I am travelling from Frankfurt Oder to Frankfurt Flughafen by train, with thankfully only 1 transfer in Leipzig. The transfer time is only 8 minutes. The 1st train is a regional train, the 2nd from Leipzig is an ICE train. I am travelling solo with (physical lol) baggage and am a little concerned about the short transfer time. I have read that it is best to exit from the front of the train. I am travelling 1st class, is this at the front? Will I be able to get from platform 9 to platform 14 in this time? What if my train (regional) from FFO is a few minutes late arriving in Leipzig? Any advice will be gratefully received.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thank you very much, I really appreciate the detailed response
Posted by
San Francisco
16221 posts
Hi,
Leipzig Hbf is easy to navigate as the tracks are all on one floor and spacious. It's a huge one level station. I've been there several times but only as the terminus. (Leipzig in itself is a city well worth spending at least a few days.)
No need to go up and down stairs in Leipzig Hbf as is the case, say , with Rostock Hbf and Hamburg Hbf, which I find is the worse in this regard.
I would suggest getting yourself to an exit a minute or two prior to the regional train pulling in at Leipzig Hbf. Should the regional train arrive a few minutes late from Frankfurt an der Oder, that ICE will not wait. Hopefully your luggage in tow is easy to move. Normally you'll have ample time to reach platform 14. Germans label that as track. So , look for " Gleis 14 " to get to the ICE, which hopefully you have a seat reservation.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thank you very much for your detailed answers, this forum is a game changer. I will make sure I am ready and waiting at the door to exit quickly.
Ii also agree, Leipzig is an awesome city, I won't have time to stick around this time, but will certainly be back.
Posted by
San Francisco
16221 posts
As you are coming from Frankfurt an der Oder, did you have any time visiting and exploring the city at all. In German literature the city is important as museum/house of Heinrich von Kleist, the poet and dramatist is located there. If you want to see a place in Germany totally without tourists, not even German ones, this city is it.
Other than that Frankfurt an der Oder was just another one of those backwater Prussian Garnisonstädte (garrison towns) east of the Elbe...didn't do any good anyway since it fell to the French after Prussia declared war on Napoleon.
I've been to Frankfurt an der Oder a few times, the last time last summer. Most interesting is seeing the Oder River and the Oder Bruch and the Polish town east of the river. One can just walk over the bridge to get there. Starting in 2007 no more border checks.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
You guys are awesome. Thank you very much for your replies, I am truly very grateful.
I am very fortunate to have spent some time in FFO, as my (Ossie/proud East German ) friend lives and works there, and I am gobsmacked by the history that is still evident there.
You are totally correct, it is tourist free, it is a pity the German tourism bodies only promote the main cities, as there are so many beautiful towns that never get a mention .
It was such a thrill for me to be able to simply walk over the bridge and cross a border into Slubice (Poland) for the first time, something that is unfathomable for an Aussie (Australian) like me (we have to fly, sail or swim a bloody long way to cross an international border lol - not that anybody would ever consider the swimming option).
Thank you again for all your tips and advice. This is my first time on this forum, and I am astounded by the help I have received. I really appreciate you taking the time to reply with such comprehensive info.
Posted by
San Francisco
16221 posts
@ miss_wendyya.....Good that you had ample chance to visit and explore Frankfurt an der Oder. Walking from train station to the Oder bridge takes ca. 40 mins. Seeing that was super revealing to me, ie. finally to see that specific site especially from an historical perspective.
RE: "...there are so many beautiful towns that never get a mention." How true. That is another reason one does not rely solely on guide books to choose certain places , especially esoteric places , to see and explore in eastern Germany.