Heidelberg to Erlangen train

Located on the river Neckar in the southwest of Germany, the university town of Heidelberg is one of the country's most popular destinations. From impressive Baroque and Renaissance architecture to exciting museums, festive Christmas markets, and fantastic shopping, this town has something for everyone.

The first thing you'll see in Heidelberg is the Schloss Heidelberg or Heidelberg Palace. Sitting on a hill overlooking the city, this impressive castle was once the seat of Heidelberg's Prince-Electors. Although rebuilt following the Thirty Years War in the 1600s, this beautiful ruin is open to visitors with audio tours available daily. And as one of the most-Instagrammed castles in Germany, the palace is the perfect backdrop for your next envy-inspiring post. While in the castle, visit the Apotheken-Museum, which displays the history of pharmacies and medical science in Germany.

Heidelberg is also home to the famous hike, Philosopher's Way. Taking its name from the many university academics that used to hike this route for the solitude and views to inspire them, this route rambles up the southern side of the Heiligenberg. With exotic vegetation and a temperate climate during the summer months, it's easy to think that you've accidentally walked all the way to the Mediterranean.

Although Heidelberg does not have an airport, the Mannheim Airport is under 15km away, and it's easy to take a train from Mannheim to Heidelberg. Intercity bus service provides transportation to Heidelberg from many domestic and international destinations. Many direct trains run to Heidelberg from across Germany and other European cities, too, so there is no shortage of travel options to get to this fabulous city.

Erlangen is a small city in the German state of Bavaria, located just north of Nuremberg. Most of Erlangen's residents are enrolled or employed at either the Friedrich-Alexander University or the Siemens company. Visitors to Erlangen often stay near the historic core, where quaint streets lead to some of the city's most impressive buildings. These include the 18th century Palais Stutterheim, historically Erlangen's town hall and now home to the museum Kunstpalais and the city's public library. Don't forget to visit one of the oldest churches in the city, the Huguenot Church, which boasts an impressive size and architecture, and reflects the influence of Huguenots in Erlangen's history.

Erlangen also offers plenty of scenic spots for outdoor activity or relaxation. The Schlossgarten quickly fills up with sunbathing students on sunny days, and the nearby Botanical Garden includes a unique attraction in its artificial stalactite cave.

The closest airport to Erlangen is in Nuremberg, but you can easily connect to Erlangen via Deutsche Bahn or commuter S-Bahn trains. Intercity trains from Munich to Berlin often stop in Erlangen, and connections from these hubs open up the entire country and continent for exploration. Plus, several intercity bus companies, including FlixBus, offer affordable ground travel from Erlangen to destinations throughout Germany.