Bavaria: Train or Car ?
Mar 28th, 2007, 07:10 PM
#1
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Bavaria: Train or Car ?
2 Adults/ 2 Children (ages 10 & 12)
Roethenburg, Fussen, Hohenschwangua, Tegelberg, Munich in 4.5 days in July.
Do we need a car or should we take trains? Trains seem easy enough, a bit more expensive then I thought too, but looking at the schedules, it seems like it would be a lot of trouble with luggage, kids, and trying to ensure we catch the train when it is at the station at some of these smaller villages - bus transfers, too.
Roethenburg, Fussen, Hohenschwangua, Tegelberg, Munich in 4.5 days in July.
Do we need a car or should we take trains? Trains seem easy enough, a bit more expensive then I thought too, but looking at the schedules, it seems like it would be a lot of trouble with luggage, kids, and trying to ensure we catch the train when it is at the station at some of these smaller villages - bus transfers, too.
Mar 28th, 2007, 07:48 PM
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The train/bus network is extensive. But for convenience, take a car. You can buy a Bavarian ticket for less thant €30 and all of you can travel on it all day.
But you go when the trains and buses go.
For economy, take the Bayern ticket and the public transportation. For convenience, spend the extra and take a car.
My time was fairly limited, there were 3 of us, so we rented a car. I spent more on the car than a Bayern ticket would have cost me, but we went farther and saw more in the same amount of time.
It all depends on what you want to do, how you want to do it, and the travel budget.
But you go when the trains and buses go.
For economy, take the Bayern ticket and the public transportation. For convenience, spend the extra and take a car.
My time was fairly limited, there were 3 of us, so we rented a car. I spent more on the car than a Bayern ticket would have cost me, but we went farther and saw more in the same amount of time.
It all depends on what you want to do, how you want to do it, and the travel budget.
Mar 28th, 2007, 07:49 PM
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Although I don't know from where you will be coming when you arrive in Rothenburg o.T., I assume it will be by train.
Can'tr find "Tegelberg" you mention. Wehre is it? Do you have the spelling right? Note the correct spelling of the other places you mention.
Hohenschwangau is a short bus ride from Fuessen; it is essentially part of Fuessen, as is the castle Neuschwanstein.
As for train costs, if you and your family use the Bayernkarte for your travel from Rothenburg to Fuessen and back to Munich, the fare will be EUR 28 for the total family for each day that you travel. The drawback: You can't commence travel before 9AM, and you are limited to Regio-type trains; you can't use the faster IC and ICE trains.
For train schedules, check www.bahn.de. For more details and liomits of the Bayernkarte (aka Bavaria ticket) check the search feature of this board. Much has been witten about it.
As for time: You will save considerable time driving over trains from Rothenburg to Fuessen,about 3 hours (with a couple of pit stops for the kids). It's all autobahn.
From Fuessen to Munich it's also about 3 hours or a bit longer, depending on the route you are taking.
However:
July is vacation time in Germany, and on weekends you may encounter major traffic jams southboud on the autobahn, when the Germans head to southern Germany, Austria and Italy.
Can'tr find "Tegelberg" you mention. Wehre is it? Do you have the spelling right? Note the correct spelling of the other places you mention.
Hohenschwangau is a short bus ride from Fuessen; it is essentially part of Fuessen, as is the castle Neuschwanstein.
As for train costs, if you and your family use the Bayernkarte for your travel from Rothenburg to Fuessen and back to Munich, the fare will be EUR 28 for the total family for each day that you travel. The drawback: You can't commence travel before 9AM, and you are limited to Regio-type trains; you can't use the faster IC and ICE trains.
For train schedules, check www.bahn.de. For more details and liomits of the Bayernkarte (aka Bavaria ticket) check the search feature of this board. Much has been witten about it.
As for time: You will save considerable time driving over trains from Rothenburg to Fuessen,about 3 hours (with a couple of pit stops for the kids). It's all autobahn.
From Fuessen to Munich it's also about 3 hours or a bit longer, depending on the route you are taking.
However:
July is vacation time in Germany, and on weekends you may encounter major traffic jams southboud on the autobahn, when the Germans head to southern Germany, Austria and Italy.
Mar 29th, 2007, 04:28 AM
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The Tegelberg gondola and luge are near Fussen as well. Thank you for the advice. We will be traveling in/out of Munich airport on return from Hungary mission trip. We will be arriving on a Sunday afternoon and departing on Friday - so we won't be there on the weekend. I have to check the train schedule again as it seems there are limited trains to Rothenburg in the late afternoon. We don't plan to take early morning trains so it might work with the Bavarian ticket - although I like those IC and ICE trains much better.... perhaps a mixture. I only see where we have to travel back to Munich from R.o.t. to then travel to Fussen and that is a waste of time - so maybe a car rental would be better... will explore some more.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Mar 29th, 2007, 05:01 AM
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I liked having a car in the Füssen/Hohenschwangau area. There are many attractive things to see away from the towns.
In Munich the car would be a pain in neck. You might want to dump it before you get there.
