German Trip part 2

amur leopard said:
For what it's worth Osnabrueck is a great zoo and in my experience was really easy to see American black bear and Drill, both in excellent enclosures. I'd definitely consider it.
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Ok, good idea! I've decided that of the options for the final zoo/s (Wuppertal, Dortmund, ZOOM Erlebniswelt, Allwetterzoo Munster, Osnabrück zoo), I'll choose depending on my success on photographing certain species in the previous zoos, and also in terms of where I'm lodged and the commute between that and the zoo (ZOOM is the closest, Osnabrück the furthest), and perhaps even weather. I know it can get rainy, and I do wonder which of those will have more cover from the rain in those circumstances too.
 
JigerofLemuria said:
Also, question to the crowd; I noticed Munich has the Auffangstation für reptilien ; would you recommend I pay a visit?
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It's an interesting place if you like reptiles (and people who like reptiles); however, you will have to contact them in advance to ask for a guided tour.
The SeaLife Centre Munich is, well, skippable if you have been to other venues of the chain.

It's not too hard and pricey to get from Munich to Salzburg by public transport. If smartly organized ahead, you could do all three zoological institutions in Salzburg in one day.
 
Batto said:
It's an interesting place if you like reptiles (and people who like reptiles); however, you will have to contact them in advance to ask for a guided tour.
The SeaLife Centre Munich is, well, skippable if you have been to other venues of the chain.

It's not too hard and pricey to get from Munich to Salzburg by public transport. If smartly organized ahead, you could do all three zoological institutions in Salzburg in one day.
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I'll arrive in Munich at 9:30 in the morning; however, I don't know if it might be stretching it to go there, and then back to Munich to the hostel (unless I book it at Salzburg, and go from there to Nuremberg the next morning)
Also, I will get the Deustch Ticket, but I suppose I'll need to get a two-way Austrian train ticket too if I do that?
 
JigerofLemuria said:
I'll arrive in Munich at 9:30 in the morning; however, I don't know if it might be stretching it to go there, and then back to Munich to the hostel (unless I book it at Salzburg, and go from there to Nuremberg the next morning)
Also, I will get the Deustch Ticket, but I suppose I'll need to get a two-way Austrian train ticket too if I do that?
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The Deutschland Ticket actually includes Salzburg Central Station.
Gilt das Deutschland-Ticket auch für Fahrten ins Ausland?
@TeaLovingDave actually undertook a similar journey to cover Salzburg's zoos; he might able to tell you how to do it.
 
I did Salzburg from Münich last year and it is indeed included in the Deutschlandticket. Salzburg Zoo is really nice, I also enjoyed the museum/aquarium (Haus der Natur) although I prefered the one in Karlsruhe. I didn't do Welt der Gifte.
 
ralph said:
I did Salzburg from Münich last year and it is indeed included in the Deutschlandticket. Salzburg Zoo is really nice, I also enjoyed the museum/aquarium (Haus der Natur) although I prefered the one in Karlsruhe. I didn't do Welt der Gifte.
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Yes, those two look great, but I don't think I can do them on the same day as Munich Zoo (plus I'd like to do SOME sightseeing at least); I've booked my flights, and the only way I'd make it there is by cutting out that last day in the Rhinelands. Decisions, decisions... o_O
 
Alright, question for all Munich conoisseurs; I have looked into the Palaeontology museum and it looks terrific! But apparently it's only open until 16:00, while the zoo is open for two more hours. So, I'm thinking about visiting the museum first, and then staying in the zoo into the afternoon. Do y'all think it's a good idea? The time I'll arrive to either of them is after 10:00 (but hopefully before 11:00).
 
JigerofLemuria said:
Alright, question for all Munich conoisseurs; I have looked into the Palaeontology museum and it looks terrific! But apparently it's only open until 16:00, while the zoo is open for two more hours. So, I'm thinking about visiting the museum first, and then staying in the zoo into the afternoon. Do y'all think it's a good idea? The time I'll arrive to either of them is after 10:00 (but hopefully before 11:00).
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I wouldn’t consider myself a connoisseur despite having stayed in Munich for a year but I think it’s doable, but awkward. The paleontology museum is quite small, so it shouldn’t take up too much time. From the museum, you can hop on to the Königsplatz station, go to Sendlinger Tor. There you change routes and hop on to U3 towards Fürstenried West and hop off at Thalkirchen. The journey should take up to around half an hour.

