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Alex234/Rust (Baden)
Rust is a state-recognized recreational destination in the Ortenaukreis district of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, nestled in the Upper Rhine Valley between the Black Forest and the Vosges, near the French border. This small municipality of about 4,300 residents is globally renowned for hosting Europa-Park Resort, Germany’s largest theme park destination and one of Europe’s top attractions, drawing over six million visitors annually. Beyond the park, Rust offers a charming village atmosphere, historical sites like the Renaissance-era Balthasar Castle, and proximity to the protected Taubergießen floodplain forest, making it an ideal base for exploring the region.
Understand
[edit]Rust, first mentioned in 762 in the Eddo Testament, was historically a fishing and farming village, as reflected in its coat of arms featuring a fish and plowshare. From 1442 to 1806, it was owned by the noble Böcklin von Böcklinsau family, whose legacy remains in landmarks like Balthasar Castle, now part of Europa-Park. The village’s economy thrives on tourism, with Europa-Park employing 3,000 staff in peak season and supporting 8,000 indirect jobs. Rust’s location, 30 km northwest of Freiburg im Breisgau and 17 km south of Offenburg, makes it a gateway to the Black Forest, Alsace, and nearby cities like Strasbourg (55 km) and Basel (60 km). The climate is warm and humid-temperate, with mild summers (July/August ~22°C) and adequate rainfall year-round, bordering on subtropical in summer.
The Europa-Park Resort, encompassing Europa-Park, Rulantica water park, six themed hotels, and a campsite, dominates Rust’s identity. The park’s 15 European-themed areas and over 100 attractions, including 13 roller coasters, earned it the “Best Amusement Park in the World” title for nine consecutive years (2014–2023) at the Golden Ticket Awards.
Get in
[edit]Rust is easily accessible by car, train, bus, or plane, thanks to its proximity to major transport hubs and the Europa-Park Resort’s infrastructure.
By car
[edit]Rust lies just off the A5 motorway (exit 57b, Rust), about 4 km from the town center. Ample parking is available at Europa-Park (€10 for park visitors). For travelers coming from France, a free ferry operates between Rhinau (France) and Kappel (Germany), just 5 km west of Rust, crossing the Rhine River. The Rhinau–Kappel ferry runs daily from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM (April–October) and 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM (November–March), with crossings every 10–15 minutes, taking about 5 minutes. It accommodates cars, bikes, and pedestrians, with no reservation needed. From Kappel, follow local roads (e.g., L104) to Rust in under 10 minutes.
By train
[edit]The nearest railway station is 1 Ringsheim/Europa-Park, located 4 km from Rust. From Ringsheim, bus service 7231 (see By bus below) takes about 5 minutes to reach the village. Regional and long-distance trains serve the station, offering convenient connections from major cities.
The following trains stop at the Ringsheim/Europa-Park station:
- Regional Trains (RE, RB): Connect Ringsheim to Freiburg im Breisgau (15 minutes), Offenburg (10 minutes), and other nearby cities. Operated by Deutsche Bahn, these are ideal for short-distance travel within Baden-Württemberg.
- EuroCity-Express (ECE): Daily service on the Frankfurt–Milan route, with two stops per day at Ringsheim/Europa-Park. Travel time from Frankfurt is under 2 hours, and from Basel, about 1 hour.
- TGV INOUI: Daily high-speed trains from Paris to Freiburg stop at Ringsheim/Europa-Park (2 hours 45 minutes from Paris-Est, 45 minutes from Strasbourg). A weekly seasonal TGV from Bordeaux to Freiburg also serves the station.
- RailCoaster (SBB): A seasonal service by Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) from Zurich to Ringsheim, operating weekends and select holidays (e.g., 18 April, 21 April, 29 May, 9 June, 1 August 2025). Includes dining car, Wi-Fi, and family zones, with combo tickets covering park entry. Connections from Bern, Solothurn, Aargau, and Lucerne are available
By bus
[edit]Two main bus lines connect visitors to Rust, offering convenient access from nearby transport hubs.
- Südbadenbus Service 7230: This direct bus service links Freiburg’s main railway station with Rust, covering the 30 km journey in approximately 40 minutes. Operating daily during the park’s open seasons, it’s an ideal option for visitors arriving in Freiburg by train or plane, providing a hassle-free ride to the resort’s main entrance. Tickets can be purchased in advance through the Südbadenbus website or at ticket machines in Freiburg, ensuring a smooth travel experience.
