Ingolstadt

Ingolstadt is a city in Upper Bavaria, southern Germany, best known for being home to the car company Audi. It was here that the dukes of Bavaria, Wilhelm IV and Ludwig X, announced the Reinheitsgebot brewing purity order in 1516, which is still used heavily in marketing for German beer.

Understand
Although it counts over 138,000 residents (2018) today, some people still call it a village, since it can't keep up with the big city charm of Munich or Nuremberg. Ingolstadt is known for hosting the first Bavarian university and having large military fortress facilities. The latter is the reason, why many citizens of Ingolstadt still call themselves Schanzer (from verschanzen: to fortify). It is also the city, where Adam Weishaupt - a professor at Ingolstadt University - founded the Illuminati, and the popular novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is set. However, Shelly made a mistake in that she did not account for the fact that the University of Ingolstadt had already moved to Landshut by the time her book was written in 1808. The university moved again in 1826 and is now known as Ludwig Maximilian's University Munich. Ingolstadt is also the home of the headquarters of the car manufacturer Audi.

By plane
Munich Airport is 70 km (45 mi) south of the city and the closest international airport. By train Munich Central Station (München Hauptbahnhof) is about 35 min by ICE high-speed train or 60 min by local train away from Ingolstadt and the journey costs approximately €17. Since one has to go there first by suburban train (S-Bahn) line S1, which takes approx. 50 min, and then change there to get on a train to Ingolstadt, it is a lot quicker and more convenient to take the bus. If you are a party of up to 5 people and travel on a tight budget, though, you may consider taking the train, as there exists a cheap ticket (Bayernticket) for €25 (+€4 for every extra person up to a party of 5), which is valid for the S-Bahn, the train and also some buses. However you can not take an ICE or IC train with that ticket!

From Munich Airport there is a bus called "Airport Express X109". A one-way ticket is €19 and a return ticket €31. The bus takes about an hour to the centre of Ingolstadt, stopping there at the central bus station (ZOB). It leaves every 90 min between 05:15 and 00:15 at Terminal 2, level E03, passing by Terminal 1, area A/B three minutes later and at Munich Airport Center (MAC) another four minutes later. More information can be obtained here.

Nuremberg Airport is  north of Ingolstadt, so also rather close by and can be reached easily by train and subway. From the airport you take the subway to Nürnberg Hbf (Central Station). The ride takes some 13 min. There you change to a train (another 40 min ride to Ingolstadt).

By train
One of Ingolstadt's biggest selling points is its location along the Nuremberg-Ingolstadt high speed rail line where trains reach and it's thus within convenient commuting distance of both Munich and Nuremberg.

By car
Ingolstadt is located on autobahn A 9 about halfway between Munich and Nuremberg with the exits Ingolstadt Nord (61) and Ingolstadt Süd (62).

By bus
Flixbus serves Ingolstadt mostly stopping close to the Nordbahnhof.

By bus
Ingolstadt has a decent bus network, which is operated by the INVG (Ingolstädter Verkehrsgesellschaft). All parts of the town and most of the surrounding villages are reachable. During the day (05:00-21:00) you can catch a bus every 15-60 min. During the night, the service is reduced and special night lines, recognizable by the letter N proceeding their number, are employed.

By taxi
Most taxis are organized by the Ingolstadt Taxi Central Office, where you can order a car by phone (+49 841 19410). Most of the drivers speak at least fragments of English and should know most of the hotels, clubs and other points of interest in the city by name. However, during the weekend night party rush hours, you will have a hard time getting a taxi by phone or on a taxi stand, especially when you try to get out of the city. In the latter case, try to move to the outskirts of the city in the direction of your destination. Most of the taxis will try to go back into the city and you have a bigger chance to intercept these on the outskirts than in the centre. And even if you don't get one, you're better off making pace in your direction than standing in the city centre and waiting. You can get to most places in town for about €10-15. The drivers are usually able to estimate the price quite well, but are legally required to charge exactly according to the price meter, calibrated by local authorities. When you leave the so-called Pflichtfahrgebiet (area where the driver is obligated to accept passengers), which covers the town and some of the surrounding villages, you can negotiate a price with the driver.

By bike
A very good way to get around in Ingolstadt is to use a bike. Most of the main streets have bicycle lanes and you are able to get through parks and other areas you would have to go around by car. Remember to set up your bike for traffic safety, though, (especially with working front and back lights) and strictly follow traffic regulations. Bavarian police officers are very fussy about that. Getting a €100 fine for driving on red lights with your bike in the middle of nowhere without anyone around except for the police man 500 m (550 yd) behind you is common.

Historical buildings
All the historic buildings are found in or near the historical city centre and are within walking distance of one another.



For children
There's a playground next to the Police Museum at Klenzepark. Free and open year round.

Drink
Ingolstadt has a long tradition of beer culture. The Bavarian Reinheitsgebot, which became the German purity law for beer later, has its origin in Ingolstadt in the year 1516. Also the Hallertau region, the worlds biggest hops growing area, is just south-east of the city. Next to its big traditional breweries Herrnbräu and Nordbräu, Ingolstadt has seen a surge of micro breweries over the last decade. You can also get several other regional brands.

Around Pentecost and in autumn the beer festival takes place. It's similar to the Munich Oktoberfest but smaller and more traditional. During Lent you can get Starkbier (strong beer) like in most parts of Bavaria.

Stay safe
Like most of Bavaria, Ingolstadt is very safe. Even in the more deprived areas in the north you are unlikely to run into any trouble. Use your common sense to avoid risky situations, though.

Additional to the (free) general German emergency lines (112 - General emergency/fire, 110 - Police) there's a direct (and also free) line to get an ambulance.

Connect
As of Nov 2022, Ingolstadt and its approach highways have 5G from all German carriers. Wifi ("WLAN" in German) is widely available in public places.