Hanover Langenhagen Layover Guide (HAJ)

What are you looking for in HAJ?
Tours/To do | Relax/Sleep | Internet/SIM | Transport | Storage | Money

Hanover Airport (HAJ) is an international airport located in Langenhagen, Lower Saxony. It’s situated about 11 km (6.8 miles) from downtown Hanover. The airport officially opened in 1952. Hanover is a major city in northern Germany, known for its strong trade fair industry and rich cultural heritage. It’s considered a hub for innovation and business, while also offering lush parks, historical architecture, and a vibrant arts and music scene.

Can you leave Hanover Airport (HAJ) airport during a layover? Do you need a visa?
During a layover at Hanover Airport (HAJ), you may exit the airport provided you hold valid Schengen entry permission. Visa-exempt nationals require no visa for stays up to 90 days; others need a Schengen short-stay visa or ETIAS authorisation. You must clear immigration control and show a valid passport identification. (more info).

Tours, Things to do, Sightseeing

Layover Guide Organized Tours

Hannover: 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Ticket

Board a double-deck bus and explore Hanover’s top sights at your own pace. On the approx. 100-minute full loop you’ll pass the Old Town, Adventure Zoo, New Town Hall, Maschsee and Herrenhäuser Gardens. Hop off at any of the 7 stops, then rejoin when you’re ready » book this tour

Discover Hannover’s Old Town: Historical Walking Tour

Stroll through the heart of Hanover with a local guide on this 1.5-hour tour. See medieval half-timbered houses, the Market Church, the Leineschloss palace and hidden WWII memorials. Hear fascinating stories of the city’s past and secrets only insiders know » book this tour

Hanover: Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen Guided Tour

Enjoy a 1.5-hour guided stroll through one of Europe’s finest Baroque gardens. Admire the Great Fountain, intricate boxwood parterres, Niki de Saint Phalle’s mosaic grotto and colorful flower borders, while learning about its 300-year history and royal connections » book this tour

Layover Guide Things to do / Sightseeing

  • Herrenhausen Gardens Discover the Baroque-style Grosser Garten, visiting magnificent fountains, ornamental flowerbeds and the interactive museum with models of the original layout and the stunning Berggarten greenhouse complex. Official site: Herrenhausen (Time required: 1–2 hours. / Airport to here: Take S-Bahn S5 to Hannover Hbf then tram 4 to Wettbergen in about 45 minutes by public transport.)
  • New Town Hall Marvel at this imperial-style building, ride the unique curved ramp elevator to the dome observation deck for panoramic city views and explore historic exhibits on local governance. Official site: New Town Hall (Time required: 1 hour. / Airport to here: S-Bahn S5 to Hannover Hbf then a 10-minute walk in about 35 minutes total.)
  • Maschsee Lake Relax by this artificial lakeside promenade with boating, lakeside cafés, seasonal sailing regattas and bring a picnic to enjoy waterside views along scenic paths. Official site: Maschsee (Time required: 1.5 hours. / Airport to here: Bus 470 to Maschsee-Ost in about 50 minutes.)
  • Old Town (Altstadt) Explore the charming half-timbered architecture of the Old Town, browsing artisanal shops, cozy cafés and the Historic Market Church on picturesque Kramerstraße—don’t miss local delicacies like Leibniz biscuits. Official site: Altstadt (Time required: 1 hour. / Airport to here: Tram 6 to Kröpcke then 5-minute walk in about 40 minutes.)
  • Lower Saxony State Museum Visit this comprehensive museum housing art, natural history specimens, archaeology and ethnology exhibits, including dinosaur skeletons and medieval treasures—hidden gem in Hannover. Official site: Landesmuseum (Time required: 1.5 hours. / Airport to here: Tram 7 to Staatsgalerie in about 45 minutes.)
  • Sprengel Museum Discover modern art masterpieces featuring post-war paintings and sculptures by Beckmann, Klee and Picasso, plus rotating contemporary installations—ideal for art enthusiasts. Official site: Sprengel Museum (Time required: 1 hour. / Airport to here: Bus 100 to Sprengel Museum in about 50 minutes.)
  • Hannover Adventure Zoo Experience themed animal habitats and interactive shows at Hannover Adventure Zoo, including the Yukon Bay village and Gorilla Mountain—participate in feeding sessions for a memorable visit. Official site: Zoo Hannover (Time required: 2–3 hours. / Airport to here: Tram 6 to Zoo in about 55 minutes.)
  • Eilenriede City Forest Wander through one of Europe’s largest urban forests offering tranquil trails, bike rentals and picnic spots just minutes from the city center—spot local wildlife in lush greenery. Official site: Eilenriede (Time required: 1.5 hours. / Airport to here: Tram 4 to Schlägerstraße in about 50 minutes.)

