Where to Stay on the Bodensee
Dec 29th, 2007, 03:56 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Where to Stay on the Bodensee
My wife and I are intending to stay a few days in Germany next June. We fly to Zurich and will either drive or rail to the Bodensee. Can't decide between Lindau and Meersberg. Any help here, or are there even better places to stay. Would also like recommendations re lodging with a view to the lake. Any help will be appreciated.
Dec 29th, 2007, 04:39 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,009
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You can do a search here on Fodor's for Bodensee, Lindau and Meersburg and find lots of helpful info.
We have been to both Lindau (2002) and Meersburg (2007) and loved each one.
In Lindau we stayed on the lake promenade, but wouldn't recommend our hotel, the Helvetica, I believe. It was just OK and I know there are others that are better.
In Meersburg, we stayed at the wonderful Zum Baeren (http://www.baeren-meersburg.de/). I can highly recommend this hotel even though it isn't located on the lake. It's not a long walk to the lake, but Meersburg is hilly so if you have any trouble walking then you might want to stay in Lindau.
Both towns are amazingly beautiful. If I had to pick one, I guess it would probably be Meersburg.
From either town, I'd highly recommend you take a boat trip to the garden island of Mainau. Just gorgeous. You can see our photos of Meersburg and Mainau in our photo album:
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/561038806XxDcvw
Another website that might be helpful:
http://www.bodensee-info.com/html/ho...meersburg.html
We have been to both Lindau (2002) and Meersburg (2007) and loved each one.
In Lindau we stayed on the lake promenade, but wouldn't recommend our hotel, the Helvetica, I believe. It was just OK and I know there are others that are better.
In Meersburg, we stayed at the wonderful Zum Baeren (http://www.baeren-meersburg.de/). I can highly recommend this hotel even though it isn't located on the lake. It's not a long walk to the lake, but Meersburg is hilly so if you have any trouble walking then you might want to stay in Lindau.
Both towns are amazingly beautiful. If I had to pick one, I guess it would probably be Meersburg.
From either town, I'd highly recommend you take a boat trip to the garden island of Mainau. Just gorgeous. You can see our photos of Meersburg and Mainau in our photo album:
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/561038806XxDcvw
Another website that might be helpful:
http://www.bodensee-info.com/html/ho...meersburg.html
Dec 30th, 2007, 04:42 AM
#3
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
First of all, if you stay at the German side of Lake Constance, you have a much better panorama, as you look towarrd the alps.
Friedrichshafen is a hub there, (airport, railways, ships and a ferry) with a large lakeside promenade, a Zeppelin museum worth a visit, but nothing of this old town charme the other towns and even villages have in abundance.
So Meersburg is Fodorite´s Favorite, as ist is also a hub and abundant of its ole times charm. If you like it more off, consider Immenstaad (there is a Immenstaad at Lake Konstance end an Immenstadt in the Allgäu, so don´t mix up these two) or Hagnau for your stay and as a base for your daily trips by bus, rail, or better, the passenger boats connecting the lakeside places at a schedule.
Why not Bregenz or Linday, they are beautiful places too? Yes, but they also are more off, as well as Überlingen or Constance to be convenient as a base. But do some further research, all these places are worth a visit. Bregenz is located at the foot of mountain Pfänder, there ie a funicular to its top, which offers a great panorama over the lake - when the weather is fine. Insel Mainau is known for its floral park and does not need further recommendation.
Birnau, a church between Meersburg an Überlingen, a baroque jewel deserves a mention an a visit.
So, as you have a few days, become aware of aour wishes and intentions and do further research on this.
When you are there: Lake Constance is, despite of dense settlement, also an agricultural region famous for its products: Fruit, especially apples to be eaten as fruit or drunk as fruit liquor (Obstler from apples and pears, Williams from pears). Hops to flavour good beers, as the Rothaus Pils found there or the tasty and refreshing Farny Weizen. Hagnau, Meersburg and Überlingen are also noted wine regions, so you should once try a Bodenseefelchen (a fish from the lake, comparable to trout) together with a Viertele Meerburger (quart of a liter of wine from Meersburg.
