Getting around Ingolstadt
Ingolstadt is a compact, mostly flat city on the Danube, and its historic old town has been preserved, which makes it pleasant to explore on foot once you have arrived. For longer hops across town and out to the surrounding villages, the city has a workable public transport network, plus taxis and bicycles as useful alternatives.
Arriving by train
Ingolstadt sits on the Nuremberg–Ingolstadt high-speed rail line, which puts it within convenient reach of both Munich and Nuremberg. The city has two main rail access points for visitors:
- Ingolstadt Hauptbahnhof (main station) — by far the most important station in town, served by ICE high-speed trains among others.
- Ingolstadt Nord — a secondary station with mostly regional service, and slightly closer to the historic old town than the main station.
If your destination is the old town, Ingolstadt Nord can save you a bit of onward travel.
Buses and public transport
The city's bus network is operated by the INVG (Ingolstädter Verkehrsgesellschaft) and is a decent way to reach all parts of town and most of the surrounding villages. During the day, buses run frequently enough that you rarely wait long; at night the service is reduced, and special night lines take over — these are recognisable by the letter N preceding their number.
For a visitor, the bus network is the main workhorse of local public transport. Ingolstadt does not have a metro or tram system; buses, trains and bicycles cover the ground instead.
Taxis
Most taxis in Ingolstadt are organised through the Ingolstadt Taxi Central Office, where you can order a car by phone. Drivers generally speak at least fragments of English and usually know the main hotels, clubs and points of interest by name. Fares within town are modest, and drivers can usually estimate the price well, though they are legally required to charge exactly according to the calibrated meter.
One practical caveat: during weekend night party hours it can be hard to get a taxi, whether by phone or from a stand, especially when you are trying to leave the city centre. In that situation, walking towards the outskirts in the direction of your destination can work better than waiting in the centre, since many taxis are heading back into town and you have a better chance of intercepting one on the edge. 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.
Getting around by bike
A bicycle is a very good way to get around Ingolstadt. Most of the main streets have bicycle lanes, and cycling lets you cut through parks and other areas that you would have to go around by car. Two things to keep in mind: set your bike up for traffic safety, especially with working front and rear lights, and follow the traffic rules strictly. Bavarian police are notably fussy about cycling offences, and fines for things like running a red light are common.
Walkability
The preserved historic old town is the natural focus of a visit and is best explored on foot. Because the city is fairly flat and the centre is compact, walking works well for sightseeing, with buses and bikes filling in for longer trips to the outer districts.
Getting in from the airport
Munich Airport (MUC) is the closest international airport to Ingolstadt and the most common arrival point.
- Airport Express bus X109 — the quickest and most convenient option. It runs from Munich Airport to the centre of Ingolstadt, stopping at the central bus station (ZOB), and takes about an hour. It departs every 90 minutes between 05:15 and 00:15, picking up at Terminal 2 (level E03), then Terminal 1 (area A/B) a few minutes later, and at the Munich Airport Center (MAC) shortly after that. A one-way ticket costs €30 and a return €49.
- By train via Munich — you first take the S-Bahn line S1 to Munich Central Station (München Hauptbahnhof), which takes roughly 50 minutes, then change to a train to Ingolstadt. From Munich, the train to Ingolstadt takes about 35 minutes on an ICE high-speed service or about 60 minutes on a local train, with a fare of roughly €17. Because of the change in Munich, this route is slower and less convenient than the direct bus.
- Bayernticket — if you are travelling as a group of up to five people on a tight budget, the train can be cheaper. The Bayernticket costs €25, plus €4 for each additional person up to a party of five, and is valid on the S-Bahn, regional trains and some buses. Note that it cannot be used on ICE or IC trains.
Nuremberg Airport (NUE) is another option to the north of the city and is also easily reached by public transport. From the airport you take the U2 subway to Nürnberg Hauptbahnhof (about 13 minutes), then change to a train for the onward ride to Ingolstadt (roughly 40 minutes).
Ingolstadt also has its own airport, Ingolstadt Manching Airport (IGS), but it is mostly a military airfield. It does have a civilian section used for general aviation and for VW and Audi flights between Ingolstadt and Wolfsburg, so it is not a practical arrival point for most visitors.
Arriving by car or long-distance bus
By car, Ingolstadt lies on the A9 autobahn roughly halfway between Munich and Nuremberg, with exits at Ingolstadt Nord and Ingolstadt Süd. Long-distance buses also serve the city: Flixbus stops mostly close to the Nordbahnhof, and there is an intercity bus station in town.