The personal website of Matt Henderson.
01 January 2016
I just love the cultural differences in Europe. This Christmas, we played two chess tournamentsone in Spain, and the other in Germany. Prior to the events, we emailed both tournament directors, asking how to get to the venue from the local airport. The contrast in replies are hilarious.
German reply:
The train service to and from Stuttgart Airport will work reliably even on holidays like Dec 25 or Dec 31.
ARRIVAL: If your flight arrives on time, you take the S-Bahn (line 2) at 14:08 h from Stuttgart Airport. There are numerous ticket machines on the way down to the S-Bahn station inside the airport. The fare is EUR 2.80 (EUR 1.30 for children) from Airport to Bblingen. The display will guide you through the ticket buying process in English and, I think, also in Spanish, but if you are unsure how to handle the ticket machine, there certainly are other travellers who can help you.
You will have to change trains at Stuttgart-Rohr (4 stops from the airport) and then take the S-Bahn (line 1) headed for Herrenberg. Bblingen is just 2 stops from Stuttgart-Rohr. If the trains are on time, which they usually are except during rush hour, you will arrive in Bblingen at 14:29.The changing of trains in Stuttgart-Rohr is quite convenient: same platform, opposite track, so there's no need to use elevators or walk up and down stairs.
From Bblingen railway station, it's about a 15 to 20 minutes walk to the hotel, but depending on weather conditions and/or luggage, you may want to take a taxi to Hotel Mercure Bblingen (less than 10 EUR). From Bblingen railway station, it's about a 15 to 20 minutes walk to the hotel, but depending on weather conditions and/or luggage, you may want to take a taxi to Hotel Mercure Bblingen (less than 10 EUR).
DEPARTURE: The first S-Bahn on December 31 leaves from Bblingen station at 5:30 a.m. You change trains just as above in Stuttgart-Rohr and take the S-Bahn line 2, which leaves from Stuttgart-Rohr about 5 minutes later (again same platform, opposite track).
You will arrive at the Airport at 5:52, i. e. about one hour before departure of your flight. This should be enough time, particularly if you have the option to use online check-in - most airlines offer this feature 24 hours before flight departure time.
In case you prefer to take a taxi from the hotel straight to Stuttgart Airport on Dec 31 early morning, I suppose it costs about 35 - 40 EUR, but I am sure the hotel reception staff can give you more precise information. If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to ask. And just in case, here is my mobile phone number: 123456789. We look forward to welcoming you in Bblingen in December!
Spanish reply:
I think you can take a bus. You’ll have to check.
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