6000 square kilometers of the Black Forest await visitors between Karlsruhe and the Swiss border! This region has become a true magnet for nature lovers – and rightly so. 20.000 kilometers of hiking trails crisscross the landscape. The numbers speak for themselves: 34 million overnight stays per year demonstrate how popular the Black Forest is with vacationers.
Several airports conveniently take you to this beautiful corner of Baden-Württemberg. Titisee and Schluchsee are among the highlights of the region and are easily accessible from the surrounding airports.
Package tours take the planning out of the way – flights, transfers, and hotels are already arranged. However, if you want to remain flexible, the best way to travel through the Black Forest is by rental car. Find out here which airports are best suited for your trip and where to find the right rental car station.
The airports for the Black Forest
Four airports will take you comfortably to the Black Forest. Choosing the right airport saves time and makes the How to Arrive more relaxed. Depending on where in the Black Forest you want to go, a different airport might be more suitable.
- By train: ICE runs directly from Zurich main station to Freiburg, then connections to the Black Forest
- By bus: Direct connections from Zurich Airport to Freiburg (about 6 hours)
- By Car: Travel time to the Black Forest about 1,5 hours
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Stuttgart Airport (STR)
With around 10 million passengers annually, Stuttgart is the largest airport in Baden-Württemberg and one of the most important in Germany. Located approximately 200 km from Freiburg, it offers numerous national and international connections.
How to get from Stuttgart to the Black Forest:
- By train: S-Bahn from the airport to Stuttgart main station, then change to the desired location
- By Car: Via A5 and A8 – journey time about 1,5 hours
The S-Bahn lines S2 and S3 run to Stuttgart Central Station every 15 minutes. The U6 light rail line also connects the airport to the city.
Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport (FKB)
The Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport is perfectly located for the northern and central Black Forest. Southwest of Rastatt and west of Baden-Baden, very close to the French border.
Particularly convenient: it's only about an hour's drive to the Black Forest! Ryanair and Enter Air use the airport as a base for flights to many European destinations. In 2023, 1,73 million passengers were handled here—a new record.
The journey works like this:
- By bus: Lines 285 (from Baden-Baden station), 234 and X34 (from Rastatt station)
- By Car: A5 (Baden-Baden exit) and L75
Zurich Airport (ZRH)
The international hub in Switzerland is just 50 km from the Southern Black Forest. From Berlin or Hamburg, you can fly to Zurich in about one and a half hours.
From Zurich it's a quick journey:
Basel-Mulhouse Airport (BSL/MLH)
The EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is the nearest international airport to Freiburg, 60 km away. It is located 6 km northwest of Basel and 20 km southeast of Mulhouse on French territory, but is directly connected to Switzerland.
This is what makes this airport special:
- Swiss and French sides
- Only an hour's drive to the Black Forest
- Direct bus connections to Basel SBB station and Freiburg main station
The Freiburg Airport Bus runs up to 14 times a day between Freiburg, Neuchâtel and the airport.
How to get from the airport
Each of the four airports offers good connections to different parts of the Black Forest:
Public transportation: Trains and buses run from all airports to the most important Black Forest resorts. The KONUS guest card is worth its weight in gold – it allows you to travel free on buses and trains in around 150 Black Forest resorts.
Car Rentals: You'll find rental car stations at every airport. Depending on the airport, it'll take you 1 to 2 hours to get to the Black Forest.
Shuttle services: Some hotels will pick you up directly – it’s best to ask beforehand.
By the way: Depending on where exactly you want to go in the Black Forest and where you are coming from, a different airport may be best suited to your trip.
From the airport to the Black Forest
You've landed, your luggage is here—now it's time to continue on to the Black Forest. The region's transport network offers various routes to your destination.
Rail connections to the region
The Black Forest has a well-developed rail network. These main routes will take you to your destination:
- The Rhine Valley line Karlsruhe-Basel is one of Germany's most important rail connections and is served by ICE and all other train categories
- The Black Forest Railway Offenburg-Singen is the most famous cross-connection through the Black Forest
- The Höllentalbahn leads from Freiburg via Titisee-Neustadt to Donaueschingen
From Frankfurt Airport, you can reach Triberg in about 3 hours and 23 minutes, with transfers in Mannheim and Offenburg. The cheapest train ride to Lahr (Black Forest) starts at €68 and takes about 2 hours.
Long-distance trains initially take you to the train stations in Pforzheim, Karlsruhe, Baden-Baden, Offenburg, and Freiburg. From there, regional trains continue to smaller Black Forest towns.
