The closest airport to Bonn is the Cologne-Bonn (German: Köln-Bonn) airport [url=http://www.koeln-bonn-airport.de/index.php?lang=2]]. The airport handles far more air cargo traffic than passengers, but since the airport has become the hub for a few low-cost air carriers such as Germanwings [url=http://www.germanwings.com[/url]]and TUIfly [http://www.flytui.co.uk[/url] the airport has seen a nearly two-fold rise in passenger traffic. Outside Europe the airport is a very well kept secret - airlines will often offer on par or better rates to CGN than some of Europe's larger airports like Gatwick, Heathrow, or Charles de Gaulle. Several flights from New York City cost as low as $400 round trip.
From the CGN airport, take the SB60 airport bus (€7.70) to Bonn's central bus station near the Hauptbahnhof. It leaves every 30 minutes from outside Terminal 1 arrivals. You can also take a train from the airport to Bonn-Beuel, which is on the other side of the river from Bonn city (Zentrum). A taxi to central Bonn will cost around €45.
An alternative to the somewhat chaotic big Frankfurt airport FRA is Düsseldorf DUS, which is much closer and has a direct rail link to Bonn via Cologne (Köln) every hour. It seems to have better and cheaper connections from Asia.
The train route from Bonn Hauptbahnhof to [wiki=4312d5c8cdda027420c474e2221abc34]Frankfurt[/wiki] is especially beautiful as it runs along the the rhine and you will see many old towns and castles on the way. It takes about 2 hours. If you are in a hurry, however, better take the fast train (ICE) from [wiki=52896808b1a088f91f87fef8ef5ce86a]Siegburg[/wiki] as it takes only 50 minutes to Frankfurt.
Travelling with the Regionalbahn train from Frankfurt try to sit on the right hand side of the coach for the better view.
Until 2001 it was used to house the office of Germany's chancellor and the chancellor's cabinet. Today, the building is used as a secondary headquarters for the chancellor.
* Between 1951 - 1994 the Villa Hammerschmidt served as the residence of the German President, however, since the relocation of the German government to Berlin the building serves as a secondary residence for the president.
The Bonn Regio WelcomeCards [url=http://www.bonn-region.de/english/travel-info/bonn-regio-welcomecard/museums.html]]offers free admission to most public museums in Bonn (including all of those listed below), free rides on buses and trams on the local public transport system (VRS), and discounts to other tourist attractions. The validity for both individual or family WelcomeCards are in increments of 24 hours, 48 hours or 72 hours, and can be purchased online, at the Tourismus offices or participating hotels. The 24-hour individual ticket cost €9.
* The birthplace of the great composer is now a museum dedicated to his life and work. The museum even has a lock of Beethoven's hair on display. Somewhat ironically Bonn advertises their hometown son despite Beethoven's vehement hatred for his hometown. With a competent docent this museum is well worth the visit and is more interesting than Mozart's Geburthaus in [wiki=b3d25ef3afe9e4475e72728f6e8dda20]Salzburg[/wiki].
* August Macke, a leading member of Der Blaue Reiter, a famous expressionist group, lived in this house with his wife, Elizabeth, for a few years and produced over 400 works in the top floor studio.
* An interesting explanation of German history after 1945 that is constantly updated. A must if you are interested in history or politics. Exhibitions are presented in German only, but guide booklets with English translations are available for a couple Euros, and guided tours for school groups conducted in english are available free of charge when prebooked.
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* hosts permanently changing exhibitions which range from visual art and cultural history up to science and technology. Most of them are world class and definitely worth a visit.
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* Zoological museum.
* the academic museum of antiquies is situated at the other end of the Hofgarten park, directly opposite to the main building. It is a beautiful building, constructed from 1823-1830 and designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel and Hermann Friedrich Waesemann, and hosts one of the largest collections of plaster casts of ancient Greek and Roman sculptures in the world.
* The University of Bonn administered Egyptian Museum.
Enthusiastically celebrated in Bonn in February or early March between Weiberfastnacht (Wievefastelovend in local dialect, always on a Thursday) and Rosenmontag (the following Monday and the height of the season). The exact dates differ every year (seven weeks before Easter). The best Weiberfastnacht parties are in Bonn-Beuel, e.g. at Bahnhöfchen or Rheinlust. Be there as early as 11 in the morning (and be costumed, of course!). Bonn's central carneval parade (Karnevalszug) is on Monday (Rosenmontag), followed by parties in the city centre and Altstadt (Old Town). But there are also parades in the different suburbs where it is not so crowded and you might catch more sweets (Kamelle). The carneval days are overall a great time to meet the locals and get to know their famous "Rhenish cheerfulness", but a certain prudence towards intoxicated partygoers is recommended. A less spectacular pre-carneval is celebrated on 11 November in many pubs and bars (opening of the carneval season).
