Ingolstadt travel guide

Ingolstadt, Germany

By the Travel Wiki editorial team

Ingolstadt

Introduction

Ingolstadt is an independent city on the Danube in Upper Bavaria, and the second largest city in that region after Munich. It sits among Bavaria's major cities, following Munich, Nuremberg, Augsburg and Regensburg in size, and has counted itself among Germany's major cities since the late 1980s. The wider metropolitan area is home to around half a million people.

Its position on the Danube places it second only to Regensburg among German cities on the river, making it a natural stop for anyone travelling along the water through Bavaria.

Before you go

Ingolstadt is a mid-sized Bavarian city that some locals still affectionately call a village, since it lacks the big-city polish of Munich or Nuremberg. Its character comes from two things above all: a long military history — the fortifications are why residents still call themselves Schanzer, from the word for "to fortify" — and the car manufacturer Audi, which has its headquarters here. The city also has a strong literary and intellectual streak: it hosted the first Bavarian university, was where Adam Weishaupt founded the Illuminati, and is the setting of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (though the university had already moved to Landshut by the time she wrote it). Knowing this background will make the city's landmarks and self-image easier to read.

Practically, Ingolstadt is very safe, as most of Bavaria is; even the more deprived areas in the north are unlikely to bring trouble, though ordinary common sense still applies. The standard German emergency numbers are free to call — 112 for general emergencies and fire, 110 for police — and there is also a direct free line for an ambulance on +49 841 19222.

Getting there

Ingolstadt sits on the Nuremberg–Ingolstadt high-speed rail line, with trains reaching 300 km/h, which puts both Munich and Nuremberg within easy reach. The main station, Ingolstadt Hauptbahnhof, handles ICE services among others; Ingolstadt Nord is a secondary station with mostly regional trains and is slightly closer to the historic old town. From Munich Central Station the ICE takes about 35 minutes, while local trains take around 60 minutes. Note that the Bayernticket, a cheap day ticket valid for S-Bahn, regional trains and some buses for a small party, cannot be used on ICE or IC trains.

Getting around

Ingolstadt is compact and mostly flat, and its preserved historic old town is best explored on foot. For longer trips across town and out to the surrounding villages, the bus network run by the INVG (Ingolstädter Verkehrsgesellschaft) reaches all parts of the city and most nearby villages; buses are frequent during the day, while at night the service is reduced and special night lines take over, recognisable by the letter N before their number. There is no metro or tram, so buses, trains and bicycles cover the ground.

A bicycle is a very good way to get around: most main streets have bicycle lanes, and cycling lets you cut through parks and other areas you would have to go around by car. Set your bike up for traffic safety, especially with working front and rear lights, and follow the traffic rules strictly, as Bavarian police are notably fussy about cycling offences. Taxis are organised through the Ingolstadt Taxi Central Office, and drivers generally speak at least fragments of English and know the main hotels, clubs and points of interest by name; they are legally required to charge exactly according to the calibrated meter. During weekend night party hours it can be hard to get a taxi by phone or from a stand, especially when leaving the centre, so walking towards the outskirts in the direction of your destination can work better than waiting. Once you leave the Pflichtfahrgebiet, the area covering the town and some surrounding villages where drivers are obliged to accept passengers, you can negotiate a price with the driver.

Where to stay

For budget travellers, the Jugendherberge Ingolstadt near the university occupies an old former fortress building with old military "charm"; if you can live with long empty hallways that carry some noise, it offers a cheap night of sleep, though membership in a Youth Hostel Association may be required, so check ahead.

Mid-range options include Hotel Hecht, a short walk east of the inner city in a calmer area with a bus stop in front of the house, and the NH Ambassador Ingolstadt near an autobahn exit, a short distance from the centre with easy access to the Altmühl Nature Reserve, Ingolstadt Village, and the Audi Forum and World of Discovery. For a splurge, the Altstadthotel offers a modern interior right in the inner city, while the ARA-Hotel Comfort and the classy KULT-Hotel sit a few metres apart between the inner city, Audi and the autobahn. Hotel Rappensberger is a very good hotel in the inner city, with a bus stop where most lines stop directly in front of the building if you don't like to use your feet.

