LN

We'll be travelling from Frankfurt down thru the Romantic Road and on to Munich and from there on to Berlin. Should we try to use the trains or rent a car and drive the autobahn.

Some people we know have said the autobahn is very fast and we wouldn't be used to it. I'm sure some of you have been in the same predictament as us and might offer some helpful thoughts.

AisleSeat

You won't want or need a car during the time you are in Munich or Berlin. The Romantic Road is "Romantic" because of the little towns along the way and that area is best explored by car. Also the alpine area South of Munich (Fussen, Oberammergau, Garmish, etc) are good places to have a car.

For the most part, you will not be on the autobahn in those two areas, however the autobahn is not as daunting as some would have you believe. Just remember to drive in the right lane and only move to the left lane to pass then move right back over. While you are passing keep an eye to the rearview mirror for fast approaching Porches. If you have driven on interstate highways in the US you should be able to handle the Autobahns.

Depending on the length of your trip you might consider an overnight train from Munich to Berlin to save a night in a hotel and a day of vacation.

AisleSeat

LM, If you rent a car in Germany at an airport or trainstation they add a 19% surtax to the entire bill. If possible pick up the car at a lot that is away from the airport or train station.

wnab1q

We did the trip down the Romantic Road a few years ago with a rented car - it was awesome.

I'll never forget when I looked up and saw the Alps for the first time, I was speechless.

After reading reports on treks from the train station to hotels we decided that wasn't for us.
We leave in 2 weeks and have reserved a car again.

If you want the ease of dealing with your bags, stopping when and where you want you can't beat the pleasure of a car.

LN

So most cars (like porsches) aren't following you at 200 mph or kilometers?

We've never driven roads quite as fast as the autobahn but if there's no traffic on the DC beltway we can make pretty good time there or in Nevada, Wyoming or other speedy state. ha-ha

wnab1q

My husband enjoyed driving the autobahn.
The main thing you must remember is stay in the right lane. If you are in the passing lane you better be speeding up, passing and get back into the right lane.

We didn't see any passing on the right after weaving in and out like we see in the USA!

PJK

There is a long thread on this topic titled:
traveling around germany - car or train???
You might search with that title (or search by larryincolorado and you will find a thread of that title)
That thread seems to have a good balance of pro's and con's for both modes of travel. PJK

L84SKY

If you don't want to go fast just stay in the right lane. Unless you're used to going ridiculously slow it won't be a problem. Driving on the Autobahn is great. What was hard for me was coming home from Germany and having to drive in California where people go 60 in the fast lane.
The roads are well marked once you get used to them.
The only time a really fast car will be following you at 200 mph is if you don't get to the right.

mkdiebold

Another strictly enforced autoban law is NO TAILGAITING. If you can, have someone explain to you how it is that Europeans travel by listing a number of cities/towns on the exit sign. Their system can be confusing. Any chance of learning it before you go would be extremely helpful.

ira

Hi LN,

It is 6:30 hr by train from Munich to Berlin.

The midnight train gets you to Berlin at 07:10.

Info and tickets at www.bahn.de

It is 5:30 hr by car.
www.viamichelin.com

Unless you want to make it a full day's drive by stopping off somewhere, I suggest the train.

kgh8m

Driving is part of the whole fun in visiting Germany. In December, we picked up my husband's new car in Munich and drove it around for a few days. From now on, all my cars will be European delivered!

As the others have said, the prime rule is pass ONLY on the left. This is a strict, strict rule. It's a rule here in the U.S., too, on highways, but no one follows it. In Germany, EVERYONE follows it. For example, we were on a highway where the right lane ended, and we were in the right lane and sped up to merge in left (as the car in the left lane was not travelling very quickly). That pass on the right earned us an angry honk!

Many roads aren't autobahns, so you won't have any trouble there. The autobahns have suggested speed limits (80 or 100 km/h, sometimes less) in the more congested areas or where traffic merges in. So you won't be driving very fast in areas where it would be difficult or dangerous. Some autobahns are 2 lanes, so stick to the right lane, unless you're passing. Some are 3 or 4, so stick to the farthest or near farthest right lanes in the beginning.

People don't tailgate, and when you see an Audi just begin to appear in your rearview mirror, you'll move to the right. It is surreal to be going 120 mph, and be passed. We hit 132.

You mentioned the DC Beltway - and from your previous posts, you seem to live in the DC area (as do we). If you can handle the Beltway, you can certainly handle driving in Germany - as long as you have a good map!

Best wishes.

LN

Thank you all so much. A friend (??) suggested that driving on the autobahn was taking your life in your hands at 200 km an hour.

We did want to travel and visit the small towns via a car in September but these comments had thrown me a bit. Better though to get the info from the experts.

Yes, we're in the DC area (Annapolis actually) and drive 495 and 50 daily.

Thanks so much for all your help
Ellen

logos999

On the Autobahn, passing on the right is allowed, IF

- traffic is congested and
- the max speed of the cars on the left lane doesn't exceed 60km/h and
- you're not exceeding the speed of the cars to you left by more than 20km/h