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Historically the best fortresses & castles have always been built on a steep slope for military purposes. This made it difficult for the enemy to approach, and easier for the castle to defend itself (horror-stories of pouring molten-hot tar on the enemy, etc,,,) Heidelberg Castle is no exception.
There are 3 ways of getting to the castle:
a) take the "Burgweg" (=castle path). A steep cobbled path starting at the Kornmarkt (my favourite way to walk)
b) take the stairs (over 300 steps)
c) take the Funicular (for the lazy ones amongst you :-)
WALKING is of course the healthiest, cheapest & most traditional option... and just when you think you're about to collapse, imagine ascending this steep path every day in full knight's armour! Wear comfortable shoes and enjoy the sense of achievement when you've reached the top :-)
The FUNICULAR railway line is 489 metres long & at its steepest point has a 43% gradient. The 2 split-level cars each carry 50 people & travels at about 4 metres per second.
--> In 2007 the railway line celebrates its 100th birthday!
PRICES (year 2007):
> Historic rail: return ticket from Kornmarkt to Castle starts at 3 EURO.
Children (6yrs - 14 yrs) pay 2 EURO.
> A round-trip rail ticket (Kornmarkt to Koenigsstuhl and back) costs 8 EURO.
Children (6yrs - 14yrs) pay 6 EURO.
(Children younger than 5yrs ride for free.)
> Groups: for groups larger than 30 people there are special ticket offers.
Check their WEBSITE for more details (also in English). Leave a Comment
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The new main station was one of the first new train stations in the young German federal republic and therefore has large dimensions & the charming architectural characteristics of the 1950s. Nowadays, it is listed as a protected historical building.
Throughout the decades renovations & new shops have changed the building, but on the main wall with its large clock you can still see the original mosaic from 1955 (see photo)
The new main station ("Hauptbahnhof") celebrated its 50th birthday on May 5th 2005. The opening ceremony in 1955 was held by the federal president of Germany at the time, Mr Theodor Heuss, who had also lived here for a number of years.
Per day approx. 42,000 travellers pass through the station; quite impressive numbers for a city of this relatively moderate size.
Lockers for luggage (or shopping bags ;-) are available in two sizes and cost between 2 - 4 EUROS. They are located along the hallway where all stairs to the various tracks branch-off. Upon payment you receive a small receipt with a number code, which you will need to later unlock your compartment. Usage is possible for up to 72 hours.
In the train station you will find:
> Travel Agency of the Deutsche Bahn
> McDonald's
> Bakery & Snack Bar
> Kiosk (cigarettes, drinks, magazines, int'l newspapers, etc.)
> An Italian Restaurant with smoking section
> "Ihr Platz" supermarket
> Public toilets (0.50 Euro cents)
> Public telephones (pay-card or coins)
Travel & Info Office: Opening Hours: Mon- Fri 09:00am-06:30pm.
Saturdays from 09:00am-01:00pm.
Address:
Willy-Brandt-Platz 5 / 69115 Heidelberg Hbf.
--> From Frankfurt airport take the ICE, change trains in Mannheim & into Heidelberg. Ticket per adult is 24.- EUROS (price in 2007).
Outside you will also find a Tourist Information Centre. (check my General tips)
From the main station you are excellently connected to the entire city by bus or tram.
NOTE:All tickets must be purchased BEFORE boarding the train, tram or bus. Leave a Comment Theme: TrainPhone: 0049-6221-525 348Other Contact: Fax: +49-6221-525494
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 Tram in Heidelberg by Nemorino
This will cost you all of one Euro.
The tram in the photo is going in the opposite direction, I must admit, but it was the only one that happened to be there when I wanted to take the picture. (The photo looks rather fuzzy in its reduced form, by the way. I don't know why that is, but if you click on it to enlarge it it's perfectly all right. Maybe someone can tell me why this occurs.)
The trams numbered 1, 4 and 5R go to Bismarckplatz, as does bus number HSB34 and HSB42. Leave a Comment
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 The old train by christine.j
If you want to take the furnicular all the way up to the top of the mountain, the Königstuhl, you have to change trains at the Molkenkur stop.
From there, it's still the old train, which only holds up to 40 people. So you may to wait a while at the Molkenkur.If you're in a hurry, ask before you buy your ticket, as it can take as long as one hour, depending on how many people are waiting in line. There is nothing to do while waiting, you just stand stand in line.
But it's worth the wait! This is a really old train, climbing up the very steep mountain. If you're sitting in the last car, turn back and enjoy the view across Heidelberg and the Neckar. Leave a Comment
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 Bicycles at the Central
Station by Nemorino
Unfortunately Heidelberg does not have a bicycle parking garage at the station, as some other cities do. In fact the bicycle parking situation here at the station is highly chaotic, as the Heidelberg chapter of the ADFC, the General German Bicycle Club, has been pointing out for some time now. Leave a Comment
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 People walking along Old
Town by Gypsystravels
I love walking and for me there really isn't a better way to explore a town, especially one like Heidelberg than by walking. I enjoy being able to stop at my leisure along the way to any of the hidden little treasures that you can find when you just set out to explore by foot.
Pasquale and I walked up the steps to the top of the castle to get some magnificint views. We waked around the castle ruins and walked back down to the Christmas Market.
It was really nice walking along the Christmas stalls and checking out all the wonderful Christmas items. Leave a Comment Theme: Other
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 Me & Pasquale driving to
Heidelberg :) by Gypsystravels
The drive was about 2 hours and 45 minutes along well paved highways and some really nice scenary.
We were able to spend enough time exploring this town, castle and the market without worrying about train schedules. Leave a Comment Theme: Car/Motor Home
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 Are we there yet? by SjalenLeave a Comment Theme: Other
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 Bergbahn - Funicular Railway by sabsi
The train doesn't only go to the castle, you can also go up to the next stop Molkenkur if you feel like a day in the hills. This part of the funicular has recently been renovated, which makes it the most modern funicular in German. It even got a glass roof as well as a fancy new entrance area. There's a third stop at the top of the hill (Königstuhl) and this part is the oldest electric funicular in Germany.
The funicular railway project was first presented in 1873 and finally built in 1888. Back then a water box with a capacity of 8 cubic metres was fitted in the two cars. To move them the upper car was filled with water until it was heavy enough to lift the lower car. A funny idea isn't it? Leave a Comment
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The funicular railway transports you from the old town to the castle in just a few short minutes.
It was granted permission to be built in 1888 and was completed in 1890.
It was closed for reconstruction in 2003 and reopened with new cars in March 2005.
It is an easy option to avoid the walk up.
Ingrid and I did it the other way round of course. We walked up and took the funicular down. Leave a Comment Theme: Train
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