just some random thoughts on the locations (I'm not a Sinsheim "local" :o)
Seems like the smaller cities around Sinsheim don't have many hotels (e.g. www.hrs.de shows one hotel for Eppingen only). As Nick already clarified in another mail, the event is NOT at SAP. And, although there might be more hotels in Walldorf, these might be occupied by SAP visitors. Anyway, it might be an option. 0.) Walldorf (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walldorf): about 20km to the West, about 20 minutes by car (Bundesstraße+Autobahn). Public transportation to Sinsheim is not feasible (takes about 4 hours). Trains from Frankfurt Airport are via Heidelberg (see below) + S-Bahn + Taxi The two "real" cities close to Sinsheim are Heilbronn and Heidelberg: 1.) Heilbronn = HN (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heilbronn): about 30km to the East, about 25 minutes by car (Autobahn). Public transportation to Sinsheim requires one change in Eppingen, takes about 50 minutes + about 12 minutes walk to Rhein-Neckar-Arena. Trains from Frankfurt Airport to Heilbronn via Mannheim take about 2 hours and cost about 40 EUR. 2.) Heidelberg = HD (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heidelberg): about 40km to the NorthWest, about 35 minutes by car (Autobahn). Public transportation to Sinsheim directly via S5 (Verkehrsverbund Rhein Neckar: http://www.vrn.de/), takes about 50 minutes (including 12 minutes walk to Rhein-Neckar-Arena), one trip is about 8 EUR. Trains from Frankfurt Airport to Heidelberg via Mannheim take about 1 hour and cost about 25 EUR. Heilbronn is closer (to me it seems ok, but I have never been there). Heidelberg is 10km / 10 minutes further away (a beautiful scenic city, although that might not be that relevant in November...). I will try to figure out, how much a shuttle bus costs. >From Frankfurt Airport either HN or HD or to "Messe/Arena Sinsheim" should be >doable - trains from "Messe/Arena Sinsheim" are via Mannheim, take about 2 >hours and cost about 30 EUR. And there are many shuttle services available >(about 60 up to 90 EUR). Paul -----Original Message----- From: Ross Gardler [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, July 30, 2012 4:29 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Local travel advice re TAC Over on ConCom and TAC lists we have been discussing arrangements for TAC recipients. We'd like to explore the following option but have some questions that locals would be better placed to seek answers for... Given that the TAC and ASF teams are required to help out with the conference would it be viable to put them in a hotel in one of the nearby towns and lay on bus each day to get them to the venue early and take them back after the evening event. If this bus were bigger than needed we could allow others to catch a lift on a first come first serve basis. This would have the benefit of keeping more hotel rooms near the venue available whilst also potentially providing some transport for other attendees. It would also mean that we are guaranteed to have the TAC people on site and in the same place at the same time. Finally, it will help build a team spirit within the TAC representatives and other bus users. The questions that this has surfaced so far are... - is there a place that is a suitable distance to allow such a bus commute in and out - is there a suitable place that means people can get from the airport/train station fairly easily on arrival/departure (we might consider paying taxis but costs need to be kept down) - how much would a 12-50 seat bus costs to hire for two trips each day (a couple of prices would be useful, smaller and larger buses) - [fill in your own questions/thoughts here] Are there other alternatives in the area that we should consider (e.g. have rooms in a hotel in the main town and give them a train pass for the week). Ross -- Ross Gardler (@rgardler) Programme Leader (Open Development) OpenDirective http://opendirective.com
