Heidelberg Hauptbahnhof is a central hub in one of Germany's most picturesque cities, and I love…read morehow low-key this smaller-scale train station is. It's not overwhelming but seems to always be bustling with travelers, and it surprisingly can be a bit difficult to navigate (especially if you're in a hurry or late to catch a train -- so allow some extra time)!
The station is modern and a bit cold except for the really rad piece of modern artwork hanging in the main lobby. It's worth a stop to admire and to snap a quick photo if you have the time. There are a handful of places to grab food and drinks for your train ride, and there is plenty of seating if you have to wait for your platform. Stairs are plentiful, but there are elevators to the platforms that are nice if you are traveling with a bunch of bags or require ADA assistance.
The exterior architecture is cold and boring, as is the case with most stations across Germany. I was surprised at how many bicycles were parked out front, it totally looked like Amsterdam with all the bikes! Since this is a University town, I guess it shouldn't be much of a surprise that getting around on two wheels would be a very popular mode of transport.
It's pretty easy to get to several hotels nearby, but the the historic Altstadt (Old Town) may technically be within walking distance (it's a good 35 to 40 minute walk), but I wouldn't venture that far with luggage. There's a very clean, safe, and efficient local tram that will take you most places in the city for a few Euros, and it runs directly to and from the station.
The station operates as a regional hub, so it's easy to connect to most places throughout the country. There are regional and long-distance routes that run here, including Deutsche Bahn's ICE services and other high speed access to cities like Mannheim, Frankfurt, Cologne, and Stuttgart.
