Friedrichshafen is a small picturesque town located on the shores of Lake Constance. Lake Constance, or Bodensee as it is also called, is the largest lake in southwestern Germany, which is why the place is known as a regional water resort. There are different ways of how to get to Friedrichshafen, be it public or private transport. Let’s discover them and plan a great holiday on Lake Constance in Germany.
Table of Contents:
When to travel to Friedrichshafen
How to get to Friedrichshafen from Frankfurt
How to get to Friedrichshafen from Stuttgart
How to get to Friedrichshafen from Munich
How to get to Friedrichshafen from Zurich
Where to stay in Friedrichshafen
What to see & do in Friedrichshafen
When to travel to Friedrichshafen
There are several resort towns on the Bodensee, including Friedrichshafen, located on the northern side of the lake. The Constance Lake is located in the Baden-Wurttemberg region. It is in the south-west of the country. I travelled to this region and I can say it is a pretty picturesque area with a lot of natural attractions.
The best time of the year to travel to Bodensee is summer indeed. In case you want to swim and sunbathe you`d better choose the period between mid-June and mid-September when the weather is sunny and the water is getting warm. Other seasons suit best for nature walking, seeing attractions and enjoying the cultural heritage. There are different ways of how to get to Friedrichshafen at any time of the year, so let’s check them out.
How to get to Friedrichshafen
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Bodensee is located in the very south of the Baden-Wurttemberg region and close to the borders of Switzerland and Austria. The nearest major cities to the lake are Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Munich. These cities have international airports and are the fastest way to get to the Baden-Württemberg region. Check the current timetable from your city at Aviasales booking service. I often use Aviasales to find available flight options and it helps me to compare and choose the suitable one. Further, to get directly to Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance, you need to use any means of public transport – train or bus. You also can rent a car to travel on your own. In addition, there is also a small airport a few kilometers from Friedrichshafen, you can fly there directly from Frankfurt and some other large European cities.
Where do you fly into to get to the town?
How to get to Friedrichshafen from Frankfurt
The distance between Frankfurt and Friedrichshafen is almost 400 km. The route #A81, which connects the cities, stretches from north to the very south. You can overcome this impressive distance by train (with a change), by bus (direct) or by car.
How to get to Friedrichshafen from Frankfurt by train
There are no direct trains between Frankfurt and Friedrichshafen, but you can use the routes with changes (short in time). Changes are available, for example, in Ulm or Stuttgart. Travel time takes from 3.5 to 4 hours, depending on the duration of your change. Both high-speed and regional trains run between the cities. Train timetables can be checked at the Raileurope booking service. Tickets to Friedrichshafen can be purchased online or at the ticket office of the Frankfurt railway station. I tried both variants and as a rule when booking online in advance I have more options available.
How to get to Friedrichshafen from Frankfurt by bus
From 6 am, a direct bus service starts running between Frankfurt and Friedrichshafen. Buses in Frankfurt depart either from the central railway station or from Terminal 2 of the airport. Travel time varies from 7 to 8 hours. There are also buses with changes between cities (the shortest trip with a change in Freiburg, other options take much longer time).
How to get to Friedrichshafen from Frankfurt by car
Another popular way to travel between cities in Germany is to rent a car. You can rent a car right at the airport upon arrival, or at any other rental offices in Frankfurt. You can also book a car in advance on the different booking services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc.
◊A useful tip: Compare a few of booking services to choose the best price. Roads in Germany are high-speed (the so-called autobahns), so you can move along quickly and comfortably. Frankfurt and Friedrichshafen are connected with highway # A81 (see on the map). I travelled a lot along the autobahns in Germany and I can confirm they are pretty much comfortable and it is often the fastest way to get to the desired destination.
How to get to Friedrichshafen from Stuttgart
Based on my research, the distance between Stuttgart and Friedrichshafen is 200 km. They are connected by highway #A81. You can get to the resort by train, bus or car.
How to get to Friedrichshafen from Stuttgart by train
Both direct regional trains and high-speed trains run between Stuttgart and Friedrichshafen with a change in Ulm. Travel time is practically the same (change in Ulm is minimal in time) and ranges from 2 to 2.5 hours. Trains run throughout the day; direct trains depart once every 2 hours (starting at 7 am). Train timetables can be checked at the Raileurope booking service. Tickets to Friedrichshafen can be purchased online or at the ticket office of the Stuttgart railway station.
How to get to Friedrichshafen from Stuttgart by bus
There is also a bus service between the cities. You can choose direct bus, or bus with a short change in Freiburg. A trip on a direct route takes about 3.5-4 hours; a trip on a route with a change takes 5-6 hours. In Stuttgart, buses depart both from the airport and from the railway station.
