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Cologne Travel Guide

Getting to and from Cologne is an easy affair with its extensive range of transport links.

Cologne has its own airport which it shares with neighbouring city Bonn and it has good transport connections.travel to cologne

Easyjet, Germanwings and bmibaby all fly to Cologne from England with flights available from Liverpool, Nottingham East Midlands, London Stansted, London Gatwick and Manchester.

Prices can vary from each flight company and it would be advisable to book as much in advance as possible.

www.koeln-bonn-airport.de is a comprehensive website for Cologne airport to check any details required when you arrive at your destination.

A train from the airport to the main station takes just 10 minutes and the Old Town is just a few minutes walk from there.

If you are unable to fly direct to Cologne that is no problem with the city linked to nearby cities via train.

Dusseldorf airport is just 45 minutes away by train and Frankfurt airport, the biggest in Europe, is just over an hour away on the fast ICE train.

For all rail travel in and around Cologne as well as Germany as a whole www.bahn.de is an invaluable source for all travellers.

Cologne central station is located in the centre of the city and just a few steps from the cathedral a tourist information point can by found nearby if anything is required to make your visit all the more enjoyable. 

A taxi ride from the airport to Cologne costs around €25 and it takes around 15/20 minutes and the drivers are quite friendly.

There are also a wide range of bus networks to and from the city with the 170 service travelling from the airport to the city centre every 20 mins.

You can buy a pass from vending machines which means travel is open for three days and is also valid for the subway, tram and regional train

On the roads Cologne is connected north and south by the A3 autobahn and east and west by the A4 autobahn for those who are considering travelling by automobile.

If you are brave enough or up for some exercise it is possible to hire a bicycle and travel around Cologne at your own pace www.callabike.de and with everything being in close vicinity within the city walking is feasible as a method of seeing the full splendour of the city

Dortmund Travel Guide

Getting in and out of Dortmund is a straightforward affair with its central location having helped forge excellent air links with England.

Dortmund airport is continually progressing to satisfy the increasing demand for business travel, which has opened up the possibilities to travel to most parts of Europe directly, along with several internal flights to other host cities.

Easyjet, Lufthansa and Air Berlin all fly from England and offer decent prices if booked early enough, while www.flughafen-dortmund.de is an excellent website for Dortmund airport to check any important details.

If, as expected, prices to Dortmund shoot up as the World Cup draws near, it is possible to travel to the city from London by bus, www.eurolines.co.uk, or alternatively, by train - www.deutsche-bahn.co.uk.

Direct buses cost in the region of €80 and take 14 hours, while by train it can be achieved in around 7-8 hours but is the more expensive option.

Having arrived in Dortmund transfer to the city centre is straightforward, with the best option being to take a direct shuttle bus that takes around 25 minutes - at €5 representing decent value - that drops off at the main railway station; an ideal starting point.

For the more adventurous it is possible to take two buses - the 440 to Alperbeck Station and then the U47 to town - although for the sparsity of money saved the direct shuttle is best advised.

Alternatively, a taxi would cost in the region of €25.

Public transport in Dortmund, in Germany as a whole, is excellent in providing both value for money and an efficient, on-time service.

A single ticket can be purchased (€1.10 to €2) that allows convenient travel across the city that includes the use of trams, buses and the underground.

Dortmund's rail service is one of the most impressive in Germany and again, you can set your watch by it.

Over 130 EC, IC and ICE trains provide direct links between Dortmund and Germany's other major cities, along with connections to other European cities.

For those planning extensive rail travel www.bahn.de is an excellent source to plan routes, with travel for up to five people being as low as €12 in some cases.

Getting to the Signal Iduna Park, formerly the Westfalenstadion, can be achieved by using the combined underground and light railway system. Line U45 runs from the main railway station to the stadium, while the U46 runs from the North East of the city to the ground.

Berlin Travel Guide

There are three major airports in Berlin so getting there is no problem, with flights from all over the UK regularly going to either Schoenefeld, Tegel or Tempelhof.

Tegel, located in the North-West of the city, is the largest with good connections to many English airports, while Schonefeld in the South-East offers low-cost flights in and out of the UK. Tempelhof is mostly concerned with domestic and charter flights.

Having arrived in Berlin transfer to the city centre is straightforward, with an efficient public transport system in place. A train is the best option from Schoenefeld, with the station just a five-minute stroll from the airport, whereas a bus would be the preferred method from Tegel.

