Hannover HBF Main Station luggage storage

About the station 

Hannover (also often spelled Hanover) is one of the unsung heroes of Germany’s travel destinations. Understandably, it doesn’t receive the headlines that Oktoberfest-famous Munich or nightlife-capital-of-the-world Berlin enjoy, but Hanover offers one of the most distinctly German travel experiences one could hope for. There’s plenty of history to enjoy in its city center and even more to get excited about if you’re into the outdoors. Hannover Hauptbahnhof, or Hanover Central Station, is the main railway station and primary transportation hub for the city and connects Hannover with the rest of Europe via convenient and affordable transit. It helps make Hannover a worthy (and easy) stop on any trip through Germany. 

Because it’s the primary train station in Hanover, you’ll have essentially every public transportation method at your disposal. Long-distance and regional trains all run through Hanover, so if you’re traveling from another city (or even country) you’ll generally disembark at Hannover Hauptbahnhof. The local S-Bahn trains and buses all run through the central train station, as well. So if you’re trying to get anywhere out of walking distance from the city center, this is a great place to start.

Can you store your luggage at train stations in Germany?

Most German train stations offer some form of luggage storage, especially the larger central stations. Basically any station with the name ‘Hauptbahnhof’ will be large enough to justify onsite luggage lockers. These lockers tend to be small, which makes it difficult to store bulky luggage and larger personal items. 

Does Hanover Airport offer luggage storage?

If you need to store luggage for a few hours at Hannover Airport, there is a storage facility at the arrivals terminal. If you’re going to sightsee for an entire day, you might want to find more convenient locations with a left luggage service near the main train station and the sights you're trying to see. 

Are there luggage storage facilities near Hannover Hauptbahnhof? 

Because the luggage lockers at Hannover Hauptbahnhof aren’t the most reliable option, you’ll want to find secure luggage storage nearby with a service like Bounce. Luckily, there are plenty of locations to choose from.

Where should I store luggage in Hanover?

Bounce partners with local shops and businesses all over Hanover to provide easy access to baggage storage for its customers. Almost every notable landmark and attraction will have a Bounce storage facility nearby, so you won’t have to rely on small and often full luggage lockers. The Bounce mobile app also allows you to book luggage storage near your sightseeing adventures. 

Things to do near Hanover Central Station

Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) 

Undoubtedly Hanover’s most popular landmark is its resplendent town hall building that took over a decade to complete in the buildup to World War I. Having opened in 1913, the Neues Rathaus is a time capsule of eclectic architecture. The Neues Rathaus melds castle-esque features of the Kaisera-era German Empire with newfangled (for the time) technologies like the world’s only curved elevator.

You can tour the interior and ascend to the observation tower atop its iconic green dome. You’ll enjoy wonderful views of the park the Neues Rathaus overlooks along with the surrounding countryside. Another highlight is the wonderful marble lobby’s four models depicting the city of Hanover at various stages in its history (one of which is from 1945 and shows the destruction Hanover survived). 

New Town Hall bag policy 

Because it’s a governmental facility and subject to strict security measures, all larger items (including luggage) are prohibited inside the building. There isn’t a cloakroom or luggage lockers onsite, so finding a secure place to store the bags before heading to the Neues Rathaus is recommended. 

Eilenriede Forest 

The largest city park in Germany is hardly a park at all. With acres upon acres of densely wooded terrain, it’s remarkable that the Eilenriede Forest has been able to flourish in a city as large as Hanover. The locals love it, as the many trails and fields are heavily used every day of the week. Fortunately, the size of the place allows it to never feel crowded.

You can really make an entire day out of a trek through the Eilenriede Forest, with features like the Eilenriede-Labyrinth to get lost in and the wonderful Hanover Zoo. The zoo is probably worth dedicating an entire afternoon to, with a sprawling layout featuring unique enclosures mimicking various habitats. The African savannah features giraffes, rhinoceroses, and flamingos. The Yukon Bay area is modeled after an old mine from North America that’s been overrun with wolves, caribous, prairie dogs, and even bison (a true rarity in Europe.) There’s an Indian rainforest exhibit themed with a model of an abandoned Hindu temple where Asian elephants, tigers, and leopards roam, (and snakes slither).

