Living in Freiburg
Freiburg is most commonly known as the capital of The Black Forest and is located in one of the most scenic corners of Southern Germany, situated between the borders to Switzerland and France.
Freiburg: what are you waiting for?
Freiburg is a very young and lively city with a highly intensive cultural scene. The town with its approximately 230,000 inhabitants is characterized by 25,000 students at the University of Freiburg, 15% among from abroad, half European and non-European, which adds to the international flair of the town.
Freiburg’s climate gives the town an almost Mediterranean touch. The local cuisine of Baden adds to this Southern charm and is crowned with numerous first class restaurants in and around Freiburg.
The towns world famous symbol is the Cathedral with its characteristic tower, which can be seen from afar and is the only gothic Cathedral to be constructed in the Middle Ages. The town itself was founded in 1120 by the Dukes of Zähringen, who also founded Bern and Basel in Switzerland.
The cultural life of Freiburg is also very diverse. A big concert hall, several theaters, and many clubs offer events on a regular basis. During the summer time, various open air concerts and festivals take place, the Zeltmusikfestival (ZMF) being one of the biggest. Football fans can enjoy first division matches at the grounds of the SC Freiburg.
Freiburg is also famous as the Green City, reflected through the large network of cycle paths and the many solar panels on public and private buildings. In the South of Freiburg, the district Vauban was built as “a sustainable model district” on the site of a former French military base, providing space for more than 5,000 inhabitants and 600 jobs. All houses are built to a low energy consumption standard and private cars mainly remain outside the district. Vauban attracts architects and town planners from all over the world.
Residents and visitors alike agree that the quality of life in and around Freiburg is one of the best in Central Europe. Climate, location, scientific diversity and culture, make it a particularly attractive town. Freiburg ranks third on Lonely Planet’s “Best in Travel 2022” list of the top ten city destinations.
Mobility
Depending on your budget and your preferences find here a comprehensive overview on how to commute in Freiburg.
Public transport
The company VAG Freiburg covers the whole city with trams and buses. Shortly after your arrival you will likely rely on public transport. You can download the Route map of Freiburg in high resolution here.
At the moment, you can buy following tickets:
- Short distance ticket (“Kurzstrecke”), valid one-way, three stops from the boarding stop (which is not included in the three stops): € 1.60
- Single ticket, valid one-way, 1 h maximum: € 2.25
- 2x4-journey ticket, e.g. 8 single tickets: € 18.00
- One Day City Ticket for individuals and groups
Monthly tickets:
- RegioKarte Basis, only valid for yourself, starts on the 1st day of the month: € 62.50
- RegioKarte Übertragbar, anybody with the card can use it, not personalized, valid from the day of purchase for 30 days and on Sundays, as well as public holidays, another adult and up to four children at no extra costs can travel: € 68.
Single tickets can be purchased from a machine in the tram/bus or from the driver. The other tickets can be bought at ticket machines or in the VAG shop at Bertoldsbrunnen and in corner shops. Search for points of ticket sale here:
www.rvf.de (go to: Fahrkarten & Tarife » Fahrkarten kaufen » Verkaufsstellen & Automaten).
There is also the VAG app for smartphones (iOS & Android). It gives access to schedules, routes, route maps, and even allows for mobile ticket purchases (bank account, VISA card, Master card, AMEX card needed). Here, the only catch is that your phone must have enough battery for the duration of your trip to prove you purchased a ticket. The app is available in English.
TIP: The RegioKarte covers travels with bus, tram, regional trains in the zones A, B, C – a quite extended area of the region (including Breisach, Titisee, Schluchsee, Staufen etc).
IMPORTANT: If you do not have a valid ticket with you during one of the frequent ticket checks, you will be required to pay a € 60 fine.
RegioKarte Job & Deutschland-Ticket Job (public transport)
Using public transport for commuting is environmentally friendly and affordable thanks to employer subsidies. Choose between the RegioKarte Job or the Deutschland-Ticket Job, both discounted offers from the Regio-Verkehrsverbund Freiburg (RVF), each with different benefits: travel regionally or nationwide, ticket transferability, or bringing along others.
Eligibility: All permanently employed staff at MPI-CSL can benefit from the RegioKarte Job or Deutschland-Ticket Job.
The application procedure takes place in two steps:
- To apply for the RegioKarte Job or Deutschland-Ticket Job please contact reisestelle@csl.mpg.de.
- After approval, you will receive a receipt from the MPI-CSL Travel Department for applying for the RegioKarte Job or the Deutschland-Ticket Job at VAG.
You receive the subscription in the mail and the subsidy is automatically deducted from your paycheck.
