The Miniatur Wunderland (Miniature Wonderland) is not just for rail enthusiasts. Trains, planes and automobiles travel across various carefully crafted miniature landscapes, replicating everything from the icy fjords of Norway to the neon-lit streets of Las Vegas. It’s one of the most visited tourist attractions in Germany, with around a million visitors every year.
The Miniatur Wunderland covers an area of more than 68,000 square feet (6,400 square meters) and is home to hundreds of trains, almost 9,000 cars and 215,000 “Wunderlander,” as its tiny inhabitants are called.
Watch everyday dramas unfold in tiny towns and streets, and marvel as planes take off and land at the fully automated airport. The complex structural engineering project has dozens of airplanes and other vehicles, and an occasional UFO.
See how many of Hamburg’s famous sights you can name in the 650-square foot (200-square meter) miniature replica of the city. The model even includes Hamburg’s famous zoo and the train station, where hundreds of model trains arrive each day.
The designers of the railway spent more than 500,000 working hours creating this miniature world, and every detail has been considered. Look closely and you’ll see amusing scenes unfold. Children are provided with a leaflet encouraging them to be alert for surprising additions to the exhibit, such as the family of penguins waiting for a train.
The Wunderland is constantly being expanded. Ask about how to see some of the new areas that are still under construction, since these are sometimes open to the public. Take a behind-the-scenes tour for an extra charge. Several tours take place each day and places must be reserved in advance.
The attraction can get busy. Avoid lines by booking online or arriving early in the day. There’s a fee for admission.
The Miniatur Wunderland is located in the old warehouse district. Getting here is easiest by public transportation. Take the subway to Baumwall station, or the train or bus to Hauptbahnhof. If you come by car there is parking nearby.
