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How to get to Konstanz from Frankfurt
How to get to Konstanz from Stuttgart
I have been to the Baden-Wurttemberg region and, in short, I can say the area is full of incredible places to visit, be it tiny gingerbread towns or inspiring natural landscapes. Lake Constance is one of the most well-known places for travelling in the region. Konstanz town, in turn, is the “gate” to the lake and its magnificent island of flowers called Mainau. Based on my experience of travelling around the Baden-Wurttemberg region, plus some research, I created this post about visiting Konstanz and the Mainau island.
When to travel to Konstanz
The town of Konstanz, situated on a shore of Lake Constance, is one of the popular holiday destinations, since the town has direct access to the lake, may offer a lot of attractions and, in addition, it`s a point from where you can get to the famous flower island of Mainau. Konstanz is located on the southern shore of Bodensee (German name of Constance Lake), on the border with Switzerland.
The best time of the year to visit Konstanz on Lake Constance 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 suites best for nature walking, seeing architectural attractions and enjoying the cultural heritage.
Besides, Konstanz is well-known for flower island of Mainau, to which it has direct access. The flower island of Mainau is also better to visit during the summertime when the flowers are constantly blossoming. Here you can see a great design landscape with different flowers sculptures and rarely-seen types of plants.
How to get to Konstanz
Where do you fly into to get to Konstanz? You can get to Konstanz by taking regular flights to Stuttgart or Frankfurt. These cities both have international airports. Check the current timetable from your city at Aviasales booking service. Then you can get to Konstanz from Frankfurt or Stuttgart by train, bus or rented car. Constance is considered to be one of the southernmost cities of the Baden-Wurttemberg region along with Freiburg, however, unlike Freiburg, Konstanz has direct access to Lake Constance, which makes it a popular resort destination.
How to get to Konstanz from Frankfurt
After some research, I discovered that the distance between Frankfurt and Konstanz is almost 360 km. The cities are connected with highway # A81, passing by Mannheim, Karlsruhe and Stuttgart. You can get to Konstanz from Frankfurt by train, as well as by bus or rented car.
By train: There are no direct trains between Frankfurt and Konstanz, but you can get there with a train change, for example, in Offenburg or Baden-Baden. The duration of the change is not significant in time; therefore, it does not particularly affect the total travel time, which is about 4,5 hours. You can check the train schedule at the Raileurope booking service. I use Raileurope a lot for checking out the current train timetable when travelling in Europe. 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.
By bus: Most buses run between Frankfurt and Konstanz with a change, but a direct bus also runs once a day. A travel time is approx. 6 hours. The direct bus departs from Frankfurt train station at 11 am. The shortest option with a change takes 6.5 hours.
By renting a 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 Konstanz are connected with highway # A81 (see on the map). I travelled a lot via autobahns in Germany, including the autonahn leading from Frankfurt, so 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 Konstanz from Stuttgart
Based on my research, the distance between Stuttgart and Konstanz is 170 km. You can get there by train or by bus. Also, as an option, you can use a rented car, then you need to move along the highway No. A81.
By train: There are trains from Stuttgart to Konstanz with a change in Singen; the travel time varies from 2.5 to 3 hours (depending on the type of a train). Trains run throughout the day. You can check the train schedule at the Raileurope booking service.
By bus: Getting from Stuttgart to Konstanz by bus is even faster than by train. Travel time on a direct route is about 2 hours. Buses run 5 to 7 times a day. The earliest departs at 6.50, the latest departs at 19.30. Please note that the pick-up point may be different – Stuttgart railway station, Stuttgart airport, Kornwestheim or Böblingen stops, check it before your departure.
By renting a 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 compared various online services for and these ones have a lot of positive reviews that is why I can recommend them.
◊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 to Konstanz with highway № A81 (see on the map).
Where to stay in Konstanz
When choosing a hotel in Konstanz, you should consider its location. If the main purpose of your trip is to relax by the lake, then it`s better to look for hotels near the first line. If you are going to Konstanz for a sightseeing holiday and visiting the flower island of Mainau, then it makes sense to choose a hotel in the Old Town, where the most picturesque architectural attractions are located. I did some research and I can say that tourists can find a lot of different accommodation options to stay here.
