Planning a holiday to Germany’s stunning lake land? Friedrichshafen Airport is the best airport to aim for if you want to explore the beautiful southwest region of Germany. It’s not only within easy reach of the Bavarian Alps and the Black Forest but Austria and Switerland are close by for road trips across the border. Many people opt to fly here in the winter months to drive to the ski resorts in places like Lech.

The smallest of three international airports in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg - Stuttgart Airport (STR) and Baden Airpark (FKR) are the other two - Friedrichshafen Airport is closest to the region’s tourist destinations.

The main attraction is immediately apparent as you come into land, Friedrichshafen is on the shores of one of the largest inland waterways in Europe, Lake Constance – or Bodensee in German and if you are making travel plans, you’ll find the airport is also known as ‘Bodensee’ Airport. There is growing demand for flights to Friedrichshafen and regular and charter flights are being added for both the summer and winter holiday seasons.

So, if you are planning a trip to southwestern Germany, our friendly Avis team at Friedrichshafen Airport is on hand to offer advice and provide the perfect rental car for your trip.

You’ll find our Avis counter in the arrivals area within the terminal building at Friedrichshafen Airport. The Avis rental car park is a short distance from the terminal entrance.

From the Avis car park at Friedrichshafen Airport, Friedrichshafen city centre is a 10min, 5.3km drive. Turn right out of the airport and head southeast on Am Flugplatz. As you leave the airport, at the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Flugplatzstraße. At the next roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Ehlersstraße and then continue along Keplerstraße and into the centre of the city.

Taking time out to explore the waterfront at Friedrichshafen is one of the first things to do when you arrive in the city. Make a beeline for the promenade and enjoy the 2.5km stroll from the Rotach River to the castle. Stop off at one of the lake shore cafes and on a fine day soak up views as far as the Alps before heading up the Moleturm observation tower for some panoramic shots of the city.

Just a little further along the waterfront don’t miss the world famous Zeppelin Museum. Count von Zeppelin built his pioneering airships here in Friedrichshafen and the history of these remarkable flying machines is captured at the museum.

Finally, if the sparkling waters of Lake Constance inspire you to take to the water, why not hire a boat to explore the resort or head for the popular Lido for a swim.

You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to sightseeing around Friedrichshafen Airport with plenty of options for road trips in all directions right from the airport.

You can tour the many beautiful resorts dotted along Lake Constance. At 63km in length, spending time around this vast lake has the feel of a Mediterranean adventure against backdrop of the mountains just a few km away.

Konstanz

The elegant city of Kostanz with its medieval, gothic and romanesque centre is well worth a day trip from Friedrichshafen. As well as its old town with its spires and narrow, winding streets, you can climb to the top of Constance Cathedral and take a boat ride to the ‘flower island’ Mainau in the middle of Lake Constance. It takes its name from the arboretum where around 1million tulips bloom each year. There are two options for the drive to Kostanz from Friedrichshafen – either take the direct route which includes catching the Meersberg to Konstanz car ferry or circuit around the lake shore – a trip of 82km which will take around 1hr23min without stops.

Unteruhldingen UNESCO World Heritage Site

The prehistoric wooden houses on stilts at the Unteruhldingen UNESCO World Heritage Site are one of the wonders of Western Europe. Most of these ancient dwellings – dating from as long ago as 3900 BC - are preserved underwater but you can visit open air museums and reconstructed houses around the lake. To reach Unteruhldingen from Friedrichshafen, follow the B31 which skirts the shoreline of Lake Constance, a drive of just 30min (26km) if you go direct but we recommend taking in pretty lakeside villages like Hagnau along the way. If you’ve time, hire bikes and enjoy one of the cycling trails beside the lake.

Santis Mountain, Switzerland

Take a road trip south from Friedrichshafen, cross into Switzerland and head for Santis Mountain the highest point in the Alpstein massif of northeastern Switzerland. The mountain sits between Lake Constance and Lake Walen and from the summit you’ll be looking across three countries, Switzerland, Germany and Austria.

This blissful drive of 103km via the B31 and A1 will take around 1hr36min and to reach the peak, park in Schwägalp, catch the cable car and enjoy the view.

While there is an excellent public transport with good rail connections linking Friedrichshafen to major cities like Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Dusseldorf, and you can catch a train from the airport to the centre of town, this area is best explored at the wheel of a car. Hiring a car at Freidrichshafen airport gives you the freedom of the open road to explore this beautiful part of southwest Germany and to head further afield to the Black Forest or cross into Switzerland or Austria.

The Avis team at Friedrichstrafen Airport are experts on the local area and on hand to help make your trip a smooth one from the moment you touch down. If you are feeling inspired check out our guide to great German road trips.

Hiring a car is an easy way to explore southwest Germany. The road network in this region is excellent and the roads are generally quiet. As in the rest of mainland Europe, you’ll be driving on the right-hand side of the road as you leave the airport. Be aware that speed limits on the major roads and autobahns can vary.

If you have not driven in this part of the world before, we’d advise checking the road rules for driving in Germany before you set off.