- Bus Service 7231/570: Running daily, this service connects Ringsheim/Europa-Park railway station, and occasionally Herbolzheim, Rust. It’s the primary link for train travelers arriving at Ringsheim, with frequent departures aligned with train schedules. Tickets cost €2.50 for a single ride under the TGO tariff, available from bus drivers, RVF ticket machines, or the Südbadenbus Customer Centre in Freiburg.
- FlixBus: For broader regional and international access, FlixBus offers affordable connections from major German and European cities. FlixBus operates a dedicated stop near the Europa-Park Camp Resort.
By plane
[edit]
There are many airports near Rust, some of which have airport shuttles to Europa-Park:
- Airport Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden (FKB IATA). This is the airport closest to Europa-park. The shuttle service has to be booked at least 72 hours in advance. Ryanair flies to the airport.
- Euroairport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL IATA,MLH IATA, EAP IATA) (about 60 min away by car). The shuttle service has to be booked at least 72 hours in advance. Swiss and easyJet fly here.
- Stuttgart airport (STR IATA) (about 90 minutes away by car). The shuttle service has to be booked at least 72 hours in advance. Lufthansa flies to Stuttgart airport from almost anywhere in the world, Finnair flies from Helsinki (and 10 Asian destinations via Helsinki) to this airport and Eurowings also flies to Stuttgart.
Other airports that are within driving distance are Frankfurt Airport and Zürich. If you have a private plane or charter, Lahr airport is also an option.
Get around
[edit]Rust’s compact size and the Europa-Park Resort’s infrastructure make getting around straightforward. The town center is walkable, with most attractions, shops, and restaurants within 10–15 minutes on foot. For resort-specific connections, check the Europa-Park Resort article.
See
[edit]- 1 Balthasar Castle (Schloss Balthasar), Ritterstraße. Built in 1442 by the Böcklin von Böcklinsau family, this Renaissance-era castle is now part of Europa-Park, housing a restaurant. Accessible during park hours, it offers a glimpse into Rust’s noble history. Europa-Park ticket required.
- 2 Balzare Schlösschen, Ritterstraße. A 1598 manor house with ornate timber framing, also linked to the Böcklin von Böcklinsau family. Privately inhabited, viewable only from the outside. Located near the Catholic church.
- 3 Petri in Ketten Church (Katholische Pfarrkirche Petri in Ketten), Kirchstraße 1. Rust’s only parish church, dedicated to the patron of fishermen, reflecting the village’s fishing heritage. Open for visitors during services or by arrangement.
Do
[edit]- 1 Taubergießen Nature Reserve (West of Rust). A protected floodplain forest along the Rhine, ideal for birdwatching and nature walks. Guided tours available; check with the Naturschutzzentrum Taubergießen.
Activites within Europa-Park Resort include:
- 2 Europa-Park. Features over 100 attractions, including roller coasters like “Silver Star” and “Blue Fire,” across 15 European-themed areas. Hotel guests get early ride access (30 min summer, 1 hr winter). Wait times can reach 75 min on busy days; use VirtualLine via the app.
- 3 Rulantica (Water park), Roland-Mack-Ring 1, ☏ +49 7822 776655. Indoor water park with 25 attractions, including “Vikingløp” slides.
- 4 YULLBE, Roland-Mack-Ring 1, ☏ +49 7822 775 666.
- 5 , Roland-Mack-Ring 3. German TV-Show.
Buy
[edit]Eat
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[edit]Sleep
[edit]For resort hotels check Europa-Park Resort article. Non-Europa-Park-Resort options include:
- 1 MOXY Rust, Jakob-Schneider-Straße 2, ☏ +49 7822 789 850. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00.
- 2 Hotel am Park, Austraße 1, ☏ +49 7822 444 900. Check-in: 15:30, check-out: 11:00.
Rust offers numerous privately owned guesthouses and pensions, providing cozy, often family-run accommodations ideal for travelers seeking a personal touch. These options, typically within a 5–15-minute walk or short drive from Europa-Park Resort, range from traditional Baden-style homes to modern apartments, with amenities like free Wi-Fi, breakfast, and parking. Prices vary from €60–€120 per night, depending on season and proximity to the resort. Check availability early, especially during peak seasons like school holidays or Europa-Park events.
Several hotels in Ringsheim, 4 km east of Rust, offer affordable and family-friendly accommodations, ideal for Europa-Park visitors seeking alternatives to Rust’s pricier resort hotels. Located a 5–10-minute drive or bus ride from the park, these hotels are near Ringsheim/Europa-Park station, making them convenient for train travelers.
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