Getting on to the platform with no need to climb stairs
All barrier free stations have either ramps or lifts which are suitable or mobility aids (prams, mobility scooters, walkers and wheelchairs). You can find practical advice in the
USAR-Plan mit Einstieghilfen (331.78 KB)
(in German).
Lift equipment
- The lift cabin size and clear door width (at least 90 cm) are sufficient to normally allow use by wheelchairs without any problems.
- The lift controls are nearly always positioned so that they can be operated by passengers in wheelchairs. In many cases they are additionally marked in Braille. In many lifts the level stops are announced and displayed.
- Entering and leaving the lift without needing to change direction is permitted by a so-called through-loading system with a door on two sides. Lifts are installed as through-loading systems wherever possible.
- If you need help, please use the emergency call function in the lift cabin. As a rule, you do not need to speak directly into the intercom.
Lift operating status
You can infrom yourself in real time online about the operating status of lifts. If you are not able to find the information you are looking for there, ring 040/19 449. Our staff will be happy to help you.
Barrier free boarding
There are various different ways in which passengers with mobility aids can be helped to board the rapid transport and regional trains. Details of this are given on the following pages.
U-Bahn
All U-Bahn stations which have been converted for barrier free accessibility have partly or completely raised platforms to facilitate boarding. The access height is normally 5 cm. The width of the gap depends on the operative and technical tolerances in the interplay between the carriage and the platform: as a rule this is between 5 and 10 cm.
The barrier-free boarding areas in the U-Bahn stations are designated by means of pram and wheelchair symbols as well as a chequerboard pattern on the platform. On the trains, some of the doors also have the chequerboard pattern as a sticker. These door entry areas do not have any stanchions which could hinder boarding. The coordination of the chequerboard pattern on the platform and the door shows you where you can board barrier-free.
Our tip: always board the train in the designated marked area where you also need to get off again in a raised area of the platform!
S-Bahn
As a rule, the access height which needs to be negotiated is maximum 6 cm. It is only at the stations served by the S5 between Fischbek and Agathenburg that there are access heights of up to 26 cm. It is not possible to raise the platforms at these stations since they are also use by goods trains with overhanging loads. The access step at Stade is also maximum 6 cm. That is also the case at Buxtehude for S-Bahn trains which start and finish there. All S-Bahn trains have ramps and large multi-purpose compartments.
Ramps can in principle only be used at the first doors behind the driver’s cabin.
When you wish to board, wait where the very front of the train will stop, check the indications on the train destination display and the train stopping markings on the stop signs or the signs on the platforms.
- Short trains (3 carriages), full-length trains (6 carriages)) und long trains (9 carriages) have in many cases different stopping points and corresponding stop signs. If necessary, make contact with our drivers by knocking on the door of the driver’s cabin.
- When the train comes into the station, signal clearly to the driver.
- Our train drivers will then fold out the ramp directly behind the driver’s cabin for you. Then you can roll directly into the carriage.
- Say where you want to get off as soon as you enter the carriage. Our drivers will help you in the same way when you get off as when you got on.
Hamburg Airport can be reached barrier free by S-Bahn. S1 trains from the city centre split in two at Ohlsdorf station: the first three carriages go to Hamburg Airport, the rear three to Poppenbüttel. Passengers who want to continue to Poppenbüttel need to change to the last three carriages at Ohlsdorf – passengers in wheelchairs should go to the front carriage of the rear part of the train. Our drivers will help you to do this. In the other direction, to the city centre, the short trains returning from Hamburg Airport (at the head of the train) and from Poppenbüttel (the rear part of the train) will be coupled together again at Ohlsdorf. Passengers in wheelchairs coming from Poppenbüttel who want to continue with the S1 need to change to the new front of the train at Ohlsdorf if they need a ramp to get off later.
S1 trains reverse direction in Blankenese station. Please change to the new front of the train there.
Unfortunately, no barrier free boarding is possible at the S5 stations Neukloster, Dollern and Agathenburg.