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Lübek or Schleswig

Earlier I posted about a cruise ship stop in Germany asking for an itinerary for the day in port. I received great responses, so here goes again.

This time the ship will be in Kiel the end of May 2017. We dock at 11:00 am and depart at 9:00 pm—a somewhat unusual schedule. From what I’ve read about Kiel, it is not a stand-out destination. My wife and I would like to use the 10 hours (minus time to disembark, and re-embark the ship and travel to and from a destination) as effectively as possible. We would like to visit either Lübek or Schleswig. We will be using public transportation so I have several questions about travel time vis-à-vis time at the destination. My questions are these: 1) would the train from Kiel to either city have to go through Hamburg, with, I would presume, a change of train? 2) If the train from Kiel to either city does or does not go through Hamburg, which destination requires less travel time, and how much less? 3) If the travel time is similar for both, would Lübek or Schleswig be the better place to spend the time we have? In addition to the number of places to visit in each city, the logistics of getting from the train station to the historic area of the town is a consideration and the operating hours of attractions is an important consideration as most of our visit will be in the late afternoon and evening. Thanks for any thoughts.

Posted by
27955 posts

Schleswig takes 49 minutes with no change of train. Lubeck takes 68 or 88 minutes, at least for the first few trains after 11 AM, also with no change required. I haven't visited either city so can't offer a preference.

You can explore the schedules by going to www.deutschebahn.com and selecting English from the pull-down menu right under the picture.

Posted by
6 posts

I looked on my DB Appstore and it shows about an hour w/o change to Schleswig. It might be worth it for you to get the app . I've never been to either place, and did not get a match for Libel when I put it in. Good luck and have a great time.

Posted by
971 posts

Both towns are very nice, with impressive brick gothic cathedrals and quiant old town areas. However Lübeck, despite being bombed during WW2, is bigger and the most impressive of the two. Schleswig does have things going for it that Lübeck has not, south of the town is the remnants of the viking age town of Hedeby and a nice museum about the settlement and the vikings.

Posted by
179 posts

@gjziegler406. It's either Lübeck or Luebeck. Not Lubek. It may also find Lubeck as it's a common spelling error among foreigners.

Posted by
14950 posts

I would dismiss what you read about Kiel in tourist literature or guide books. It depends what you're interested in Kiel and environs.

Given your question on going to Lübeck, it would involve transfering in Hamburg Hbf. Between the cities of Lübeck and Schleswig, go to Lübeck. It was one of the first to be bombed by the British in the war. The Zentrum is worth seeing. I've only seen parts of Schleswig-Holstein...interesting to be sure. From Lübeck Hbf you can walk to the Holsten Tor, the famous gate in the city. It's within walking distance, and signs point the way. I know Lübeck but not Schleswig.