ABC Hotel 3* – This hotel is located near the train station, which is within walking distance. Lake Constance is 1 km from the hotel. Nearby there is a bus stop, from which you can get to the historical part of the town. The hotel offers its guests free Wi-Fi and free private parking (reservation is not required). Laundry and ironing services are also available upon request. All rooms are spacious; you can choose a single, double or junior suite room. Inside you can find a kitchenette, TV, hair dryer, telephone, radio, mini-bar, coffee machine. Buffet breakfasts are included in the price. The breakfasts consistently receive high ratings from the guests. Also, hotel guests highly appreciated the professionalism of the staff and the quality of the Wi-Fi provided. Check-in is from 14.00, check-out is until 11.00.
ibis Konstanz 3* – The hotel is a 5-minute walk from the Bodensee and the Old Town. It offers beach access and an indoor pool. In summer, you can use the outdoor terrace for relaxation. The hotel has a 24-hour bar. Paid public parking is available nearby. Luggage storage is also available. The hotel offers single and double rooms, where you can find air conditioning, TV, hairdryer, telephone, radio. Buffet breakfasts are available for a charge. The hotel received the best reviews for its location and cleanliness of the rooms. The front desk is open 24/7. Check-in is from 15.00, check-out is until 12.00.
B&B Hotel Konstanz 2* – This new hotel offers bed and breakfast services. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi and free parking. The hotel is located away from the main attractions and the lake, but they can be easily reached by public transport; the bus stop is situated next to the hotel. The hotel offers single, double, triple rooms, as well as family rooms designed for a larger number of guests. The rooms are equipped with air conditioning, TV, telephone. The hotel has an elevator. Breakfasts are available at an additional cost. The hotel received the best reviews for the cleanliness of the rooms. Check-in is from 14.00, check-out is until 12.00.
City Hotel Konstanz – This family-run hotel in Konstanz is located on the city’s central pedestrian street. Numerous cafes, restaurants and shops can be found nearby. The hotel offers its guests free Wi-Fi, an outdoor terrace for relaxation and luggage storage service. Paid public parking is also available. The hotel has single, double and triple rooms equipped with everything you need. The room rate also includes a breakfast buffet. The hotel received the highest ratings for the location, professionalism of the staff and the cleanliness of the rooms. The quality of the Wi-Fi provided is also noted. Check-in is from 15.00, check-out is until 11.00.
What to see & do in Konstanz
Konstanz is the main starting point for visiting the flower island of Mainau, located in the waters of Lake Constance. However, when you decide to visit Mainau, do not reject the idea of Konstanz town sightseeing, since many historical monuments and interesting places have been preserved here.
The main historical attraction of Konstanz is the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary, built in the 15th century. This massive Gothic cathedral attracts both with its exterior and interior decoration, where authentic elements and various artworks have been preserved. When preparing my trip, I discovered the following practical information:
- Cathedral is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; It is open till 7 p.m. on Sundays;
- Admission to the Cathedral is free of charge;
- Admission to the Cathedral Tower is 2 euro (there are no lifts, it`s only possible to climb by foot).
- Tickets to the Cathedral Tower can be purchased at the Cathedral shop.
In addition, even more ancient historical monuments have been preserved in the town, for instance, the Benedictine Abbey, the construction of which is attributed to almost 900 AD. Of course, since those times the building has been rebuilt and restored more than once, but, nevertheless, it continues to be a significant architectural and historical building. Currently, the Abbey is a State Archaeological Museum of Baden-Wurttemberg region that tells about the life of locals.
- The State Archaeological museum is open daily, except Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.;
- Entrance fee is 6 euros for adults. Entrance fee for children under 18 is free of charge;
- Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office or online.
To see the whole town at a glance, it makes sense to lift the Gissberg Mountain, where the University of Konstanz, its botanical gardens and an observation deck are located. The university building also looks interesting, since it is considered to be one of the oldest universities in Germany. The botanical gardens are also open to the public.
- Botanical gardens are open from 8 a.m. to 3.45 p.m. on Monday to Thursday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday;
- The entrance is free.
The island of Mainau is a huge landscape garden, in the middle of which the palace of the Bernadotte dynasty is situated. The garden is divided into some areas, depending on the plants and flowers growing here. You can find an extensive variety of flora on the island, so you can visit it almost all year round.
During the different seasons of the year, more and more new species of plants and flowers are starting to bloom. You can see the area of perennial flowers here, as well as the areas of dahlias or hydrangeas, roses or rhododendrons. Some particularly delicate plants are organized into greenhouses; see them at the Butterfly Greenhouse or the Palm Greenhouse.
In addition to the garden, you can visit the Bernadotte residence and other curious buildings located on the island, as well as an arboretum, a sequoia alley, original staircases and terraces decorated with different species of flowers. I did some research to collect practical information for visiting the island and here it is:
- The gardens, as well as Bernadotte palace, are open 365 days a year from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Ticket price for adults starts from 24 euros depending on the season;
- Getting here: there is a pedestrian line, leading to the island from Konstanz town. The car parking area is situated on the mainland right before the pedestrian line. You can reach the island by foot, by bike or by boat, no vehicles please.
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
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Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more about the author…