ISWC 2008

Reaching internationally Karlsruhe is most convenient from Frankfurt Airport. Other possible airports in the vicinity are Stuttgart and the small Baden-Airpark which is only served by a few carriers. For details on how to get to the conference venue and hotels once you are in Karlsruhe, see venue.

Frankfurt Airport

Frankfurt Airport has its own long-distance train station from which high-speed ICE trains to Karlsruhe leave hourly during the day. The trains take around one hour, fees are typically around 35 EUR. To proceed to the train station, follow the signs to «long distance trains» within the airport. The train stations are directly connected to Terminal 1, yet it is usually hard to plan in advance how long immigration and baggage claim will take – do not expect to reach the trains in less than 45min after landing.

Train tickets can be bought at the train station (using user-friendly ticket machines with English interfaces) or in advance via the online booking system of German Rail which can also be used for obtaining train schedules. When buying tickets, mind the following:

  • Regular train tickets do not have to be used for exactly the same train as booked: What matters is the route and the type of train (high-speed is more expensive). So you are flexible if your plane should be delayed. When booking online, do not use «savings fares» since they normally are tied to one particular train.
  • Do use high-speed trains (ICE) for fast and easy travelling. Travel time should be slightly more than one hour.
  • Some connections from Frankfurt Airport to Karlsruhe include a quick change of trains in Mannheim. This is usually no problem.
  • All trains feature English announcements and printed leaflets with schedules and connection trains.

For details on how to get to the conference venue and hotels from Karlsruhe main station, see venue.

Stuttgart Airport

Stuttgart Airport has no own train station, so it is required to proceed to Stuttgart main station first, using a local train/subway (for other options, see the homepage of Stuttgart Airport). From Stuttgart main station, various types of trains to Karlsruhe leave approximately every hour during the day. Depending on connections, the trip takes between 45min and 1:30h, and will cost around 16 EUR to 20 EUR.

Train tickets can be bought at the train station (using user-friendly ticket machines with English interfaces) or in advance via the online booking system of German Rail which can also be used for obtaining train schedules. When buying tickets, mind the following:

  • Regular train tickets do not have to be used for exactly the same train as booked: What matters is the route and the type of train («ICE» is more expensive). So you are flexible if your plane should be delayed. When booking online, do not use «savings fares» since they normally are tied to one particular train.
  • Check the travelling time when booking tickets, since there might be some slow trains serving the route as well.
  • All trains feature English announcements and printed leaflets with schedules and connection trains.

For details on how to get to the conference venue and hotels from Karlsruhe main station, see venue.

Baden-Airpark

This small airport is close to Kalrsruhe, but not connected very well (neither by air nor by ground). Going to Karlsruhe will take around 30min by car. For other options, see the homepage of Baden-Airpark.