Location and Transportation
The region of Ostwuerttemberg is in the center of Europe in Southern Germany. The location in the central region of the triangle between Stuttgart, Wuerzburg and Ulm makes Ostwuerttemberg an ideal location for enterprises that value excellent transportation connections and for being in close proximity to the largest metropolises in Southern Germany and the Alpine countries. At the same time, the region’s location constitutes a fundamental factor for the further development of Ostwuerttemberg.
Roadways
The most important components of the road network for interregional travel are the A7 and the B29. The A7 (running in a north-to-south direction) runs from Scandinavia all the way into the Alps and efficiently links the region with the federal highway system. The B29 (running west to east) has been expanded into a four-lane highway after Schwaebisch Gmuend. It also provides a direct connection to the Stuttgart region. As a result of Ostwuerttemberg’s central location, Munich (approx. 180 km/112 mi), Nuremberg (approx. 130 km/81 mi) and Frankfurt (approx. 225 km/140 mi) are only 1–2 hours away. Stuttgart and Ulm are quickly and conveniently within reach in less than an hour. The Autobahn A8, which runs east to west and connects Karlsruhe and Munich, is also in direct proximity to the region.
Railway Transportation
The region is well integrated into the railway network of the Deutsche Bahn. There are IC connections in Aalen, Ellwangen and Schwaebisch Gmuend on the twin-tracked route Karlsruhe-Stuttgart-Nuremberg-Dresden. There is also a regional railway (RB) connection in Heidenheim along the route Aalen-Ulm. The centers of Ulm and Stuttgart with their IC and ICE connections are quickly within reach with the railway service in the region, as is the direct TGV connection in Stuttgart that heads to Paris (less than four hours travel time). For example, the trip between Schwaebisch Gmuend and Stuttgart takes 33 minutes, and the trip between Ellwangen and Nuremberg only takes 58 minutes. Rail freight also plays an important role in the region. This is a major reason why, for example, Bosch Siemens Household Appliances (Hausgeräte) are expanding their rail freight-loading center (which is also usable by others in the region).
Air Transportation
The international airports in Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Munich and Nuremberg are quickly and conveniently accessible by car or train. Ostwuerttemberg is, thus, a location that is very well suited to the needs of the casual or the frequent flyer. The region of Ostwuerttemberg also has three well-developed regional and sport airports (Elchingen, Giengen/Brenz and Heubach).
