Major city · Germany
Reichenau
Go for a half-day or one night: walk the 4.5 km island, see the three UNESCO abbey churches, then leave. Two nights only if you cycle or swim.Go for a half-day or one night: walk the 2.8 mi island, see the three UNESCO abbey churches, then leave. Two nights only if you cycle or swim.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Mar (many sights closed or short hours)
- Airports
- ZRH · FMM · STR
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Germany ↗Germany is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Germany ↗Nazi symbols and gestures are criminal offences, including as jokes or souvenirs.
- Germany ↗Many city centres are low-emission zones: a car needs the right sticker (Umweltplakette) to enter.
Reichenau is the largest island on Lake Constance: 4.5 km long, 1.5 km wide, joined to the mainland by a 3 km causeway. Its three Romanesque churches, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, are the reason to come; the rest is vegetable fields, greenhouses and vineyards. Most travellers see it as a half-day from Konstanz or Radolfzell, or sleep one night to catch the island without day-trippers. It is quiet, flat and easy to walk or cycle, and there is no nightlife to speak of.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Reichenau, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Germany-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelekom, Vodafone and O2 are the networks; Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect and congstar resell them cheaply in supermarkets and electronics shops.Germany-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.Germany-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or add 5–10%; say the total you want to pay as you hand over money or card.Germany-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Germany-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
- RestroomsStation toilets cost €0.50–1.50 (≈ US$1–2) (Rail&Fresh WC); restaurant toilets are for customers…Germany-wide
- Emergency numbers112 fire and ambulance · 110 police · 116 117 Out-of-hours doctor (Germany) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops close on Sundays and public holidays nearly everywhere except stations and airports.Germany-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckZRH Zurich (About 1 h 30 min by train to Konstanz, then bus 7372 (≈ US$9,000); check connections.).
- Getting aroundThe island is flat and small: walk or cycle.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5)
- Sit-down mealDinner, main dish€16–28 (≈ US$19–35)
- Beer0.5 l in a restaurant€4–5.50 (≈ US$5–7)
- Metro or bus rideBus ride, short hop€2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry€3–8 (≈ US$4–10)
- Budget bedCampsite pitch plus two adults, a night, per room€20 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per room€130 (≈ US$160)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per room€200 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €110 (≈ US$130) · High €200 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ZRH Zurich (About 1 h 30 min by train to Konstanz, then bus 7372; check connections.) · FMM Memmingen (About 1 h 30 min by car; train via Memmingen and Radolfzell is slower.) · STR Stuttgart (About 2 h 30 min by train via Singen or Konstanz.)
Weather and climate
Reichenau: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
3°C37°F
−2°C28°F
10 rd
Feb
5°C41°F
−2°C28°F
9 rd
Mar
10°C50°F
1°C34°F
10 rd
Apr
15°C59°F
4°C39°F
11 rd
May
20°C68°F
9°C48°F
12 rd
Jun
23°C73°F
12°C54°F
12 rd
Jul
25°C77°F
14°C57°F
12 rd
Aug
25°C77°F
14°C57°F
12 rd
Sep
20°C68°F
11°C52°F
10 rd
Oct
14°C57°F
7°C45°F
10 rd
Nov
8°C46°F
2°C36°F
10 rd
Dec
4°C39°F
−1°C30°F
10 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The island is flat and small: walk or cycle. The causeway has a paved path for bikes and pedestrians. Bus 7372 runs from Reichenau station and Konstanz-Wollmatingen onto the island and stops in a couple of places. Bikes, tandems and child trailers can be rented at the campground at the north-west end. A car is useful only for luggage or if you sleep on the mainland.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 45–60 min
Bus 7372 (≈ US$9,000) to Konstanz-Wollmatingen, then city bus; or boat in season
Old town, harbour and the lake; the obvious half-day pairing.
Radolfzell
goDoor to door: About 40–50 min
Bus 7372 (≈ US$9,000) towards the station, then train or bus
Small lakeside town with a market and a minster.
Door to door: 1.5–2 h
Train from Reichenau station via Radolfzell, or boat in season
Zeppelin museum and lakefront; a full day, not a quick hop.
Überlingen
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Train via Radolfzell and Friedrichshafen, or boat in season
Best done as a boat day in summer.
Mainau island
goDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
Bus and boat via Konstanz
Flower island; timed entry in peak season, check.
Stein am Rhein (Switzerland)
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h
Train via Konstanz and Schaffhausen
Painted old town; pair with the Rhine Falls.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Mittelzell (island centre)
Next to the Minster and the museum; walk to everything, few beds.
South shore (An der Schiffslände)
Lake-facing hotels with restaurants; boat pier nearby.
West end / causeway
Closest to the mainland road and bus stop; cheapest rooms.
Campground Sandseele (north-west)
Tents and motorhomes, plus bike and boat rental on site.
Mainland near Reichenau station
Cheaper and easier by train, but you cross the causeway each day.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–95 (≈ US$70–120) excl. bed
- Mid
- €95–150 (≈ US$120–180) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × €130 | €130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €110 | €220 |
| Bus 7372, island to Konstanz and back2 × €8 | €16 |
| Bike rental, one day2 × €15 | €30 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €10 | €20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €42 |
| Trip total≈ €229 per person per day, bed included | €458≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in euro; travel to the island excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Beer, 0.5 l in a restaurant | €4–5.50 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Lunch, main dish | €12–20 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Dinner, main dish | €16–28 (≈ US$19–35) |
| Museum entry | €3–8 (≈ US$4–10) |
| Bus ride, short hop | €2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Bike rental, one day | €12–20 (≈ US$14–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Church treasury and museum hours are limited and seasonal: check before you go.
- Boat services from Konstanz and Radolfzell run roughly April–October only.
- The island is farmland: stay on paths and do not walk into fields or greenhouses.
- Evenings are very quiet; eat before kitchens close, often around 21:00.Evenings are very quiet; eat before kitchens close, often around 9:00 PM.
- Winter ice on the bay is not always safe to walk on: follow local signs.
Emergency numbers
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
- Police
- 110
- Out-of-hours doctor (Germany)
- 116 117
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ReichenauReichenau
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Zu dieser Adresse, bitteTo this address, please
Emergency
- Fire and ambulance112
- Police110
- Out-of-hours doctor116 117
Embassy
No embassies on the island; the US consulate-general is in Munich and most embassies are in Berlin. Konstanz has consular agencies for some countries: check.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus 7372, Reichenau station to the island: a few euro, about 10 min
- Boat, Konstanz to Reichenau: seasonal, April–October
- Taxi, Konstanz to Reichenau: about €35–45 (≈ US$45–55)
Say or show
- Hallo — Hello (hallo)
- Danke — Thank you (danke)
- Bitte — Please (bitte)
- Die Rechnung, bitte — The bill, please (dee rekh-noong, bitte)
- Kann ich mit Karte zahlen? — Can I pay by card? (kan ikh mit kar-te tsa-len)
- Wo ist die Toilette? — Where is the toilet? (vo ist dee toy-let-te)
Cash is still common in small island businesses: carry some euro.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Reichenau. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Mar (many sights closed or short hours) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 5 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for ZRH, FMM and STR: last train and bus times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Mittelzell, the south shore, the causeway and campground, St George and St Peter and Paul.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Minster treasury, Reichenau Museum, St George, St Peter and Paul) and eat pages with last orders.
- Boat-season and winter fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialReichenau municipal website
- officialReichenau Museum
- secondaryWikivoyage: Reichenau, revision 4483409 (CC BY-SA 4.0)