An Overview of Getting Around Halle
Halle (Saale) is the largest city on the River Saale and the second largest city in Saxony-Anhalt, forming a polycentric conurbation with nearby Leipzig. For visitors, the good news is that the city is compact and well served by public transport, so you can cover the main sights without a car. The historic centre is pedestrian-friendly and the main train station sits within a short walk of the centre, which makes arriving and orienting yourself straightforward.
Trams: The Backbone of the Network
The tramway is one of the most extensive in Germany and forms the backbone of local transport. Trams run frequently across most of the city during the day and continue late into the night, passing most major attractions downtown and providing frequent connections to and from Halle Hauptbahnhof.
- Operator: Hallesche Verkehrs-AG (HAVAG) runs the tram network.
- Where to buy tickets: At the HAVAG service centre on Marktplatz, from vending machines inside the trams or at major stops, or via the movemix app.
- Ticket types: A single one-hour ticket for the Halle city zone, and a 24-hour ticket for one person for those making multiple trips.
- Important: Tickets are no longer sold by drivers, so you must use the stationary or mobile vending machines or the app's check-in/check-out feature.
Buses and Regional Rail
Buses and regional trains complement the trams, and together they are integrated under the Mitteldeutscher Verkehrsverbund (MDV). This means you can travel seamlessly and affordably within Halle and to nearby areas using a single integrated system rather than buying separate tickets for each operator.
- Bus operators: Services are provided by several companies, including Abellio Rail Mitteldeutschland, DB Regio Südost, Hallesche Verkehrs-AG, Omnibusbetrieb Saalekreis, and Regionalverkehre Start Deutschland Mitteldeutschland.
- Suburban rail: The same regional operators run the suburban railway services that link Halle with the surrounding area.
- Main hub: Halle (Saale) Hauptbahnhof is the second-most important hub of the S-Bahn Mitteldeutschland rapid transit network after Leipzig Hauptbahnhof, and it also connects to the high-speed rail line Berlin–Erfurt–Frankfurt or –Munich.
Long-distance buses, primarily FlixBus, also connect Halle to numerous cities across Germany and neighbouring countries, including Berlin, Munich, and Prague. Note that these generally do not depart from the central bus station (ZOB); the main stop is at Riebeckplatz 4, in front of the former Maritim Hotel, just a short walk from the main train station.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are available in the city, and the compact centre means short hops are inexpensive. For getting to and from the main train station or across the river to outlying districts, a taxi can be a convenient option, particularly late at night.
Walking and Cycling
Halle is a very walkable city. The historic city centre is compact and pedestrian-friendly, with walkable streets lined with cafes, restaurants, and shops, and the main train station is a short walk from the centre. Driving into the historic centre is not recommended, as many streets are narrow or pedestrianised.
Cycling is also practical: the terrain is generally flat, the cycling infrastructure is expanding with dedicated bike lanes and paths, and the Saale River Cycle Route runs through Halle. Coverage is incomplete in some areas, but bike rentals and parking stations are available, including some with charging facilities. If you arrive by car, several Park & Ride lots at the city borders offer easy tram connections to the centre, and major parking garages are located around Riebeckplatz, Hansering, and the Marktplatz.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ), sometimes called Schkeuditz Airport, lies between Halle and Leipzig and is the main airport for the area. The train station is below the terminal building and can be reached by stairs, escalators, and elevators. Trains between the airport and Halle Central Station run roughly every 30 minutes, alternating between an S-Bahn (S 5X) and an IC train en route to Hanover. The trip takes about 11 minutes.
- S-Bahn: The cheaper option for the airport run.
- IC train: A faster, more expensive alternative on the same route.
Berlin Brandenburg International Airport (BER) is another option: it is less than two hours away by train and offers more direct international flights than Leipzig/Halle. Direct InterCity (IC) or ICE trains run from the airport's terminal station ("Flughafen BER – Terminal 1-2") to Halle (Saale) Hbf, taking about 90 minutes, with tickets cheapest when booked well in advance. Long-distance buses from BER take about two hours and 15 minutes and often serve as a budget-friendly alternative to the train.
Practical Tips for Visitors
- Buy your tram ticket before boarding — drivers do not sell them.
- Use the movemix app for mobile ticketing and check-in/check-out.
- Consider a 24-hour ticket if you plan more than a couple of trips in a day.
- Remember that buses, trams, and regional trains are integrated under the MDV, so one ticket can cover a multi-leg journey.
- Walk the compact centre and use trams for longer hops or to reach the main station.
- If arriving by car, leave it at a Park & Ride lot and continue by tram.