Everything you Need to KnowUseful Information for a Trip to Southwest Germany

Stuttgart, Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden and Friedrichshafen are all international airports. Stuttgart Airport welcomes direct flights from countries around the world. The airport is only 8 miles (13 km) from the city center. The S2 and S3 urban train lines provide a fast, direct connection to the main railway station in just 27 minutes. The airport is just off the A8 Karlsruhe–Munich Autobahn (highway).

Two additional airports, Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport and Friedrichshafen Airport, have flights to and from European cities.

Further convenient international gateways:

From the North: Frankfurt International Airport (120 miles / 200 km from Stuttgart)

From the East: Munich Airport (150 miles / 240 km from Stuttgart)

From the South: EuroAirport Basel/Mulhouse/Freiburg (160 miles / 260 km from Stuttgart), Zurich Airport, Switzerland (135 miles / 220 km from Stuttgartt)

Traveling by train is a convenient alternative to flying – and is often the quickest way of getting around Europe, Germany and Southwest Germany.

Long-distance and local networks are co-ordinated to ensure quick, easy connections. The ICE-Intercity Express high speed service offers at least one train every hour between Germany’s major cities and neighboring countries, such as Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands. For example, from Paris to Stuttgart takes only 3 hours, 40 minutes on the ICE/TGV high speed train.

Deutsche Bahn has a wide range of tailor-made services for visitors traveling to, or within, Germany by rail. For information, timetables and tickets, please visit www.bahn.de

Southwest Germany has an excellent network of roads, including motorways/highways (Autobahn).
There are no tolls for passenger cars. Drivers are required to carry a valid driver's license, vehicle registration documents, and proof of proper insurance. Seatbelts must be worn in all seats, front and rear, at all times. Only hands-free cell (mobile) phones may be used. The minimum driving age is 18 years.
As in the rest of continental Europe, traffic is on the right-hand side of the road. Passing on the right is prohibited. For passenger cars, the speed limit outside residential areas is 62 mph/100 km/h. In urban areas, it is 31 mph/50 km/h. On the Autobahn, the maximum recommended speed is 80 mph/130 km/h.
Rental cars are available in larger towns and cities, from locations, such as airports, railway stations and hotels. All categories are available, including vans, compact cars, convertibles and, of course, fast sports cars. Look for weekend deals.

There is a wide range of places to stay in Southwest Germany. From five-star hotels and spa resorts to farm stays (Urlaub auf dem Bauernhof) or campsites, there is somewhere for all budgets and tastes.

The German hotel classification system rates hotels from 1 to 5 stars:

1 Star: Tourist

2 Stars: Standard

3 Stars: Comfort

4 Stars: First Class

5 Stars: Luxury

Germany uses the euro (€). Cash can be obtained 24 hours a day from ATM/cash machines. Credit cards are not universally accepted. Expect to pay by cash in smaller shops and restaurants, Christmas markets and other street markets.

Germany is on Central European Time (CET). Clocks move forward an hour for summer time (end of March to end of October).

Southwest Germany has a pleasant climate. In the southern Black Forest, Freiburg is known as one of Germany’s warmest cities. In general, summers are hot, with highs ranging from 75-79°F/24°C-26°C. Fall is warm and pleasant; temperatures are in the 60s. Winter brings snow especially in the highlands of Black Forest and the Swabian Mountains (Swabian Alb).

In general, tourist visas are not required for stays of up to 90 days; always check well before traveling. Accompanying children must have their names on their parents’ passports or have their own passport.
Further information: www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service

The KONUS guest card is valid as a free ticket for public transportation during your stay.

Participating transport associations in the Black Forest accept the KONUS Guest Card as a 2nd class ticket. This also includes the trams in Karlsruhe and Freiburg. You will receive your KONUS card in exchange for your paid visitor's tax from participating hosts.

More information: www.schwarzwald-tourismus.info/planen-buchen/konus-gaestekarte

The Hochschwarzwald Card offers an additional and mostly free service. You will receive your card free of charge from participating hosts.

Advantages of the Hochschwarzwald Card:

Free admission or a low additional charge to over 100 attractions: e.g. ski pass, adventure pool, amusement park, golf, boat trip and much more.

Your host will provide you with the Black Forest Card free of charge for stays of 2 nights or more.

More information: hochschwarzwald.de/en/red-card

With the Schwarzwald Card, which can be purchased, you can enjoy the entire Black Forest at a bargain price. Three days a year, card holders receive one-time free admission to over 200 attractions - including the Europa-Park, if desired.

More Information: SchwarzwaldCard

With the DreiWelten Card, you can enjoy numerous attractions in three regions - the Black Forest, the Rhine Falls and Lake Constance - free of charge during your vacation.

Advantages of the DreiWelten Card:

Free entry to over 130 attractions

Offers in Southern Germany and Switzerland

You will receive the DreiWelten Card as a gift at one of over 80 partner accommodations for a minimum stay of 2 nights.

For more information visit: www.dreiwelten.com/en

Enjoy free travel and free admission with the Schwarzwald Plus Guest Card - at the invitation of our participating hosts.

With the Black Forest Plus Guest Card, you can discover more than 80 genuine Black Forest experiences in the Black Forest National Park region free of charge: outdoor and nature experiences, mountain railways, culinary tours and themed hikes, castles, palaces, museums and cultural highlights, regional specialties from wine and ham to cherry cake.

More information: schwarzwaldplus.de

The ECHT BODENSEE CARD is the guest card for selected participating municipalities on the German shore of Lake Constance.

Your benefits at a glance:

Inclusive services, exclusive gifts and discounts at more than 195 leisure facilities & attractions in the four-country region of Lake Constance: e.g. Ravensburger Spieleland Theme Park or the Zeppelin Museum.

Free use of local public transportation (bodo) on all days of your stay.

Upon arrival, you will automatically receive the ECHT BODENSEE CARD for your stay from your host in the participating municipalities.

More information: www.echt-bodensee.de

The Bodensee Card PLUS is your all-inclusive adventure card that gives you free admission to over 160 of the best attractions in the four-country region - including scheduled boat rides on Lake Constance and the Rhine!

The Bodensee Card PLUS is valid for 3 or 7 days of your choice.

More information: www.bodensee.eu/en/bcp

The ALBCard is a free service provided by participating accommodations.

Your benefits at a glance:

Free admission to over 140 top attractions: e.g. Hohenzollern Castle, Lichtenstein Castle, thermal baths, Steiff Museum, e-bike rental and much more.

Free use of local public transportation every day of your stay.

More than 150 hosts in the Swabian Alb will give you the AlbCard for free from the first night of your stay. You will receive it automatically when you check in at the reception.

Children aged 6 and over receive their own AlbCard. Children under the age of 6 enjoy the benefits of the accompanying adult.

More information: www.swabianalb.info/albcard