FKK Sharks - Darmstadt

[QUOTE=Ortos;2240642]All these discussions about getting to Sharks from FFM-Hbf via public transport and how it takes minimum 45 mins, involving sometimes 10 Euro taxi rides, etc. : But why doesn't anybody mention the VIA train from Gleis 12 (Frankfurt Hbf) that goes direct to Darmstadt Nord station, which is only a 12-15 minute (easy) walk to Sharks door? This is the easiest and fastest and cheapest way to go to Sharks via public transport from central Frankfurt. Coming back, if after 22.00, your best bet is to revert to the train connections from Darmstadt Hbf.[/QUOTE]Yep, this is nice / fast / easy way to get there. The walk is a nice stroll (not so much in February I suspect). I did budget for a cab back to Frankfurt Hbf each time so as not to worry about making the last train back.

[QUOTE=NickTheG;2240758]True, and forgotten again and again. You mentioned it several times before here on the forum.

[/QUOTE]Yes, I also mentioned a few times that it was Syzygies who first "scooped" and posted this cheapest / fastest route to Sharks from FFM Hbf, so I think all of us who take advantage of this owe thanks to him.

Another restriction is the last VIA train back to FFM: 22.12 or .13.

I recommend getting the DB (Deutsch Bahn) App it great for working out what your best options are for getting back to Frankfurt, especially as it is for train and bus with updates for the inevitable delays that the train will have. I also think you can buy e tickets on it which might be an option if you want to try fare dodging and do see a conductor.

I find it one of the most surprising thing about Germany is how often trains are canceled or delayed, so always build it in to my plans. Also the Nord Bahnhoff option is great on Sundays as the bus is so infrequent back to the Darmstadt Hbf.

[QUOTE=Memphis10;2240754]Interesting. Is Bus are inside Darmstadt station or very easy to find outside (for a non German speaking noob)?

If that fails is myTaxi reliable to grab a ride from there to Sharks if I somehow fuck up the transfer?

Thanks![/QUOTE]Bus station is right outside of main train station. There are three-four bus stop (I think), one of them will have bus are on it. You can get taxi right there or you can use my taxi apps. Either of them will cost you around E10-E13. Or you can turn on google map to walk to Sharks for about 30 minutes. However, if you get to Darmsdadt Nord (north), it will only take you about 15 min walk.

[QUOTE=Memphis10;2240754]Interesting. Is Bus are inside Darmstadt station or very easy to find outside (for a non German speaking noob)?

If that fails is myTaxi reliable to grab a ride from there to Sharks if I somehow fuck up the transfer?

Thanks![/QUOTE]Go out through the main station exit straight ahead, and not the exit to the right that says 'taxi'. After exiting, just cross the road and tramlines towards the bus stop diagonally to the LEFT towards the MacDonalds. Unfortunately, the sign posting is really bad so it does not mention the buses stopping there. However, there is an electronic signboard within the bus stop which tells you how long before the next bus arrives.

The bus R that you need is the one that says 'Nordbahnhof', and you get off at 'Daimlerweg'. If you see a bus R that does not say 'Nordbahnhof', then you are on the wrong side of the road, you need then to cross the road to the MacDonalds.

There are clear announcements in the bus before each stop. At that stop, just walk straight on 20 metres in the direction of the bus and a large 'FKK Sharks' poster will greet you (ignore all the 'Hornbach' posters). And remember, the bus ride is free with your train ticket.

If you need taxis there are always a long line of them at the taxi rank at the other exit of the station, no need for any phone apps.

NqCoolhandluke's post just reminded me that the bus comes only hourly and not every 20 minutes on Sundays. So, on Sunday, Darmstadt Nord would be a better option if you want to save on taxi fare. You can enjoy yourself taking your time doing a random walk to get to Sharks. No hurry as on Sunday mornings, there would be only a handful of unattractive girls, plus loads of bears exploiting the cheap entry competing with you for space to change in the locker room.

[QUOTE=NickTheG;2240758]And: yeah, it is nice to walk from Darmstadt Nord to Sharks, but imo only if the weather is fine.[/QUOTE]I've only been to Darmstadt Nord station once, and that was on warm spring day. It was a Sunday around 1 pm. Only three men disembarked. Not surprisingly, it became quite clear within minutes that we all were walking towards Sharks. I didn't notice any train ticket agents or taxis. Does it always feel like a ghost-town?

The more busy nature of Darmstadt Main station is probably comforting to a non-German speaking newbie simply because there is an (1) information center (2) taxi stand, and (3) most importantly people around that you can ask to translate if for instance something important is said over the loudspeaker. CoolHandLuke is correct. I've been around when there was a disruption in train service. And luckily I was at Darmstadt Main Station and not Darmstadt Nord.

[QUOTE=NqCoolHandLuke;2240849]I also think you can buy e tickets on it which might be an option if you want to try fare dodging and do see a conductor.[/QUOTE]Yes, tickets can be purchased and downloaded into app. Ticket agent scans the barcode.

[QUOTE=Memphis10;2240754]Is Bus are inside Darmstadt station or very easy to find outside (for a non German speaking noob)?[/QUOTE]When the train arrives Darmstadt Hbf, you get off on the platform and walk up the stairs that take passengers up to street level. From there, there are only two exits, which Google Maps depicts. You will walk towards the direction of Yormas Express (which Google Maps also shows) and exit the station there. I suspect most people will be walking in this direction because this is where the bus stops and taxi stand are located. When you exit, you should be in a plaza, where you will see multiple bus stands. The bus stands should be the green objects in the photo (see link below).