Some train rides might be a special experience for your kids, depends on them. Train rides are immersion travel, unlike cars where you own your little space.
Regards, Gary
In Munich the car would be a pain in neck. You might want to dump it before you get there.
Some train rides might be a special experience for your kids, depends on them. Train rides are immersion travel, unlike cars where you own your little space.
Regards, Gary
Mar 29th, 2007, 08:39 AM
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No car Munich. Would like for the kids to experience train travel. Thanks for the input. Can you recommend some "down time" activites in the Fuessen/Hohenschwangua area. We want the kids to "experience" Bavaria, not be rushing from one site to another castle to the next tourist attraction. Enjoy sitting and watching and listening and hiking.... but I don't want to waste 7 hours sitting in train stations either when we can drive in a car in 3... does that make sense? Y'all have been very helpful.
Mar 29th, 2007, 09:10 AM
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For down time around Fussen, there are a few lakes you can visit. One is right behind the castles - I think it is called the Alpensee, but don't quote me on that. Then there is the Forgensee right by Schwangau. Our favorite lake in that area is the Plansee, which is just over on the Austrian side - I think you need a car to get there though.
If you are moving around a lot, I would rent a car. On the otherhand, if you are only changing hotels once or twice and taking day trips from your base locations, then I would take trains.
If you are moving around a lot, I would rent a car. On the otherhand, if you are only changing hotels once or twice and taking day trips from your base locations, then I would take trains.
Mar 29th, 2007, 09:33 AM
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For 4 people, esp with 2 of them kids, a car is a much better choice - even if it costs a little more. You won;t be wasting time waiting for buses or trains, dragging tons of luggage aournd - and will be able to travel at your own pace (probably different with kids) eat when and where you want and take a break when you want. Also - you have the opportuity to see more of the countryside - including things you might miss completely on the train.
Mar 29th, 2007, 10:10 AM
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As everyone who mentioned the family train pass mentioned, train travel for a family is incredibly cheap---infinitely cheaper than renting a car for the day. However, I don't think it has to be an all or nothing question. Why not arrange your itinerary so that you rent a car for maybe two days out of the trip to get to out of the way places that are hard to get to by train, and then use the train for other sights that are more on the beaten track? Best of both worlds.
Bavaria is not that large of a place. Even if you can't take the really fast trains with the Bavaria train pass, many journeys are pretty short--under two hours. There also doesn't need to be any waiting at train stations for hours and hours. Print out a bunch of train schedules from home (you can even print them out in advance from the red ticket machines). Most trains to places you would want to go run every hour or so. Also, I don't think that travelling by train necessarily entails constant carting around of luggage, especially if you'll only be there for 4.5 days. You can settle in a hotel for a few nights and radiate outwards from there on day trips.
Bavaria is not that large of a place. Even if you can't take the really fast trains with the Bavaria train pass, many journeys are pretty short--under two hours. There also doesn't need to be any waiting at train stations for hours and hours. Print out a bunch of train schedules from home (you can even print them out in advance from the red ticket machines). Most trains to places you would want to go run every hour or so. Also, I don't think that travelling by train necessarily entails constant carting around of luggage, especially if you'll only be there for 4.5 days. You can settle in a hotel for a few nights and radiate outwards from there on day trips.
Mar 29th, 2007, 10:29 AM
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Following up on my earlier comments and yours: It really is easier to drive from the Munich airport to Rothenburg than go by train. It’s about a 3 hours drive, on good roads.
From the airport follow the signs to Nuernberg (Autobahn A-9). Stay on the A-9 to the Allersberg exit (north of Ingolstadt). Take the exit and head west to Roth, Windsbach, Lichtenberg. There you will intersect with the A-9. Take it west for about 40km, to the intersection with the A-7. Take it north for about 25km to the Rothenburg exit. The A-7 is the autobahn you will be taking to Fuessen.
I have taken this routing dozens of time; it avoids the Nuernberg traffic.
Of interest for the kids: Along the way, the fields with row upon row of “telephone poles” are where they raise the hop for the Bavarian beer.
To give the kids the experience ofa train ride- - - - two options. After your return to the airport at the end of the trip, give them a short ride on the airport shuttle toward Munich. Or, if you have more time, return to Munich from Fuessen via Garmisch-Partenkirchen. There- - - -
(1) If you have the time, take the cog railway to the top of the Zuzpitze. Allow about 3 1/2hrs round trip.
(2) Turn in your car in Garmisch and take the train to Munich (remember the Bayernkarte!) and change at the Munich main station (Hauptbahnhof=Hbf.) to the airport shuttle. This has the advantage that the train to Munich originates in Garmisch and ends in Munich, so you will have plenty of time to get on and off the train with kids and all of your gear; and the S-Bahn is also easy to get on and off.
In my opinion, going to Rothenburg by train is awkward: Shuttle to Munich, change to train to Ansbach (I believe); in Ansbach change train to Rothenburg.