Bus lines and shuttle services
From Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport (FKB) buses run to the train stations Baden-Baden, Buhl and Rastatt. The KVV ticket machine is located directly at the bus stops in front of the terminal.
FlixBus connects various airports to the Black Forest. From Karlsruhe-Baden-Baden Airport, there are connections to Karlsruhe, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Freiburg, and Basel.
Practical tips for public transport
The Baden-Württemberg Ticket is a cost-effective option for travel within the state. KONUS guest card Use buses and trains free of charge in around 150 Black Forest holiday resorts – you will receive the card when you check in with your host.
Online timetable information such as moves or the DB app show current connections. The bwregiobus from Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport waits at the station in case of train delays and ensures a connection.
Please note: Smaller towns and villages are sometimes only served two or three times a day. Therefore, plan ahead.
Distances (in km) from the airports to selected locations
| Location | EuroAirport Basel (BSL) | Stuttgart Airport (STR) | Zurich Airport (ZRH) | Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport (FKB) |
| Titisee | 65 km | 170 km | 120 km | 100 km |
| Freiburg | 60 km | 190 km | 150 km | 110 km |
| Triberg | 80 km | 140 km | 100 km | 80 km |
| Karlsruhe | 160 km | 80 km | 200 km | 40 km |
| Schluchsee | 75 km | 180 km | 125 km | 110 km |
| Freudenstadt | 100 km | 70 km | 130 km | 50 km |
| Baden-Baden | 130 km | 100 km | 170 km | 20 km |
| Mummelsee | 110 km | 90 km | 140 km | 60 km |
Rental car in the Black Forest: The flexible alternative
The picturesque Black Forest landscape is best explored at your own pace. A rental car will also take you to remote locations inaccessible by public transport.
Where can I find rental cars?
You'll find rental car locations directly at the airports. At Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport, EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse, or Stuttgart Airport, you can pick up your reserved car directly at the terminal. Main train stations also usually have rental counters.
Freiburg offers several stations:
- In the Haid district (bus line 23, stop Munzinger Straße)
- In Kufsteiner Straße and Lörracher Straße in the southwest
- At the freight station in Berta-Ottenstein-Straße in the Brühl district
By the way, local providers such as Kindig Car Rental complement the offering in the eastern Black Forest with locations in Villingen-Schwenningen and Donaueschingen.
Which providers are worthwhile?
Enterprise, Europcar Avis and [the other two brands] are recommended by the official Black Forest Tourism website. Sixt Hertz operates two locations in Freiburg with premium vehicles, while it has a presence at airports and train stations. Flizzr, Keddy By Europcar, and Budget complete the range of services.
For price comparisons, use portals such as Happycar, Cardelmar and MietwagenCheck.
How much does the rental car cost?
On average, you'll pay €65 per day or about €455 per week. The cheapest providers for mid-size cars in the last 6 months were:
- Hertz (€42/day)
- Enterprise (€49/day)
- Bookbinder EmobG (€51/day)
The best time to book is four weeks before departure – then the average price drops to €62 per day. Last-minute bookings, on the other hand, cost an average of €67 per day.
Driving in the Black Forest
The speed limit in German city centers is 50 km/h, while on highways, 130 km/h is recommended. In the Black Forest, be careful of elevation changes, curves on steep inclines, and possible rockfall and wildlife crossings.
The most important traffic arteries are:
- The A81 Stuttgart-Singen on the eastern edge
- The A5 Karlsruhe-Basel along the western edge
- The A8 Karlsruhe-Stuttgart-Munich in the north
Rental car or public transport?
The rental car offers flexibility – you can make spontaneous stops and plan your route freely. Remote destinations such as the Triberg waterfalls You can easily reach the Mummelsee or the Mummelsee. This offers clear advantages, especially with children or heavy luggage.
Public transport is significantly cheaper, especially for single travelers. It reduces CO2 emissions by almost 50%, and with the KONUS guest card, you can travel free on buses and trains in 150 Black Forest resorts.
My assessment: For short distances and urban areas, public transport is more convenient. If you want to explore the entire Black Forest, a rental car is the most flexible option.
The most beautiful destinations in the Black Forest
The airports have been chosen, now it's time to explore the most beautiful corners of the Black Forest! Each of these destinations has its own charm and is easily accessible from the surrounding airports.
Freiburg
The “green city” on the edge of the Black Forest is particularly well located for EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse, which is only 60 km awayThe airport bus takes you directly to the city center. Those traveling from further afield can also find fast ICE connections to Freiburg from Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and Zurich. Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is the nearest international airport, approximately 50,5 km away.
