Bonn is undoubtedly one of the most historic cities on the Rhine: home of the Stone-Age «Homo obercasseliensis», Roman fortress, medieval monastery and basilica, baroque residence, the place where Napoleon fell off his horse, Prussian university city, temporarily federal capital, and seat of several UN organisations. Our venue sites themselves reflect this eventful past: the conference center where we will meet is named after Nobel Peace Prize winner and chancellor of the first German republic, Gustav Stresemann, while the Museum Koenig is the cradle of Germany’s post-war constitution.
The city’s official slogan «Freude. Joy. Joie. Bonn.» represents the internationality of the city and also hints at its most famous son, Ludwig van Beethoven. In his Symphony No. 9, he set music to Friedrich Schiller’s «Ode to Joy», the theme of which eventually became the European anthem. With this in mind, we look forward to welcoming you—herpetologists from all over Europe and beyond to Bonn.
Welcome to Bonn
About the venue
We are looking forward to welcoming you to the Museum Koenig on Monday and, for the main programme of the congress from Tuesday on, to the educational and conference center Gustav-Stresemann-Institut (GSI) in Bonn. Located in the south of Bonn near the recreational area Rheinaue, the GSI offers more than just conference rooms. There is a restaurant and a snack bar, and the terrace overlooking the park with its (unfortunately herp-free) pond invites you to relax between sessions.
How to get to the venue
Museum Koenig
By public transport from Bonn Central Station (Hauptbahnhof)
Take metro (subway) line 16 or 63 (direction Bad Godesberg) or 66 (direction Ramersdorf/Königswinter/Bad Honnef) and get off at stop Museum Koenig (approx. 4 min). From there, it’s just a few metres to the museum’s main entrance. Alternatively, you may simply walk the whole way from Bonn Central Station, it will take around 30 minutes (ca. 2 km).
By public transport from Siegburg/Bonn station
Take metro line 66 (direction Ramersdorf/Königswinter/Bad Honnef via Bonn) and get off at stop Museum Koenig (approx. 4 min). From there, it’s just a few metres to the museum’s main entrance.
By public transport from Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN)
Take bus SB60 to Bonn Central Station (approx. 34 min). Change to metro (subway) line 16 or 63 (direction Bad Godesberg) or 66 (direction Ramersdorf/Königswinter/Bad Honnef) and get off at stop Museum Koenig (approx. 4 min). From there, it’s just a few metres to the museum’s main entrance. This way usually is faster than taking a train from the airport station.
By car
Use the address above to navigate to the Museum Koenig. A limited amount of parking spaces is available at the museum’s visitor parking lot.
Gustav-Stresemann-Institut
By public transport from Bonn Central Station (Hauptbahnhof)
Take metro (subway) line 16 or 63 (direction Bad Godesberg) and get off at stop Max-Löbner-Straße (approx. 10 min). From there, it’s a 5-minute walk (ca. 400 m) to the venue.
By public transport from Siegburg/Bonn station
Take metro line 66 (direction Königswinter/Bad Honnef via Bonn) and get off at stop Robert-Schuman-Platz (approx. 36 min). From there, it’s a 6-minute walk (ca. 500 m) to the venue.
By public transport from Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN)
Take bus SB60 to Bonn Central Station (approx. 34 min). Change to metro (subway) line 16 or 63 (direction Bad Godesberg) and get off at stop Max-Löbner-Straße (approx. 10 min). From there, it’s a 5-minute walk (ca. 400 m) to the venue. This way usually is faster than taking a train from the airport station.
By car
Use the address above to navigate to the GSI. A limited amount of parking spaces (2 €/h) is available at the venue’s lot accessible via Heinemannstraße. Four free disabled parking spaces are located at the main entrance on Langer Grabenweg.
By taxi
A taxi from Bonn Central Station takes around 10 minutes. From Cologne Bonn Airport, it takes approx. 25 minutes and costs 40–50 €.
Accomodation
The GSI itself offers over 200 rooms which can be booked directly via their website or on the standard hotel booking portals. Since lunch is included in the congress fee, you don’t need to book lunch when reserving a room at the GSI. Please note that we do not offer any contingents of rooms.
A list of alternatives will be provided shortly.