No matter where you are coming from or how you choose to travel, all roads lead to Mannheim. The "City of Squares" enjoys ideal traffic connections thanks to its central location between the Rhine and Neckar rivers. As Germany's second-largest ICE high-speed train hub, you can reach Mannheim within half an hour from Frankfurt Airport.
Map data ©2016 GeoBasis-DE/BKG (©2009), Google
By Plane
Frankfurt International Airport
From Frankfurt International Airport (FRA), one of the world's most important airports, it will take you only half an hour by train or an hour by car to reach Mannheim.
Overview: Airport to the City
| Time & Frequency | Duration | Price | Destination | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICE Train |
5:34 - 0:28 Every 30 minutes to an hour |
30 min. | EUR 25 | Mannheim Main Station |
| Flixbus | 0:10, 0:25, 5:25, 8:35, 10:15, 14:05, 16:35, 19:40 | 1 hour | EUR 5-15 | Mannheim Main Station |
| Airport Shuttle / Taxi | 55 min. | Approx. EUR 90 |
ICE Train
The ICE train leaves at Terminal 1. At Terminal 1, the signs for "Fernbahnhof / long-distance trains" will guide you to the train station. A ticket booth is positioned in the middle of the hallway where you can purchase train tickets (second class is about EUR 25 one way). On the right-hand side, there is the "Deutsche Bahn" (German rail) travel center where you can purchase tickets. It is also possible to purchase tickets on the train from the conductor (payment with credit card only).
Flixbus
Tickets need to be purchased in advance. The bus leaves at Terminal 2, terminal area E, close to column 25N-27N. To book your ticket, please visit https://www.flixbus.com/.
Airport Shuttle / Taxi
Several airport shuttle / taxi companies offer a specialized airport transfer to Mannheim. Shuttles need to be booked in advance and cost around EUR 90. Two possible shuttle services are "SAS Flughafentransfer" or "Deutscher Fahrdienst".
Frankfurt-Hahn Airport
Please be aware that Frankfurt-Hahn airport is 102 km from Frankfurt and 100 km from Mannheim. The airport is served by low cost airlines (Ryanair, SunExpress, Wizzair). For more information on Frankfurt-Hahn airport, visit the airport website.
Hahn Express
If you are arriving at Frankfurt-Hahn airport, you may reach Mannheim by taking bus 140. From Frankfurt Hahn to Mannheim, the bus takes about 2 hours and stops in Alzey and Ludwigshafen before reaching the central bus station Mannheim at Heinrich-von-Stephan-Strasse (near the main train station). A one-way ticket costs EUR 20 and can be purchased on the bus (cash only, accepted currency: Euro). Hahn Express runs irregularly according to the published timetables (see timetable here).
By Train
Traveling by train in Germany is easy and reliable. Mannheim is connected to all major cities in Germany and to European metropolises like Paris (3 hours) and Zurich (3.5 hours). Mannheim Main Station is located close to the city center. The pedestrian zone and the university are just a 5 minutes' walk from the station.
Information and reservations can be made on the German rail website.
By Car
Two international (E35, E50) and eight national (A5, A6, A61, A65, A650, A656, A659, A67) highways meet in Mannheim.
Environmental Zones for Cars and Buses
The city of Mannheim requires all vehicles to have a sticker that identifies their emissions class. Only vehicles with a green sticker are free to move within the environmental zone in downtown Mannheim. Detailed information and a map of the environmental zone are available here.
- Rental car companies in Germany equip their rental cars with environmental badges.
- If you plan to drive with your private car to Mannheim, you will need to purchase an environmental badge in advance. Please purchase your badge here.
Parking
The university does not have a car park for visitors. However, there are several parking garages throughout the city. You can park your car in the multi-story car park directly at "Bismarckstrasse" next to the west wing of the baroque palace or in the car park in N2.
