In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Germany
Ettlingen
Spend a half‑day to see the historic Altstadt, Ettlingen Schloss and a market; add a night if you want a relaxed stay.
Ettlingen is a compact town of about 27 000 people between Karlsruhe and the Black Forest. Its baroque palace, old town and weekly market fit easily into a half‑day, while a night lets you enjoy the local pubs and spa hotel.
- Country
- Germany
- Best months
- May–Oct
- Avoid
- Jan–Feb (cold, limited opening hours)
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- EUR
- Money
- Currency is the euro (EUR). Card acceptance has improved but some bakeries, bars and small restaurants are still cash only.
- Daily spend
- Budget €50–70 excl. bed · Mid €70–110 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Telekom, Vodafone and O2 are the networks; Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect and congstar resell them cheaply in supermarkets and electronics shops.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 112
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin plugs; UK and US devices need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: Round up or add 5–10%; say the total you want to pay as you hand over money or card.; Bar and café: Round up to the nearest euro.; Taxi: Round up by €1–2.; Hotel housekeeping: €1–2 a night, optional.; Free walking tour: €10–15 per person.
- Water
- Tap water is safe everywhere. Restaurants usually sell bottled water; fizzy (mit Kohlensäure) is the default, ask for 'still' or 'ohne'.
- Toilets
- Station toilets cost €0.50–1.50 (Rail&Fresh WC); restaurant toilets are for customers; the 'WC' at motorway rest stops takes coins and gives a voucher.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | €2–3 |
| Beer (pub) | €3–4 |
| Wurst at market | €2–4 |
| Tram ticket within town | €2.20–2.80 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- FKB · Karlsruhe/Baden‑Baden Airport
- ≈15 km (9.3 mi) north, shuttle bus or train to Karlsruhe Hauptbahnhof≈9.3 mi (15 km) north, shuttle bus or train to Karlsruhe Hauptbahnhof
Typical fares
- Ettlingen → Karlsruhe tram
- about €2.20–2.80, 10 min (check)
- Parking underground garage
- €6.50 per day
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The town centre is walkable; tram lines S1/S11 connect Ettlingen Stadt to Karlsruhe Hauptbahnhof (≈10 min). Local bus serves outlying districts.
See and do
Known for
- Ettlingen Schloss (Baroque palace)
- St. Martinskirche
- Weekly market on Wed & Sat
- Vogel Hausbräu brewpub
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Karlsruhe | Tram S1/S11, 10 min to Karlsruhe Hauptbahnhof | ≈20 min total |
| Bad Herrenalb | Tram south, then regional bus | ≈45 min |
Sleep
- Hotel Erbprinz Ettlingen
- Spa hotel near the palace, single rooms €165‑300
- Stadthotel Engel
- Modern rooms in town centre, singles €80‑100, doubles €125‑130, breakfast included
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | EntschuldigungEntschuldigung |
| Thank you | DankeDanke |
| How much is it? | Wie viel kostet das?Wie viel kostet das? |
| Where is the bathroom? | Wo ist die Toilette?Wo ist die Toilette? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Firm handshake with eye contact; 'Guten Tag' or 'Hallo'; avoid: Hugs with people you have just met
- Names: Herr / Frau plus surname until invited to use first names; avoid: Using 'du' with officials or older strangers
- Punctuality: Arrive on time for tours, dinners and appointments; avoid: Being more than 5–10 minutes late without a message
- Queues and rules: Follow signs, wait at red lights, sort rubbish; avoid: Walking in cycle lanes
- Conversation: Direct and factual; people say what they mean; avoid: Taking directness as rudeness, or joking about the Nazi era
- Home visit: Bring flowers (odd number, not red roses) or wine; shoes off if the hosts do; avoid: Arriving early
- Paying: Say the total including tip as you pay; avoid: Leaving coins on the table and walking off
Scams and watch-outs
- Tram tickets to Karlsruhe cost €2.20–2.80; buy before boarding.
- Parking in the underground garage costs €6.50 per day.
- Check opening hours of Ettlingen Schloss and museum (seasonal).
Ettlingen is a low‑crime town; typical tourist precautions apply.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Ettlingen yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Ettlingen Schloss (Baroque palace)
- St. Martinskirche
- Weekly market on Wed & Sat
- Vogel Hausbräu brewpub
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Ettlingen official website: ettlingen.de
- Wikivoyage: Ettlingen, revision 5245015 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5245015
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/ettlingen). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.