* A big firework over the Rhine, usually on the first saturday in May. The most popular spot to watch it is the Rheinauen, where a big fair with music and food stalls is taking place, although it can become very crowded. Another opportunity is to book a ship tour in advance (often with dinner), you will get tickets at the Brassertufer (Rhine promenade, near Kennedy Bridge). The next date for Rhein in Flammen is 3 May 2014.
* A month long music festival in September with numerous concerts held in Bonn and aroung the Siebengebirge region. Many international musicians are showcased during the festival.
* A big fun fair with approximately 500 businesses in Bonn's suburb Pützchen which takes place in September for five days. You can catch buses at the main bus station next to the Hauptbahnhof. 2014, Pützchens Markt is from 11th till 16th of September.
* Starts at the end of November at Münsterplatz and Friedensplatz and the streets in between. The booths for mulled wine are a popular meeting place in the evening, but they close at 21.
Hosts classical music concerts, opera and dance. Check their website for a recent playing schedule. You can get tickets at the Theaterkasse, Windeckstr. 1, next to Münsterplatz from M-Sa 9AM-6:30PM18.30, Sa 9AM-4PM. Box office opens 1 hour before the performance begins. Ticket prices are moderate, especially for students.
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* An amateur chamber choir made up of roughly forty members. The choir occasionally hosts free shows.
Most cinemas only show dubbed German versions of international films. Watch out in the program [wiki=92665f1d8130fee9cef45d5d13ebc9e6]http://www.tedsoft.de/special/kino.html[/wiki] for OV=Original Version or OmU=Original mit Untertiteln, means with German subtitles. Amongst the few cinemas which show English films on a regular basis are
* A functional multiplex in Bad Godesberg that shows one or two Films in the Original Version a day. Special prices Mon-W and for students.
* A small art cinema in Bonn Beuel that regular shows European films (also older ones) in the original version (not necessarily English)
* Two art cinemas in Bonn Beuel (Friedrich-Breuer Straße 68) and Bonn Endenich which regularly show movies in the original version.
Germany is famous for its bread. There are bakeries all over the city where you can buy different kinds of bread rolls (Brötchen) starting from 30 Cent (the wholesome ones with grains are 50 Cent or more), sandwiches (belegte Brötchen) for 1,50 € and pastries and cakes. Backwerk on Poststraße is especially cheap, a very delicious one is Schell on the corner of Stockenstraße/Am Hof or at Bertha von Suttner Platz. It is still family-run and has only 5 shops in Bonn (try the chocolate buns, Schokobrötchen). Kamps and Lubig, however, are also quite good.
*You can get cheap and nutritious sandwiches and coffee at the student cafeterias at the Main University Building in the city centre (Am Hof/Regina Pacis Weg), Juridicum (Adenauerallee/Lennestraße) and on the first floor of the Mensa Nassestraße.
*The official student canteen offers several dishes, Essen 1 on the second floor is vegetarian. The food is not gourmet but okay for a canteen. The salad bar on the 3rd floor is quite good. Mensa is also open for non-students who pay a higher price (about 5 € for Essen 1), but they do not always ask for your student identification if you look young.
*A small bistro, where you get soups and salads, hand-made and really good. Also fruit juices and baguettes
*Small Korean snack bar, they offer Mandus, rolls, kimchi, glass noodles, cheap, friendly and very good.
*Delicious and Sandwiches, Wraps, Salads, Soups.
*freshly made and oven baked baguette sandwiches, very delicious. The shop is tiny and hot, so better choose take away. Often very crowded during lunchtime.
*Healthy snacks: Bagels (of course), plain or with toppings, salads, juices, muffins, brownies, good coffee. They have a nice quiet terrace you would not expect in the city centre.
*A visit to Germany would not be complete without a taste of the new national dish Döner. Orient Express makes good ones, although you might get them cheaper elsewhere (but not much). Their Falafel Sandwich (vegetarian) is also great.
*Traditional and rustic Italian restaurant with very small tables and pictures of opera singers on the walls. Pizza, pasta and salads.
Local Bierhaus that brews its own beer. Food includes staples such as schnitzel with fries, steaks and other hearty fare.
*Excellent German food and good beer in a nice pub. Beer garden in summer. Try the Jägerschnitzel!
fancy restaurant for people mainly in their 30s and 40s. A good choice if you are not on a tight budget and if you like European food with a touch Italian. Dishes start from 12 € (without drinks). Brunch on Sundays.
*Very good Japanese restaurant, besides very fresh sushi they also offer soups, curries, and salads.
*Completely vegetarian, buffet-style, vegan meals are marked with a green dot. Quite expensive but really good, try the soups for €2!
*Delicious Thai dishes, some of them very spicy, in a beautifully decorated setting. They also offer a very good cocktail selection (although rather expensive), but be careful - some of them can really knock you out.
*A very nice, family-run and delicious Italian restaurant in the heart of Bonn, where you get a selection of the finest wines and meals of the region of Piedmont. Just that you are not disappointed: although Italian, they don't have Pizza.