I assume you already knew after your research, but I would like to remind you that the museum is closed on weekends. So you might want to consider your trip date accordingly.
 
PossumRoach said:
I wouldn’t consider myself a connoisseur despite having stayed in Munich for a year but I think it’s doable, but awkward. The paleontology museum is quite small, so it shouldn’t take up too much time. From the museum, you can hop on to the Königsplatz station, go to Sendlinger Tor. There you change routes and hop on to U3 towards Fürstenried West and hop off at Thalkirchen. The journey should take up to around half an hour.

I assume you already knew after your research, but I would like to remind you that the museum is closed on weekends. So you might want to consider your trip date accordingly.
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I didn't know that... But I'm arriving on Monday! ;)
That way I can also visit the Tübingen Paleontology collection mid-week too :D
 
Good evening! So, after much mulling over, I've made out four possible plans for my zoo tour in september. This may be a lot to take in... But I'd like to see and hear your thoughts on these possible plans.

PLAN A: First idea (least rushed)
  1. MON 8-9: Flight Barcelona-Munich. Natural history museum and Tierpark Hellabrunn; night in Munich
  2. TUE 9-9: Train Munich-Nuremberg. Nuremberg zoo; night in Nuremberg
  3. WED 10-9: Train Nuremberg-Tübingen; Palaeontological collection. Train Tübingen-Stuttgart; night in Stuttgart.
  4. THU 11-9: Wilhelma. Night in Stuttgart.
  5. FRI 12-9: Natural History Musem Stuttgart. Train Stuttgart-Karlsruhe: Natural History Museum + Tierpark Oberwald. Night in Karlsruhe.
  6. SAT 13-9: Karlsruhe zoo. Train Karlsruhe-Kronberg. Night in Kronberg.
  7. SUN 14-9: Kronberg Opel-Zoo. Train Kronberg-Duisburg. Night in Duisburg.
  8. MON 15-9: Zoo Krefeld + Zoo Wuppertal (if there’s time, +Zoo Duisburg). Night in Duisburg.
  9. TUES 16-9: ZOOM Erlebniswelt + Zoo Dortmund (if there’s time, + Zoo Ösnabruck). Flight Dusseldorf-Barcelona.


PLAN B: Salzburg
  1. 8-9: Flight Barcelona-Munich. Natural history museum and Tierpark Hellabrunn; night in Munich
  2. 9-9: Train Munich-Salzburg. Salzburg Zoo + Welt der Gifte. Train Salzburg-Munich; night in Munich.
  3. 10-9: Train Munich-Nuremberg. Nuremberg zoo; night in Nuremberg
  4. 11-9: Train Nuremberg-Tübingen; Palaeontological collection. Train Tübingen-Stuttgart; night in Stuttgart.
  5. 12-9: Wilhelma. Night in Stuttgart.
  6. 13-9: Natural History Musem Stuttgart. Train Stuttgart-Karlsruhe: Natural History Museum + Tierpark Oberwald. Night in Karlsruhe.
  7. 14-9: Karlsruhe zoo (rushed). Train Karlsruhe-Duisburg. Night in Duisburg.
  8. 15-9: Zoo Krefeld + Zoo Wuppertal (if there’s time, +Zoo Duisburg). Night in Duisburg.
  9. 16-9: ZOOM Erlebniswelt + Zoo Dortmund (if there’s time, + Zoo Ösnabruck). Flight Dusseldorf-Barcelona.