Sprengel Museum 

Proof that Hanover culturally punches well above its weight class, the Sprengel Museum is one of the most renowned art museums in Germany. It’s a modern facility with sleek, boxy sightlines and an airy atmosphere ideal for contemplative exploration. With a focus on modern art, you’ll find plenty of abstract works from names like Picasso, Léger, Alexander Calder, and Louise Bourgeois. A pillar of the Sprengel Museum’s permanent collection is a comprehensive presentation of Niki de Saint Phalle’s career, with his iconic Die Nanas sculptures (or art installations, depending on who you ask) being prominently displayed outside the museum. 

Sprengel Museum bag policy

To protect the artwork and other patrons, all personal items larger than a handbag aren’t permitted inside the Sprengel Museum. There is a cloakroom that can take coats, strollers, and umbrellas, and lockers are available for rent in the basement. Luggage and bulky baggage can’t be accommodated due to the small locker size, so it’s best to leave the luggage with a service before heading to the Sprengel Museum. 

Marktkirche 

If you walk around the historic parts of Hanover, you’ll notice the distinctive red brick construction with Gothic influences being the most common theme. This was the most common architectural style in Northern Germany and any history buff will tell you that the Marktkirche in Hanover is one of the country’s best examples still in existence. This massive Lutheran church is famous for its distinctive saddleback roof and booking tower, which at one point was the highest structure in the region. It used to be a Catholic church, which explains the subtle Romanesque features. You can take a tour of the interior or simply admire the facade while roaming through Hanover’s Old Town. 

Airport travel from Hanover Central Station

• Train: The S-Bahn is easily the most efficient and cost-effective way to get to the airport from Hauptbahnhof and central Hanover. The S5 line runs directly between the two, and the ride takes 18 minutes and costs $4. It will land you right at Terminal C in front of the escalators taking you to the departures area. 
• Bus: The #470 Bus heads to the airport’s bus stop (near the P3 parking garage) from Hauptbahnhof’s bus terminal. The ride takes about 20 minutes but there is some walking involved. 
• Taxi and rideshare: The arrivals area of each terminal will have dedicated stands to make it easier to hail a taxi. There’s also a designated rideshare pickup area, so just follow the signs and prompts on your mobile app. The ride takes about 25 minutes to get to the area around Hauolotbahnhof and costs $50 on average. 

Getting around the city from Hanover Central Station

How to get from Hanover Hauptbahnhof to the Herrenhausen Gardens

Modeled after Versailles, this massive Baroque garden creeps into the city center, making it a wonderful getaway from the hustle and bustle of the area around Hannover Hauptbahnhof. Even on weekdays, you’ll find workers getting some steps in here after work. From the train station, you can take the Tram Line 4 to the Herrenhäuser Gärten Stop. It takes about 20 minutes and costs $4, with an Uber ride saving you only five minutes and costing about $20. 

How to get from Hanover Hauptbahnhof to Heinz von Heiden Arena 

Also known as the Niedersachsenstadion, the Heinz von Heiden Arena is a large soccer stadium and home of Hannover 96 Football Club. While the club’s glory days seem to be behind them, it’s still a massively popular soccer club with a huge fanbase.

The stadium also hosts concerts and other events. It’s located just south of the city center near the Sprengel Museum and Neues Rathaus. The stadium is easily reached by the S-Bahn via the S3, S7, S9, and S17 lines. You just have to get off at Stadionbrücke and walk about five minutes. If you’re heading from elsewhere in the city center, you can take the 100 and 200 bus lines, which both have stops outside the arena. These trips will cost less than $5. Taxis aren’t advisable due to the heavy traffic near the arena.

Luggage storage near Hanover Central Station

Easily the best option for luggage storage Hannover has, Bounce should be your go-to for storing bags when you’re exploring this wonderful city. With locations throughout the city, you’ll be able to find a secure place to store your luggage near basically every major attraction Hanover has. But it doesn’t have to stop there. Bounce has locations in every German city, so your trips to Berlin and Cologne are taken care of as well!