How to Reach Heidelberg from Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
The closest major international airport to Heidelberg is Frankfurt Airport (FRA), located about 80 km away.
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By Train:
From Frankfurt Airport’s long-distance train station (“Fernbahnhof”), take an ICE or IC train to Mannheim Hauptbahnhof (Main Station) (approx. 30–40 minutes). From Mannheim, frequent regional trains (RB or S-Bahn) connect to Heidelberg Hauptbahnhof (Main Station) in about 15 minutes.
Total travel time: around 1 hour. -
By Shuttle/Bus:
Several shuttle and long-distance bus services such as Flixbus or Lufthansa Shuttles operate directly between Frankfurt Airport and Heidelberg city center. Travel time is typically 1–1.5 hours. -
By Taxi/Car:
Driving from Frankfurt Airport to Heidelberg takes approximately 1 hour via the A5 motorway (depending on traffic). The price of this trip is around €160.
From Heidelberg City Center to the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics (MPIK)
The Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics (MPIK) is located uphill in the Königstuhl / Saupfercheckweg area.
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By bus:
From Heidelberg Hauptbahnhof Süd, take Bus 28 toward Bierhelderhof / Ehrenfriedhof. Get off at Bierhelderhof / Ehrenfriedhof, then walk the remaining distance uphill to the MPIK. From Bismarckplatz (central square), take Bus 39 toward Königstuhl and alight at the MPI Kernphysik stop. Alternatively with S1, S2, S5 to Heidelberg Weststadt/Südstadt, then walk (3 min) to Alois-Link-Platz and take bus 39 or 28 -
By taxi / car:
A taxi ride from the city center or main station takes around 15 minutes. Please note that parking is limited and the institute lies on a hillside. Taxis are available outside the main station or can be called: +49 6221 302030.