From the airport follow the signs to Nuernberg (Autobahn A-9). Stay on the A-9 to the Allersberg exit (north of Ingolstadt). Take the exit and head west to Roth, Windsbach, Lichtenberg. There you will intersect with the A-9. Take it west for about 40km, to the intersection with the A-7. Take it north for about 25km to the Rothenburg exit. The A-7 is the autobahn you will be taking to Fuessen.
I have taken this routing dozens of time; it avoids the Nuernberg traffic.
Of interest for the kids: Along the way, the fields with row upon row of “telephone poles” are where they raise the hop for the Bavarian beer.
To give the kids the experience ofa train ride- - - - two options. After your return to the airport at the end of the trip, give them a short ride on the airport shuttle toward Munich. Or, if you have more time, return to Munich from Fuessen via Garmisch-Partenkirchen. There- - - -
(1) If you have the time, take the cog railway to the top of the Zuzpitze. Allow about 3 1/2hrs round trip.
(2) Turn in your car in Garmisch and take the train to Munich (remember the Bayernkarte!) and change at the Munich main station (Hauptbahnhof=Hbf.) to the airport shuttle. This has the advantage that the train to Munich originates in Garmisch and ends in Munich, so you will have plenty of time to get on and off the train with kids and all of your gear; and the S-Bahn is also easy to get on and off.
In my opinion, going to Rothenburg by train is awkward: Shuttle to Munich, change to train to Ansbach (I believe); in Ansbach change train to Rothenburg.
Apr 8th, 2007, 05:43 PM
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Hello:
I am travelling to southern Bavaria in fall and cannot decide where to stay: Fischen, Fuessen, Mittenwald or Garmisch-Partenkirchen. I will not have a car, so accessible public transport is of great importance. I want to visit the 3 castles, Gamish-P, Lindau and Zuggpitte (I hope I spelt it right). Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thank you for all your help.
I am travelling to southern Bavaria in fall and cannot decide where to stay: Fischen, Fuessen, Mittenwald or Garmisch-Partenkirchen. I will not have a car, so accessible public transport is of great importance. I want to visit the 3 castles, Gamish-P, Lindau and Zuggpitte (I hope I spelt it right). Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thank you for all your help.
Apr 8th, 2007, 05:54 PM
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Children 10 and 12 should be able to haul their own bags. I like trains for kids. Ther's plenty of room to move around, they're not tied into a seat, and the toilet's at the end of the car. Plus eating a meal on a train is a special eperience.
Apr 8th, 2007, 06:43 PM
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We have done Bavaria both in cars and on trains. You won't want or need a car in Munich. It has typical big-city traffic and parking problems and the public transportation system is great.
When you leave town I would suggest a car for several reasons. You plan your own route and schedule in a car and you can explore places that interest you along the way. The luggage thing is less of a hassle in a car. You can stock up on games, snacks and things to keep the kids entertained.
When you pick up a car get it from a lot that is away from the airport or train station. They put a 19% surtax on cars rented at train stations and airports in Germany.
When you leave town I would suggest a car for several reasons. You plan your own route and schedule in a car and you can explore places that interest you along the way. The luggage thing is less of a hassle in a car. You can stock up on games, snacks and things to keep the kids entertained.
When you pick up a car get it from a lot that is away from the airport or train station. They put a 19% surtax on cars rented at train stations and airports in Germany.
Apr 9th, 2007, 06:17 AM
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Explorefamily,
No matter what means of transportation you use, you are still attempting to 'explore' the fascinating city of Munich, and Bavaria's two most crowded tourist attraction areas Fussen/Rothenburg in 4 days during the height of the tourist season. How you get around may be the least of your challenges. (when you consider travel time, hotel time etc it is really less than four days)
If it were me making these decisions, I would opt to remove the cost, traffic uncertainty, signage stress(do you speak German?), and parking obstacles from the equation. I would go with the efficient, virtually stress free train system.
You are going to the most popular places in Bavaria in summer. In reality, you can get there just as fast by train with much less stress.
No matter what means of transportation you use, you are still attempting to 'explore' the fascinating city of Munich, and Bavaria's two most crowded tourist attraction areas Fussen/Rothenburg in 4 days during the height of the tourist season. How you get around may be the least of your challenges. (when you consider travel time, hotel time etc it is really less than four days)
If it were me making these decisions, I would opt to remove the cost, traffic uncertainty, signage stress(do you speak German?), and parking obstacles from the equation. I would go with the efficient, virtually stress free train system.
You are going to the most popular places in Bavaria in summer. In reality, you can get there just as fast by train with much less stress.
Apr 12th, 2007, 03:45 PM
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Hi Ira:
Yes, I know that Lindau is relatively far from Fuessen, but I'd still like to see it.
Any suggestions re staying in Fuessen, Garmisch, Fischen or Mittenwald. I am talking the train in from Salzburg via Innsbruk.
The three castles: Linderhof, Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles.
Regards
Yes, I know that Lindau is relatively far from Fuessen, but I'd still like to see it.
Any suggestions re staying in Fuessen, Garmisch, Fischen or Mittenwald. I am talking the train in from Salzburg via Innsbruk.
The three castles: Linderhof, Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles.
Regards
