Constance

Lakeside old town on the Swiss border

Konstanz sits at the western end of Upper Lake Constance in Baden-Württemberg, where the Rhine leaves the lake. The Swiss town of Kreuzlingen is just across the border and the two almost merge. The old town is largely intact because the city wasn't bombed in World War II. Visitors can climb the cathedral tower, see the Imperia statue at the harbor, stroll the lakeside promenades and take a ferry or boat to Meersburg and Mainau island. The University of Konstanz gives the city a young feel. Two days cover the old town and one trip on the lake.

Add to list Map view

City in Germany

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 8.9

General Safety:	9
Health & medical:	9
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	10

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions. Most locals, especially younger people and those in tourism, can communicate well in English, making it easy for international visitors.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: Oct 22, 2026

* We earn a commission from some links on this page.

Constance Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

"Best for" scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

"Your personal" scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

"Suited for" badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travelers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Great for lakeside leisure and historic towns. Walk the harbor promenade, cycle Lake Constance routes, visit museums and take boat trips across the lake.

Place score

8.0

Best at:

Lakes

Spotless

Gardens & parks

Cycling

Walkable

Personal score

Suited for

👶 9

Families

🧓 8

Seniors

🛡️ 9

Travel Beginners

🐕 9

With dogs

Germany – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) $1 ≈ €0.90
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cards are widely accepted, especially in urban areas, but small establishments may prefer cash. Be prepared for occasional cash-only situations. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is common in restaurants, typically 5-10%. For taxis, it is customary to round up to the nearest euro. Tipping in cash is more common than adding it to card payments.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in most parts of Germany, especially in beer gardens and public events, but some local regulations may restrict it in specific areas.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited indoors in public places such as restaurants, trains, and buses. Designated smoking areas are available outside many buildings.

Oktoberfest (September)	Huge crowds in Munich. Expect high hotel rates and crowded transportation.
Christmas (December)	Christmas markets are popular, expect crowded cities and higher prices.
Labour Day (May)	Many shops are closed, and there are celebrations throughout the country.

Emergency contact:	Police: 110, Emergency Number: 112 (Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Free Now, myTaxi
Other:	Germany is well-equipped for tourists, with good public transport and high-quality facilities. However, be prepared for language barriers in some rural areas.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colors of the months:
The color shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the color is shows the travel season: full color means high season, soft color means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The gray info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Constance, Germany

❄️

Jan

❄️

Feb

🌤️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

🌤️

May

🌤️

Jun

☀️

Jul

☀️

Aug

☀️

Sep

🌤️

Oct

🌤️

Nov

❄️

Dec

High season:	June - Sep.
Shoulder season:	April - May, Oct., Dec.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Lake ferries and boat tours run reduced schedules November to March, full service April to October

Open-air swimming in the lake is comfortable from late June to early September

Christmas market runs late November to just before Christmas

Don't miss

🌆 Climb Konstanz Cathedral tower for breathtaking city views
🏰 Explore the charming medieval Old Town streets
⚓ Stroll along Konstanz Harbour and see Imperia statue
🌺 Visit Mainau Island’s lush gardens and butterfly house
🐠 Discover underwater life at SEA LIFE Konstanz aquarium
🏛️ Tour the historic Rosgarten Museum in a 15th-century guild house

You've been here?

Why travel to Constance?

Konstanz is worth a visit for its lakeside setting and its history. The Council of Constance met here and in the process ended the Papal Schism and elected Pope Martin V. The Konzilgebäude by the harbor dates from this period. The Imperia statue at the harbor mouth is a sculpture 30 ft tall that satirically commemorates the council. The cathedral has been the city's landmark for centuries and its tower has views over the roofs and the lake. The lake is the other reason to come. A car ferry crosses to Meersburg and catamarans connect Konstanz with Friedrichshafen. Boat trips leave from the harbor. Mainau island, the island of flowers, belongs to the city. The Bodensee Therme spa and the Bismarck Tower, a good sunset spot, are further stops. The Swiss border runs along the southern edge of the city, so Kreuzlingen is within walking distance. Many Swiss visitors come to shop. The University of Konstanz adds students, cafés and a lively evening scene. A weekend covers the old town, the cathedral and one boat trip. The lake paths also suit cycling and swimming spots in summer.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Reichenau
2 Rosgartenmuseum
3 Sea Life Konstanz

🎡Places for activities

1 Zeppelin Museum
2 Stadttheater
3 Bodensee-Therme Konstanz

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Lake Constance
2 Reichenau
3 Strandbad Horn
4 Stadtgarten

🎈Events

Christmas Market
Oktoberfest
Lake Night Festival
Council Festival
Mainau Island Flower Festivals
Open-Air Theater at the Cathedral
Wine Festivals
Konstanz Carnival (Fasnacht)
Harbor Festival
Summer Concert Series

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Climb the cathedral tower for views over the old town and lake.
Prices run higher than elsewhere in Germany because of the Swiss border, so budget extra for meals.
Take the catamaran to Friedrichshafen or the car ferry to Meersburg for a day trip across the lake.
Carry your passport or ID if you cross into Kreuzlingen, since border checks can happen at any time.

