Planning a Trip

Getting There

By Train -- The Kiel Hauptbahnhof is on two major rail lines, the Neumünster-Hamburg and the Flensburg-Kiel-Lübeck-Lüneburg lines, with frequent connections. From Hamburg, there are 40 trains daily (trip time: 1 hr., 10 min.). For information, call tel. 01805/996633 (www.bahn.de).

By Bus -- Long-distance bus service to and from Berlin and Flensburg, as well as local and regional service, is provided by Autokraft GmbH, in Kiel (tel. 0431/6660; www.autokraft.de). Buses pull into the Bahnhofplatz. The tourist office will provide you with schedules.

By Ferry -- Service between Kiel and Oslo, Norway, is provided by Color Line GmbH, in Kiel (tel. 0431/73000; www.colorline.com). Stena Line, in Kiel (tel. 0431/9090; www.stenaline.de), offers service between Kiel and Gothenburg (Göteborg), Sweden.

By Car -- To reach Kiel from Hamburg, head north along the A7 Autobahn; from Lübeck, take Route 76 west.

Visitor Information

Contact Tourist Information Kiel, Andreas-Gayk-Strasse 31 (tel. 0180/5656700; www.kiel-tourist.de). It's open year-round Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm, and from May to September, also Saturday 10am to 2pm.

Getting Around

Most attractions in Kiel center around the harbor, reached by bus no. 41 or 42. Fare is 2.20€.

Special Events

Kieler Woche (Kiel Week), held each June, celebrates the port's close ties to the sea. This week of special events, held for more than 100 years, includes a spectacular regatta in which more than 1,500 yachts race on the water of the Kieler Förde. In 1936 and 1972, the Olympic yacht races were held on the waters at Schilksee. For information, call the Kieler Wochenbüro at tel. 0431/901905, or check out www.kieler-woche.de.