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| Table of Contents
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| Pre-trip Care Package |
The German introduction care packages have been sent to our US guests. They included:
- Information about electricity differences between Germany and the US and how they affect your travel gear (click here to read)
- Information about ATMs, credit card use and other money related issues (click here to read)
- Information about phones and internet access while visiting Heidelberg (click here to read)
- Information about restaurant seating, tipping, and other dining differences (click here to read)
- German cultural and other differences you might want to know about before you arrive (click here to read)
- A brief overview of useful German words and phrases (click here to read)
- Useful contact information (click here to read)
- A street and hiking map of Heidelberg
- A postcard with required postage and air mail sticker for mailing to the US
- A CD containing one week of German audio and reading lessons
Additionally, here are a few useful things that did not make it into the care package:
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| Getting to Heidelberg |
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is the closest major airport, about an hour north of Heidelberg on the A5. It is also one of the largest international hubs in Europe, so it's fairly convenient to find flights in and out of. Getting to Heidelberg from the airport is possible via
- Train: There is a train terminal inside the airport and you can catch a train from there to Heidelberg Hauptbahnhof and from there it's a 10 minute taxi ride to the old town. You could catch a bus from the Hauptbahnhof to Universitätsplatz, but it'd be longer and more complicated than a taxi and then you'd still have to walk a bit to reach your hotel. To check out train/bus routes and timetables (and perhaps even buy/print tickets online), see http://www.bahn.de/p/view/international/englisch/international_guests.shtml
- Shuttle Bus: There are plenty of shuttle buses from Frankfurt to Heidelberg run by different companies. I can book these for you or help you decide, just ask. My personal favorite is the TLS Airport Shuttle. For 29 Euro each way, they will pick you up at the airport and drop you directly at your hotel (and vice versa). The driver meets you at the "Meeting Place/Treffpunkt" inside whichever airport terminal (1 or 2) you fly into. They may ask you to wait a few minutes for another passenger if they are picking up someone else near the same time, but in over 3 years, that's never happened to me. The other front-door shuttle bus is the HLS Airport Shuttle (no English on their website, but they speak English if you call). This is essentially the same service as TLS, but for twice as much (60 Euro each way). They have nicer vehicles and generally can take last-minute reservations. I use them when I need a ride with less than 96 hours advance notice and TLS is booked up. Lastly, there is the Lufthansa Airport Bus. It is the most economical option (18 Euro, last I checked), but doesn't pick you up or drop you off at your door. Instead, it regularly travels between Terminal 1 at the airport and the Heidelberg Crown Plaza hotel. The other shuttles are more like taxi service, while this is more like a regular bus. The Crown Plaza hotel is just on the edge of the Old Town. It's about 1 1/2 to 2 miles from your hotel and you can catch a taxi from there to your door (it's walkable, but not pleasant with luggage).
- Car Rental: There are several rental car companies in the terminal at Frankfurt. You can easily book online with Avis, Sixt (best if you want to rent a Mercedes or BMW), National, and Europcar, among others. I know this option probably appeals to our independent American nature, but unless you plan to stay outside of town or drive elsewhere while in Germany, renting is unnecessarily expensive and a bit more complicated. Even gas will be a headache at nearly $8 per gallon here. Your US driver's license is honored in Germany and driving is generally similar, but there are some important gotchas for Americans and I'd familiarize yourself with the rules (especially right-of-way) and signs beforehand. I'd also recommend picking up an international driving license, available for about $10 at most AAA offices, before your trip. It will save a lot of hassle should you have an accident or traffic violation.
- Me: Depending on your comfort level with other options, I can try to pick you up personally. It will most likely be a busy week for me, but if you're coming in on Sat, Sun, or Monday, I can probably manage it, and if not, I can probably find a friend who can. Somehow, regardless of what else is going on, we will take care of you.
Feel free to ask me any questions to help you decide. And, whichever method you choose, keep my cell phone number handy when you arrive. You can always call if you have any questions or issues enroute.
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| Stuttgart Airport (STR) is the next closest airport, just an hour and 15 minutes East of Heidelberg. It's a smaller airport, but does have lots of international service. I have never personally flown in or out of it, so I have little practical experience to share, but it is possible to catch a regional train (S-Bahn) directly from the airport to the Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof, and then on to the Heidelberg Hauptbahnhof. Stuttgart, also has a number of rental car options, including Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, National and Sixt. |
| Munich Airport (MUC) is significantly further, nearly 5 hours East of Heidelberg by car, possibly 3 hours by rail (on an ICE train). It's a large airport and also has regional trains (S-Bahn) directly from the airport to the Munich (München) Hauptbahnhof, and then on to the Heidelberg Hauptbahnhof. It also has a number of rental car options, including Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, National/Alamo and Sixt. Honestly, Munich wouldn't be terribly convenient. It might make sense if you planned to travel to Munich anyway to catch the opening festivities of Oktoberfest on Saturday Sept 22, but otherwise, there's little reason to fly in/out of Munich given the significant time and expense to get to Heidelberg. |
Heidelberg Hotels |
| September is the most popular month in Heidelberg this year, so to ensure everyone has accommodations, I've booked several rooms in the old town center. This will put you close to the Castle and the Funicular railway, as well as the Rathaus (civil ceremony), my apartment, and most of Heidelberg's notable sights and activities. Please see your electronic invitation for a link to the available rooms. If you didn't receive the link or can't find it, just let me know and I will resend. |
Heidelberg Weather and Climate |
| September is quite unpredictable in Heidelberg. The daytime temps could be anywhere from low 50's to mid 70's. It would be good to bring layers and a light jacket, and probably an umbrella. Being September, we may have gorgeous sun the entire week, or gray clouds. It's impossible to know much in advance, although last Winter and this Spring have been unseasonably warm, so we're likely to tend toward the warmer range this year, upper 60's or low 70's. |
| For information on general climate (average temps & rainfall) click here. |
| For current weather forecasts (more useful closer to your travel date) this is a German site that's fairly accurate (just follow the pictures ;-)): today and tomorrow's details or 6-day outlook. You can also look up Heidelberg on your favorite weather site like weather.com or wunderground.com, but be warned the forecasts from different sites can vary drastically, so it's hard to plan. I find wetter.de to normally be the most accurate... but as with any forecasts, it's mostly guesswork. |
Things To Do in/around Heidelberg |
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Things To Do in Germany/Europe |
- Catch a night train to Paris, Vienna, Amsterdam
- Day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle - the inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle
- Day trip to Strasbourg
- Day trip to Rothenburg ob der Tauber
- Oktoberfest in Munich/München
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