Bike
Using a bicycle for individual mobility is very common in Freiburg. At the Institute you will find bike racks and many streets in Freiburg have bike paths, which makes biking the easiest and a very convenient way to get around in the city.
You might get the cheapest second hand bikes at a flea market or at many bike shops selling second hand bikes that are checked for roadworthiness. You should invest in a good bike lock and avoid leaving your bike out on the street overnight. If you don’t want to invest in your own bike, then you can also rent one. There are quite a few bike sharing providers in Freiburg
- FREIBURGbikes
- LastenVelo (rental of cargo bikes for free)
- Frelo (a cooperation between VAG & nextbike; they cover the whole city with 400 bikes at 55 stations at reasonable price (approx. € 1,-/30min) for spontaneous trips as well as commuters)
Some of the apps for bike/car sharing/car rental require a German cell phone number.
Car sharing
There are currently two car sharing companies in Freiburg. They vary significantly in their price structures and services:
- Grüne Flotte offers more than 250 cars at 100 car sharing locations in the city of Freiburg and surrounding area
- Stadtmobil offers 230 cars at 130 car sharing locations in nearly 28 communities in Freiburg and surrounding area
For both options you will have to bring the car back to its original parking slot/station after rental.
Some of the apps for bike/car sharing/car rental require a German cell phone number.
Car rentals
You will find several well-known car rental firms in Freiburg. Below we list their addresses.
Avis
St. Georgener Str. 7
79111 Freiburg
www.avis.de
Buchbinder
Lörracher Straße 10
79115 Freiburg
www.buchbinder.de
Europcar
Lörracher Straße 10
79115 Freiburg
www.europcar.de
Hertz
Lörracher Straße 49
79115 Freiburg
www.hertz.de
Sixt
B.-Ottenstein-Str. 4
79106 Freiburg
www.sixt.de
Some of the apps for bike/car sharing/car rental require a German cell phone number.
Freiburg expat communities
An expatriate (shortened to expat) is someone who is residing in a nation that isn't their native country. In many locations around the world where there is a high concentration of expats, a like-minded community is established. Here you can find several Freiburg expat communities:
www.internations.org/freiburg-expats
www.meetup.com/de-DE/freiburg-international-expats
www.theexpatcast.com/blog/travel-germany-freiburg
community.justlanded.de/en/Germany_Baden-Wurttemberg_Freiburg
Freiburg’s surroundings
The unique location of the city is highlighted by its surroundings. The Black Forest is one of Germany’s highest mountain ranges, ideal terrain not only for nature lovers, hillwalking and other outdoor activities, but also for skiers, mountain bikers, and paragliders.
Within the last 50 years, the upper Rhine valley has undertaken a tremendous change from a rural area, narrowed by borders, to the heart of Europe, with Milan and Paris being closer than the German capital Berlin. Since August 2013, a TGV train directly connects Freiburg and Paris, in 3.5 hours. Nearer neighbors to Freiburg are Basel in Switzerland and Strasbourg in France. Today, living in one country and working or shopping in another has become normality. All this contributes to a highly international flair of the upper Rhine valley, but still preserving its regional character.
The region, rich in culture and nature attracts many tourists. More than 9 million overnight-stays are counted each year and besides Basel, Freiburg and Strasbourg, many hidden treasures wait for the curious to be discovered. The Black Forest, flanking Freiburg in the East, has lots to offer, besides the characteristic cuckoo clocks and traditional costumes. The Feldberg, 30 minutes from Freiburg, invites for hiking in summer and skiing in winter, the small town Triberg attracts visitors with the biggest waterfall in Germany. And the open-air museum Vogtsbauernhof in Gutach is a highlight for children. Optimal sports opportunities for hiking, SUP, mountain biking, paragliding and many other activities can be found here and in many other places.
In the French region of Alsace, Colmar is the closest town (35 km) to Freiburg. Its medieval city center, the famous Isenheim Altarpiece, painted in the early 16th century, and excellent shopping opportunities, make Colmar always worth a visit. Just a few kilometers next to Colmar is the village Riquewihr, which is crowned as one of the most beautiful villages in France, because of its almost completely preserved historic village center, dating back from the 16th century.
From Freiburg, the door to Switzerland is Basel. Many museums reside in or next to the Swiss city, e.g. the Foundation Beyeler, the Kunstmuseum Basel, and at the German side of the border the Vitra Design Museum. Basel is also called the “pharmaceutical city” since the headquarters of various pharmaceutical companies are located here. From there, some of the most prominent Swiss mountains like the Eiger and the Matterhorn as well as many other more hidden treasures of nature can be reached easily.