Things to Do in Hanover Airport (HAJ)

Relaxing and Sleeping

Airport Lounges and Relaxing
Hannover Airport’s airside Karl Jatho Lounge in Terminal A provides a calm retreat with complimentary snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, daily newspapers and magazines. Modern business amenities include free WiFi. Open daily from early morning until evening, it offers premium comfort for travellers seeking to unwind or work before boarding. » view all lounges or buy a lounge pass or membership online

Hotel and Sleeping
Two four-star hotels sit within walking distance of the terminals. Leonardo Hotel Hannover Airport offers 214 air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi and day-before check-in in its Park, Sleep & Fly package. Maritim Airport Hotel provides complimentary shuttle service and day-use options 9 am to 6 pm for travellers, guaranteeing comfortable restful stays. view all or book an airport hotel online

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Rest Area and Sleeping in Airport
Hannover Airport offers designated rest zones with rows of metal seats and power outlets near gates in Terminals A and C. Overnight travellers can request camping cots with blankets, pillows from the Airport Service Center for a fee. Quiet hours are enforced in these areas, providing a space for naps.

WIFI/Internet and SIM Card

WIFI/Internet: Free three-hour WiFi is available throughout all terminals at Hannover Airport via the network “FreeWifi@HAJ”. After expiry, users can reconnect without limits. Signal strength is strong in public areas, lounges, and dining outlets such as McDonald’s or Marche Bakery. No password is required—simply accept the terms and enjoy uninterrupted browsing.

SIM/eSIM Card: Tourist SIM cards at Hannover Airport are limited. Better deals await at city-center outlets such as Telekom, Vodafone and O2 stores. Physical SIMs are sold at electronics shops and kiosks, with on-site ID verification. Alternatively, travellers can pre-purchase eSIM plans from providers like Airalo or Nomad online for instant activation. » buy a global esim card for Layover Guide, that you can use for other countries as well!

Transportation to/from airport

Taxi: Taxi stands are located outside the Arrivals areas of Terminals A and C at Hannover Airport. Licensed vehicles operate 24/7, offering standard flat-rate transfers to Hanover city centre for approximately €30–35. Journey times average 20–25 minutes depending on traffic. Pre-booking services are available via phone or online for added convenience.

Train: By train: The direct S-Bahn line S5 runs every 30 minutes between Hannover Hauptbahnhof and Hannover Flughafen station beneath Terminal C. Trains operate approximately between 04:00 and 01:00 daily, with a journey time of about 17–18 minutes. Elevators and escalators provide barrier-free access to Departures above. more info

Bus: By bus: Public bus line 470 links Langenhagen Zentrum with Hannover Airport. The stop lies between Maritim Airport Hotel and parking garage P3 adjacent to Terminal C. Buses run every 20–30 minutes from early morning until late evening. Journey times vary between 20 and 25 minutes. more info

Shuttle: A free-of-charge shuttle bus connects remote parking areas (e.g., P10) to Terminal C at Hannover Airport, operating around the clock with 15-minute intervals. Both Leonardo and Maritim Airport Hotels offer complimentary guest transfers. Additionally, private group, VIP and fair shuttles can be pre-booked through official airport transfer providers for tailored services.

Car rentals: Car rental desks for major agencies including Sixt, Europcar, Avis and Hertz are located landside in Terminals A and C near baggage claim. Vehicles range from city cars to SUVs, with driver minimum age 21 and credit card guarantee. Pre-booking online secures preferred models and competitive rates for pick-up and drop-off. view available cars or rent a car now online

Parking: Hannover Airport offers multistorey parking P1–P3 adjacent to Terminals A and B for short-term stays, and long-term lots P4–P7 plus seasonal outdoor P10. The first 10 minutes are free; hourly rates apply thereafter. Online reservations unlock discounted weekly rates from €39. A free shuttle links P10 to Terminal C 24/7.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Luggage storage lockers are located in Terminal B on the Arrivals level at the Airport Service Center. Rates start at €3 for up to three hours and €6 for up to 24 hours; oversized items incur higher fees. The facility is open 24/7, offering convenient, reliable baggage solutions for travellers. » book a luggage storage or locker at online (subject to availability).

Money Exchange and Withdrawal

- Hanover Airport (HAJ) ATMs, currency exchanges and banks