About Erfurt
Erfurt is the capital city of the Free State of Thuringia, located in central Germany. The city is located south of the Thuringian Basin, in the wide valley of the Gera River, which is a tributary of the Unstrut. Erfurt is located southwest of Leipzig and its neighboring cities are Weimar and Jena. The city’s population is around 210 thousand and it is the religious, cultural, and political center of the state of Thuringia. It has one of the best-preserved medieval city centers. The city welcomes many visitors every year to its vibrant streets, magnificent aristocratic houses, wood houses, Erfurt Cathedral, and St Severus’s Church, offering a plethora of alternatives for tourists. Throughout history Erfurt attracted many notable individuals such as Martin Luther, Adam Ries, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Friedrich Schiller, Wilhelm von Humboldt, Johann Sebastian Bach, Alexander I, and Napoleon. An interesting tourist attraction is the Wartburg Castle in Eisenbach, for not only the surrounding natural beauty but also because it was the site where Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German.
The city has many historic structures and, in addition to state buildings, the Federal Labour Court of Germany, University of Erfurt, the University of Applied Sciences, and the diocese are important institutions in the city. Erfurt is one of Thuringia’s exhibition and convention cities. Located at the edge of the city, next to the largest green area Egapark is the Erfurt Trade Fair, famous for its great cultural events and conventions. Another great tourist attraction is the Krämerbrücke (Merchants' bridge), which dates back to the 12th century. The 120-meter long bridge features 32 vibrant stores that sell art objects and antiques. The Anger 1, Erfurt shopping mall is spread out over 23 thousand square meters, making it Thuringia’s largest shopping center. Inside you can find countless shops, and boutiques, and many cafés and restaurants in the streets.
Transportation to Erfurt City Center from Airport
Erfurt - Weimar Airport
The airport in Erfurt, Germany is located only 5 km from the city center. The airport primarily operates seasonal flights, especially during the summer, to leisure destinations around Europe like Antalya, Mallorca, Corfu, Tenerife and Rhodes. There are also flights to Dresden, Varna, and Split. The easiest way to get to the city center from the airport is by tram. The tram departs from in front of the terminal every 10 minutes. Since the airport is located in such closed proximity to the city center you can easily get to Erfurt by car or taxi.
Tram
The tram departs from in front of the terminal building and is one of the most convenient transportation alternatives to get to the city center. The tram provides quick and easy transportation to the central station. From here you can easily transfer to a train to explore different cities nearby.
Taxi
Taking a taxi from the airport to Erfurt city center is another convenient alternative. Since the airport is located in such close proximity to the city center, the total fare is affordable. Airport taxis can charge a slightly higher fare at nights or on the weekends, but the total fare is still reasonable.
Rental Car
There are international rental car companies, such as Sixt, Hertz, and Avis, located at Erfurt Airport. These companies are located within the terminal. You can easily rent a car once you land and enjoy an easy drive to the city center. You can get more information about renting a car over the phone. To contact AVIS call +49 (361) 656 24 25, to contact Hertz call +49 (361) 656 24 69.
Train
The airport isn’t directly served by train. However, the tram provides direct transportation from the airport to the central railway station in Erfurt. You can easily explore different cities surrounding Erfurt by train. Trains are an extremely comfortable and fast means of transportation and they have an important role in the city’s transportation network, although they aren’t directly accessible from the airport.
Bus
Another transportation alternative to get to the city center from the airport is by bus. Buses 891, 894, and 895 depart from in front of the terminal and provide convenient transportation to the city center. Buses are among the most affordable transportation alternatives to get to the city center from the airport. You can buy bus tickets at the airport. You can get more information about bus routes and stops at the information counters at the airport.
Car
Traveling from the airport to the city center by car is as easy as taking the tram or other public transportation alternatives. The drive to the city is very easy via the A71 motorway; just follow the signposts to Erfurt city center. It takes about 15-20 minutes to get to the city center from the airport by car. The airport features special waiting and parking areas where you can park your car.
Shuttle Services
Shuttle services are another convenient transportation alternative to get to the city center from the airport. Make sure to make a reservation a few days in advance if you want to use a shuttle service to the city. There are different types of vehicles with varying passenger capacities depending on the number of people you are traveling with.
