platzer

I used to prefer Frommer?s to Fodor?s. The graphic design and layout are superior and the tone more casual. In planning details for an impending trip, however, I?ve discovered that Fodor?s is far better ? despite the poorer graphic quality and very cheap printing. Unlike Frommer?s, which simply lists sights, Fodor?s helpfully organizes them into walks. Also, Fodor?s has up-to-date information on opening times and costs whereas Frommer?s is full of errors.

Of course, neither is near as good as the Spiral guides, which are far and away the best to have in your hand when actually traveling.

kja

I have used both as a matter of routine --along with The Rough Guide (my go-to choice), the Lonely Planet or Moon Guide, Michelin Green Guide, and Eyewitness or National. geographic Traveller guide.

IME, one can never assume that times are up-to-date, so you should always check the web if times matter.

IME, The rough guide has the most consistently accurate maps and transportation info.

IME, The Rough Guide and Lonely Planet offer the most comprehensive info.

IME, Fodor's, Frommer's, and the Mochelin Green guides are most useful for identifying highest priorities.

IME, Eyewitness And National Geographic are best for inspiration.

I'm looking forward to the new Frommer's guides.

Nikki

I find that they differ by destination and author. You have to look at the specific ones that interest you.

unclegus

guide books are ok but you really only get the persective of the editors of thet book and quite frankly I have never been a fan of Athur Frommer os Rick Steves. Info in guides can be out of date before they are even printed.
Fodors at least do use reccommendations from pepole posting on the website but again they quickly become out of date (I do have some of my reccommenations in on of their more recent books)
Forums are certainly the best place, Fodors is now becoming the better place to go ,Trip Advisor is still the most used forums but their more popular destination forums have far to many people touting their own interests for them to be totally trust worthy and don't get me started on their reviews.
Fodors reminds me more of the early days of trip Advosor where info was freely exchanged between real travellers and it continues in than vein but for how much longer.
the lonley planet forums (Thorntree) are quite good depending on destination but Frommers is a toatl joke and should just be shut down.
Personally and of the Top quides are great for getting that basic info about the part of the world you are travelling to but use forum and your own research to deal with the finer points of yur trip.

Rubicund

This is a very old thread to have resurrected.

adrienne

Just another newbie who registered to top old threads. I don't know why people bother to do this but they do.

bilboburgler

Rough guide is far better than both the Fs. Still amusing to see Gumbo trying to advertise its tired format here. Needs Triangling

unclegus

Jings,I never noticed and the thread was started before I even joine Frodor's
2004was when i really first started using travel websites a lot of things have changed since then.