*Best Indian restaurant in Bonn, although the restaurant makes the impression of a carefully redecorated garage the food is really good and the owners are friendly. It is also cheaper than other Indian restaurants.
*Oberkassel is a bit outside of the city centre, but Karawane is worth the effort. It is basically an "All you can eat" (but not a buffet) consisting of 10 dishes from the Mediterranian and Middle East region. The dishes change every week (see their website), you can order a vegetarian selection (without surcharge) or additional dishes like lamb. Absolutely delicious, but you might fall into a food coma. The atmosphere is nice and the service friendly. It is often crowded, so better call for a reservation.
One of the traditional student cafés, cozy, often crowded, with some of the best cafe latte in town. In summer, the seats outside are the places to see and to be seen
* Mainly visited by students, this café is in the entrance hall of a public swimming pool. It is kind of "cult" to go there, famous caffe latte, good breakfast offers.
* Very good coffee specialties, the interior is rather modern, closes already at 8.
* The former Einstein Cafe boasts excellent espresso. It used to be one of the few branches of the Berlin-based chain outside of Berlin until the owner declined the restrictive franchise system.
* : Large café, brasserie, restaurant. Good brunch on Sundays.
Unfortunately it's closed and will never open again.
* One of the most traditional cafes in Bonn. Not cheap, but good service and excellent cakes. Customers are mostly elderly. In the summer, they offer 300 seats outside directly at the Marktplatz.
* Café Fassbender is known for its cake. It is a pastry shop and a café. Often very crowded. It is a great location for middle-aged or older people to visit.
* : Very good breakfast offers, large breakfast for 2 incl. coffee for 8,90 €, friendly service.
* is located close to the central station. This small café offers excellent chocolate-based drinks. Freshly made with melted chocolate and milk you can enjoy it hot, cold or mixed with coffee or other drinks. You can also have an amazing chocolate fondue with fresh fruits and cookies.
* Not a cafe, but a tea room in a beautiful frame house that hosts the Tea shop Tee Geschwendner. They brew high quality tea on the second floor and also have a small choice of cakes and scones. The shop on the first floor often offers free tea tasting of one or two teas in a Samowar.
* Quaint and cosy espresso bar serving great coffees, teas, cakes and sandwiches.
* Not only tea but also coffee, wine, Kölsch. Great cakes and they offer warm food and salads. Approximately 50-60 seats outside at the Markplatz.
Dive bar. Speciality is funk and 60's. It can get smokey and very hot when crowded.
* Underground rock club with young patrons. Has occasional student parties boasting free entry and half-price drinks. If the club is packed, it will get uncomfortably hot. Dress light.
* Loosely translates to "Three Room Apartment". Very interesting joint with two completely different atmospheres depending on where you are. The ground floor is a stylish lounge with mixed drink specialties that caters to the slightly older theater crowd. The basement has an open dance floor, cheap beer specials and a live DJ. The basement also has a "bedroom" and "living room" with seating to get away from the dance floor for a rest. The real crowd shows up here late with the dance floor usually not filling up until after 23:00.
* Open five days a week. Theme parties. Can also get smoky and hot when crowded.
Bonn's independent youth hostel in the multicultural Nordstadt, close to the city centre. Different rooms from single and double to dorms with 8 beds.
* Youth Hostel Bonn Venusberg [url=http://www.jugendherberge.de/jh/bonn/]]the official youth hostel is located on the Venusberg which is about 20 minutes by bus from the city centre. There are night buses going there, but only one per hour.
* Bildungsstätte Haus Venusberg e. V. [url=http://www.haus-venusberg.de/[/url]]owned by the Catholic church. They offer singles, doubles, dorms, prices start at 25 €. 20 minutes outside the city centre.
* Tagungs- und Bildungshaus CJD Bonn [http://www.cjd-bonn.de/public/home/index.php[/url] is in th North of Bonn, approximately 10 minutes to the city centre. Prices start from 42 €/person.
The interior decoration is a bit old-fashioned, but the house has a lot of flair and history and it is at the Marktplatz in the middle of the city.
* Free wi-fi in all rooms.
* Very central location.
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*On the foot of Venusberg.
Steigenberger Grandhotel Petersberg [url=http://www.gaestehaus-petersberg.de/ns.htm]]used to be the government's guest house, beautifully located on one of the Siebengebirge's mountains with a fantastic view on the rhine and Bonn. Hosted several international conferences. 20 minutes by car from Bonn.
* is a design and ecological lifestyle hotel. The interior is distinctly modern with unique "neo-baroque" touches. There is ample space for conferences and meetings. The hotel is located directly on the Rhine river in quiet surroundings with views to the Siebengebirge and to downtown Bonn, approxiately 20 minutes from the city centre.
* next to the Kennedy Bridge, very central.
* Maritim Bonn [http://www.maritim.de/typo3/index.php?id=677[/url]