Planning a Trip

Getting There

By Plane -- The Leipzig-Halle International Airport lies 11km (7 miles) northwest of the city center. About 50 airlines link Leipzig with major German cities, such as Munich and Frankfurt, and also some continental destinations. For airport information, call tel. 0341/2241155 (www.leipzig-halle-airport.de). A train called the Airport Express runs from the airport to the Hauptbahnhof every 30 minutes from 5am to midnight. The fare costs 7€ for adults and 5€ for children. Taxis are also available, meeting all arriving planes, but the 25- to 30-minute ride to the city center will cost around 30€ each way for up to four passengers.

By Train -- The Leipzig Hauptbahnhof, Willy-Brandt-Platz, lies on the major Deutsche Bundesbahn rail line, with frequent connections to German cities. Seventeen trains arrive daily from Berlin (trip time: 1 hr., 40 min., to 2 hr., 50 min.); 23 trains from Dresden (1 hr., 35 min., to 2 hr.); and 15 trains from Frankfurt (3-4 hr.). For information and schedules, call tel. 01805/996633 or visit www.bahn.de. The Hauptbahnhof has recently been restored and contains many cafes, shops, and restaurants; it's one of the most happening places in Leipzig.

By Bus -- Long-distance bus service to such cities as Berlin is provided by Leipziger Verkehrsbetriebe. Buses depart from the east side of the main rail station. For information and schedules, call tel. 0341/19449.

By Car -- Access is via the Halle-Dresden Autobahn east and west or the E51 Autobahn north and south.

Visitor Information

Contact the Tourist-Information office at Richard Wagner Strasse 1 (tel. 0341/7104265; www.leipzig.de), Monday to Friday 9:30am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 3pm. The office can supply a map pinpointing the major sights. This place becomes a beehive of activity at the time of the annual trade fairs.

Special Events

Upon arrival, be sure to drop in at the tourist office and see if any festivals are taking place. For a week every year, in October, for example, during the Leipziger Jazztages, the churches, student clubs, and opera house fill with jazz music.

Getting Around

A public transit system of trams, light railways, and buses provides frequent service to all parts of the city. An S-Bahn (light railway) serves the suburbs, arriving and leaving from the Hauptbahnhof in the center of Leipzig.