Although buses, taxis and trams are widely available it is the Berlin U-Bahn, together with the S-Bahn, which form the backbone of the capital's travel network.

Trains run like clockwork from countless stations across the city, with one available every two to five minutes during peak hours, and every seven to 12 minutes for the rest of the day.

The whole rail structure has been thoroughly modernised in recent years, with stations no longer the dishevelled ruins they once were.

Prices are fair too, with the three-day Welcome Card at E22 (which can also be used on buses and trams and entitles you to discounts on many sightseeing trips) particularly good value for short-term visitors, while there are equally good offers for all-encompassing day tickets.

Tickets can be easily purchased from station foyers or vending machines on platforms, and must be validated before boarding the train.

Travel to and from the Olympiastadion is straightforward, with the station, at the end of the U2 line, just a stones throw away from the stadium.

All the relevant information can be found on one website, www.bvg.de, while comprehensive guidance for train travel anywhere in Germany can be found on www.bahn.de.

There are good connections from Berlin to all the other World Cup venues.

Frankfurt Travel Information

Frankfurt is not a huge place, so it is possible to get around much of the city centre on foot.

If you are feeling particularly energetic you can even walk to the stadium on the outskirts of town - it will take you around 45 minutes at a decent pace.

If you are not, then you'll be happy to take advantage of an excellent public transport system.

Overground (S-Bahn) and underground (U-Bahn) trains criss-cross the city centre at regular intervals, so you will never be much more than a couple of minutes away from where you want to go.

If you are heading for the Commerzbank Arena, you have plenty of travel options.

Buses will carry supporters from the Hauptbahnhof to the stadium, tram number 21 runs from the same area, while trains running on S-Bahn lines 8 and 9 all stop at the redeveloped Stadion station, departing every 15 minutes from either the airport or the city centre.

Daily passes are available for public transport, either individually for around €5, or for groups - a day pass for buses, trams and trains costs only €12 for five people.

If you are heading further afield by train, www.bahn.de will help you to plan your journeys in advance and will also advise of regional offers giving discount travel for groups.

Frankfurt's airport will be a major hub for flights into the west of Germany and if you haven't already sorted out your flights you may now struggle to get one, especially as England are the first visitors to the city.

It is also the main point of entry for visitors to the Rhine valley, a hugely popular tourist destination during the summer months.

Gelsenkirchen travel guide

There are no direct flights to Gelsenkirchen - as there is no airport - but Dusseldorf is a mere 45 km away.

Getting there is straightforward, with daily direct flights from Stansted and Leeds with budget carriers Air Berlin and Jet2 respectively plus services from Heathrow, Manchester and Birmingham with either Lufthansa or British Airways.

Car rental agencies are located in central arrivals but public transport is a straightforward proposition.

Take the S-bahn, located at the airport, to the Hauptbahnhof. The 12 minute journey costs €2 (buy a Zone A ticket) and jump on the train headed for Solingen-Ohligen.

There are five trains per hour from Dusseldorf to Gelsenkirchen with the journey time around 40 minutes and the service runs all night if you find yourself caught up in the former city's more sophisticated nightlife.

To get to the Veltins Arena, take tram 302 from the lower level of Gelsenkirchen railway station in the direction of Gelsenkirchen-Buer as far as the "Arena AufSchalke" stop.

The local transport authority runs plenty of extra trams to all matches and it's free of charge if you have a ticket.

If you are travelling by car you should leave the A2 motorway at the exit signposted Gelsenkirchen-Buer and then follow the signs.

Humburg Travel Information

Getting to and out of Hamburg is very straightforward and all the other host cities can be reached within an hour from the airport.

The airport, the oldest in Germany, flies to 52 cities and is situated just eight kilometres from the city centre. There is an Airport Express to the city which takes under half an hour and departs from terminals one and two for €7.

Alternatively hop in a taxi for between €18 and €20. There is also the option of getting the train from terminal two.

Public transport is highly efficient and easy to use and is all run by HVV. The best option is to buy a Hamburg CARD.

For just over €7 a day (and can be used from 6pm the day before) you will also be entitled to free entry to the municipally-owned museums and reductions on other attractions. For a three-day ticket it costs just €14.50.

If you are under 30 then the Power Pass is the best choice as it costs €7 on the first day then is renewable for 3.30 a day for a maximum of six additional days.

