ITMA: Hotels & Where to Stay
16 Sept – 22 Sept 2027 Messegelände Hannover 111,000 attendees
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ITMA is the world's leading textile and garment technology exhibition, held only once every four years, and the 2027 edition runs 16-22 September 2027 in Hannover, Germany. It gathers well over 1,700 exhibitors and around 100,000-plus industry professionals across spinning, weaving, knitting, finishing, printing, nonwovens and textile machinery. ITMA 2027 will occupy the large Messegelaende Hannover (Deutsche Messe grounds), one of Europe's biggest exhibition complexes, spread across many halls. For a business traveller this is an intense, week-long event and the fairgrounds sit just south of the city, well connected by tram and regional rail. Hannover is a compact trade-fair city, so hotel demand spikes hard during major fairs and prices rise across the region, sometimes pushing visitors to stay in nearby towns. Booking early and choosing a location on a direct tram or S-Bahn line to the Messe entrances is the key to a smooth daily commute during a busy, high-attendance show.
Popular areas for attendees: Hanover Mitte/Hauptbahnhof · Laatzen (Messe) · List.
- The Messegelaende is large; a tram- or rail-connected hotel keeps daily travel short
- Hannover is a compact fair city, so ITMA drives sharp region-wide hotel demand
- With ITMA only every four years, well-located rooms sell out very early
- Staying near the Messe/Laatzen or city-centre stations gives direct access to the entrances
Event at a glance
- Dates
- 16 Sept – 22 Sept 2027
- Venue
- Messegelände Hannover
- City
- Hanover, Germany
- Airport
- HAJ
- Attendance
- 111,000
Recommended Hotels for Business Travellers
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Hotels ranked by walking distance.
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Pay Weekly available on free cancellation rooms.
Rates shown for the event window, Wed, Sep 15 → Thu, Sep 23 (arrive the day before, leave the day after) — or choose your own dates above.
Hotel rates near major event venues rise as the dates approach and the closest hotels sell out first. Booking a free-cancellation rate early locks the price with no downside.
On the map
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- The best hotels within walking distance of the venue
- Where to host clients for dinner near the halls
- How to beat the sold-out fair-week rooms
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Need to expense this trip? Business invoices available at checkout.
Where to eat during ITMA
Deutsche Messe lies south of the city near Maschsee lake, with the centre a short S-Bahn or tram ride away. Dining is straightforward and hearty; the Maschsee shore and List district hold the more characterful tables.
Jante
Modern tasting menu
List district, northern Hanover
Hanover's leading contemporary fine-dining restaurant, offering a creative, seasonal tasting menu in an understated room. The city's top choice for a standout dinner.
Tip: Small and popular - book well in advance.
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Clichy
French
Oststadt, city centre
A long-established French restaurant and Hanover institution, strong on classic cooking and an extensive wine cellar. Dependable for a formal client dinner.
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Brauhaus Ernst August
Brewpub / German
City centre, Schmiedestrasse
A central house brewery famous for its unfiltered 'Ernst August' beer and hearty German fare. Lively and easy for an informal group.
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Pier 51
Modern European / grill
Maschsee lakeshore (near Deutsche Messe side)
A glass-fronted restaurant right on the Maschsee with lake views, grilled fish and steaks. A pleasant, scenic option close to the fairgrounds.
Tip: Ask for a terrace table in warmer months.
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Markthalle Hannover
Market food hall
City centre, Karmarschstrasse
A bustling indoor market known locally as the 'belly of Hanover', with stalls for a quick, varied lunch. The go-to for a fast, affordable bite.
Tip: Closed Sundays; busiest and best around midday.
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Cafe Kropcke
Historic cafe
Kropcke square, city centre
A landmark cafe on Hanover's central Kropcke square, a long-standing meeting point for coffee, cake and light meals. Convenient for an informal catch-up.
Open in Google MapsAfter the halls close: Hanover
Client dinner, team night out or a free day after ITMA — bookable experiences in Hanover, same account, same checkout.
While you're in Hanover
Hannover 96 football, the enormous Schuetzenfest and the lakeside Maschseefest headline Hanover's summer calendar.