[URL=https://www.google.com/maps/@49.8727522,8.6313788,3a,75y,62.4h,90t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sAF1QipOzR8DiUYMApI86V0slbknx_mTm5bPgsM-QOR44!2e10!3e11!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipOzR8DiUYMApI86V0slbknx_mTm5bPgsM-QOR44%3Dw203-h100-k-no-pi-0-ya144.94757-ro-0-fo100!7i8192!8i4096]Google Street View of Darmstadt Hbf plaza[/URL]

Prior to that exit, you should see a digital display overhead that says something like "BusR toward Nordbahnof departs from bus stand 2 in 4 minutes".

[QUOTE=McAdonis;2240912]I've only been to Darmstadt Nord station once, . Does it always feel like a ghost-town?
[/QUOTE]Yeah, it must have been a ghost-town. Because I have been there many times, and I have yet to spot any town there!

[QUOTE=TankTank123;2240906]And remember, the bus ride is free with your train ticket.[/QUOTE]If you buy a day ticket between Frankfurt and Darmstadt Nord, yes.

If you buy a oneway ticket that might be different! To be sure, if you come in via Darmstadt Hbf and want to take a bus "are" to Sharks, use Darmstadt Nord as destination when you buy the ticket. If you come from Frankfurt with a VIAS train and you exit in Darmstadt Nord and you want to take a bus from there to Sharks, you better use Darmstadt Main station as destination when you buy the ticket.

[QUOTE=McAdonis;2240912]I've only been to Darmstadt Nord station once. Does it always feel like a ghost-town?[/QUOTE]They did every thing possible to make you feel home in Romania there, from the moment you leave the train!

[QUOTE=NickTheG;2240921]If you buy a day ticket between Frankfurt and Darmstadt, yes.If you buy a oneway ticket it might be different.[/QUOTE]It is certainly free also for the one-way trip. I have asked the bus conductor before.

For the return trip, I tell the bus conductor Frankfurt Hbf, and he will issue me the train ticket for the whole trip for the same 8.50 euros.

Also, it does not matter when you buy the ticket whether you put Nord, Mitte, or any of the numerous other options as they all just print the same area code (4000 if I remember correctly) to bring you anywhere in that area, so long as you do not back-track.

[QUOTE=Ortos;2240830]Yes, I also mentioned a few times that it was Syzygies who first "scooped" and posted this cheapest / fastest route to Sharks from FFM Hbf, so I think all of us who take advantage of this owe thanks to him.[/QUOTE]Yes, it was one of the legendary Syzygies' post that informed me of this option.

It is especially appropriate for someone like him with long legs. There was a day some years ago, when the VIA train arrived at Darmstadt Nord, I saw him immediately bolt out. By the time I rounded the bend of Otto-Rohm-Strasse, he was not in sight, presumable already entering Sharks.

It is strange that you mentioned his name, as it was only a few nights ago that I was reminded of him when, in a gameshow on the telly, some whizz kids were asked the meaning of 'Syzygy'. Maybe the planets are now in syzygy and we might see his return to FKK land from the Soi's of Bangkok, and we can all benefit from his lists again.

[QUOTE=Ortos;2240830]Yes, I also mentioned a few times that it was Syzygies who first "scooped" and posted this cheapest / fastest route to Sharks from FFM Hbf, so I think all of us who take advantage of this owe thanks to him.

Another restriction is the last VIA train back to FFM: 22.12 or .13.[/QUOTE]Had a weird experience with this VIA train last Wednesday (17/10). Boarded the train at Frankfurt and 10 minutes into 20 minute ride, they started making some announcements in German. No clue what they were saying asked the guy next to me and found out that the train is going to make a detour but would stop at Darmstatd Nord. When the station approached the train didn't stop and kept going. It stopped at Darmstadt-Kranichstein. Got out and it seemed middle of nowhere. Used my MyTaxi app to call a taxi to get to Sharks. It costed me 15 E and 20-25 minutes extra to get to Sharks.

Decided to take Darmstatd HBF route from next time.

[QUOTE=Austin28;2240939]Had a weird experience with this VIA train last Wednesday (17/10). Boarded the train at Frankfurt and 10 minutes into 20 minute ride, they started making some announcements in German. No clue what they were saying asked the guy next to me and found out that the train is going to make a detour but would stop at Darmstatd Nord. When the station approached the train didn't stop and kept going. It stopped at Darmstadt-Kranichstein. Got out and it seemed middle of nowhere. Used my MyTaxi app to call a taxi to get to Sharks. It costed me 15 E and 20-25 minutes extra to get to Sharks.

Decided to take Darmstatd HBF route from next time.[/QUOTE]It happened to me too some years ago. But I stayed on as a German woman beside me assured me that it would go back to Darmstadt Nord. Soon, it went back the other direction and we were at Darmstadt Nord. Seems that there was another train stuck at Darmstadt Nord wanting to head north and the VIA train had to get out of its way.

[QUOTE=NickTheG;2240922]They did every thing possible to make you feel home in Romania there, from the moment you leave the train![/QUOTE]I thought only Transylvania was a Ghost Town in Romania? But is it the entire Country? LOL!

[QUOTE=TankTank123;2240917]Yeah, it must have been a ghost-town. Because I have been there many times, and I have yet to spot any town there![/QUOTE]You need Spectral Viewers and tune them at the right frequency.