Sightseeing in Germany
Sightseeing in Germany
The most efficient way to travel in Germany is by train. The major train company in Germany is “Deutsche Bahn”. You can find connections, check prices and book tickets directly on their homepage http://www.bahn.de, or go to the information desk at the central station. Their homepage is also available in English.
Major towns are also served by airlines from Munich Airport. For cheap fares early booking is advised. Just check the internet.
In Germany you also have the option to rent a car. You must be at least 18 years old (major firms 25 years), and have a valid drivers license. Car rental prices vary. If you do rent a car, please study German traffic rules carefully. Some important regulations differ significantly from the U.S.
BAVARIA
For day trips within Bavaria the Bayern Ticket is the most favourable option. Bayern Tickets are train tickets, which are valid all day within Bavaria. Two different categories exist:
Bayern Ticket Single (19 EUR, valid for one person) and Bayern Ticket (27 EUR, valid for up to five people). The Bayern Ticket also includes public transportation in most cities. Note that there are different types of trains in Germany. The fastest ones are the ICE and IC trains. These trains usually have less stop-overs and are more expensive than other trains. ICE and IC trains cannot be taken with the Bayern Ticket!
1. Munich
To go to Munich from Augsburg by train you can choose between two options. Either
fast and expensive….
- ICE. Takes 35 minutes and costs 18 EUR one way.
or slow but cheap….
- RB/ RE. Takes 45 minutes and only costs 10 EUR one way. These trains can also be taken with the Bayern Ticket.
There are several popular sights in Munich. The Nymphenburg Palace and Park, the English Garden and the Hofbräuhaus are only a few of them.
If you did not purchase a Bayern Ticket to go to Munich we would suggest you buy a day ticket for public transportation. It covers all fares on the S-Bahn, subways, trams and buses in Munich. Both single and partner tickets are available. A single day ticket for all zones costs 9 EUR. Partner day tickets are valid for up to five adults and cost 16 EUR for all zones all day.
If you are already interested in Munich, you can find more information here:
http://www.muenchen.de/Rathaus/tourist_office/sehenswuerdigkeiten/88120/index.html
2. Nuremberg
An ICE to Nuremberg cost around 30 EUR one way and takes about one hour and fifteen minutes. The RB/ RE are a little slower (one hour and forty-five minutes) but only cost 20 EUR one way.
Just to get an impression: “For one, Nuremberg is a large modern city with half a million inhabitants, the core city of a European metropolitan region and Bavaria's second economic center. For another, so much of Nuremberg's history can be seen and experienced, unlike other comparable locations in Germany.”
A lot of history can be seen in Nuremberg, just have a look at: (English version)
http://www.nuernberg.de/english/tourismus/tourismus.html
If you want to stay in Nuremberg over night, we suggest to stay at the youth hostel in the old castle. From here all major sights are within walking distance. Further information is available at:
http://www.jugendherberge.de/international/html/01-hostels/extended_jh.jsp?IDJH=253
3. Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Rothenburg is a beautiful small city in the north of Bavaria. It takes around two and a half hours to get there by train and prices vary between 20 to 40 EUR. The city has many historic buildings and is one of the major sights in Bavaria. Unfortunately the city is often overcrowded with Asian tourists.
Further Information is available at: http://www.rothenburg.de/index.php?get=121
4. Neuschwanstein Castle
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Neuschwanstein is one of the most popular palaces and castles in Europe. Every year 1.3 million people visit "the castle of the fairy-tale king". Several guided tours available and also offered in English. Just have a look at: http://www.neuschwanstein.de/english/index.htm
Public transportation to the Castle is a bit difficult, but do able. You have to take a train to Füssen and then switch into either bus RVO/ OVG 73 direction Steingaden/Garmisch-Partenkirchen or bus RVO/OVG 78 direction Schwangau to Hohenschwangau. You should buy a ticket from Augsburg to Hohenschwangau which will then enable you to ride both train and bus. The trip should take around 2.5 hours. |
5. Andechs Monastery
At the Andechs Monastery it is possible to visit the Saint Bonifaz Abbey, the Monastery Church and enjoy beer and traditional meals in the monastery’s famous brewery restaurant.
The monastery is reachable by train:
- RE (Augsburg-Munich) but get off at Munich-Pasing! Approx. 30 minutes.
- S 5 (Munich- Pasing – Herrsching) Approx. 40 minutes.
We would recommend the Bayern Ticket, because this is valid for both trains, RE and S.
For further information on Andechs go to: http://www.andechs.de/englisch/kloster/
6. Ulm
There are many direct railroad connections from Augsburg main station to Ulm. A one-way ride on the ICE takes about 45 minutes and costs 20 EUR. A ride with the RB/ RE takes about 45 minutes and is covered by the Bayern Ticket.
The Ulm Minster has the tallest church spire in the world. Also worth visiting is the historic fisherman’s quarter. Sightseeing tours in English language are available.
Tourist information in Ulm: http://tourismus.ulm.de/
SIGHTS IN GERMANY AND EUROPE
1. Berlin
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An ICE (Augsburg - Berlin) takes about 6 hours and costs 90 EUR one way. If you buy your ticket early, you can get discounts up to 50%. The central station in Berlin is called Zoologischer Garten.
There is also a night train going from Augsburg to Berlin. Fares start at 29 EUR and require early booking. For further information and booking see: http://www.nachtzugreise.de |
Flights to Berlin leave from Munich Airport and cost 60 - 100 EUR.
You should schedule at least two days for this trip. Berlin as the capital of Germany provides a lot of important sights like the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, the Reichstag (the seat of the German Bundestag) and the beautiful Schloß Sanssouci.
More details available at: http://www.berlin-tourist-information.de/english/sightseeing
2. Prague
Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is also called the “Golden City”. Its huge variety of palaces, museums and places of worship makes Prague world famous. More information on the city is available at : http://www.prague-info.cz .The cheapest and most comfortable way to get there is the night train. A ticket costs about 65 EUR one way. For travelling information check: http://www.bahn.de and http://www.nachtzugreise.de .
3. Vienna
Vienna is the world’s music capital. More famous composers have lived here than in any other city. It also offers a very interesting variety of impressive architecture like the gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Imperial Palace, the magnificent baroque palace Schönbrunn and the modern architecture at the Museums Quartier.
Flights to Vienna are available from Munich Airport.
Trains are similary convenient and fast. One-way tickets cost about 75 EUR. An advantage of this alternative is that you can schedule a stop in Salzburg, which is also worth seeing.
For further information visit: http://info.wien.at
Despite all the mentioned destinations, don’t forget: Also your host town Augsburg provides several great sights. To give you an overview, we have scheduled a guided walkabout for your first week in Augsburg. Enjoy your stay!