How to Get to Lake Constance. Flights, Transportation, Airlines

Air Travel Gateways

Airports for Lake Constance

Several airports serve the region, offering a range of levels of connectivity and closeness to the lake.

Airport Overview

Friedrichshafen Airport (FDH): Smallest, closest, regional flights, some European routes.
Memmingen Airport (FMM): 1.5-2 hours away, low-cost carrier hub (Ryanair, Wizz Air) for Europe.
Zurich Airport (ZRH), Switzerland: 1-1.5 hours away, largest, best-connected international airport, global connections.

Major International Hubs

For intercontinental travel, larger airports provide more straightforward flight options.

Global Connections

Stuttgart Airport (STR), Germany: 2-2.5 hours away, broader European and some intercontinental connections.
Munich Airport (MUC), Germany: 3-3.5 hours away, major international hub, extensive global connections.
Zurich, Stuttgart, and Munich airports provide direct flights from major global hubs.

FDH & FMM Airlines

FDH: Lufthansa, Eurowings, Wizz Air. FMM: Ryanair, A Low-cost european airline. No direct intercontinental flights to FDH or FMM.

Seasonal Flight Trends

Flight frequency and prices increase significantly during summer high season (June-August) and around major holidays. Low-budget airlines may have restricted timetables in off-season.

Airport Facilities

Major airports (ZRH, STR, MUC) have extensive facilities: car rental, rail connections, taxis, shops, restaurants, lounges. FDH and FMM have more basic facilities.

Airport Transfer Options

Train & Bus Transfers

From ZRH: Non-stop trains to Konstanz (~1h 15m).
From FDH: Train station at airport connects to regional towns.
From FMM: Shuttle bus to Memmingen train station, then regional trains to Lake Constance towns.
From STR/MUC: Excellent Deutsche Bahn (DB) connections to Konstanz, Friedrichshafen, Lindau.

Car Rental

Car rental services at all listed airports.
Booking a rental car in advance is good, especially for peak season. DiscoverCars.com offers comparison.
AirHelp: Helps passengers receive as high AS €600 for delayed or canceled flights.

Flight Compensation Information

Delayed/Canceled Flights

If your flight faces significant delays or cancellations, you might be entitled to compensation.

Seeking Compensation

Services like AirHelp focus on helping passengers receive a maximum OF €600 in compensation.

Know Your Rights

European regulations protect air passenger rights for many routes. It is worth checking eligibility.

Exploring by Land

Train Travel Across the Region

Well-run train connections cover the Lake Constance region, extending into neighboring countries.

Train Operators & Routes

Germany's National railway (DB) in Germany connects to major German cities.
SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) connects Konstanz to Zurich and Swiss cities.
ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) connects Bregenz and Lindau to the Austrian network.

Long-Distance Bus Options

Buses offer a budget-friendly another option for inter-city travel.

Bus Services

FlixBus is the main long-distance provider within Germany and Europe.
Connections to major German and Continental cities coming From the lake Constance towns.
Often a cheaper alternative to trains, especially when booked in advance.

Self-Driving Essentials

Driving offers flexibility but consider requirements and local rules.

Driving Requirements

Valid domestic driving license. If not EU/EEA or English, an International Driving Permit (IDP).
Valid passport and a major credit card for deposit.
Minimum driving age 18, rental companies often 21 or 25 (surcharge for those YOUNGER than 25).

Road Conditions & Crossings

Germany's roads are excellent; border crossings are generally open.

Road Network

Germany has an excellent system of roads. Autobahns usually have no speed limit (unless indicated).
Border crossings between Germany, Switzerland, and Austria are part of Schengen, meaning no routine passport checks.
No vignette (road tax sticker) for German roads. A vignette is for Swiss/Austrian motorways (buy at borders/gas stations).

Driving & Parking Advice

Roads around Lake Constance are well-maintained and safe.
In winter, snow tires (M+S or snowflake) are legally required in snowy/icy conditions.
Beware of cyclists, cycling is popular.

Parking can be challenging and expensive in popular town centers.
Use park-and-ride facilities on town outskirts where available.
Illegally parked cars face tickets or towing.

Lake Travel by Ferry

Extensive Ferry Network

Bodensee features an extensive ferry system connecting towns in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. These services are a pleasant way of seeing the region.

Ferry Routes

Konstanz-Meersburg: Year-round car ferry, high frequency.
Friedrichshafen-Romanshorn (Switzerland): Year-round car ferry.
White Fleet (Weiße Flotte) Passenger Services: Connects primary towns (Konstanz, Lindau, Bregenz, Überlingen, Mainau). More often in summer.

Immigration & Connections

Seamless border crossings and good links to land transport.

Cross-Border Travel

No routine passport control when crossing the lake by ferry due to the Schengen Area.
Ferry ports are typically in town centers, near train terminals or bus stops.
River transportation is not a main tourist route on Lake Constance itself.

Scenic Passenger Ferries

The White Fleet offers leisurely journeys and beautiful lakeside vistas, ideal for sightseeing.

Convenient Car Ferries

Car ferries make it simple to transport your automobile across the lake, saving driving time.

Lake Cruises

Several companies offer multi-day lake cruises and day trips on passenger ships for a different perspective.

Departing Lake Constance

Departure Procedures

Plan your departure efficiently to guarantee a seamless journey.

Timing Your Departure

Air Travel: Arrive 2-ARRIVE 3 hours early for international flights (1.5-2 hours for Europe).
Train Travel: Arrive 15-30 minutes before departure. Stations are efficient.
Journey By ferry: Arrive 15-30 minutes before departure for passenger ferries. Earlier for car ferries.

Airport/Station Facilities

Departure points offer services for travelers.

Amenities for Travelers

Airports feature check-in, security, shops (duty-free for non-EU), restaurants.
Train stations offer shops, eateries, restrooms, and bags lockers.
No specific exit fees or taxes are imposed beyond those in airline tickets.

Seamless Departure

A well-planned departure completes your Lake Constance experience. Confirm all bookings and arrive early to enjoy airport or station amenities.

How to Get to Lake Constance