The metropol card ticket is another possibility - for €39.90 you can enjoy three days' free access to more than 80 recreation facilities in the area.

Hamburg is connected by four motorways and is the most important railway junction on the route to Northern Europe while the bus station is just to the south east of the main train station - the Hauptbahnhof.

Three lines comprise the U-Bahn (underground) and six on the S-Bahn (metro) system and the city also boasts four train stations - Altona, Dammtor, Bergedorf and Harburg with InterCity and InterCityExpress trains stopping at all five.

The best way to see and get a flavour of a city is to use the oldest form of transport. Walk.

Hannover Travel Guide

Regular flights from Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester and London arrive at Hannover international airport and, as you would expect, the passage to the city centre - just a few kilometres south, is efficient and well-organised.

The primary route for many from the airport is likely to be the rail service with a regular train - the S5 train taking you directly to the main city station in Hannover - the tickets will cost you a paltry €2.70.

A taxi from the airport to the ground or station will cost between €20 and €27 and a coach service (€4) and a bus service (€5) are also available

If you are driving to the city, both the city centre and the stadium are well signposted, although much of the city centre is for pedestrians only.

 

Kaiserslautern travel guide

Tucked away in the south west corner of Germany near the French border, Kaiserslautern will not prove the easiest host city to reach.

There is no airport in the city and fans travelling from England will need to head to Frankfurt before getting a connecting train.

That said, the journey is pretty hassle free - British Airways, BMI and Lufthansa all fly to Frankfurt-Main airport, (which is approximately 62 miles from Kaiserslautern), and having touched down there the English-speaking staff will prove more than happy to help.

Head to Terminal 1 at the airport on the free shuttle bus and from there to the train terminals where the ruthlessly-efficient German transport system will undoubtedly ensure your train arrives on time.

The journey from Frankfurt to Kaiserslautern takes around 1h 35min, (including one change at Mannheim), and a return ticket will set you back 60€ (£40) - there are two or three trains an hour.

Once in Kaiserslautern itself transport becomes something of an irrelevance as it is comfortably small enough to get around on foot.

The stadium (Fritz-Walter Stadion) is perched up on top of a hill and is visible from the train station.

Making your way to it from the town centre it is easy enough on foot as you simply follow the Eisenbahnstrasse. However, if you are not partial to walks up winding, steep hills then you can always hop on a bus which will do the walking for you - this will set you back around €1 and there are likely to be extra services come the summer.

Driving to Kaiserslautern could be considered with car rental options aplenty at Frankfurt, but the train service is so reliable it makes more sense to go by rail.

That said, connections to the rest of the World Cup venues by train might not prove so simple as there do not appear to be any direct trains.

Leipzig Travel Information

Travelling to Leipzig is likely to involve a connecting flight as London Stansted is England's only direct route to Leipzig/Halle airport.

Flying from Manchester will involve a changeover at Stansted, alternately you can fly from Manchester to Hamburg, Frankfurt or Munich and make your way through Germany to Leipzig.

If you arrive at Leipzig/Halle airport the easiest way to get into the city is by rail. Trains run frequently during the day and also through the night should your return flight be a late or early departure.

Travelling by train is the most efficient method of reaching the city with a return ticket to the station (Hauptbahnhof) costing just €6.80, although you can make the short 11 miles journey via taxi.

The travel time from the airport to the station passes in the blink of an eye and 15 minutes after boarding the train you will be embarking in the heart of Leipzig.

A number of hotels are situated around the Hauptbahnhof, although taxis are standing by outside the terminal should your accommodation be further afield.

One of the easiest ways of getting around the city is via the tram system. If you are staying in the city for a few days, then purchasing the Leipzig Card is a must.

The card allows you to travel freely within the city limits on all trams and buses of Leipzig's public transport company LVB.

Further bonuses of the card include discounts on sightseeing tours, guided walks and drinks and meals at selected restaurants and cafes.

A number of tram services pass the Zentralstadion (Sport Forum) including number 3,7,8,15, although a full listing of routes and times can be found at (http://www.lvb.de/).

Tickets can be purchased from platforms with vending machines displaying information in English and French. Prices start at €1.30 for short trips (Four stops).

The network is currently undergoing a number of upgrades and repairs, although all scheduled work is expected to be completed ahead of the World Cup.

If you are more of a fresh air person then walking to the stadium along the Jahnalle route will take approximately 30 minutes from the Hauptbahnhof.