How to travel to Constance

Trains are the easiest way to reach Konstanz. The station is the end of the High Rhine Railway and has direct hourly trains from Zurich in about 1 hour 20 minutes. From elsewhere in Germany you usually change in Singen. Stuttgart is roughly 2.5 to 3 hours away. Zurich Airport is the best airport, with a direct train to Konstanz in about 1 hour 20 minutes. Friedrichshafen Airport is smaller. Stuttgart Airport is also an option and needs a change in Singen. By boat, a car ferry from Meersburg takes about 15 minutes and the catamaran from Friedrichshafen takes about an hour. By car, the A81 leads from Stuttgart to Singen and roads continue to Konstanz. Parking in the old town is limited.

Access summary

From Zurich Airport (ZRH): Direct train to Konstanz, usually about 1–1.5 hours.
From Stuttgart: Train via Singen or Radolfzell, typically around 2.5–3 hours.
From Friedrichshafen Airport (FDH): Train or ferry across Lake Constance, about 1–2 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Constance

Most visitors stay in the old town or near the harbor, where hotels and guesthouses are close to the cathedral, the shops and the ferries. Hotels near the main station are practical for early trains. Rates run high near the Swiss border. Petershausen across the Rhine is quieter and residential, with apartments and small guesthouses. Hostels and cheaper rooms are also available in Kreuzlingen on the Swiss side, but prices there are in francs. Book ahead for summer weekends, the lake festival season and the Christmas market. Carnival and trade events can also fill rooms. Weekday rooms are busy because of the university and business visitors.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Steigenberger Inselhotel

8.9

Hotel Halm Konstanz

9.2

Hampton by Hilton Konstanz

8.5

RIVA - Das Hotel am Bodensee

9.3

Ibis Konstanz

8.2

Parkhotel St.Leonhard

8.9

Holiday Inn – the niu, Flower Konstanz by IHG

8.5

Ko´Ono Hotel

8.8

Hotel & Gastehaus Seehof

8.6

Rioca Konstanz Posto 10

8.9

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Constance

Konstanz's old town is largely pedestrian and compact, so walking covers most sights. The harbor and the main station are next to each other. Buses reach the districts across the Rhine and farther out. Boats link the city with other lake towns.

Walking:
The old town, the harbor and the lakeside promenades are all within a short walk. Kreuzlingen in Switzerland is also within walking distance of the border crossing.

Buses and boats:
City buses run from the main station to the districts and to Mainau island. Ferries and catamarans leave from the harbor for Meersburg and Friedrichshafen. Boat schedules thin out in winter.

Bikes:
The terrain is flat and bikes can be rented near the station. Paths lead along the lake and the Rhine.

Car:
A car isn't needed in the old town. Parking is limited and paid, so use a garage on the edge and walk in.

Food in Constance

Food in Konstanz is a mix of Baden, Swabian and Swiss cooking with a lake focus. The nearby Swiss border pushes menu prices up. Vegetarian dishes are easy to find in the old town.

Felchen:
Felchen is a whitefish from the lake. It's usually fried or pan-cooked and served with potatoes and salad in restaurants by the harbor.

Kässpätzle:
Kässpätzle are soft egg noodles layered with cheese and topped with fried onions. They're a hearty classic across the region and a common vegetarian choice.

Lake wines:
Vineyards around the lake produce light whites such as Müller-Thurgau and Pinot Blanc. Spätburgunder is the main red. Local taverns serve them by the glass.

Reichenau vegetables:
The nearby island of Reichenau is known for vegetables, especially salads and tomatoes. They appear in summer on menus and at markets.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when traveling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customize this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+7 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 7% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend more on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

+1 %

Your exchange rate (USD to EUR) is 1% worse than in recent years. That means traveling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when traveling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	$92	$199	$513
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	$35	$80	$180
🍝 Food per day	$43	$104	$291
🚕 Transportation per day	$14	$15	$43

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	$48
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	$20
🍟 Fast food combo	$14
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	$15
☕ Cappuccino	$4.20
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l / 16 oz	$5.50

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	$3.40
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	$24
⛽ Gas, 1 l / ¼ gal	$2.10

Other

🎞️ Movie ticket	$13
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	$75
🤧 Cold medication	$12.50
💇 Basic haircut	$19

Safety information overview

General safety

Konstanz is very safe. Petty theft and bike theft are the main risks, mostly in the busy old town and around the station and harbor in summer. Violent crime is rare. Lock your bike and keep valuables close in crowds.

Health & Medical

Medical care is at German standard, with a hospital in the city and pharmacies in the old town. Ticks live in woods and meadows around the lake from spring to autumn. Summers can be hot. In an emergency call 112.

Accessibility

The old town is flat and largely pedestrian. Some streets are cobbled. The cathedral tower and many old buildings have steps and narrow stairs. Buses and the main station are mostly step-free. The lake promenades are wide and flat, which suits wheelchairs and walkers.

Tap water

Tap water in Konstanz is safe to drink and follows German drinking water rules. Restaurants usually serve bottled mineral water. Ask for Leitungswasser if you'd like tap water, though some places charge for it. Supermarkets sell bottled water cheaply.