Car or train? Winter travel from Frankfurt through Eastern Europe
Oct 17th, 2010, 08:17 PM
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Car or train? Winter travel from Frankfurt through Eastern Europe
Can anyone give me some ideas on the benefits/pitfalls of car or train travel from Frankfurt to Berlin to Prague to Budapest and back through Bavaria and/or Austria to Frankfurt for 3 weeks in January 2011?
I have looked at the temperature ranges during that period and they appear to be around 0-10C. Possibly icy roads and higher altitude travel?
We have previously hired cars and travelled around Europe by campervan (fantastic) and then with a Renault Traffic (terrible experience). Contemplating only an automatic compact Mercedes with Sixt or Europcar?
However, two major things are of preliminary concern - the weather and condition of roads in northern Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary and Austria and any unforeseen consequences of travelling by car in Eastern Europe (insurance/risks).
The other alternative is to travel by rail everywhere and that has its own limitations.
If anyone has any advice or tips on the above options they would be appreciated.
I have looked at the temperature ranges during that period and they appear to be around 0-10C. Possibly icy roads and higher altitude travel?
We have previously hired cars and travelled around Europe by campervan (fantastic) and then with a Renault Traffic (terrible experience). Contemplating only an automatic compact Mercedes with Sixt or Europcar?
However, two major things are of preliminary concern - the weather and condition of roads in northern Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary and Austria and any unforeseen consequences of travelling by car in Eastern Europe (insurance/risks).
The other alternative is to travel by rail everywhere and that has its own limitations.
If anyone has any advice or tips on the above options they would be appreciated.
Oct 17th, 2010, 08:55 PM
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If you are only planning to visit the major cities take the train. It is a no brainer.
As for the weather, you know it will probably snow. If the snow melts during the day it can freeze at night. The ice is worse. If you get caught in a snowstorm in the hills good luck.
The temperature is just as likely to be -20C in northern and eastern Europe in January.
As for the weather, you know it will probably snow. If the snow melts during the day it can freeze at night. The ice is worse. If you get caught in a snowstorm in the hills good luck.
The temperature is just as likely to be -20C in northern and eastern Europe in January.
Oct 18th, 2010, 09:38 AM
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I wouldn't worry about road conditions - but your experience - or lack thereof - driving in snow, sleet or ice would be a huge issue.
If you are just seeing major cities - hop on a train. To see countryside and smaller villages a car makes sense - if you are comfortble/experienced driving in those conditions.
(Weather will likely be similar to the northern US - not international falls - but definitely full winter. And unless you live in a similar area and drive n snow/sleet/ice I would not recommend it. I used to have a client in Cincinnati - and if there was even an inch of snow the whole city would shut down - since no one knew how to drive in it - and there were accidnts galore. Black ice is no fun. Also - you would have to be sure you got a car with 4 wheel - or at a minimum front wheel - drive. Rear wheel drive is fatal in bad weather.)
If you are just seeing major cities - hop on a train. To see countryside and smaller villages a car makes sense - if you are comfortble/experienced driving in those conditions.
(Weather will likely be similar to the northern US - not international falls - but definitely full winter. And unless you live in a similar area and drive n snow/sleet/ice I would not recommend it. I used to have a client in Cincinnati - and if there was even an inch of snow the whole city would shut down - since no one knew how to drive in it - and there were accidnts galore. Black ice is no fun. Also - you would have to be sure you got a car with 4 wheel - or at a minimum front wheel - drive. Rear wheel drive is fatal in bad weather.)
Oct 18th, 2010, 08:09 PM
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Thanks for your replies.
Yes we were planning to visit various towns and cities on the way. The major cities listed were just the general loop that we planned to travel.
We have driven in snow before with the Renault Traffic (more a truck than a car)- Luxembourg in a snowstorm, Chamonix and Alps with icy roads.
However, may revise plans and travel by train in northern Europe if - 20C!
However, would prefer the flexibility that a car gives. The 4 wheel drive is a good tip because these are generally not offered by hire companies.
Just wondered if all of Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria and southern Germany would be covered in snow at that time so can try and work out for what part of our travel, if any, we could hire a car?
Yes we were planning to visit various towns and cities on the way. The major cities listed were just the general loop that we planned to travel.
We have driven in snow before with the Renault Traffic (more a truck than a car)- Luxembourg in a snowstorm, Chamonix and Alps with icy roads.
However, may revise plans and travel by train in northern Europe if - 20C!
However, would prefer the flexibility that a car gives. The 4 wheel drive is a good tip because these are generally not offered by hire companies.
Just wondered if all of Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria and southern Germany would be covered in snow at that time so can try and work out for what part of our travel, if any, we could hire a car?
Oct 19th, 2010, 10:08 AM
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The Czechs are used to snow so all major roads are quickly de-snowed and gritted. Most German, Czech and I would imagine Hungarian stations have left luggage facilities so you could leave your bags, wander around a town and then head off again on a later train. I often leave a bigger rucksack at the station, take a small daypack with me to the town and hotel with one change of clothes, toothbrush etc, then pick up the big bag at the station the next day. The Czech lockers cost 60 crowns (about 3 dollars) for 24 hours. In Germany you can get a big locker for 4 euros.
