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Getting There & Away

Getting There & Away

North Rhine Westphalia, Germany

Air Travel

Major Airports & Airlines

Flying into Germany or a neighboring country presents several convenient airport choices for reaching Aachen. Consider which airport best suits your flight origin and onward travel plans.

Airports

  • Düsseldorf Airport (DUS): ~85 km northeast of Aachen. A major international hub with excellent connections across Europe.
  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN): ~85 km east of Aachen. Another significant international airport, serving many European routes.
  • Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST): ~30 km northwest, across the Dutch border. Smaller and regional, mainly for charter and low-cost flights.

Further Airport Options

Larger hubs extend your reach with a wider range of airlines and destinations.

Additional Hubs

  • Brussels Airport (BRU): ~150 km west in Belgium. A major European hub, frequent train connections to Germany.
  • Frankfurt Airport (FRA): ~250 km southeast. Germany's largest airport and a major global hub, direct ICE train connections.
  • Airlines: DUS/CGN serve major European carriers (Lufthansa, Eurowings, Ryanair, KLM, British Airways). MST mainly Ryanair. BRU for Brussels Airlines, Ryanair. FRA for Lufthansa. Compare flights on Skyscanner or look for deals with Dollar Flight Club.

Seasonal Prices

Flight availability generally remains good year-round. Prices typically go up during peak summer months (June-August), around major holidays (Easter, Christmas), and during significant events like CHIO Aachen. Booking flights in advance is a good idea for better rates. Flexibility with travel dates can bring savings.

Airport Facilities

All major airports (DUS, CGN, BRU, FRA) hold comprehensive facilities. This includes duty-free shops, a wide range of restaurants and cafes, car rental agencies, currency exchange services, ATMs, and lounges. Wi-Fi access is also widely available. Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST) offers more limited services, reflecting its smaller size.

Direct Flight Options

Direct flights from global hubs usually arrive at Frankfurt (FRA), Düsseldorf (DUS), or Brussels (BRU). From these airports, onward travel to Aachen typically occurs by train or bus. Few direct flights land at Maastricht Aachen Airport from outside Europe.

Transfer Options from Airports to Aachen

Major German Hubs

  • From DUS/CGN: Take a regional train (RE/S-Bahn) to Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof or Köln Hauptbahnhof. From there, connect to an ICE or RE train directly to Aachen Hauptbahnhof (main station). Total travel time is approximately 1 hour. These routes offer frequent service.
  • From FRA: Direct ICE high-speed trains run frequently from Frankfurt Airport's long-distance train station (Fernbahnhof) to Aachen Hauptbahnhof. Travel time for this journey is approximately 2.5-3 hours. This is a popular option.
  • Car rental is available at all major airports. Consider DiscoverCars.com for options.
  • Taxis are readily available outside terminals for direct transfers, though trains often prove more economical.

Neighboring Country Airports

  • From MST: Bus line 50 connects directly to Aachen Hauptbahnhof. Travel time is around 40 minutes. Taxis are also available outside the terminal.
  • From BRU: Use direct InterCity (IC) trains to Liège-Guillemins (Belgium). Then, connect to an ICE or IC train to Aachen Hauptbahnhof. Total travel time amounts to approximately 1.5-2 hours.
  • Private transfers offer a direct and comfortable option.
  • Purchase train tickets for onward travel in advance for better rates.

Land Transportation Overview

Border Crossing

Aachen sits directly at the border with Belgium and the Netherlands. All three are Schengen Area members, meaning routine passport checks generally do not occur at land borders. Always carry a valid passport or national ID.

Train Connections

Aachen Hauptbahnhof serves as the main train station. Deutsche Bahn (DB) operates most services, including high-speed ICE trains to major German cities and Thalys services to Brussels and Paris. Regional trains (RE/RB) connect to nearby German, Belgian, and Dutch cities.

Long-Distance Buses

FlixBus is the main operator for long-distance bus travel in Germany and Europe. It offers numerous connections to and from Aachen, typically stopping at Aachen Westfriedhof or the central bus station (Bushof). This option can be more budget-friendly than trains, though often slower.

Self-Driving & Local Transport

Self-Driving Considerations

Aachen benefits from good connections to the German Autobahn network (A3, A4, A44). Roads are generally in excellent condition. Driving generally remains safe.

