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Overview: car trip from Brussels to Heidelberg
A car trip from Brussels to Heidelberg with Daytrip will take you from the towering Gothic cathedrals, Art Deco taverns, unique Flemish art, and quaint guild houses of Brussels to one of the most beautiful cities in Germany. Heidelberg is known for its charming history, vibrant culture, near-endless outdoor activities in nature, and dreamy castle.
It's a place you won't mind getting lost in as you try local cuisine, learn more about the city's past through its architectural wonders, or walk its much-loved hiking trails. However, before you get to Heidelberg, make a few stops along the way, starting with Leuven.
This provincial capital is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the oldest still-operational Catholic University. Leuven has so much to do that you'll have trouble tearing yourself away. But don't tire yourself out too much, as there is Aachen to visit next, with its famous Cathedral, and then the Augustusburg and Falkenlust Palaces, with their architectural delights.
You might also love asking your English-speaking professional Daytrip driver to stop in Cologne, Lorsch, or Speyer, which all have unique attractions worth seeing. Yet, regardless of where you sightsee, you'll find nothing quite like Heidelberg during your journey. So prepare to be amazed and ensure you're ready to walk or cycle, as this city is famous for two-legged transportation.
About Heidelberg
Heidelberg is in southwest Germany, around an hour away from Frankfurt. It is an attractive city that draws in millions of visitors every year. It's not hard to imagine why, considering it's nestled in the beautiful Neckar River valley and surrounded by lush woodlands and gorgeous vineyards.
It might also be a shock to learn that Heidelberg is relatively small, with a population of less than 200,000.
Despite this, it is culturally diverse and offers an international atmosphere. It's also part of Germany's infamous Castle Road and is known for being historically charming and incredible to tour because of how well-preserved the city is. This is partially thanks to the city remaining largely untouched during World War II.
Heidelberg was first mentioned in 1196, and the first settlements date back to Celtic and Roman times. Thanks to the jawbone of a past Heidelberg man, which was found in 1907 and can still be seen in one of the city's biggest museums, it has been confirmed that people have lived in the city and nearby for hundreds of thousands of years.
This jawbone might not seem significant, but the findings are the earliest substantiated evidence of humans living in Europe. Years later, in 369 AD, Valentine I, a Roman emperor, built permanent camps in Heidelberg, which is when the first civilian settlements are believed to have begun. Years later, the Romans were driven out by Germanic tribes and modern-day Heidelberg didn’t reemerge for centuries after that.
The Schonau Abbey was founded in 1142, and a document in the abbey references Heidelberg beginning in 1196. The city also became the capital of the Electoral Palatinate until 1690 and was nearly entirely destroyed by the French in the Nine Years' War. Many of the citizens fled Heidelberg at the time until the city was rebuilt in the Baroque style and became a part of the Grand Duchy of Baden in 1803.
The years that followed ushered in an age of growth and expansion, and it wasn't long before Heidelberg became a popular travel destination. Nowadays, Heidelberg remains prosperous, with industry, history, culture, and tourism driving the city's economy. When you visit, you can expect to see and do much with the city known for its incredible attractions and landmarks.
From Brussels to Heidelberg: travel tips
A Brussels to Heidelberg transfer is an exciting experience, considering you're traveling from Belgium into Germany. However, since the trip is a little far, with the distance estimated at about 294 miles by road, it's important to remember a few travel tips. That's why we've shared some below that should help you make the most of your trip.
Book train tickets in advance
Traveling by train is many people's first choice when completing a Brussels to Heidelberg transfer, but it can be tricky and exasperating, especially if you book at the last minute. That's why we recommend booking train tickets well in advance to ensure you don't spend a fortune on tickets alone.
Booking ahead of your trip date will also ensure you get a seat. Otherwise, you might find yourself sitting on the floor, standing the entire way, or potentially taking up residence for the entirety of the trip in the bike storage carriage. Yikes!
### Don't expect to do any shopping on a Sunday
Shopping on a Sunday in Germany is a no-no, so if you're traveling from Brussels, you might want to keep this in mind. Most supermarkets and retail outlets are closed on Sundays in Germany, barring the pharmacy and a local bus or train station shop. It's not ideal, but it's the law, and Germans are sticklers about adhering to it.
However, most small convenience stores and a few museums and tourist attractions, bakeries, cafes, and restaurants are open for limited pre-determined hours. So be sure to check the times before planning your Brussels to Heidelberg transfer.
### Be prepared for people drinking in public
Many countries in the world have strict laws about drinking in public, but this is not the case in Germany. Of course, there are laws, and you cannot get drunk in public, but you can drink in places like the local parks, on the side of the street, or in shopping parking lots.