Hannover 96
Football at the Heinz von Heiden Arena beside the Maschsee, close to the Deutsche Messe.
Find ticketsSchutzenfest Hannover
Billed as the world's largest marksmen's festival, with a huge funfair, parade and beer tents.
Find ticketsMaschseefest
A three-week lakeside festival around the Maschsee with food, music and stalls - the city's summer highlight.
Find ticketsConcerts at ZAG Arena
Hanover's largest indoor arena hosts major touring concerts and shows across the year.
Find ticketsFixtures recur each season; exact dates for your fair week are confirmed at ticket search.
Getting there
From Hannover Airport (HAJ)
- Take the S-Bahn line S5 from the airport to Hannover Hauptbahnhof (main station), about 15-20 minutes
- From the main station, tram lines run directly to the Messe grounds' North Entrance
- Dedicated shuttle-bus services between the airport and the fairgrounds also operate during major fairs
By rail from Frankfurt or other hubs
- Hannover Hbf is a major ICE high-speed rail node, well under two hours from Frankfurt-area connections
- From Hannover Hbf, tram lines 6 and others serve the exhibition grounds
- Regional trains reach Hannover Messe/Laatzen station for the West Entrance
Getting around during ITMA
Tram and S-Bahn to the Messe
- Trams from the city centre serve the North Entrance; Messe/Laatzen rail station serves the West Entrance
- Buy a GVH day ticket or use the fair's combined admission-and-transit ticket if offered
- Services are frequent but packed at opening and closing peaks
Taxi and shuttle
- Taxis queue at the main station and airport; the fairgrounds are a short ride from the city
- Fair shuttle buses connect the airport and grounds during the event
- Ride-hailing availability is limited compared with public transport, so plan around the tram
Visa & entry
Schengen visa-free entry
- Nationals of the EU/EEA and many visa-exempt countries can enter Germany for short business stays without a visa
- Visa-exempt non-EU visitors are limited to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area
Who needs a Schengen visa
- Travellers from countries not on the visa-exempt list need a Schengen (business) visa arranged in advance
- Apply through the German mission with an invitation and proof of accommodation well ahead of the fair
Entry rules change; confirm current requirements with the Germany embassy or official immigration site before booking travel.
First time at ITMA?
- Buy your ticket online in advance; many fair tickets include local public transport
- Note there are separate North and West entrances; check which serves your halls to save walking
- The grounds are huge, so wear comfortable shoes and use the internal fair bus between distant halls
- German business culture values punctuality; schedule stand meetings ahead and arrive on time
Insider tips from repeat attendees
- The first day is busiest; midweek is better for in-depth technical discussions
- For client dinners, book central Hannover restaurants early as they fill during fair weeks
- If city hotels are full or overpriced, look at Laatzen, Langenhagen or nearby towns on the rail line
- Reserve as soon as dates are set; a quadrennial show like ITMA clears regional rooms months out
ITMA travel FAQs
Where should I stay for ITMA?
Central Hannover near the main station gives direct tram access to the Messe North Entrance and the best dining. Laatzen and areas near Messe/Laatzen station put you closest to the West Entrance.
How much do hotels cost during ITMA?
Hannover hotels surge during major fairs; expect mid-range rooms to run well above normal, often EUR 150-300-plus a night, and to require minimum stays. Nearby towns can be cheaper.
How early should I book hotels for ITMA?
As early as possible, ideally six-plus months out. ITMA happens only every four years, so demand across Hannover and neighbouring towns is exceptional.
Which airport do I fly into for ITMA?
Hannover Airport (HAJ) is the local gateway, about 15-20 minutes by S-Bahn to the main station. Many visitors also connect via Frankfurt and take ICE high-speed rail to Hannover.
Can I stay outside Hannover and commute?
Yes. The regional rail and S-Bahn network makes nearby towns viable, which is often necessary when city hotels sell out or spike in price during the fair.
EventEscapes is an independent travel platform and is not affiliated with ITMA or its organizers. Dates and venues can change — verify with the official event site before booking travel.