Mannheim to Bonn train

Mannheim is located at the confluence of the Rhine and the Neckar Rivers in the German state of Baden-Wurttemberg. Some travelers are intimidated by the factories surrounding Mannheim, but don't overlook this unique destination. Mannheim is an excellent place to discover fantastic museums, amazing retail therapy, and scenic parks and squares.

Mannheim differs from most other German cities in its layout. The city is arranged in a grid pattern with individual quadrants. The unusual layout of the city originated in 1606, centering the Friedrichsburg fortress, now the Mannheim Palace, which is one of the largest palaces in Europe. This elaborate palace houses the University of Mannheim and treats students to royal surroundings.

Mannheim is known for its industry and innovation. For example, Mannheim is the city where Karl Drais built the world's first bicycle and where Karl Benz (as in, Mercedes-Benz) constructed the first automobile with an internal combustion engine. The Romanesque Wasserturm, or water tower, is another feat of German engineering, and visitors can walk through the surrounding rose gardens and discover the tower's many sculptures.

Mannheim can be accessed by train, road, or air. Frankfurt International Airport is easily accessible by a high-speed shuttle bus, while Mannheim Hauptbahnhof offers ICE, IC, and regional train access. Sindbad, FlixBus, and many more bus lines serve Mannheim with routes to cities including Munich, Essen, and Frankfurt.

Located on the banks of the Rhine river, Bonn is known for being the birthplace of the legendary composer Ludwig van Beethoven. The city was the capital of West Germany from 1949 to 1990, before the German Reunification moved the capital back to Berlin. Bonn is full of cultural landmarks and architectural marvels in line with its rich history and traditions.

The Old City Hall of Bonn is an architectural marvel with lavish Rococo style. The square in front of the building, Marktplatz, is the site of a local outdoor market with stalls selling fresh produce, bread, and other delicacies. Several restaurants and bars surround the plaza, so you can grab an outdoor table to people-watch in the center of Bonn.

The historical sights in Bonn are nearly endless, but you definitely shouldn't miss Drachenburg Castle, Catedral de Bonn, and Poppelsdorf Palace; the latter includes botanical gardens and a mineralogical museum! Or engage with more recent history at the Kunstmuseum Bonn, a modernist art museum focused on post-war German art.

Bonn shares an airport with its neighbor to the north, Cologne. Buses connect travelers from the city to the airport, but you can also take a bus to your next destination in Germany, or even farther. For example, FlixBus and Sindbad serve routes to Berlin, Prague, Paris, London, and more. The train network is similarly robust, and Deutsche Bahn provides the bulk of train trips to and from Bonn.