Munich Travel information

There is a wide variety of options for anyone looking to fly to Munich from the UK. British Airways offer flights from Heathrow and Gatwick, Lufthansa from Manchester and Birmingham, as well as low-cost operators Easyjet from Stansted and HLX from Newcastle.

Munich’s international airport is connected to the city centre by S-Bahn line S1 and S8 (€8 one-way). The ride to the central Marienplatz takes approximately 40 minutes.

Getting around Munich is easy as the city is well served by a comprehensive and reliable train system.

The S-Bahn and U-Bahn services offer a cheap and convenient way of exploring all the major sights, and you rarely have to wait long for a train.

There are lots of ticketing options available, with the best value being a streifenkarte (€10,50) which is valid for 10 journeys within the central zone.

Remember to stamp your ticket before each journey as on-the-spot fines are levied on anyone caught without a validated ticket.

The Allianz Arena is accessible from the central Marienplatz on the northbound U-Bahn line U6. Alight at Fröttmaning and from there follow the walkway up to the stadium, which takes about 10 minutes.

Nurenburg Travel guide

Getting to Nuremberg is straightforward, with daily direct flights from both London and Manchester to the city's airport, which is just a few kilometres to the north.

However, with England coming to town on June 15, expect availability to be scarce and prices to be high.

Alternatives include flying to Munich, the other major airport in Bavaria, while fast trains (www.bahn.de) connect the city to the World Cup venues of Frankfurt and Stuttgart in just two hours. To the east, Leipzig is just a three-hour train journey away.

The city also has an efficient underground system and there are trains to get you to and from the Frankenstadion, with the station just a two-minute stroll from the stadium.

The main station is situated across the ring road from the city walls, giving easy access to the tourist attractions, restaurants and brewery-pubs within. Don't just stick to this end of the Old Town, however, it gets better the further north you go. 

The Nuremberg authorities have gathered all the relevant travel information into one website (http://www.nuernbergmobil.de/en), with train timetables and information on local public transport, including advice on buying multiple tickets.

Trains are inexpensive compared to those in the UK, but for an even greater saving you can buy a 'Bayern ticket' for €24 (when purchased online or from a ticket machine), an all-day pass for all public transport in Bavaria for up to five people, ideal for travelling between Nuremberg and Munich. A single 'Bayern ticket' costs €17.

Stuttgart Travel guide

Stuttgart airport handled nearly 9.5 million passengers in 2005, and direct flights can be found from Birmingham, Manchester, Heathrow and Stansted, if you want to fly to this attractive World Cup venue.

Upon arriving at the airport, you will find yourself nearly eight miles from the centre of the city, and a quick ride on the S-Bahn can have you at Stuttgart's central station within half an hour on the S2 or S3 line.

Trains run until just after midnight, but if you prefer the ease afforded by a local taxi, then expect to pay around €30 for a 30-minute trip.

Stuttgart runs an efficient integrated public transport system run by VVS (www.vvs.de), including overground trains, trams, buses and the underground (U-Bahn), and rates vary depending on how many zones you wish to travel through.

However, the local authorities are wisely looking to make match-day travel much easier by introducing a World Cup ticket, which will allow for unlimited travel on days where the city hosts a fixture (http://www.vvs.de/wm2006/index.php, German language only).

The U-Bahn, which it is important to note sees all lines arrive on the same platform in contrast to the London Underground model, is also geared for match days as a special U11 line runs from the Hauptbahnhof (central station) to the Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion.

This is a good way to take in the pre-match atmosphere, as the carriages rapidly fill with fans awaiting kick-off, although the S-Bahn line S1 will also see you safely to the ground and Buses 52, 55, and 56 also provide travel to the stadium.

In terms of getting around the city itself to take in the sights, a three-day ticket is available for €9 (or €12.30 if you want to take in the wider reaches of the network), although the purchase of a Stuttcard Plus will give you the same benefits, but also vouchers and discounts to a number of attractions for a cost of €17.50.

Three-day passes in whatever form can be purchased from many hotels as well as from the 'i-Punkt' Tourist Information Centre on Koningstrasse opposite Hauptbahnhof.

Incidentally, if you are struggling to find your bearings, the Hauptbahnhof is instantly recognisable as its formidable facade is accompanied by a massive tower topped with the gleaming three-pronged symbol of the Mercedes-Benz company.

 

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