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Air Travel

Air Travel

Bavaria, Germany

Airport Operations and Transfers

Major Airports & Airlines

Nuremberg Airport (NUE) is the main airport serving Nuremberg and the wider Franconia region. It is compact and efficient, located about 7 km (4.3 miles) north of the city center.

Airlines & Routes

  • Airlines: Lufthansa, Ryanair, Turkish Airlines, KLM, Eurowings, Corendon Airlines, Wizz Air.
  • Typical Routes: Flights mainly connect Nuremberg to major European hubs: Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC), Amsterdam (AMS), Istanbul (IST), and London (LHR).
  • No direct transatlantic flights from Nuremberg. Connections are via major European hubs.

Seasonal Flight & Facilities

Flight availability generally rises during summer (June-August) due to higher tourist demand. Prices also tend to rise during this peak summer season.

Fluctuations & Services

  • The Christmas Market season in December also sees a surge in demand and corresponding higher prices.
  • Traveling during off-peak seasons (late winter, shoulder seasons) often has better deals and fewer crowds.
  • Airport Facilities: Duty-free shops, restaurants, car rental agencies, currency exchange, free Wi-Fi.

U-Bahn Subway

The U2 subway line connects directly from the airport terminal to Nuremberg Hauptbahnhof and the city center. Journey is approximately 12-15 minutes.

Taxi

Taxis are outside the airport terminal. Cost to the city center is approximately €20-€25, depending on traffic. Good for heavy luggage.

Rental Car

Car rental desks are in the airport terminal. Picking up a rental car at the airport makes for immediate flexibility for region exploration.

Land Transportation

Train Connections

  • Nuremberg Hauptbahnhof is a significant rail hub in southern Germany.
  • Deutsche Bahn (DB) operates major train services. Their network is extensive and known for punctuality.
  • Excellent train connections to major German cities: Munich (1 hr), Frankfurt (2 hrs), Berlin (3.5-4 hrs).
  • International destinations like Vienna (Austria) and Prague (Czech Republic) are accessible by train.

Bus Options & Self-Driving

  • Long-Distance Buses: FlixBus is the dominant operator. Offers extensive connections from Nuremberg to numerous German cities and international destinations.
  • Self-Driving: Renting a car has flexibility, specifically for exploring the wider Bavarian region.
  • Road Conditions: Germany has excellent, well-maintained roads. Autobahns are famous for sections with no speed limit.
  • Parking: Challenging and expensive in the city center. Multi-story car parks (Parkhäuser) or Park & Ride (P+R) are good.

Sea/River Arrivals & 4.4 Departure Information

River Transportation

Nuremberg is an inland city. River cruises operate seasonally on the Main-Danube Canal, linking Nuremberg to other European cities like Vienna or Budapest. These are mainly for tourism and not regular transportation.

Departure Timing

Airport: Arrive at NUE at least 2 hours before scheduled departure. 3 hours for intercontinental connections. Train: Arrive 15-30 minutes before departure. Bus: Arrive 15-30 minutes before departure.

Departure Facilities

NUE and Hauptbahnhof have various facilities: shops, restaurants, cafes, restrooms. Lounges at the airport for eligible passengers.

Additional Travel Advice

Train Travel Essentials

Nuremberg Hauptbahnhof (Main Train Station) is a significant rail hub in southern Germany. It has excellent connections across the country and to international destinations.

Train Information

  • Deutsche Bahn (DB): Germany's national railway company operates all major train services.
  • High-speed trains (ICE): Intercity-Express trains connect Nuremberg with Frankfurt Airport, Munich, and Berlin.
  • Regional trains (RE, RB): Regional-Express and Regionalbahn trains link Nuremberg to towns and cities within Bavaria and Franconia.

Long-Distance Bus Options

Long-distance buses are an alternative to train travel, often at lower prices, though with longer travel times.

Main Bus Provider

  • FlixBus: The dominant long-distance bus operator in Germany and across Europe.
  • The central bus station (ZOB) in Nuremberg is near the Hauptbahnhof.
  • Booking in advance, specifically online, makes for the best prices.

Self-Driving Information

Renting a car and self-driving has flexibility, specifically if you plan to explore the wider Bavarian region or smaller towns not easily reached by train.

Requirements & Conditions

  • Requirements: Valid driving license from your home country. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is good for non-EU licenses.
  • Road Conditions: Germany has excellent, well-maintained roads. Autobahns are famous for sections with no speed limit.
  • German roads are generally safe and well-maintained. Drivers are known for discipline.

General Driving Rules

German drivers are known for being disciplined and adhering to traffic rules. Be aware of speed cameras ("Blitzer"), which are common.

Driving Laws & Parking

  • Drive on the right side of the road. Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants.
  • Children under 12 or shorter than 150 cm must use an appropriate car seat.
  • Legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05%.

Essential Driving Tips

  • In winter, roads can be icy or snowy, needing careful driving and appropriate tires.
  • Speed Limits: Autobahns may have no speed limit in sections, but adhere to posted signs.
  • Parking is challenging and expensive in the city center. Look for multi-story car parks (Parkhäuser).
  • Park & Ride (P+R) options are available at U-Bahn stations on the outskirts of the city.
  • P+R makes parking cheaply possible and connection to the city center via public transport.
  • Always confirm your flight or train schedule the day before departure.

Affiliate Resources for Travel

Flights & Car Rentals

These resources make flight and car rental bookings simple.

Booking Tools

Travel Insurance & SIM Cards

Important services for safety and staying connected.

Protection & Connectivity

  • World Nomads: Travel insurance for adventurous travelers.
  • SafetyWing: Insurance for digital nomads.
  • Airalo: eSIM services for connectivity.

Visa Services

Simplifying visa applications for international travel.

Safety Gear

Anti-theft bags and security products for travelers.

General Retail

A main consumer retail platform for various travel needs.

Affiliate Partners & What They Do

Visa & Passport Services

These services streamline visa and passport applications.

Providers

  • IVisa: Consumer visa application service.
  • VisaHQ: Direct visa and passport service website.

Health & Safety Resources

Resources for personal health and safety on your trip.

Essential Products

Electronics & Online Security

VPN Services

NordVPN and ExpressVPN for secure browsing.

Camera Gear

B&H Photo for camera and electronics.

Flight Compensation

AirHelp: Assists passengers with delayed or canceled flights.

Booking Ahead

Booking flights well in advance, specifically for high season, is good for more favorable prices.