Driving Requirements & Rules

  • Driver's License: A valid driver's license from your home country. For non-EU citizens, an International Driving Permit (IDP) comes highly recommended.
  • Vehicle Documents: If driving your own car, ensure valid registration, insurance, and a green card (international motor insurance card).
  • Driving Laws: Drive on the right. Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants. Speed limits receive strict enforcement. Drunk driving laws are very strict.

Parking & Environmental Zones

Parking & City Zones

  • On-street parking: Often metered and limited in the city center. Look for signs indicating parking zones and payment methods.
  • Multi-story car parks (Parkhäuser): Numerous underground and multi-story car parks are available in the city center. They often present the most convenient option for parking, usually paid by the hour or day.
  • Environmental Zones (Umweltzone): Aachen's city center falls within an environmental zone. Vehicles must display a green emission sticker ("Umweltplakette") to enter. Rental cars typically come with this sticker.

Walking & Cycling

Walking and cycling present excellent ways to explore Aachen. The city center is specifically friendly for pedestrians.

Pedestrian-Friendly Areas

  • Aachen City Center: Extremely pedestrian-friendly, especially the historic old town around Aachen Cathedral and the Town Hall. Many streets are pedestrianized zones.
  • Lousberg: A popular hill north of the city center, offering pleasant walking trails and panoramic views.
  • Parks: Stadtpark and other green spaces provide enjoyable walking environments and a break from urban bustle.

Bicycle Infrastructure & Safety

Aachen increasingly invests in bicycle infrastructure, with a growing network of bike lanes. Consider cycling for local transport.

Cycling in Aachen

  • Bicycle Sharing: Velocity, Aachen's bike-sharing system (operated by ASEAG), offers bicycles for short-term rental via an app.
  • Local Bike Shops: Several bike shops in Aachen offer daily or weekly rentals.
  • Safety: Generally safe, but cyclists maintain awareness of traffic. Helmets are not legally required but recommended.

No-Go Areas & Specialized Transport

  • No specific "no-go" areas exist for pedestrians and cyclists.
  • Exercise general urban caution in crowded areas (e.g., pickpocketing risk) and dimly lit streets late at night.
  • Sea or river arrivals are not applicable for Aachen. This is a landlocked city without significant navigable waterways.
  • Aachen does not feature unique cable cars or boat taxis. Its bus system is the main mode of public transport.
  • During peak tourist season, some companies may offer hop-on-hop-off bus tours. Check with the Aachen Tourist Service for current offerings.
  • Newer buses are low-floor and generally wheelchair-accessible. Historic old town (cobblestones) can present challenges for mobility impairments.

Departure Information

Departure Prep

Prepare for your departure from Aachen by understanding exit procedures and timing.

Departure Essentials

  • No specific exit fees or taxes for tourists departing Germany.
  • Airport Departure: Plan to arrive at least 2-3 hours before an international flight. For domestic or Schengen flights, 1-2 hours usually proves sufficient. This allows time for check-in, security, and potential delays.
  • Train Station Departure: For train travel, arriving 15-30 minutes before departure usually proves sufficient. Train stations do not have security checks comparable to airports.

Airport & Station Facilities

Facilities cater to departing travelers, from check-in to last-minute needs.

Travel Hub Services

  • Major Airports (DUS, CGN, BRU, FRA): Offer a full range of services for departing passengers. These include check-in counters, self-service kiosks, security checkpoints, duty-free shopping, restaurants, cafes, and lounges.
  • Aachen Hauptbahnhof: Provides basic amenities. Find ticket counters, shops, restrooms, and food vendors.
  • Onward Travel: Confirm your onward travel arrangements (flights, train tickets) well in advance of your departure.

Smooth Exit

No specific exit fees. Prepare documents for airport/station procedures. Digital boarding passes simplify the process.

Timing Your Departure

Allow 2-3 hours for international flights and 1-2 hours for domestic/Schengen flights. For trains, 15-30 minutes before departure is typically fine.

Digital Convenience

Download boarding passes or train tickets to your phone. This saves time and minimizes reliance on an internet connection.

Final Departure Tip

Ensure all your travel documents are easily accessible. A smooth departure makes for a pleasant end to your Aachen journey.