FAQs - frequently asked questions

1. Where can I find information about Heidelberg and a city map of Heidelberg?
2. How far is Heidelberg from… ?
3. Where can one find information about the Rhine Neckar region and about Germany?
4. Where is ih Heidelberg - Collegium Palatinum located in the city of Heidelberg?
5. How do I get to the school?
6. Will I receive a student ID card?
7. How can I pay the course and examination fees?
8. What is the currency in Germany?
9. Where can I exchange or withdraw money?
10. How much spending money will I need per week?
11. Do I need a visa to study a language in Germany?
12. What kind of public transportation is available in Heidelberg?
13. Which parking garage is the closest to ih Heidelberg - Collegium Palatinum?
14. Which airport is the closest to Heidelberg?
15. How can I get from Frankfurt International Airport to the school?
16. How can I get from the Frankfurt/Hahn (Ryanair) airport to the school?
17. What is the name of the local daily newspaper?
18. Can one obtain health, accident and liability insurance through ih Heidelberg - Collegium Palatinum?
19. In which time zone is Germany located?
20. What is the climate and weather like in Heidelberg?
21. What is the voltage in Germany?
22. Is it safe to drink the normal tap water? 

General Questions

1. Where can I find information about Heidelberg and a city map of Heidelberg?

• City of Heidelberg
• Heidelberg University - University of Excellence
• Heidelberg Tourism
• Heidelberg Map
• Oldheidelberg.com
• Location of ih Heidelberg - Collegium Palatinum in Heidelberg

2. How far is Heidelberg from… ?

• Berlin:  619 KM (384 miles)
• Munich: 342 KM (212 miles)
• Stuttgart: 120 KM (75 miles)
• Frankfurt: 82 KM (51 miles)

3. Where can I find information about the Rhine Neckar region and about Germany?

• The German Portal - Das Deutschland-Portal
• Studying in Germany
• Wish you were here - Welcome to the Rhine-Neckar-Metropolitan Region

4. Where is ih Heidelberg - Collegium Palatinum located in the city of Heidelberg? The language school is located in the city center, about a 2 minute walk from the central traffic junction "Bismarckplatz" (bus- and city tram station) across from the Hotel "Europaeischer Hof" and between the "Juristisches Seminar der Universitaet Heidelberg" and the restaurant "Stadtgarten". The school is placed in a historic villa on a hill. It is surrounded by a garden and has 10 classrooms. Click here for the map.

5. How do I get to ih Heidelberg - Collegium Palatinum?

• By train:  From the main train station with the tram No. 5 or Bus 32, 33 or 34 to the "Bismarckplatz". Walk along Sofienstraße in the direction of the post office to the Hotel "Europäischer Hof" ( P 5 ). At the traffic light, cross the street to the restaurant Stadtgarten. Pass the restaurant and the parking lot and walk to the right up the hill. 
    
• By car: When in Heidelberg, drive in the direction "Altstadt", "Zentrum", "Schloss" through the tunnel "Gaisberg". Turn left at the second street on the left into the "Friedrich-Ebert-Anlage". Turn at the second traffic light right into the parking garage. Cross the street at the traffic light to the restaurant "Stadtgarten". Pass the restaurant and the parking lot and turn to the right up the hill.   

6. Will I receive a student ID card? Yes, for discounts in cinemas, theatres, concerts, museums, pools and gyms.

7. How can I pay the course or exam fees? You may pay cash directly in ih Heidelberg - Collegium Palatinum, credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB) or by international bank transfer to the following account:

International money transfers: 

H+ G Bank Heidelberg Kurpfalz e G
BIC:    GENO DE 61 HD3
IBAN : DE76672901000040029028

Transfers within Germany:
H+ G Bank Heidelberg Kurpfalz e G
Kontonummer: 40029028
BLZ: 67290100

8. What is the currency in Germany? The EURO: €

9. Where can I exchange or withdraw money? At the airport in Frankfurt, at all major banks and automatic cash machines located in the city.

10. How much spending money will I need per week? Students should budget approximately € 120 / € 150 depending on individual spending habits and needs.

11. Do I need a visa to study a language in Germany? Entry and visa requirements are different for each person and nationality. It is the responsibility of the participant to find out the appropriate regulations prior to his/her arrival at ih Heidelberg - Collegium Palatinum. Information can be obtained at embassies or consulates in your home country.

12. What kind of public transportation is available in Heidelberg? The public transportation network is very good and quite affordable. There are city trams, busses, as well as many bike lanes  within the city. 

13. Which parking garage is the closest to ih Heidelberg - Collegium Palatinum? P5 at the Hotel Europäischer Hof

14. Which Airport is the closest to Heidelberg? Frankfurt International Airport

15. How can I get from Frankfurt International Airport to the school? The easiest, most comfortable way is with the German railway: Deutsche Bahn. There is also a TLS Airport Shuttle Service. EUR 35 per transfer and person.

16. How can I get from the Frankfurt/Hahn (Ryanair) airport to the school? Hahnexpress.de

17. What is the name of the local daily newspaper?  Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung

18. Can I purchase health, accident, liability and legal costs coverage through the school? Yes, we offer a package at a monthly rate of  € 45.

19. In which time zone is Germany located? Germany is in the Middle European Time Zone ( MEZ ). Heidelberg: +/- 0 ; London: - 1h; New York: - 6h; Los Angeles: - 9h, Tokyo + 8h;  Sydney: + 9 h Daylight Savings Time is from the end of March until the end of October  ( MESZ : + 1 h ).

20. What is the climate and weather like in Heidelberg? Heidelberg is located in the warmest regiion of Germany. It has a mild climate with average temperatures in the summer at 20 - 30 °C (68 - 86° F) and in winter approx. 0 °C (32°F).

• Weather forecast

21. What is the voltage in Germany?  220 Volt. In North America the voltage is much lower 110 Volt. Therefore, please take caution to bring a suitable transformer for any electrical equipment you want to use while in Germany, like laptops, battery chargers, etc.

22. Is it safe to drink the normal tap water?  Tap water in Germany is completely safe and clean to drink.

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Do you have another question or maybe you did not find the answer you needed? Please contact us:

International House Heidelberg - Collegium Palatinum

Language School
Friedrich-Ebert-Anlage 4
D- 69117 Heidelberg
Germany

Tel:  + 49 (0) 6221 / 91 40 77

Fax: + 49 (0) 6221 / 91 40 788

Email     Website