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Table of Contents:
How to get to Tubingen from Stuttgart
How to get to Tubingen from Frankfurt
When to travel to Tubingen
Tubingen is a small old town located in the Neckar valley in the Baden-Wurttemberg region. Tubingen is a cozy southern German town, consisting of colorful houses, narrow streets and medieval attractions. You can find a famous university in the town and a Medieval Abbey right next to it. Tubingen was practically not damaged during the Second World War, so the historical attractions of the town kept their authenticity. I have travelled a lot in the Baden-Wurttemberg region and I can say that the region is full of colorful towns and can boast magnificent countryside so it is definitely worth seeing when travelling in Germany.
As Tubingen is situated in the valley and surrounded with the hills, there are no strong winds; the climate is mild and warm. You can come to visit Tubingen at any time of the year.
✓ In winters you hardly ever see snow, the air temperature rarely drops below zero. It`s comfortable time to stroll around the city, take part in Christmas fair and warm yourself with traditional German drink – mulled wine.
✓ In springs there is a lot of blossoming which starts already in Mid-March. The weather this time of the year is usually warm and sunny. Some short-time rains may take place, so be sure you have an umbrella with you. Spring is the time when nature is actively awakening, so it`s a good idea to travel to Tubingen surroundings, for example, to see Medieval and Renaissance castles.
✓ The summers in Tubingen are warm and sunny as well, but not too hot. It`s the good news because the weather ideally suites for long-distance walking, watching attractions inside the city and outside of it – visiting castles, nature and neighboring picturesque towns.
✓ The autumns are also quite good with their colorful nature and mild weather. This season also suits for long-time strolling around the city and travelling to surroundings.
How to get to Tubingen
Where do you fly into to get to Tubingen? Tübingen is located geographically in the center of Baden-Württemberg region, close to Stuttgart. To get to Tubingen, you need to fly to Stuttgart or Frankfurt, the two nearest cities with international airports. Check the current timetable from your city at Aviasales booking service. I usually use Aviasales when planning my trips, because it can compare a great variety of available flight options. Further, it is quite convenient to use public transport to reach Tubingen from Stuttgart or Frankfurt. You can also use the transfer services or rent a car.
How to get to Tubingen from Stuttgart
The distance between Stuttgart and Tubingen is just over 40 km. The cities are connected by highway # B27. You can get from Stuttgart to Tübingen by train, bus or car (taxi).
By train: Stuttgart and Tübingen are connected by rail. There are both direct and interchange routes. Direct regional trains of the RE type run every half an hour or once an hour, depending on the time of the day. The first train departs at 5.30 in the morning. Travel time is about an hour. Interchange trains run via Herrenberg or Plochingen, while the travel time does not change significantly. Train timetables can be checked at the Raileurope booking service. Tickets to Tubingen can be purchased online or at the ticket office of the Stuttgart railway station.
By bus: Shuttle buses between Stuttgart and Tubingen start running from 7 am. During the day, up to 7 buses depart. Travel time is 1 hour 10 minutes. Routes are direct, no need to make a change.
By taxi: The fastest way to get to Tubingen from Stuttgart is by using the taxi service. Travel time by car will take only 40 minutes. The cost of a taxi varies depending on the class of a car. You can order a taxi at the information desk at the airport terminal or railway station in Stuttgart, or in advance via the Internet on the Kiwitaxi transfer booking service and others. Based on my research, the Kiwitaxi online service has a great number of positive reviews that is why I can recommend it. For sure, there are a lot of other taxi services available at the airport.
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.
◊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 Tubingen by highway № B27 (see on the map).
How to get to Tubingen from Frankfurt
Based on my research, the distance between Frankfurt and Tubingen is 240 km, they are connected with highways # A5 and A8; A6; A3 and A81. You can get from one city to another by public transport or by car.
By train: There is no direct train connection between the cities, but it is possible to get there via Stuttgart. Travel time is approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on the duration of the change and the class of the train. Trains with a change in Stuttgart run 1 time per hour throughout the day, starting at 5 am. Train timetables can be checked at the Raileurope booking service. Tickets to Tubingen can be purchased online or at the ticket office of the Frankfurt railway station. I use Raileurope regularly to check out the current train timetable throughout the whole of 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: Direct buses to Tubingen start running from 6 am. Departure point is Frankfurt Airport Terminal # 2 or the Frankfurt Train Station. Travel time is from 4 to 5 hours, depending on the traffic on the route. Travel routes are direct, no need to make a change.
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 Tubingen are connected with highways № A5 and A8; A6; A3 and A81 (see on the map). I travelled a lot along the autobahns in Germany so, based on my experience, I can say they are pretty much comfortable and it is often the fastest way to get to the desired destination.
Where to stay in Tubingen
Tubingen is a small but cozy town located in the center of the Baden-Wurttemberg region, 40 km from Stuttgart. Since the town is relatively small, there are a few hotels in Tubingen; you can also rent out apartments. When I was looking for the accommodation, I found out that all taxes are already included in the final price of the hotel room or the apartments.
Hotel La Casa 5* – The hotel is located within walking distance from the historic center. The hotel offers spa services and a terrace with views of the city. The hotel has free Wi-Fi. The hotel also offers paid public parking (reservation required). There is a restaurant. The hotel has rooms of different categories – from standard to deluxe and suites. In the rooms you can find a TV, safe, hairdryer, telephone, bathrobe, mini-bar, kettle. Breakfasts are offered at an additional cost. The hotel has luggage storage. The hotel received the best ratings for the cleanliness and comfort of the rooms, as well as for professionalism of the staff. Check-in is from 15.00, check-out is until 12.00.