How to get to Friedrichshafen from Stuttgart by car
One more advisable way to travel between cities in Germany is to rent a car. You can rent a car right at the airport upon arrival, or at any other rental offices in Stuttgart. You can also book a car in advance on the different booking services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc. I checked out both services and they have a lot of positive reviews.
◊A useful tip: Compare a few of booking services to choose the best price. Roads in Germany are high-speed (the so-called autobahns), so you can move along quickly and comfortably. Stuttgart is connected with Friedrichshafen by highway № A81 (see on the map). A car is considered to be a comfortable and fast way of how to get to Friedrichshafen from Stuttgart.
How to get to Friedrichshafen from Munich
I did some research and found out that the distance between Munich and Friedrichshafen is 200 km, the cities are connected by the A96 highway. You can get from Munich to Friedrichshafen by train with a short change in Ulm or by direct bus.
How to get to Friedrichshafen from Munich by train
High-speed trains run between cities on the Munich-Ulm section and regional trains run on the Ulm-Friedrichshafen section. The change in Ulm is minimal in duration, so it practically does not affect the travel time, which is about 2.5 hours. Trains run throughout the day twice an hour. Train timetables can be checked at the Raileurope booking service. I use Raileurope when planning my trips in advance. In my opinion, it is a very convenient service, because I can compare different routes, duration of the train journey and many other useful options.
How to get to Friedrichshafen from Munich by bus
You can get from Munich to Friedrichshafen even faster by bus. Flixbus direct buses run between the cities. The travel time is only 2 hours 2 minutes. The first bus departs from the Munich Central Bus Station at 3.30 am, the last one leaves at 19.00. During the day, up to 15 buses run along the route.
How to get to Friedrichshafen from Munich by car
One more advisable way to travel between cities in Germany is to rent a car. You can rent a car right at the airport upon arrival, or at any other rental offices in Munich. You can also book a car in advance on the different booking services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc.
◊A useful tip: Compare a few of booking services to choose the best price. Roads in Germany are high-speed (the so-called autobahns), so you can move along quickly and comfortably. Munich is connected with Friedrichshafen by highway № A96 (see on the map). Anyway, a car remains one of the most convenient ways of how to get to Friedrichshafen.
How to get to Friedrichshafen from Zurich
Despite the fact that Zurich is located in Switzerland and Friedrichshafen is located in Germany, the distance between them is not very large. It is about 130 km (or 81 miles). That’s the reason why travellers often choose Zurich as a starting point for going to Friedrichshafen. Tourists can use either public transport or a car to reach their desired destination on Lake Constance.
How to get to Friedrichshafen from Zurich by train
There are no direct trains between the cities, but you can get there by train making a change in Schafhausen town. The total travel time including the change is slightly more than 2 hours. Trains depart every 2 hours during the day. Train timetables can be checked at the Raileurope booking service. I use Raileurope when planning my trips in advance. In my point of view, it is a very convenient service with a lot of options.
How to get to Friedrichshafen from Zurich by bus
According to my research, tourists can also use a bus to get to Friedrichshafen from Zurich. The travel time is about 2.5 hours. Buses leave a few times a day – in 07.30, 07.45, 09.30, 11.15, 14.30, 17.45 and 21.25. The timetable is a subject of changing and varies depending on the day of the week, so I would recommend checking it out when planning your travel route. The carrier is Flixbus company.
How to get to Friedrichshafen from Zurich by car
Zurich and Friedrichshafen are connected by the motorway #4 (see on the map). The distance is about 130 km. The travel time is slightly less than 2 hours. The part of the road lies down along the lake so you can enjoy the views while driving. If you arrive to Zurich airport, you can take a car for renting exactly at the arrival terminal. You can also find car rental points in different part of the city. I would recommend booking a car in advance so you can save your time and money on the spot. I usually use such online services as Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc. To my mind, they have a very convenient search engine.
Where to stay in Friedrichshafen
After you figured ou how to get to Friedrichshafen, it is the time to find out accommodation options. I did some research and I can say that tourists can find a lot of different accommodation options to stay here. Friedrichshafen is a relatively small town, but there are a sufficient number of hotels, guest houses and apartments for accommodation, since the town is considered to be a water resort. However, in the “high” season, hotels should be booked in advance.
Hotels close to the lake shore
Hotel City Krone 4* is located a few steps from the lake. The train station is also situated within walking distance. In addition to a good location, the hotel offers its guests an indoor swimming pool and a sauna. The hotel bar has a seasonal veranda. Wi-Fi is available free of charge. There is private paid parking. Luggage storage is also available. The hotel has single, double and triple rooms of different categories.
All rooms are equipped with a mini-bar, safe, hairdryer, telephone, TV, radio, internet connection. Buffet breakfast is included in the room rate. The hotel received the best reviews for its location, cleanliness of the rooms and professionalism of the staff. Check-in is from 14.30, check-out is until 11.00.
