"Bonn embodies the pleasant sides of life in Germany more than almost any other city. ... . Visitors are often pleasantly surprised by the contrasts between magnificient historical buildings, small village charm, cosmopolitan urban life and high-quality cultural attractions." (The German National Tourist Board)

You can choose from a wide range of sites to see, e.g. the Beethoven House (Birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven), the Historical Town Hall, the 12th-century cathedral, the Museum Mile (five outstanding museums offering experiences in Arts, German History, Zoology, and Technology). For further information see e.g.

• the City of Bonn
• the German National Tourist Board - "Today, Bonn is a vibrant university city, a cultural centre that hosts prestigious concerts and exhibitions, a centre for technologies of the future and the headquarters for several United Nations organisations. People in and around Bonn really know how to enjoy the good things in life. In the summer they head for the wine bars along the River Rhine to enjoy the views of the Siebengebirge hills where Riesling wines are produced."
• the Tourismus & Congress GmbH Region Bonn / Rhein-Sieg / Ahrweiler
• in German: http://www.deutschland-tourismus.de/ (Deutsche Zentrale für Tourismus e.V.)

Conference Venue

The LCN 2011 conference hotel, the Hilton Bonn, is conveniently located in the heart of the city, overlooking the River Rhine, 5-15 minutes walk to several Bonn attractions in the city center.

(click to enlarge picture, taken by Matthias Frank / University of Bonn)

The hotel and LCN 2011 venue address is:

Hilton Bonn
Berliner Freiheit 2
Bonn, Germany 53111

The closest stop of trams and buses is "Bertha-von-Suttner-Platz / Beethovenhaus", only a few walking steps away from the Hilton Bonn (see more on travel information below).

Online information about the hotel (in English, Spanish, French), German web page of the hotel.

An e-brochure about the hotel is available here.

The Hilton Bonn online registration (for LCN 2011) will be available early in June 2011 (see the conference and hotel registration page for all details). A room block will be available for LCN 2011 participants at a discounted rate. Alternative hotels maybe found e.g. at http://bonnhotels.de .

Travel Information

• Düsseldorf ~70 km
• Frankfurt ~170 km
• Berlin ~600 km
• Hamburg ~450 km
• Munich ~560 km

(Picture by Matthias Frank / University of Bonn)

Getting to Bonn ... by Airplane

Cologne/Bonn (CGN)

The closest airport is Cologne/Bonn (approx. 24 km). From the airport, take bus SB60 in front of terminal 1 to Bonn Main Station (32 min.). In general, the bus is operated between 5 a.m. and midnight every 30 minutes (Saturday evening to Sunday afternoon: 60 minutes) - see timetable for the exact times or use the VRS journey planner. For information on taxi transfer scroll down.

Frankfurt (FRA)

Bonn is also well connected to Frankfurt Airport. It takes 38-50 minutes with the ICE train to Siegburg/Bonn station. There, you change to tram 66, which brings you in about 20 minutes to the center of Bonn. You get off the tram at "Bertha-von-Suttner-Platz / Beethovenhaus" (right after crossing the River Rhine) and you are only a few steps away from the Hilton Bonn.

Another possibility is to use a slower but cheaper and more scenic train from Frankfurt through the River Rhine Valley directly to Bonn Main Station. You might have to change trains in Mainz. Have a look at the Deutsche Bahn journey planner.

Düsseldorf (DUS)

The airport of Düsseldorf can also be reached via train in approx. 1 hour. Check the Deutsche Bahn journey planner for the exact connection. If your connection includes a tram ("S-Bahn") to Düsseldorf HBf (main station) you can directly travel from the terminal. If you choose one of the direct local trains take the Sky Train to the Airport Railway Station (4 minutes) first.

... by Train

Bonn ("Bonn HBf" = Bonn main station) is well connected with regional and long-distance trains. The stop "Siegburg/Bonn" of the ICE line Cologne-Frankfurt is linked with suburban line/tram 66 to the center of Bonn. You get off the tram at "Bertha-von-Suttner-Platz / Beethovenhaus" (right after crossing the River Rhine) and you are only a few steps away from the Hilton Bonn.

Look at the Deutsche Bahn web page for connections. You have to buy your ticket before entering the train!

... by Car

Since the Hilton Bonn is located in the heart of the city center free parking is a tricky issue. The Hilton Bonn offers parking for daily fees, please check the hotel web page (see above).

Information about public parking in the city center can be found here (German only).

Local Public Transport

Bonn has a very good public transport system with some trams and many buses. Use the VRS Journey Planner to check your connection.

If you arrive at Bonn main station ("Hbf" abbr. for German "Hauptbahnhof") you may take tram 66 (direction: Siegburg - operating from the lower level of Bonn main station) and get off at the second stop "Bertha-von-Suttner-Platz / Beethovenhaus", in direct vicinity of the Hilton Bonn or take tram 62 (direction: Beuel Bf/Ramersdorf, Ramersdorf, Oberkassel Süd/Römlinghoven - operating outside the station building on street level) and get off at the third stop "Bertha-von-Suttner-Platz / Beethovenhaus".

Alternatively, you may walk about 1 km through the pedestrian zone towards "Bertha-von-Suttner-Platz" and the Hilton Bonn.

You may also see the pages "Getting here and getting around" of the City of Bonn.

Using a taxi in Bonn

• from airport Cologne/Bonn (CGN) to center of Bonn: about 42 EUR
• from Bonn to airport Frankfurt Main (FRA): about 230 EUR
• from Bonn to airport Düsseldurf (DUS): about 120 EUR
• see table of estimated fares here
• long distance trips (outside Cologne/Bonn region) are not subject to fare regulation and maybe negotiated individually (e.g. from/to Düsseldorf or Frankfurt)

Overview Map

Click on link below map to show larger version and further explore on your own ...

Bonn - IEEE LCN 2011 Show bigger map

BTW, Bonn is completely covered in the other map provider's "Street View", you may virtually explore Bonn already before coming to LCN in October 2011!