Hotel Stadt Tubingen 4* – The hotel is located a few km from the city center and can offer its guests a spa center and a restaurant. You also can find an outdoor terrace, gym and sauna here. Wi-Fi is available free of charge. Free public parking is situated nearby. There is a luggage storage and an ATM. The hotel has single and double rooms, Provence-styled rooms, business rooms, suites. Inside the room you can find a satellite TV, telephone, radio, mini-bar, safe, hair dryer. Breakfasts are included in the price. The hotel received the best reviews for the professionalism of the staff and the cleanliness of the rooms. Check-in is from 15.00, check-out is until 11.00.
Hotel Am Schloss Superior 3* – The hotel is located close to Tübingen Castle and offers views of the Old Town from the room’s windows. The main square of the city is within walking distance. The hotel offers its guests cozy rooms and such services as breakfast buffet, free Wi-Fi, a restaurant and a parking area. In the hotel rooms you can find a TV, telephone, radio, mini-bar, safe, hair dryer. Luggage storage is also available. The hotel received the best reviews for its location, cleanliness of the rooms and the professionalism of the staff. The hotel also receives excellent reviews for the quality of the breakfasts served. Check-in is from 14.00, check-out is until 11.00.
Ibis Styles Tubingen 3* – This is one of the few chain hotels represented in Tubingen. The Ibis Styles hotel has an outdoor terrace, a fitness room and a bar. Free Wi-Fi is available. Public paid parking is located nearby. The hotel has rooms of different categories. In the rooms you can find a telephone, radio, satellite TV, hair dryer. Some rooms offer views of the Old Town. Breakfasts can be included in the price, or they can be paid separately (check when booking). The hotel offers luggage storage. The front desk operates 24-hours. Check-in is from 15.00, check-out is until 12.00.
What to see & do in Tubingen
Tübingen is a small southern German town located 40 km from Stuttgart. Unlike lively Stuttgart, Tubingen has an idyllic picture of a small town – half-timbered houses located on hills, narrow streets, green parks, medieval squares, a university campus and also remarkable historical attractions near the town of Tubingen.
Tubingen is located on the hills, so the streets here are uneven, winding and even rather chaotic, so all the main attractions are in the most unexpected places. You will have to become a real explorer, going for a walk around Tubingen. Based on my experience, most of the Baden-Wurttemberg towns are located on the hills, but there can be some exceptions though.
Among the other historical attractions, the most famous one is Hohentubingen Castle, located right in the center of the city. The construction of the castle dates back to the 11th century, its style is Gothic Medieval. There is a Museum of Ancient Cultures in the castle which is definitely worth visiting. You can find a large number of original exhibits of the UNESCO World Heritage here. You can also find several churches of different Times in Tubingen. Thus, the collegiate Church of St. George dates back to the 11th century; the local Town Hall with an astronomical clock dates back to the 15th century.
◊ A useful tip: Another way to see Tubingen is to take a boat tour along the Necker River around the Neckar Island. It will give you a different look on the colorful and a bit chaotic architecture of the town.
Near Tubingen you also can find interesting architectural and historical attractions. For instance, the Cisterian monastery of Bebenhausen is located 5 km from the town. Bebenhausen Abbey was built in the middle of the 12th century and has been perfectly preserved to this day. Today there is a museum of the poet Bebenhausen. The Abbey was named after him. The monastery is equally beautiful both in daylight and in the evening, when the illumination is turned on. The valley, where the Abbey is situated, is quite peaceful and romantic. I did some research to collect practical information for visiting and here it is:
- The monastery is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the April to October season;
- The monastery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the November to March season;
- Admission fee is 6 euros for adults. A family ticket is also available at a cost of 15 euros;
- Audio guide is at a cost of 2 euros;
- To get to Bebenhausen Abbey you need to use buses # 826 or 828 from Tubingen; in case you travel by car, follow the road # L1208 (see on the map).
Hohenzollern Castle is located on a hill, at an altitude of 850 meters. The construction of the castle dates back to the 15th century. The castle was built in a neo-Gothic architectural style; today this place is one of the most popular among tourists coming to the south of Germany.
The beauty and grace of the castle is quite comparable to the famous Neuschwanstein in Bavaria. At the moment, there is a museum inside the castle. Recently, the castle was restored and reopened for tourists again. After that it immediately became one of the top-visiting German attractions.
✓ The closest point to the castle is the small village of Bisingen, which is situated near Tubingen. The distance between Bisingen and Tubingen is 25 km. You can reach it by train. The travel time is about 40 minutes. The trains run once an hour during the day. Train timetables can be checked at the Raileurope ticket service. Then you need to take a local bus #344 to get to Hohenzollern Castle from Bisingen. It takes you a few minutes.
✓ In case you travel by car, follow the road # B27. It takes you about 30 minutes to reach the destination. The parking lot is available. From the parking area, you can go to the entrance gates by foot or by using a free shuttle bus (the bus stop is near the shop next to the parking lot). The shuttle bus operates daily from 9:45 – 18:30. After some research, I discovered the following practical information:
- The castle is open from 10 a.m. to 18.30 p.m.;
- Admission fee is 25 euros for adults and 13 euros for children;
- You can buy tickets either at the Box Office or online via official website in advance.
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: Jorge Franganillo
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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…