Is the Heidelberg Card worth it?

Our experience and evaluation of the sightseeing pass Heidelberg Card for Heidelberg

We enjoy using city passes for our city breaks. For Heidelberg, there is the "Heidelberg Card", which we tested for you on our last trip. Is it really worth buying the Heidelberg Card for the top attractions in Heidelberg and use of public transport? We'll show you how to make the most of your stay and how the pass works.

For me, the most beautiful city in Germany is Heidelberg. A travel destination you definitely shouldn't miss as one of Germany's top attractions. The student city is absolutely gorgeous and a dream for tourists from all over the world, boasting great architecture, the castle, and plenty of highlights to experience the culture of Baden.

Although Heidelberg is not quite as expensive as other European cities, and the number of sights is smaller, the Heidelberg Card might also be worthwhile for you.

Have fun reading our review of the Heidelberg Card!

If you don't feel like reading our review, you can order your pass directly on the official website here:

What is the Heidelberg Card for?

The Heidelberg Card is a sightseeing pass for Heidelberg. The major advantage is that you only pay for the pass once and can then visit the sights and attractions in Heidelberg included in the pass free of charge.

It also includes travel on public transport (buses, trams and certain trains in the Rhine-Neckar VRN network).

This not only saves you time when buying tickets, but also money. Brilliant, isn't it? The Heidelberg Card also gives you discounts on guided tours, exhibitions, museums and selected restaurants and shops.

The benefits of the Heidelberg Card

• free travel on public transport during the specified period of validity. Buses, trams and authorised trains (RE, RB and S-Bahn, each 2nd class) of the Rhine-Neckar VRN transport association in the Heidelberg region (Wabe 125).
• Admission to Heidelberg Castle incl. mountain railway. The HeidelbergCARD includes a return journey on the mountain railway to Molkenkur (via the castle) as well as one admission to the castle courtyard with the barrel cellar and a visit to the German Pharmacy Museum.
• Admission to visit the Studentenkarzer. One-off admission to the Studentenkarzer (worthwhile).
• Further discounts. Discounts for tours, city tours, museums, exhibitions, some restaurants, shopping, and events.
• Free HeidelbergGUIDE. Travel guide with useful information and city map.
• Validity: 1, 2 or 4 days and 2-day family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children up to 16 years or 1 adult and up to 4 children up to 16 years).
• View detailed information about the Heidelberg Card here

Buy the Heidelberg Card

1. go directly to the Get Your Guide website to purchase the Heidelberg Card.
2. choose for how many days you would like to purchase the card (counts per day from 0 am to midnight)
3. indicate how many people you want to buy the card for
4. after clicking on "Add to basket" you will be taken to a window. Here you have to click "Checkout" to finalise your payment.
5. print out the voucher and exchange it for the individual tickets at the Tourist Information when you arrive at the station in Heidelberg.
6. take a look at the flyer to see all the tours, city tours and discounts.

How much does the Heidelberg Card cost?

The HD Card is available for 1, 2 and 4 days. The family pass valid for 2 days is ideal for families. This includes 2 adults and up to 3 children (up to 16 years) or 1 adult with up to 4 children (up to 16 years). Logically, the more days the pass is valid for, the more expensive it is. Generally speaking, the longer a pass is valid, the more you can save.

The Heidelberg Card is worth it if you visit the castle including the mountain railway, the pharmacy museum in the castle and the barrel cellar. It also includes a visit to the Student Cancer Centre. You should visit all these sights on your first visit to Heidelberg anyway. You should also take part in at least 2-3 other activities to make the City Pass worthwhile.

Costs for the HD Card:

• For 1 day: €23.50
• For 2 days: €25.50
• For 4 days: €28.50
• Family ticket for 2 days: €55.50

The card is designed for full days and not from the first use. This means that a day begins at midnight on the first day and ends at midnight on the following day.

Discounts and admissions included

The Heidelberg Card can certainly be expanded. However, if you use public transport, the HD Card may be worth it for you. The day ticket costs €5.20 in the city area, the MA/LU, HD city tariff even costs €7.20.

• Heidelberg Castle: €9
• Student Karzer: €4
• Old Town tour: €7 instead of €9 with HD Card
• Cabriobus sightseeing tour: €10 instead of €12 with HD Card
• 20% discount on museums (e.g., Körperwelten, Heidelberger Kunstverein, Kurpfälzisches Museum Heidelberg (all museums are listed in the flyer)
• 20% discount on events at the Karlstorbahnhof (very good concerts are always held here)
• - 10% on the Neckarsonne solar boat
• 10% on bicycle hire (at the railway station)
• 10% on the White Fleet (excursions on the Neckar)
• 10% off admission to Heidelberg Zoo

My conclusion and recommendation

The Heidelberg Card was not worth it for me. As I've been to Heidelberg many times and I explore a lot on foot, I wouldn't have saved much on individual tickets for city tours. If you are travelling to Heidelberg for the first time, you should check and calculate whether the City Card could benefit you.

Do you have any further questions or experiences with the Heidelberg Card?

Tell us about your experience with the HD Card for Heidelberg. Was the card worth it for them? Your opinion is essential to us.