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Table of Contents:
How to get to Rastatt from Frankfurt
How to get to Rastatt from Stuttgart
How to get to Rastatt from Karlsruhe
How to get to Rastatt from Baden-Baden
When to travel to Rastatt
Rastatt is a small but picturesque town, situated in Baden-Wurttemberg region. It is located a few km from Baden-Baden and Karlsruhe, two well-known cities in the region. In the town you can find different architectural monuments, e.g., palaces, town halls, chapels etc. Rastatt is equally suitable for those tourists who want to get to know the architecture of the southwest of Germany, and for those who would like to stay within a short distance of the famous water and mineral resort of Baden-Baden. I have been to Rastatt and I was absolutely charmed with its architecture. Based on my experience, plus some research, I created a post about visiting Rastatt in Germany.
It is advisable to visit Rastatt any time of the year, because the climate is quite mild here. Local palaces and churches are equally beautiful either surrounded with green landscapes or snowy ones. Any season is suitable for long-distance walking around the town and seeing local attractions. So don`t hesitate to visit Rastatt all year round.
How to get to Rastatt
Where do you fly into to get to Rastatt? Rastatt is located in the Baden-Württemberg region, close to the French border. It is convenient to get here both from larger cities, such as Stuttgart or Frankfurt, and from smaller ones, such as Karlsruhe or Baden-Baden. All these cities have their own airports. Check the current timetable from your city at Aviasales booking service. I usually use Aviasales when planning my trips, because it helps me to compare available flight options.
How to get to Rastatt from Frankfurt
I did some research and found out that the distance between Frankfurt and Rastatt is 165 km, they are connected with the A5 highway.
By train: There are no direct trains between cities, but there is an option to make a change in Baden-Baden or Karlsruhe, while the travel time takes from 1.5 to 2 hours in total. Train timetables can be checked at the Raileurope booking service. Tickets to Rastatt can be purchased online or at the ticket offices of the Frankfurt railway station. There is no bus service between the cities.
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 Rastatt are connected with the highway # A5 (see on the map). I travelled a lot via autobahns in Germany 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 Rastatt from Stuttgart
The distance between Stuttgart and Rastatt is about 100 km. They are connected with the highway #A8.
By train: Interchange trains are available between cities, but you need to make a change in Karlsruhe. Travel time is a little over an hour. Trains depart once per hour. Train timetables can be checked at the Raileurope booking service. I use Raileurope regularly to check out the current train timetable when planning my trips and it helps me to choose the most convenient routes. There is no bus service between the cities.
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. Based on my research, both services have good 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 Rastatt by the highway № A8 (see on the map). I personally traveled to Rastatt by car and I can say that it is a pretty much comfortable option to move around and it is often the fastest way to get to the desired travel destination.
How to get to Rastatt from Karlsruhe
By train: Rastatt is located 20 km from Karlsruhe. It is convenient to get to the town by train. Travel time by direct train is only 20 minutes. Trains run every 15-20 minutes throughout the day. Train timetables can be checked at the Raileurope ticket service. Tickets to Rastatt can be purchased online or at the ticket office of the railway station Karlsruhe.
How to get to Rastatt from Baden-Baden
By train: Similarly to Karlsruhe, you can also get to Rastatt from Baden-Baden. The distance between the towns is only a few km. The travel time takes just 10 minutes with a direct regional train that runs throughout the day with a great frequency. Train timetables can be checked at the Raileurope booking service.
Where to stay in Rastatt
Based on my research, I can conclude that Rastatt hotels have all the necessary standard options and most of them are located in the town center. Staying at the town center is convenient for seeing local monuments and attractions. In addition, the small size of Rastatt allows you to walk to any interesting places in the town. The room rate already includes all taxes, and, often, in order to attract tourists, hotels include breakfast in the cost of living.
