Home Destinations Europe Germany The Bodensee Features Getting Here & Around

Getting Here & Around

The Bodensee Features

Getting Here & Around

By Air

The closest international airport to the Bodensee is in Zürich, Switzerland, 60 km (37 mi) from Konstanz, connected by the autobahn. There are also direct trains from the Zürich airport to Konstanz. There are several flights from Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, London, and other destinations to the regional airport at Friedrichshafen.

By Boat & Ferry

Note that the English pronunciation of "ferry" sounds a lot like the German word fähre, which means car ferry. Schiffe is the term used for passenger ferries. Car and passenger ferries have different docking points in the various towns. The car ferries run all year; in summer you may have to wait in line. The passenger routes, especially the small ones, often do not run in winter, from November to March.

The Weisse Flotte line of boats, which is run by the BSB, or Bodensee-Schiffsbetriebe, links most of the larger towns and resorts. One of the nicest trips is from Konstanz to Meersburg and then on to the island of Mainau. At this writing, the round-trip fare was EUR 13; rates are subject to change. Excursions around the lake last from one hour to a full day. Many cross to Austria and Switzerland; some head west along the Rhine to the Schaffhausen and the Rheinfall, the largest waterfall in Europe. Information on lake excursions is available from all local tourist offices and travel agencies.

By Bus

Buses serve most smaller communities that have no train links, but service is infrequent. Along the shore there are buses that run every half-hour during the day from Überlingen to Friedrichshafen, stopping in towns such as Meersburg, Hagnau, and Immenstaad.

By Car

Construction on the A-96 autobahn that runs from Munich to Lindau is ongoing. For a more scenic route, take B-12 via Landsberg and Kempten. For a scenic but slower route from Frankfurt, take B-311 at Ulm and follow the Oberschwäbische Barockstrasse (Upper Swabian Baroque Road) to Friedrichshafen. Lindau is also a terminus of the Deutsche Alpenstrasse (German Alpine Road). It runs east-west from Salzburg to Lindau.

Lakeside roads in the Bodensee area boast wonderful vistas but experience occasional heavy traffic in summer. Stick to the speed limits in spite of the aggressive tailgaters: speed traps are frequent, especially in built-up areas. Formalities at border-crossing points are few. However, in addition to your passport you'll need insurance and registration papers for your car. For rental cars, check with the rental company to make sure you are allowed to take the car into another country. Car ferries link Romanshorn, in Switzerland, with Friedrichshafen, as well as Konstanz with Meersburg. Taking either ferry saves substantial mileage. The fare depends on the size of the car.

By Train

From Frankfurt to Friedrichshafen and Lindau, take the ICE (InterCity Express) to Ulm and then transfer (total time 3½ hours). There are direct trains to Konstanz from Frankfurt every 2 hours (travel takes 4½ hours), which pass through the beautiful scenery of the Black Forest. From Munich to Lindau, the EC (Europe Express) train takes 2½ hours. From Zürich to Konstanz, the trip lasts 1½ hours. Local trains encircle the Bodensee, stopping at most towns and villages.

Tours

Most of the larger tourist centers have city tours with English-speaking guides, but call ahead to confirm availability. The Bodensee is a paradise for bike travelers, with hundreds of miles of well-signposted paths that keep riders safe from cars. You can go on your own or enjoy the comfort of a customized tour with accommodations and baggage transport around the Bodensee (including a bike, if need be). Wine-tasting tours are available in Überlingen, in the atmospheric Spitalweingut zum Heiligen Geist, as well as in Konstanz and Meersburg. Call the local tourist offices for information. Zeppelin tours operated by the DZR (Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei) are not cheap (sightseeing trips cost EUR 200-EUR 715), but they do offer a special feel and a reminder of the grand old days of flight. The zeppelins depart from the airport in Friedrichshafen.

Essentials

Airport Contacts

Flughafen Friedrichshafen (FDH) (07541/284-01. www.fly-away.de). Zürich Airport (ZRH) (43/816-2211. www.zurich-airport.com).

Boat & Ferry Contacts

Bodensee-Schiffsbetriebe (Hafenstr. 6, D-78462, Konstanz. 07531/3640-389. www.bsb-online.com).

Tour Contacts

Bodensee-Radweg-Service GmbH (Mainaustr. 34, Konstanz. 07531/819930. www.bodensee-radweg.com). velotours (Ernst-Sachsstr. 1, Konstanz. 07531/98280. www.velotours.de).