Food & drink

Ingolstadt has a long beer culture: the Bavarian Reinheitsgebot originated here, and the Hallertau hops-growing region lies just to the south-east. Alongside the big traditional breweries Herrnbräu and Nordbräu, a surge of microbreweries has appeared over the last decade, and you can also find several other regional brands. Around Pentecost and in autumn a beer festival takes place — similar to the Munich Oktoberfest but smaller and more traditional — and during Lent you can get Starkbier (strong beer) as in most parts of Bavaria.

For a cheap meal, head to the Viktualienmarkt, smaller than its Munich counterpart but full of locals drinking wheat beer; among the many stalls you'll find typical Bavarian dishes as well as Turkish, Italian and Hungarian options. Try the shashlik with french fries and a wheat beer at Daufratshofer. The Würstelstube on Ludwigstraße serves some of the best sausages in Bavaria — order the standard Wiener with strong mustard and a Brezen. For traditional Bavarian cuisine in the basement of a building you reach by stairs or a wooden slide, try Schanzer Rutschn. Beer gardens include the Antonius-Schwaige, one of the oldest, with a self-service area where you bring your own food and buy only drinks, and Das Mo in the inner city, popular with students. Kastaniengarten on the outskirts is popular among locals in season. For cocktails, try the Latin-themed Havana Bar, the Mexican-themed Sausalitos, or Swept Away, a Caribbean-themed bar and vegetarian restaurant with a chillout zone and a beer garden.

What to see and do

Most of Ingolstadt's historic buildings sit in or near the old centre and are close enough to walk between. The Herzogskasten, an old castle, is the city's oldest secular building and now houses the city library, while the Kreuztor is the best-preserved stretch of the old wall and one of the city's landmarks, usually seen from outside. The Liebfrauenmünster is the biggest church in town, built in late Gothic style with the tombs of Ingolstadt scholars, and the Maria de Victoria Church hides in the narrow streets as a jewel of baroque art, its ceiling fresco the highlight. St. Moritz is the oldest building in the city, and the Old City Hall, formed from several buildings fused together, holds the mayor's seat and the tourist information office. Across the Danube, the Reduit Tilly anchors the Brückenkopf fortress and the surrounding Klenzepark.

For something livelier, the Frankenstein tour starts from the courtyard of the Hohe Schule, the old university that serves as the setting for Mary Shelley's doctor: an actor in the role of Dr. Frankenstein leads groups through the dark history of the city, mixing historical facts with monster-costumed actors and witch burnings, and it must be booked in advance through the tourist office. The tourist office also runs guided city tours led by an actor impersonating a historic figure, tours of the fortifications, and guided cycling tours, all starting from the Old City Hall. In summer, Audi sponsors classical concerts in the Klenzepark, where a stage goes up on the lawn and you can bring a picnic and listen to the Georgian Chamber Orchestra or the Audi Wind Orchestra against the old fortress walls, with a fireworks show and free admission. Sport runs through the seasons: football with Die Schanzer at the Audi Sportpark, and Premier League ice hockey with the ERC Ingolstadt at the Saturn Arena, usually at least one home game a week during the season.

Three days in Ingolstadt

Day one: Start in Ingolstadt itself, getting your bearings in the old town before following the Danube along the riverbank. As a base for the region, Ingolstadt sits conveniently between Munich, Nuremberg, Augsburg and Regensburg, all reachable by train, so you can settle in without rushing. Keep the first day gentle and let the Bavarian setting set the pace.

Day two: Use the rail links to explore Upper Bavaria and beyond. From Munich Central Station you can reach Ingolstadt by train, and the Bayernticket lets you travel across Bavaria on regional services; ICE and IC trains also connect the city, with Ingolstadt Hauptbahnhof and Ingolstadt Nord serving the area. Consider a day trip to Landshut, Regensburg, Augsburg or Nuremberg, all named as nearby destinations, and return to Ingolstadt in the evening.

Day three: Return to the city's own stories. Ingolstadt is associated with Adam Weishaupt and the Illuminati, and with Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, so spend your last day tracing these connections through the places you have already come to know. If you are arriving or leaving by air, Munich Airport is linked by the Airport Express and Munich Airport Center, while Nuremberg Airport is another option via Nürnberg Hbf.

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