PLAN C: Vogelpark
  1. 8-9: Flight Barcelona-Munich. Natural history museum and Tierpark Hellabrunn; night in Munich
  2. 9-9: Train Munich-Nuremberg. Nuremberg zoo; night in Nuremberg
  3. 10-9: Train Nuremberg-Tübingen; Palaeontological collection. Train Tübingen-Stuttgart; night in Stuttgart.
  4. 11-9: Wilhelma. Night in Stuttgart.
  5. 12-9: Natural History Musem Stuttgart. Train Stuttgart-Karlsruhe: Natural History Museum + Tierpark Oberwald. Night in Karlsruhe.
  6. 13-9: Karlsruhe zoo (rushed). Train Karlsruhe-Hannover. Night in Hannover.
  7. 14-9: Vogelpark Walsrode. Train Hannover-Duisburg
  8. 15-9: Zoo Krefeld + Zoo Wuppertal (if there’s time, +Zoo Duisburg). Night in Duisburg.
  9. 16-9: ZOOM Erlebniswelt + Zoo Dortmund. Flight Dusseldorf-Barcelona.


PLAN D: Rhinelands
  1. 8-9: Flight Barcelona-Munich. Natural history museum and Tierpark Hellabrunn; night in Munich
  2. 9-9: Train Munich-Nuremberg. Nuremberg zoo; night in Nuremberg
  3. 10-9: Train Nuremberg-Tübingen; Palaeontological collection. Train Tübingen-Stuttgart; night in Stuttgart.
  4. 11-9: Wilhelma. Night in Stuttgart.
  5. 12-9: Natural History Musem Stuttgart. Train Stuttgart-Karlsruhe: Natural History Museum + Tierpark Oberwald. Night in Karlsruhe.
  6. 13-9: Karlsruhe zoo (rushed). Train Karlsruhe-Duisburg. Night in Duisburg.
  7. 14-9: Zoo Krefeld + Zoo Wuppertal (if there’s time, +Zoo Duisburg). Night in Duisburg.
  8. 15-9: Ösnabrück zoo + Allwetterzoo Münster
  9. 16-9: ZOOM Erlebniswelt + Zoo Dortmund. Flight Dusseldorf-Barcelona.
 
Why you think Karlsruhe zoo visit is rushed?

Take the hotel right next to the zoo entrance and in front of the railway station.

The zoo itself is not that large, a morning will do, pick up your luggage at the hotel and cross the street to the railway station.
 
Philipine eagle said:
Why you think Karlsruhe zoo visit is rushed?

Take the hotel right next to the zoo entrance and in front of the railway station.

The zoo itself is not that large, a morning will do, pick up your luggage at the hotel and cross the street to the railway station.
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After further research, you're right, and Karlsruhe zoo doesn't look that big.
Ok, which of the plans would you say is the best here? :3
 
JigerofLemuria said:
After further research, you're right, and Karlsruhe zoo doesn't look that big.
Ok, which of the plans would you say is the best here? :3
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Which one is the best is totally up to you, based on your interests, willingness to long time travels, etc.

Like you said :):

JigerofLemuria said:
Decisions, decisions... o_O
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Personally, I find planning one of the most enjoyable aspects of zoo touring. The puzzling with distances and time delays, opening hours, attractions, comfort and price of lodging, etc., what fun it is.

Just a few extra thoughts on your plans:

If you want to take the train from Karlsruhe to visit Walsorde, you could possible beter take Walsrode instead of Hannover as your overnight destination (it's roughly +1 hr). There is a hotel right across from the park entrance and bus 511 will take you there from the train station. Left your luggage at the hotel, enter the park from the opening hour and pick it up when leaving (I do not know if the zoo has lockers in case you have your luggage with you).

Your day Wuppertal - Krefeld - Duisburg: I guess all three zoos are a first for you, so that is a harsh day. Your time table will be something like this:

Wuppertal Zoo opens at 9:00 am
Walking Wuppertal Zoo – Wuppertal Zoologischer Garden Bahnhof 10 min
Train Wuppertal – Krefeld 1:15
Tram Krefeld Hauptbahnhof – Zoo Krefeld 30 min
Zoo Krefeld 9:00-5:00 (animal buildings close at 5:30 pm!)
Tram Zoo Krefeld - Krefeld Hauptbahnhof 30 min
Train Krefeld Hauptbahnhof – Duisburg Hauptbahnhof 30 min
Tram Duisburg Hauptbahnhof – Duisburg Zoo 30 min
Duisburg Zoo closes at 7:00 pm (animal buildings cloase at 6:30)

So that gives you roughly a time frame of

Wuppertal Zoo 9:00-11:30
Transport 11:30-13:30
Krefeld Zoo 13:30-15:30
Transport 15:30-17:00
Duisburg Zoo 17:00-19:00

I counted the time very generously as far as tram connections are concerned, but you always loose some time searching or miss one that leaves right in front of you.