And do not miss the little delights:
Bread, buns, seelen (long buns with salt and cumin) and pretzels fresh from a local baker, sausages or Leberkäs (German spam, but delicious, when eaten fresh and warm on a bun) from a local butcher.
Friedrichshafen is a hub there, (airport, railways, ships and a ferry) with a large lakeside promenade, a Zeppelin museum worth a visit, but nothing of this old town charme the other towns and even villages have in abundance.
So Meersburg is Fodorite´s Favorite, as ist is also a hub and abundant of its ole times charm. If you like it more off, consider Immenstaad (there is a Immenstaad at Lake Konstance end an Immenstadt in the Allgäu, so don´t mix up these two) or Hagnau for your stay and as a base for your daily trips by bus, rail, or better, the passenger boats connecting the lakeside places at a schedule.
Why not Bregenz or Linday, they are beautiful places too? Yes, but they also are more off, as well as Überlingen or Constance to be convenient as a base. But do some further research, all these places are worth a visit. Bregenz is located at the foot of mountain Pfänder, there ie a funicular to its top, which offers a great panorama over the lake - when the weather is fine. Insel Mainau is known for its floral park and does not need further recommendation.
Birnau, a church between Meersburg an Überlingen, a baroque jewel deserves a mention an a visit.
So, as you have a few days, become aware of aour wishes and intentions and do further research on this.
When you are there: Lake Constance is, despite of dense settlement, also an agricultural region famous for its products: Fruit, especially apples to be eaten as fruit or drunk as fruit liquor (Obstler from apples and pears, Williams from pears). Hops to flavour good beers, as the Rothaus Pils found there or the tasty and refreshing Farny Weizen. Hagnau, Meersburg and Überlingen are also noted wine regions, so you should once try a Bodenseefelchen (a fish from the lake, comparable to trout) together with a Viertele Meerburger (quart of a liter of wine from Meersburg.
And do not miss the little delights:
Bread, buns, seelen (long buns with salt and cumin) and pretzels fresh from a local baker, sausages or Leberkäs (German spam, but delicious, when eaten fresh and warm on a bun) from a local butcher.
Dec 30th, 2007, 05:24 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi C,
We liked our stay at www.hotel-schreier.de in Lindau so much that we are going back again in May.
We liked our stay at www.hotel-schreier.de in Lindau so much that we are going back again in May.
Dec 30th, 2007, 08:20 PM
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I thank the three of you for your much appreciated advice. One reason we were sort of leaning toward Lindau is that we may be going by train (spoiled on Swiss Railpass), and Meersberg doesn't appear to have a train stop. Could one stay there and still get around the area? Also, how difficult a journey would it be to rent a car and drive to Tubingen? There are some ancestoral villages there which may be worth a visit.
Dec 30th, 2007, 09:14 PM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,009
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Driving in Germany isn't really any different than driving here in the US. You need to familiarize yourself with the road signs and be sure to stay in the right lane when on the autobahn unless you are passing.
Tuebingen is lovely. We were there in September and had a great time.
Tuebingen is lovely. We were there in September and had a great time.
Dec 31st, 2007, 05:13 AM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi C,
There are regional trains and buses between Meersburg and the the rest of the area.
There is also ferry service.
There are car rental agencies in Lindau, but I think that they are on the mainland, not the island - abt 1.5 km walk.
There are regional trains and buses between Meersburg and the the rest of the area.
There is also ferry service.
There are car rental agencies in Lindau, but I think that they are on the mainland, not the island - abt 1.5 km walk.
Dec 31st, 2007, 05:29 AM
#8
Meersburg is located on a hill. It either goes up or down (except along the waterfront, which is level.)
Lindau is very flat.
Meersburg would be my favourite because of the castle, the medieval town and the lack of traffic.
