Singen
Singen is about 344 km from Geneva Airport, a drive of around 3 h 40 min via Bern, Zurich and Schaffhausen, crossing into Germany just after the Swiss border town of Thayngen. This industrial town in southern Baden is dominated by the Hohentwiel, a volcanic cone topped by one of Germany's largest fortress ruins, and it sits at the heart of the Hegau landscape, close to Lake Constance. AirportsTransfers.ch drives you there directly from arrivals.
- Distance from GVA: about 344 km by road
- Drive time: around 3 h 40 min
- Border crossing: the route crosses the border into Germany near Schaffhausen
- Known for: the Hohentwiel fortress, the Hegau volcanoes, industry
- Nearby: Lake Constance, Radolfzell, Konstanz, Schaffhausen
Getting there from Geneva Airport
The route follows the A1 motorway from Geneva through Lausanne and Bern to Zurich, then continues past Winterthur and north on the A4 to Schaffhausen. Just beyond Schaffhausen the road crosses the border into Germany and links with the A81 towards Singen, which is only a few minutes away.
The main variable is traffic around Zurich and at the border at busy times. A private transfer handles both, and it avoids the train changes in Zurich and Schaffhausen that the rail journey requires. On the way, it is easy to arrange a short stop at the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen, which lie only a few minutes off the route and make a good leg-stretch after the flight.
The Hohentwiel
The Hohentwiel rises abruptly above the town, one of a series of extinct volcanic cones that give the Hegau region its unusual skyline. On its summit stand the extensive ruins of a fortress that was developed over centuries and withstood several sieges during the Thirty Years' War before being demolished in the early 19th century during the Napoleonic period. The walk up through vineyards and woods takes under an hour from the visitor centre at the base.
From the top, the views stretch over the Hegau's other volcanic peaks, Lake Constance and, on clear days, the Swiss Alps. The slopes of the Hohentwiel also carry vineyards, among the highest in Germany, and the ruins host open-air events in summer.
The town and the Hegau
Singen grew quickly in the 19th and 20th centuries with the arrival of the railway and industry, and today it is a busy commercial and shopping centre for the surrounding area, popular with visitors from across the Swiss border. Its centre is modern rather than historic, but it has a lively pedestrian zone, an art museum and a museum on the archaeology of the Hegau.
The Hegau itself is a gentle landscape of volcanic cones, castles and villages, crossed by walking and cycling trails. Other summits such as the Hohenkrähen and Hohenstoffeln carry castle ruins and can be combined into longer walks. The Hegau is also good cycling country, with quiet roads and signposted routes linking villages, orchards and the western end of Lake Constance. Spring blossom and autumn colours are particularly attractive, and the views of the volcanic cones change with every bend in the road.
For business visitors, Singen's role as an industrial centre is the main reason to come: food production, aluminium processing and engineering have long been important here, and the town's position on the main road and rail links between Stuttgart, Zurich and Lake Constance makes it a regional hub.
Where to stay and day trips
Singen has practical hotels in the centre and near the station, suitable for business visits and short stays. For a holiday, many travellers prefer Radolfzell on Lake Constance, only a short drive away, or the small towns and guesthouses of the Hegau.
- Radolfzell and the Mettnau peninsula on Lake Constance
- Reichenau island, a UNESCO-listed monastic island
- Konstanz, with its old town and harbour
- Stein am Rhein and the Rhine Falls in Switzerland
- Engen, a small historic hilltop town in the Hegau
Practical tips
Germany uses the euro, and you will need a passport or ID card since the route crosses the border into Germany. Shops close on Sundays, while Saturdays are busy with cross-border shoppers. The Hohentwiel path is steep in places, so wear good shoes, and check opening times of the fortress before you go. In summer, Lake Constance beaches are only a short drive away.
Business travellers often combine Singen with meetings in Schaffhausen, Konstanz or Zurich; a chauffeur by the hour keeps the day simple.
How to book your Singen transfer
Book online with AirportsTransfers.ch and you will see the fixed price for the vehicle before paying by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your chauffeur tracks the flight, waits in arrivals with a name sign and includes waiting time if it is late. Companies can receive invoices, child seats are available on request, and walkers or cyclists can declare their equipment at booking. Phone or WhatsApp: +41 78 346 56 77.