Wuppertal is a fairly large zoo, and one of the main attractions, the lion savannah and house, are farthest from the entrance. It is also the zoo with the most buildings, and because it is the first of the day you risk being immediately pressed for time.

Krefeld and Duisburg are smaller, but the latter consists of 2 parts that can only be crossed at 1 point.

I think 2.5 hours Wuppertal and 2 hours Duisburg is on the very low side anyway. I have visited them both regularly and 3 hours for each seems to me to be the minimum.

Kronberg isn't a very large zoo and there are hardly any accessible buildings, so 2 hours will do.I don't recall seeing lockers, so keep in mind it's a very tough hike with some really steep climbs through the zoo with your luggage.
 
Philipine eagle said:
Which one is the best is totally up to you, based on your interests, willingness to long time travels, etc.

Like you said :):



Personally, I find planning one of the most enjoyable aspects of zoo touring. The puzzling with distances and time delays, opening hours, attractions, comfort and price of lodging, etc., what fun it is.

Just a few extra thoughts on your plans:

If you want to take the train from Karlsruhe to visit Walsorde, you could possible beter take Walsrode instead of Hannover as your overnight destination (it's roughly +1 hr). There is a hotel right across from the park entrance and bus 511 will take you there from the train station. Left your luggage at the hotel, enter the park from the opening hour and pick it up when leaving (I do not know if the zoo has lockers in case you have your luggage with you).

Your day Wuppertal - Krefeld - Duisburg: I guess all three zoos are a first for you, so that is a harsh day. Your time table will be something like this:

Wuppertal Zoo opens at 9:00 am
Walking Wuppertal Zoo – Wuppertal Zoologischer Garden Bahnhof 10 min
Train Wuppertal – Krefeld 1:15
Tram Krefeld Hauptbahnhof – Zoo Krefeld 30 min
Zoo Krefeld 9:00-5:00 (animal buildings close at 5:30 pm!)
Tram Zoo Krefeld - Krefeld Hauptbahnhof 30 min
Train Krefeld Hauptbahnhof – Duisburg Hauptbahnhof 30 min
Tram Duisburg Hauptbahnhof – Duisburg Zoo 30 min
Duisburg Zoo closes at 7:00 pm (animal buildings cloase at 6:30)

So that gives you roughly a time frame of

Wuppertal Zoo 9:00-11:30
Transport 11:30-13:30
Krefeld Zoo 13:30-15:30
Transport 15:30-17:00
Duisburg Zoo 17:00-19:00

I counted the time very generously as far as tram connections are concerned, but you always loose some time searching or miss one that leaves right in front of you.

Wuppertal is a fairly large zoo, and one of the main attractions, the lion savannah and house, are farthest from the entrance. It is also the zoo with the most buildings, and because it is the first of the day you risk being immediately pressed for time.

Krefeld and Duisburg are smaller, but the latter consists of 2 parts that can only be crossed at 1 point.

I think 2.5 hours Wuppertal and 2 hours Duisburg is on the very low side anyway. I have visited them both regularly and 3 hours for each seems to me to be the minimum.

Kronberg isn't a very large zoo and there are hardly any accessible buildings, so 2 hours will do.I don't recall seeing lockers, so keep in mind it's a very tough hike with some really steep climbs through the zoo with your luggage.
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Okay, thanks for the heads-up! :D
Just so you know, I visited the Duisburg Zoo last july, But sadly it was raining so I missed out on the Tasmanian devils and wombats, which were my biggest priorities. I could have a "lightning visit" and just see those ;)
And the more I think about it, the more I may just leave Kronberg/Landau be, and go for options B or C.
 
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