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Konstanz sits on the German-Swiss border at the western tip of Lake Constance, which makes getting in, crossing the line and handling two currencies the main things to sort before you arrive. These Konstanz travel tips cover airports, trains, money, tipping and safety, and end with hotel picks. For when to come, see the best time to visit Konstanz guide, and the Konstanz travel guide covers the city in full.
Konstanz Travel Tips: Getting There and Airports
The nearest airport is Friedrichshafen (FDH), about 35 km away and served by budget flights within Europe, with a direct train-bus link to Konstanz taking roughly an hour. Zurich Airport (ZRH) is 70 km south and usually the best international option; a direct train runs to Konstanz in about 1 hour 15 minutes. Memmingen (FMM, ~100 km) and Stuttgart (STR, ~160 km) are the budget and long-haul fallbacks. For the weather you’ll face on arrival, see the Konstanz weather by month guide.
Konstanz Hauptbahnhof is the end of the line for trains from Karlsruhe and Singen and from Zurich in Switzerland. The station sits 10 minutes’ walk from the old town, and the car ferry to Meersburg leaves from the nearby Staad terminal roughly every 15-30 minutes, with a 15-minute crossing and foot-passenger singles around €2.80.
Konstanz Travel Tips: Money, Border and Language
- Currency: Germany uses the euro; the Swiss town of Kreuzlingen across the border uses Swiss francs. Cards are widely accepted, but carry some cash for market stalls.
- Border: The crossing to Kreuzlingen is open and often unmarked, but carry a passport or ID card, as spot checks happen and both countries are in the Schengen area.
- Language: German is standard, with a Swabian-Alemannic dialect locally. English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants and at tourist sights.
Konstanz Travel Tips: Tipping, Tap Water and Safety
Tipping is discretionary: round up to the nearest euro or add 5-10% in restaurants, and hand the tip directly to the server rather than leaving it on the table. Tap water is safe to drink throughout the city. Konstanz is very safe, with low crime, and the main practical risk is bikes and pedestrians sharing the lakefront path, so watch for cyclists on the promenade.
Konstanz Travel Tips: Getting Around
The centre is compact enough to walk, and the Stadtwerke Konstanz buses (lines 1-15) cover the outer districts, with single tickets around €2.60 and a day pass about €5.50. A day ticket that includes the city and the Mainau ferry is worth it if you’re visiting the island. Cycling is the local favourite, with hire from around €15 a day and the flat Seerhein path linking the centre to Petershausen and Mainau. The things to do in Konstanz guide covers the ferry routes in detail, and the Konstanz events and festivals calendar lists the lakeside festivals worth timing.
Suggested Hotels in Konstanz
RIVA – Das Hotel am Bodensee
A five-star lakeside villa with a rooftop pool, spa and the Michelin-starred OPHELIA restaurant, 15 minutes’ walk from the old town. Best for a luxury lake-view stay focused on food. Check rates and availability
ibis Konstanz
A dependable three-star at Benediktiner Platz 9, a five-minute walk from the lake and old town with a beach opposite and a parking garage next door. Best for a solid mid-range base with lake access. Check rates and availability
Hotel Graf Zeppelin
A budget-friendly 19th-century hotel five minutes from the station, with a well-rated breakfast and family rooms. Best for travellers who want central convenience at a lower price. Check rates and availability
For a full area-by-area hotel rundown, see the where to stay in Konstanz guide, and browse the best neighborhoods in Konstanz page before you book.