Lindau would be my second favourite because of it's beauty, and has better transportation. It also has a very quaint old town.
Constance would be my nr. 3 choice. More bustling but great transportation possibilities.
Lindau is very flat.
Meersburg would be my favourite because of the castle, the medieval town and the lack of traffic.
Lindau would be my second favourite because of it's beauty, and has better transportation. It also has a very quaint old town.
Constance would be my nr. 3 choice. More bustling but great transportation possibilities.
Dec 31st, 2007, 06:55 AM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tübingen is located some 170 km away from Meersburg; add another 40 km for the distance Lindau - Meersburg. Maybe you can do these 200 km in two hours, better give yurself tree hours. Consider that rentig a car and fueling it might be expensive, a lot of time and money spent for a day trip.
Lindau is a good base for excursions into the alpine hinterland. If you just have some daysm better use your time for traveling the lakeside. To do this, Friedrichshafen is a good base, a you also can go for the hinterland and see Ravensburg, a town which algamates modern times amenities with medieval charm. Ulm (famous for its Cathedral with the impressive spire) is 100 km away, 90 min. with the train. Meersburg makes a good base for lakeside traveling and excursions to Island Mainu and Konstanz (Constance). As is has also this old times charm in abundance, it might be the best choice for a short stay.
Remember, it is all up to your wishes and intentions. To use a car at the lakeside places might be not that good, as parking is limited there. You better go by train, bus or, top choice, passenger boat (these boats transport 500 to 1.500 people, you can also tranport your bicycle with fese boats. Was there mentionend already, that Lake Conatance is bicyclist´s favourite?).
Lindau is a good base for excursions into the alpine hinterland. If you just have some daysm better use your time for traveling the lakeside. To do this, Friedrichshafen is a good base, a you also can go for the hinterland and see Ravensburg, a town which algamates modern times amenities with medieval charm. Ulm (famous for its Cathedral with the impressive spire) is 100 km away, 90 min. with the train. Meersburg makes a good base for lakeside traveling and excursions to Island Mainu and Konstanz (Constance). As is has also this old times charm in abundance, it might be the best choice for a short stay.
Remember, it is all up to your wishes and intentions. To use a car at the lakeside places might be not that good, as parking is limited there. You better go by train, bus or, top choice, passenger boat (these boats transport 500 to 1.500 people, you can also tranport your bicycle with fese boats. Was there mentionend already, that Lake Conatance is bicyclist´s favourite?).
Dec 31st, 2007, 07:41 AM
#10
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just have a look to the SBB (Swiss Railways) page with the schedule
here: http://fahrplan.sbb.ch/bin/query.exe/en?
There is a direct train Zürich-Flughafen - Lindau, this takes about 2:20 hrs.
Also have a look to the DB AG (German Railways) page, here http://www.bahn.de/international/view/en/index.shtml and for the timetable here: http://persoenlicherfahrplan.bahn.de...ry-p2w.exe/en?
You go by train from Zürich Flughafen to Konstanz, there, you take the bus to Staad (Fähre) and go by ferry from Staad to Meersburg Fähre, this takes about 2:20 hrs.
here: http://fahrplan.sbb.ch/bin/query.exe/en?
There is a direct train Zürich-Flughafen - Lindau, this takes about 2:20 hrs.
Also have a look to the DB AG (German Railways) page, here http://www.bahn.de/international/view/en/index.shtml and for the timetable here: http://persoenlicherfahrplan.bahn.de...ry-p2w.exe/en?
You go by train from Zürich Flughafen to Konstanz, there, you take the bus to Staad (Fähre) and go by ferry from Staad to Meersburg Fähre, this takes about 2:20 hrs.
Jan 5th, 2008, 03:26 PM
#12
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We highly recommend the Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Lindau. The room was beautiful, the location gorgeous, and the restaurant outstanding! We only had a few hours to spend in the town the following day, but it was charming. We look forward to going back soon.