Ibis Styles Rastatt Baden Baden 3 * – The hotel belongs to the Ibis chain brand and has a full list of standard features. In addition, guests of the hotel are invited to use the terrace, fitness center, bar and barbecue areas. Wi-Fi is available free of charge. There is private paid parking. Luggage storage is available. The hotel has single, double rooms, as well as family-type rooms designed for a larger number of guests. In the rooms you can find a safe, air conditioning, hair dryer, TV, telephone, radio. Breakfasts are included in the price. The hotel received the best reviews for the cleanliness of the rooms, the location and the quality of the Wi-Fi provided. There is a 24-hour front desk at the property. Check-in is from 15.00, check-out is until 12.00.
Best Western Hotel Rastatt 3 * – Another chain hotel is conveniently located relative to the Railway station and the main highway leading to Baden-Baden (the distance between towns is 11 km). The hotel offers its guests free Wi-Fi and free public parking. Luggage storage is available. The hotel has standard and superior rooms, as well as junior suites. Inside a room you can find a press, hairdryer, TV, telephone, radio, 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 hours a day. Standard check-in is from 15.00, check-out is until 12.00.
Bildungshaus St. Bernhard – Wohnen und Tagen 2* – The hotel is located in the town center in a historic building. The historical attractions of Rastatt are within walking distance; the Baden-Baden water resort is 12 km away. The hotel offers its guests free private parking, as well as free Wi-Fi. There is also luggage storage. The outdoor swimming pool is open during the summer. In the standard rooms you can find a seating area, hairdryer, TV, wireless internet. Breakfasts are available at an additional cost. The hotel received the highest ratings for the cleanliness of the rooms, professionalism of the staff and the quality of the Wi-Fi provided. Check-in is from 10.00, check-out is until 09.30.
Landgasthaus Kreuz beim Tom 2* – The hotel is located outside the city, in a quiet, green area, close to the motorway leading to Baden-Baden. The hotel is convenient for hiking and cycling. Bicycle rental is available. The hotel also offers its guests free Wi-Fi and free public parking. The hotel also has its own restaurant and beer garden. You can find everything you need in the hotel rooms; they are made in eco-style with traditional German decor. Guests are served a breakfast buffet. The hotel received the highest marks for the cleanliness of the rooms and the quality of the services provided. Check-in is from 17.00, check-out is until 10.00.
What to see & do in Rastatt
The main architectural monuments of Rastatt are the palaces preserved here, for example, the Rastatt Palace and Favorite Palace. It is also interesting to visit the Town Hall and local churches. Ruins of ancient fortifications, as well as some other historical buildings, have also been preserved in Rastatt.
Rastatt Palace is located in the heart of the town. It was the residence of German Dukes. The foundation of the palace took place at the beginning of the 18th century, and the design of the building is quite similar to the Versailles Baroque style. The palace is surrounded by extensive park areas. Excursion tours are held in the palace. During the excursion you can see the rooms and halls, made in the magnificent styles of baroque and rococo. Part of the building is occupied by the Museum of Military History, with a separate entrance. After some research, I discovered the following practical information:
- The palace is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm in the summers and until 4 pm in the winter time;
- The visit is possible with a group tour.
There is another excellently preserved palace in the suburbs of Rastatt. It is called Favorite Palace. This palace is also made in the Baroque style and has extensive park areas around. The foundation of the palace took place at the beginning of the 18th century too; it was built right after the Rastatt Palace. I was absolutely amazed with the facades of the palace. In my opinion, it is a lovely place and it is definitely worth seeing.
- The palace is open to the public from mid-March to mid-November;
- Guided tours are available;
- The opening hours of the palace are from 10 am to 6 pm;
- The park area is open all year round and admission is free.
Other interesting places in Rastatt include the 18th century built Pagodenburg pavilion, where German Dukes spare their free time. To this day, the pavilion is open for tourists. Another worthy place to see is the 18th-century built Rastatt chapel which is stylized in the neoclassical style and has rich interior decoration.
You can find other different churches and cathedrals have been preserved in the town, for example, the Church of St. Bernard, the Evangelical town church, the Church of St. Alexander etc. By the way, the Catholic church of St. Alexander was built in the middle of the 18th century and has a lavish exterior decoration.
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: Ingo
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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…