Underground or car to Nuremberg Airport: which is better for you?

Nuremberg has something that travellers in many other cities envy: the U2 underground line runs without a change from the main station to beneath the terminal of Albrecht Dürer Airport in around twelve minutes. Yet many passengers come by car every day. That is no contradiction: whether the underground or the car is the better choice depends on where you live, how much you take with you, who you are travelling with and when your flight leaves. This guide helps you find the right way to get there – honestly and without a sales agenda.

What makes the U2 so attractive

The U2 connects the airport with Nuremberg main station and several districts in the north and south. It runs at frequent intervals during the day, and the station is right beneath the terminal. If you live in the Südstadt, St. Johannis or the Nordstadt and only have a trolley with you, you can be at the desk within half an hour of leaving your front door – no searching for a space, no parking fees. For travellers arriving at the main station by long-distance train, the change to the U2 is convenient too.

When the underground reaches its limits

The underground is only as good as the way to it. If you live in Lauf, Schwabach, Roth or Zirndorf, you first have to take the S-Bahn or bus to the main station and change there. From Franconian Switzerland, the Altmühltal, the Upper Palatinate or parts of Middle Franconia beyond the transport network, getting there by public transport is often long and complicated. With three suitcases, a pushchair and two tired children, every change becomes a challenge.

The time of day also decides

Many holiday flights leave Nuremberg very early. Whether the first underground train of the day – and, even more importantly, the first connection from where you live – runs early enough is shown in the timetable. For return flights late in the evening, the same question arises in reverse. If you fly at six and come from the district, there is often no suitable connection. Then the car is the obvious choice. More: Early flight from Nuremberg.

Calculating total costs honestly

For one person, the ticket is cheap. For a family of four, the outward and return journeys quickly add up – especially if the journey from the surrounding area covers several fare zones. On the other side are the parking costs for the duration of the trip. For a weekend trip for two, the underground is almost always cheaper. For a two-week family holiday from the district, an outdoor car park with a bus can hold its own in the overall calculation. Help with comparing: Parking costs at Nuremberg Airport.

Convenience and luggage

By car you drive from your front door to the car park or to the driving service's meeting point. Suitcases are loaded once and only taken out again at the terminal. On the underground you have to move luggage up stairs or into lifts and hold on to it during the ride. For sports equipment such as golf bags, ski bags or bike cases, the car is much more practical.

The hybrid: park-and-ride

Some travellers leave their car at a park-and-ride site and continue by underground. This can work but has drawbacks: many of these sites are not intended for parking over several days, some are not supervised at night, and changing with luggage is tiresome. Check the operator's rules beforehand. For air travel, a parking space at or near the airport is usually the simpler solution.

If you decide on the car

Then three options are open: the multi-storey car park at the terminal, a driving service that takes over the car in front of the building, or an outdoor car park with a bus. Which option suits your trip is explained in Parking options at Nuremberg Airport and Valet or shuttle at Nuremberg Airport.

Being dropped off – a third option

Because the airport is so close to the city, many people get family or friends to drop them off. This is practical but means two trips for the driver on the departure day and two on the return day. With return flights late in the evening, picking someone up is a real burden. On the forecourt only brief stops are allowed; people picking someone up park in the multi-storey car park.

Four typical cases

A student from Gostenhof flies to Lisbon for a week with a rucksack – he takes the U2. A family from Herzogenaurach flies to Greece for two weeks, departure at 06:30 – they drive and book a driving service. A business traveller arrives by ICE from Würzburg and flies on to Vienna – he changes to the U2 at the main station. A retired couple from Neumarkt fly to Mallorca at midday – they drive and park with the bus provider, because the way to the underground is too far.

The environment and traffic

Travelling by public transport relieves the roads and the climate. Where it is easily possible, there is a lot to be said for it. Where it is not practical, car sharing can be an alternative: one car instead of two saves parking costs and emissions.

Luggage on the underground

If you board the U2 with a large suitcase, avoid peak times. In the morning and late afternoon the trains are fuller and space for luggage is scarce. Lifts at the stations make the way easier with a wheeled suitcase.

Back late by underground?

After a return flight late in the evening, the U2 often still runs according to the timetable. If you then have to continue to the surrounding area, check the connections – regional trains and buses run less often at a late hour. With your own car you are more independent then.

Costs over the year

If you fly several times a year, you can compare the costs of both ways of travelling. It often turns out that the underground is unbeatable for short trips alone, while the car pays off for family holidays from the surrounding area.

In brief

City residents with light luggage take the U2; families from the surrounding area and early flyers usually take the car. If you are unsure, work through the time and costs for both options honestly once.

Car sharing instead of two cars

If two families travel together, one car with one parking space can be the best solution. Compared with eight underground tickets plus the journey to the main station, the car often comes out well. Check the shuttle provider's rules on numbers.

With children on the underground

With small children, a buggy and suitcases, the underground is doable but tiring. If you still go by underground, avoid peak times and use the lifts at the stations.

The taxi as a hybrid

For individual travellers from the city, a taxi can complement the underground at early or late times. For longer trips or journeys from the surrounding area, however, the costs quickly add up.

Time is a factor too

From Gostenhof, the underground is hard to beat. From Lauf, with a change at the main station, the journey takes considerably longer than by car. Work out both options door to door for where you live.

Have a good trip – whether by U2 or your own car!

Returning with lots of luggage

On the way home, the luggage is often heavier than on the way out. If you came by underground, bear this in mind – with souvenirs and piles of laundry, the car is sometimes the more pleasant choice for the return.

If you compare both options honestly, you will make the right choice for your trip.

Have a good trip – whichever way you get to the airport.

Both ways have their strengths – what matters is what suits your trip and where you live.

Conclusion

For city residents with light luggage, the U2 is the best way to get to Albrecht Dürer Airport. For families from the surrounding area, early flyers and travellers with lots of luggage, the car often remains the more practical choice. Whether parking offers for Nuremberg can be booked via Friend-Park is shown on Parking at Nuremberg Airport.