Baden-Baden
Only 15 km from Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport (FKB) lies this elegant spa townBus lines 205 or 234 take you comfortably from the airport to the city—perfect for a relaxed start!
Titisee-Neustadt
This popular holiday resort in the Black Forest is ideally located from Basel (BSL) and Zurich (ZRH) – each about an hour's drive away. Zurich is only 59,5 km away. Titisee-Neustadt train station is conveniently located just 2 miles from the city center.
Schluchsee
The picturesque Schluchsee is also easily accessible from Basel and Zurich. Direct flights are available from Berlin and Hanover, among other cities. Water sports enthusiasts will find their money's worth here, and hikers will find ideal starting points for tours.
Rust & Europa-Park
Families with children usually control the Europa-Park The address for your sat nav: Europa-Park-Straße 2, 77977 Rust. Located in the border triangle of Germany, France, and Switzerland, you have several airport options: Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden (64 km), Basel (90 km), and Strasburg (64 km). Strasbourg (SXB) is even closer, at just 32 km.
Freudenstadt
The "Capital of the Black Forest" boasts Germany's largest market square. Be sure to check out the virtual 360° tour on the official website in advance! 200 kilometers of hiking trails start practically on your doorstep. By the way, aviation enthusiasts can book sightseeing flights over the Black Forest here – starting at just €77 per person!
Package tours and booking tips
Package holidays to the Black Forest We take the planning work off your hands. Flight, hotel and often extras are already organized – you know exactly what the stay will cost in advance.
Why package holidays are often cheaper
Travel packages have a clear advantage: you get a complete package at a fixed price. Families and singles, in particular, can plan their budgets more effectively. Many package deals also include admission to pool complexes, lift tickets, or exclusive evening dinners. This often saves money compared to individual bookings.
Book early or be spontaneous?
Early bird discounts are usually valid until the end of March, with the highest discounts available until the end of January. Last-minute deals, however, can be booked 14 days before departure – with discounts of up to 70%.
For families with school-age children, early bird discounts are a better option. They offer planning security, and during popular holiday periods, the selection is wider. Those who are flexible and can travel spontaneously can find real bargains with last-minute deals.
The best travel time
Active holidays in the Black Forest are best between May and September. Peak season for family holidays is from mid-June to the end of August. Winter sports enthusiasts will find ski resorts open between December and March.
Travel insurance – useful or not?
Travel insurance protects against financial losses in the event of cancellation or interruption. ERGO Travel Insurance offers cancellation insurance starting at just €6. For more comprehensive coverage, there's StornoPlus insurance starting at €9 – including medical repatriation, luggage insurance, and bicycle insurance.
By the way, you should check the cancellation policy carefully: For hotels, you pay 10% up to 31 days before departure, 40% up to 11 days, and 100% in case of no-show. Vacation rentals have longer cancellation periods: 10% up to 45 days before departure, 25% up to 30 days.
Conclusion
The Black Forest awaits you – and getting there is easier than you think! Whether Stuttgart, Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden, Zurich, or Basel-Mulhouse, all airports conveniently take you to this beautiful region of Baden-Württemberg.
Rental car or public transport? It all depends on your plans. By car, you can reach even hidden corners of the Black Forest that are otherwise difficult to access. But if you want to travel in a relaxed manner, use the KONUS guest card – it gives you free bus and train travel in 150 holiday resorts.
Freiburg, Baden-Baden, Titisee-Neustadt, or Europa-Park – the public transport network takes you everywhere. Summer hikes, winter skiing, water sports on the lake – every season has its charm in the Black Forest.
Don't feel like doing a lot of planning? Then look for package deals. Flights, hotels, and often extras are already included. Early bookers save the most, while last-minute deals are perfect for spontaneous travelers.
No matter how you arrive, this natural region has something to offer everyone. Careful travel planning will make your Black Forest vacation the perfect experience!
Questions and answers about the Black Forest
Which well-known places in the Black Forest are easily accessible by public transport?
Freiburg, Baden-Baden, Titisee-Neustadt and Europa-Park are all easily accessible by public transport.
When should you book to save the most on your Black Forest vacation?
Early bookers save the most, while last-minute deals are suitable for spontaneous travelers.
What seasonal activities does the Black Forest offer?
The Black Forest offers summer hikes, winter skiing, and lakeside water sports.
What are the advantages of renting a car in the Black Forest?
By car you can also reach hidden corners of the Black Forest that are difficult to access by public transport.
Which airports are near the Black Forest?
The airports of Stuttgart, Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden, Zurich and Basel-Mulhouse are nearby.
When is the peak season for families in the Black Forest?
The peak season for family holidays runs from mid-June to the end of August.
