Landshut

Landshut is the capital and the biggest city of Lower Bavaria in the German federal state of Bavaria. The city is best known for the Landshut Wedding (Landshuter Hochzeit), a quadrennial re-enactment of the actual medieval wedding, including knights' tournaments. In times the Wedding isn't scheduled, Landshut still is good for a nice day trip from Munich.

Understand
Landshut was founded in 1204 by Duke Louis I Wittelsbach. Not even 30 years later it already became residence, and after the division of the duchy of Bavaria in 1255 the capital of Lower Bavaria. In the 15th century the famous Landshut Wedding took place, one of the most splendid festivities of the Middle Ages. At the beginning of the 16th century Lower Bavaria and Upper Bavaria were reunited. Although Landshut at that point lost its status as capital, the 16th century was the city's architectural boom era. After that, Landshut lost most of its significance, besides a short time of importance in the beginning of the 19th century, when the University of Bavaria resided a mere 26 years in Landshut.

For a brief time towards the end of World War II, a subcamp of the Dachau concentration camp was located near Landshut. During the war Landshut only had to suffer one major Allied bombing, when the area around the train station was heavily hit. However, most parts of the city were virtually unharmed by the war, and much of the medieval city centre is still intact.

Since the opening of the new Munich International Airport close to Landshut in 1992, the city has become an attractive business location. In 2021, it had 73,000 residents

By plane
Munich International Airport, Europe's sixth busiest airport, is 40 km (25 mi) west of Landshut. It is a major hub for Lufthansa and its Star Alliance partners and offers connections from most airports in Germany and Europe, as well as from many intercontinental destinations. The airport is easily accessible by car via autobahn A 92. Furthermore, there is a bus service, that directly connects the city with the airport. The buses leave the airport once every hour and it takes approx. 40 min to reach Landshut, where the buses stop at Landshut Central Station and in the historic city centre. A one-way ride costs €10, with discounts for families and regular customers.

By train
Landshut Central Station is located 1 km (0.6 mi) north of the historic city center. It is a stop of approx. 120 regional trains daily, with frequent connections from Freising, Ingolstadt, Munich, Nuremberg, Passau, Regensburg, Rosenheim, and Salzburg. The hourly service from Munich takes approx. 45 min.

By car
Landshut is well connected to the German autobahn and federal street network.
 * A 92 - Munich - Landshut - Deggendorf
 * B 11 - Munich - Landshut
 * B 15 - Hof - Regensburg - Landshut - Rosenheim - Austria
 * B 299 - Czech Republic - Eichstätt - Landshut - Altötting

By bicycle
Landshut is on the Isar-Radweg, a long-distance bicycle route, that runs along river Isar from the Austrian border via Munich and Landshut to Deggendorf.

Get around
Landshut is small enough to be explored on foot. The medieval city centre is a pedestrian zone with no motor vehicles allowed. Going by bike is an option, too. However, the extensive use of cobble stone pavement in the city can make for a very unpleasant ride. An alternative for the less sporty type is the city's bus network (StadtLinie). Its 15 lines will take you to every point of interest, within the city and the surrounding countryside.