Which is the largest HBF in Germany?

The impressive Leipzig Hbf is the central railway hub of the city and Europe's largest railway station measured by floor area too. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.



The title for the largest Hauptbahnhof (HBF) in Germany is a point of friendly rivalry between two cities: Leipzig HBF is the largest by floor area, while Hamburg HBF is the busiest by passenger volume. Leipzig HBF is a massive architectural marvel, covering approximately 80,000 square meters with a 298-meter-long facade; it features 24 platforms and a sprawling three-level shopping mall. It is often cited as the largest railway station in the world in terms of its total "footprint" or station building size. However, if you measure "largest" by the number of people served, Hamburg HBF takes the lead, handling over 550,000 passengers daily in 2026, making it a critical hub for Northern Europe. Berlin HBF is also a major contender, notably for being the largest "multi-level" station, where trains arrive on two distinct vertical planes (upper and lower tracks) connected by a stunning glass-walled atrium. For a traveler, Leipzig offers the most grand, spacious experience, while Hamburg offers the most high-frequency connectivity.

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