It isn't frowned upon, and no one will be trying to conceal their alcohol, so it's a behavior you'll need to get used to quickly if you're planning a trip from Brussels to Heidelberg.
How to get from Brussels to Heidelberg
When you choose to visit Heidelberg, one of the first things you need to determine is the transportation you will use from Brussels to Heidelberg. Since this can be tricky to navigate, we've shared how to get between the two cities by train, bus, flight, and public car transfer service. Let's take a closer look at your options:
From Brussels to Heidelberg by train
One of the most popular ways to travel in Europe is by train, and this is no different than taking a trip from Brussels to Heidelberg. However, train travel isn't all it's cracked up to be, considering the schedules aren't flexible, tickets can be pretty costly, and you won't get to stop and sightsee.
However, when you travel with train companies like Deutsche Bahn, SNCB, or Thalys, you can look forward to comfortable seating, scenic views, and fewer delays than if you took a flight and a train combination or the bus.
Yet, ticket-wise, expect to put a dent in your budget, with costs ranging between $54-108 (€50-100) for a standard seat. The trip will also take four to five hours, depending on whether you take a high-speed or regional train.
### From Brussels to Heidelberg by bus
Buses are cheap, but they can be cheap for a reason. First and foremost, they are often far less comfortable than other means of transportation, like the train or driving with a private car service. They also tend to have fewer amenities, with only the most reputable bus lines offering things like WiFi and restrooms.
Another con to bus travel is that there are often frequent traffic delays, and not every bus travels directly. This means you could find yourself stopping for hours or taking annoying transfers. But at the end of the day, we'll leave it up to you.
You can decide whether paying between $22-$54 (€20-50) for a ticket on a bus that will take about seven and a half hours to complete the trip is worth it. If you want to take a chance, consider Flixbus, BlaBlaBus, or Eurolines.
### From Brussels to Heidelberg by flight
Unfortunately, if you want to take a flight, you'll need to note that a transfer will be involved. Unless you're flying with a private jet, you must book with Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, or KLM.
Although these airlines offer multiple departures daily, you must usually fly to Frankfurt or Stuttgart before transferring to Heidelberg Airport.
The flight time is between an hour or two, but you must also account for the travel time to and from the respective airports. There are often also security checks, and the transfers can be lengthy, so you could spend more than four hours traveling between the cities if you choose to fly, which is less than ideal.
You should also note that flying is pricey. An average ticket for this trip costs between $108-216 (€100-200), and that is just for the flight price, not the other travel costs you will incur.
### From Brussels to Heidelberg by private car transfer service
People sometimes disregard private car transfers thinking they're too expensive. This might be the case with certain transfer services, but not with Daytrip. Daytrip's prices are fair, with a one-way booking costing as little as $108 (€101) per person. That's right! You can ride door-to-door for the same price as a train ticket!
Except you won't need to adhere to fixed public transportation schedules and timetables. You get to choose when, where, and what time you travel. You won't need to get to a station because your driver will pick you up at your accommodation and drop you off at your hotel in Heidelberg.
Driving only takes about 5 hours, and during this time, you can stop and do some sightseeing in places like Cologne, which has risen from the ashes of World War II, and Lorscsh, a small town with lots of charm.
You can also ask your driver for travel insights or sit back and relax while they navigate traffic and foreign roads. Bliss, right?
Things to do when you get to Heidelberg
What are some of the best things to do when you get to Heidelberg? This is a question many travelers ask, and the answer will vary based on your likes and dislikes. However, we've put together the list of attractions and landmarks below. You need to check out if you're planning a trip from Brussels to Heidelberg.
Schloss Heidelberg
You can't visit Heidelberg without planning a tour of Schloss Heidelberg, the city's top attraction and one of the most famous landmarks in Germany. The castle sits atop a hill, peering over the city's majestic Old Town.
This castle used to be the home of the Prince-Electors, but after a lightning strike in 1764, it was left partly in ruins and uninhabitable. Although it might not be the most opulent castle—if it can still be called such, being in ruins and all—it is still worth a visit.
There is a wine cellar that survived the lightning strike that you can walk about in and bask in the presence of a more than 48,000-gallon wine cask. There is also a Pharmacy museum to explore, and you can take a guided tour of what remains of the castle.
### Church Of The Holy Spirit
In Europe, churches can seem like a dime a dozen, but the Church of the Holy Spirit, located on Marketplatz, is still worth exploring. This church was built in the 13th century, but its current rendition is in the Gothic style, which was completed in the 15th century.
Interestingly, the church, which is currently Protestant, has changed religions over the years, and at one point, it was even shared by the protestants and Catholics. When you visit, you can see the influences of both religions alongside the surviving tomb effigies that weren't destroyed during the Nine Years' War.
