ICSE 2008: Travel/Venue - Getting Around Leipzig

30th International Conference on
Software Engineering ®
Leipzig, Germany, 10 - 18 May 2008

Getting around Leipzig

Workshops, tutorials and co-located events run on May 10-13 and 17-18 in The Westin Leipzig close to the main station (Hauptbahnhof). The ICSE main program runs on May 14-16 in the Congress Center Leipzig (CCL) on the new fairground (Leipziger Messe).

On Foot

Most hotels are in walking distance to the main station and/or one of the conference venues. See the Accommodation page for individual directions for all conference hotels.

By Tram or Regional Train

All hotels are close to tram or train stops providing connections to the conference venues. See the Accommodation page for tram schedules and recommended connections for all conference hotels.

In addition to trams, various regional train lines also provide quick connections between Leipzig/Halle airport (Flughafen), the fairground (Messe) and main station (Hauptbahnhof).

Attendees registered for the ICSE core conference receive a badge with a public transport pass printed on the back. This pass is valid from May 10-18 for free travel on regional trains (RE/RB codes, red carriages), trams and buses within Leipzig (Zone 110). This zone includes the fairground, but not the airport.

When not wearing a badge with a transport pass, get a ticket from an LVB or MDV machine on the platform, and stamp it in the blue or orange box found nearby on the platform (for trains) or in the carriage (on trams). On most trams, you can also buy tickets from a machine on board if you're in a hurry (look for the "Ticket-Automat" sign when boarding). These tickets are valid immediately without stamping.

A short-distance (Kurzstrecke) tram ticket costs EUR 1,40 and is valid for 4 tram stops on one line (from the point of stamping).
A single-ride ticket (Einzelfahrkarte) for Leipzig costs EUR 1,90 and is valid for 1 hour of tram travel (from the time of stamping) in one direction, including tram changes and one train ride between the city and fairground.
A 4-Journey-ticket (4-Fahrtenkarte) may be a convenient alternative. You'll receive two tickets that can each be stamped on front and back for a total of four rides.
A trip from/to the airport requires a single-ride ticket (Einzelfahrkarte) for Leipzig and 2 MDV zones costing EUR 3,40.

Note that Monday, May 12 is a public holiday, so the Sunday schedule will be in effect.

Further information is available from the Leipziger Verkehrsbetriebe (LVB) website.

By Taxi

Taxi ranks can be found outside Leipzig/Halle Airport, in front of the main station, on the market square, and usually between the Gewandhaus and opera on Augustusplatz. Journey times and fares can be expected to be approximately as follows:

Journey	Duration	Fare
Airport - Main Station	~ 25 min	~ EUR 30
Main Station - Fairground	~ 15 min	~ EUR 18
Fairground - Airport	~ 15 min	~ EUR 24

The following taxi companies operate in Leipzig:

Ihr Funktaxi	+49-341-4884
Löwentaxi	+49-341-982222 / +49-341-71000
DTS Taxi Service	+49-341-4233

By Car

If you're traveling with your own car, see the interactive maps on the Accommodation page for directions to the conference hotels.

On the fairground, limited parking is available next to the Congress Center Leipzig (Seehausener Allee 1). The main visitor parking lots are on the other side of the fairground (Messe-Allee 1).

In the city center, the parking garage on the western side of the main station (Hbf Promenaden West, just off Kurt-Schumacher-Straße) offers the best location and value at EUR 3/day Sunday through Friday (but EUR 15/day on Saturdays!).

Practical Advice

Deutsche Welle provides a range of advice for international travellers on everyday customs like eating and drinking, shopping and getting around in Germany. Enjoy your stay in Leipzig!