Hi,

I've heard that there's a shopping area near Lake Constance, on the Germany side. I've heard that people from Switzerland can park their cars and then walk over to German to do shopping. Does anyone know how to get there and where it is exactly?

Thanks!!

The "shopping area" you've probably heard about is the city of Konstanz, Germany. It's on the other side of the border from Kreuzlingen, Switzerland.

Google Map will show you how to get there.

Its the Lago center, left from the station.

Park at the or around the Bodensee Arena http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...7&z=16&iwloc=A and its a 5 minute walk across the border to the Lago centre http://www.lago-konstanz.de/. The border isn`t manned but there are cameras. The other alternative is to drive to Germany or take the Swiss train into Konstanz. The station has a Swiss side in Germany with customs and a German side. The Lago centre is practically outside of the station. Locals like ourselves use the smaller cossings between Konstanz and CH. If you are coming out of Konszanz on the main road, before the large crossing, turn at the lights 500m before the crossing marked with a green cross on the map below. This crossing is not manned most of the time. http://maps.google.com/maps?q=47.662...,0.055189&z=14
The biggest food Supermarket in Konstanz is Kaufland. Over the main border, follow the road over the flyover and turn left at the McDonalds (which is on your right), about 2KM after the border. Once you turn left, immediate right and it is down that road on the right. On the map it is marked as B http://maps.google.ch/maps?oe=utf-8&...image&resnum=1 Open to 10PM 6 days a week including Saturday http://www.kaufland.de/Home/index.jsp

Hello,

so I am going to Konstanz for some quick shopping. Of course I would drop by ALDI for some food. Should I take the opportunity to buy some clothes as well(pullover, jacket etc?) I mean is it cheaper than in CH? Thanks for your suggestions!

Regards.

Have a look in WoolWorths they have very good offers on everything also cheaper than in CH. Also check out downstairs in the supermarket, they have very good sauces.

Yes, Go to Karstadt for you shopping. Dont forget to get you tax refund and the forms stamped at customs, when you leave. You can then collect the vat exemption on your return or at any of the major train stations which does tax refunds. If you plan on going back to Konstanz it is better to do it at the store as the train stations charges a commission.
We normally go six times a year to Konstanz and do all of our shopping. Never bought groceries.
In making your declaration ensure that the forms are filled out so that each individual does not exceed 300 sfr. They are a bit more strict now in checking.

Check out the mall www.lago-konstanz.de They have pretty good stores and I found that I saved anywhere from 30 CHF-50 CHF on any one piece of clothing compared to the same thing in Switzerland.

Get a haircut too.

Have a good meal while you are there and then smile when you receive the bill.

I popped into the Aldi there (Aldi Süd) and was mightily disappointed. In the UK you can find some cracking wines and deals, but the German version appears to concentrate purely on low prices for low quality. Not even decent beer, in Germany! I'm no supermarket snob, but after finding very little value-for-money items, I left it. I agree about going for a big meal in Konstanz: you may find yourself smiling at bill time It's a lovely town.

Has anyone experience in doing tax refund for L permit holder? I remember last time I could not do it in Basel because I was with L Permit...has the thing changed recently? I thought the procedure is getting the paper with the receipt stamped at border and then claim it on next trip back to the store. Am I correct?

Where is this Woolworth and Karstadt btw? Near the train station?

Hmm...the meal suggestion seems good. Has anyone recommendation for cheap and nice restaurant in Konstanz? Oh I remember having once Chinese buffet in Germany for 5 Euro flat...

Thanks everyone!

We are going to Constanz for the Chistmas market for 2 days. Has anyone been there before is it worthwhile? How much meat are you allowed to bring back?
I saw on the forum its about 500g but a local at work said it was 3kg per person?

Any suggestions on "must see" places around Konstanz?

This links might help

Konstanz Sunday Arvo Shopping

Don't know about the meat (I'm a veggie..) but the Christmas market in Konstanz is pretty good- it's fairly big. It starts on the main street (Marktstätte I think..) and goes under an underpass and ends up at the edge of the Bodensee. The stalls even extend onto a couple of boats (which are free to enter).

I'd say it was worthwhile visiting. I took a couple of English friends there and they loved it. I went to the Christmas market in Basel a couple of weeks ago and I'd say it compared pretty well. Konstanz is in general a lovely place- I agree with everyone who has said about getting a meal there- it's fantastic value compared with where I am. Last weekend we went to a Mexican restaurant and got a huge feed plus drinks for less than 15euro each.

Edit: If you go there at a weekend though, beware.. it can get a little crazy

There is a pretty big market at Konstanz. It is very close to the station, right by the quay. Head towards the Imperia statue and you cannot miss it.

Customs allowances http://www.ezv.admin.ch/zollinfo_pri...x.html?lang=en

500g of meat per person!

Sadly it is the end for Woolworth...
They close on 31.12.2009 permanently.
http://www.suedkurier.de/region/krei...372448,4055521

Drive to Kreuzlingen. Drive all the way down the Hauptstrasse until you see the border right in front of you. Take a right - there's a public parking area there. The Lago shopping center is only about 3 min (on foot) from there.

And while you visit Constance: make sure you grab dinner at Bo Dai Tei - and get some of the best Japanese food outside of Japan (you might think I'm exaggerating here - but wait until you've tried it - the Sushi Master (yes, he actually is a Sushi Master) creates true works of art there. He's a bit eccentric and if the restaurant's too busy, he'll tell you where the wine is for self service :-) but the food is absolutely perfect.

Peter

Don't think that just because you park on the Swiss side that you can simply load up without concern about customs allowances etc. Those controlling the traffic also keep an eye on pedestrians. I had been over a couple of times to the car and I got stopped on foot on the Swiss side and asked to show what I had bought / matching receipts etc. Of course I had less than the limit...