Hotels in the surroundings
Ringhotel Krone 4* is located in a quiet, cozy place, in the nearest suburbs of Friedrichshafen. The hotel has a spa, outdoor pool and mini golf course. There is also a local restaurant with an outdoor terrace. The hotel offers its guests free private parking (reservation is not required). Wi-Fi is available for free. Luggage storage and currency exchange are also available. The hotel has rooms decorated in different styles.
In all rooms you find air conditioning, safe, hairdryer, TV, telephone, mini-bar. Breakfasts are included in the price. The hotel received the best ratings for professionalism of the staff and the cleanliness of the rooms. The front desk is open 24/7. Check-in is from 14.00, check-out is until 11.00.
Hotels close to the center
Hotel Knoblauch 4* is located a short distance from the lake and the city center. It has its own spa and several pools. In addition, guests can enjoy the services of a restaurant and a bar. Wi-Fi is available free of charge. Free private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).
The hotel has rooms of various categories. All rooms are equipped with TV, Wi-Fi, safe, hairdryer, telephone, mini-bar. Breakfasts are included in the price. The hotel received the best ratings for the cleanliness and comfort of the rooms, as well as for the quality of the Wi-Fi provided. Check-in is from 14.00, check-out is until 11.00.
Hotel Traube am See 4* is located 100 m from the lake, you can walk to it in a few minutes. The hotel offers its guests an indoor swimming pool and a local restaurant. The hotel’s spa area includes a sauna and a steam room. Free private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed). Wi-fi is free of charge.
The hotel has standard and superior rooms equipped with a balcony, TV, telephone, radio, hair dryer. Breakfasts, depending on the type of room, may be included in the price. The hotel received the best reviews for the cleanliness of the rooms and professionalism of the staff. Check-in is from 15.00, check-out is until 11.00.
What to see & do in Friedrichshafen
Friedrichshafen got its name in honor of the German King Frederick I. To date, the city has preserved some interesting historical attractions, but, of course, the main attraction is Lake Constance and everything connected with water.
If you are, like me, interested in architecture, in the central part of Friedrichshafen, you can find significant historical monuments. These, in particular, include the Schlosskirche, or castle church, which was built back in the 17th century. Other religious buildings, which are also worthy of seeing, are the Catholic churches of St. Nicholas and St. Petrus Canisius.
Some facts about zeppelins
You may be surprised, but Friedrichshafen in Germany is the center of airship building, where the first factory for zeppelins is located. Now in the town you can find several museums, devoted to aeronautics. You can even ride zeppelins over Lake Constance! This is a popular local activity.
Boat Trips
It would be strange not to mention another popular entertainment in Friedrichshafen – these are boat trips on Lake Constance. In the spring and summer, boat trips are very popular among the tourists. Tourists are served by several boat companies organizing water trips, so finding a suitable water route is not so difficult. In addition, on the Bodensee you can ride not only on the motor ships, but also experience more thrills, for example, renting a catamaran, a boat or even a whole yacht.
Based on my research, water transport rental services are also offered in Friedrichshafen. The Bodensee also offers a wide range of water sports. There are express courses in scuba diving, sailing, water skiing, wakeboarding, canoeing and others.
Other things to do
Bodensee is surrounded by beautiful and picturesque countryside, so another popular lakeside activity is cycling. Bicycle rental in Friedrichshafen is so popular that you can even buy a special bike card here with additional bonuses. Such a map for cycling can be found at the Friedrichshafen Tourist Office.
In addition, walking tours are organized in and around the city in case you do not want to explore the city on your own. During the excursions, you can learn a lot about the history of the town, see non-tourist places and learn about the lake surroundings. Other resorts on the lake are Konstanz with the Mainau flower island, Meersburg with its thermal springs and Lindau. They are also popular destinations for travelling.
Take a note! When going on a trip to Germany, do not forget to take out travel insurance, which is useful for receiving a tourist visa and for solving emerging medical problems when travelling in another country. You can purchase insurance via online services, for example, via EKTA and others. You can choose from different modes, including quiet, active or extreme rest.
Photo above the article: Huub Janssen
Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more about the author…
Looks beautiful. I can’t wait to go and see for myself.
What a lovely area perfect for relaxing! Great introduction to this spot.
We stayed in Friedrichshafen for 1 night when cycling around the Bodensee with our kids. We were happy to explore the Zeppelin Museum on a rainy afternoon, and enjoyed exploring town.
I had the opportunity to visit Bodensee back in 2015 with a friend, and walking around the city and cycling around the lake was really beautiful. I don’t recall visiting any museums about aeronautics but the Zeppelin information is really interesting! Thanks for sharing.