### Student Jail
If you visit Heidelberg from Brussels and are looking for a quirky attraction, you might want to make a stop at the Student Jail. The student jail is located near Jesuitenkirche, another famous attraction in the city.
This unique jail was where students were sent when accused of wrongdoing. For acts like freeing pigs, dueling, or public inebriation, students could be locked in this jail anywhere from 24 hours to a month! But it wasn't so evil as to require being in jail 24/7. They were let out to attend classes and exams, and it was considered a rite of passage at the university for many.
The student jail served as a pseudo-prison from the 1780s until 1914. When you visit, expect to see chaos. From graffitied walls and pictures stuck everywhere to drawings on the chairs, desks, and walls, it's bound to be an exciting visit. Just be sure to also visit the University museum since the entry fee covers both attractions.
When is the best time to visit Heidelberg?
Since Heidelberg is in Germany, it can be tough to pinpoint the best time to visit the city. However, we've found that the best time to plan a trip from Brussels to Heidelberg is between May and September when the weather is the nicest. Between these months, spring is the nicest with temperate weather, and you can enjoy the great outdoors. Stick to the spring or fall shoulder seasons to avoid the summer heat and crowds.
Or, if you can stomach the cold, consider coming in December instead. You will likely love the Christmas markets and festive decorations the city puts up every year for the holidays. Roaming the stalls and watching traditional performances with hot mulled wine is definitely a magical experience.
Daytrip é a maneira mais conveniente de conhecer 14.800+ cidades ao redor do mundo.
Todo viajante merece uma visão real das culturas dos países que está visitando. E todo lugar incrível na Terra merece ser visitado e apreciado. Acreditamos que o conhecimento local único e a conexão humana real são insubstituíveis quando se trata de compreender verdadeiramente outra cultura.
Avaliações verificadas de 14 viajantes que reservaram esta rota
30 de jul. de 2019
""Our trip was amazing. Juan L. was so nice and his car was very nice and clean. We really enjoyed conversation with him as well.
Terry L.""
Terry L.
Perguntas e Respostas sobre Viagens de Brussels para Heidelberg
The easiest way to get from Brussels to Heidelberg is with a door-to-door car service like Daytrip. Daytrip lets you easily choose your pick-up and drop-off locations without worrying about transfers. If you decide to go sightseeing, you can and if not you can drive directly.
Spending two to three days in Heidelberg is ideal. This allows enough time to explore the historic Old Town, visit Heidelberg Castle, walk along the Philosopher's Path, and enjoy the vibrant cultural scene. But if you want to stay longer, you can see sights like the Students Jail and try the local cuisine, which is said to be superb by locals.
There are high-speed trains from Brussels to Heidelberg. The journey typically involves a transfer in either Frankfurt or Cologne, and Deutsche Bahn and Thalys train lines provide the trips multiple times a day. Getting from Brussels to Heidelberg by high-speed train takes four to five hours.
Visiting Heidelberg can be somewhat expensive. Accommodation and dining costs vary from cheap to expensive, with several budget options for penny-pinching. Major attractions like Heidelberg Castle have entry fees, but many scenic walks and views are free, making it accessible for different budgets—even yours.
The fastest way to get from Brussels to Heidelberg is to take a train or flight, but taking a car can also be time-efficient. It's also often better to drive since you'll visit sightseeing attractions and landmarks along the way.
The cost of a train ticket depends on whether you take a regional or high-speed train. It will also depend on whether you book first or second-class tickets. However, on average, a train ticket from Brussels to Heidelberg costs between 50 and 100 euros.
Visite estes pontos turísticos no caminho
Leuven
This provincial capital is home to 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the oldest still-operating Catholic university, and the Stella Artois Brewery. Beauty, Brains, and Beer
Aachen
The German spa and border town of Aachen is famous for its cathedral, which was the first ever site in Germany granted World Heritage UNESCO status. Where emperors and kings were crowned
Palácios Augustusburg e Falkenlust
Listed by UNESCO in 1984, these two superb examples of German Rococo, connected by equally superb Baroque gardens, form one architecturally glorious whole. Twin palatial masterpieces of Rococo
Colônia
It’s difficult to believe that over 70% of Cologne was destroyed by Allied bombs in World War Two, so astonishingly successfully has it risen from the ashes. Prestigious cultured major German city
Lorsch
The small town of Lorsch situated on the Rhine is famed for its UNESCO-listed abbey and monumental gatehouse that are a rare architectural legacy. A relic of medieval history
Speyer
This riverside city likes em big, from its UNESCO-listed 11th century Cathedral to the vast Technic Museum. Size Queen of the Rhein
