Alter Elbtunnel)

There are plenty of ways to experience the Old Elbe Tunnel (Alter Elbtunnel). Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Your private 3-hour Hamburg driving tour with a former polieman
• "Highlights of Hamburg" Biketour
• Hamburg: 2-hour harbor cruise
• Yacht Sailing After Work Tour of Hamburg Harbor
• Hamburg: 1-hour harbor tour

Walking or cycling through the Old Elbe Tunnel is free of charge. There is a small feeI to drive a vehicle through it—usually a few euros—but the tunnel is mostly used by pedestrians and cyclists. City tours that stop at the tunnel start from around €25.

The Old Elbe Tunnel, also known as Alter Elbtunnel, is a historic underground tunnel in Hamburg that runs beneath the Elbe River. Opened in 1911, it was the first river tunnel of its kind in Europe and was originally constructed to connect the city center with the southern part of Hamburg, primarily for workers commuting to the shipyards.

Yes, the Old Elbe Tunnel is open to both pedestrians and cyclists year-round—those are the two most popular ways to experience the tunnel. It’s a unique way to cross the river and provides excellent views of Hamburg’s harbor at the tunnel’s southern exit. The tunnel itself is worth exploration, too.

Visiting the Old Elbe Tunnel is absolutely worth your time—it’s a fascinating historical landmark, showcasing impressive early 20th-century engineering. Visit for its unique architecture, its history, the opportunity to walk beneath the Elbe River, plus panoramic views of Hamburg’s harbor from the south side.

The Old Elbe Tunnel is famous for its groundbreaking engineering and historical significance. When it opened in 1911, it was one of the most advanced underwater tunnels of its kind in all of Europe. Its art nouveau-style architecture and its central role in connecting Hamburg’s neighborhoods have made it quite the landmark.