lpwelborn

We are beginning the research on traveling to Europe for our son's senior trip. Kids ages are 13,16,and 18. We want to fly to Istanbul with a one day layover then fly to Frankfurt and rent a car to travel though Germany and Austria. From reading the comments renting a car may not be the most economical or efficient way to see the countries. Would appreciate comments on traveling to Istanbul, Germany and Austria in 8-10 days. Is this feasible, etc. Is train better than car. Thanks

janisj

8 to 10 days is a really REALLY short time to visit 3 countries -- no matter the mode(s) of transport. Is that 8-10 days the total, or are you really talking 10-13 days total trip and having 8 to 10 days 'on the ground'?

What parts of Germany/Austria do you want to visit? Those are large countries - are you interested in Munich or Berlin or the Rhine or Bavaria or Salzburg or Vienna or the Alps or?????

Hez

Where are you travelling from? Istanbul is way out of the way if you're coming from the US and there are many flights direct to Frankfurt. I love Istanbul but with your timeframe would skip it.

lpwelborn

Seeing 3 countries was also my concern. We do not have an itinerary as this is the early stages of researching. We plan to travel in July. I'm unsure if I should contact a travel agent or leave it to my husband and I to plan. We will have 8-10 days on the ground.

jamikins

With that limited time I would pick two locations in the same country. Otherwise you will spend all your time in transit rather than enjoying the places you visit!

janisj

Pick a couple of locations in Germany and then you can probably squeeze in a couple of days to see a bit of Austria. Whether you need a car to not mainly depends on which places you choose in Germany - for most areas but not all, trains work great.

You really don't have time for Turkey too.

otherchelebi

Where will you be flying from?

If Istanbul is a necessary stop on a good priced ticket, it will make sense to stay at least two days.

Again, it makes good sense to fly to Austria from Istanbul and start driving from Vienna rather than backtracking.

Kids will probably appreciate Istanbul most. Consider an evening on the Bosphorus with a commuter boat leaving Eminonu pier to possibly Bebek or Cengelkoy, having dinner there, walking around and returning by bus and ferry if Cengelkoy and bus and tram if Bebek.

lavandula

For reasons of time economy restrict yourself to just one destination in Germany - I'd pick Frankfurt and the Rhine or Rhein-Main area. Visit the cute wine-making townships, castles, falconry displays, Mainz with its 1000 year old cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, the Roman ships ... plenty to pique your interest here, and you will not waste any time in getting there. If you had only a couple of days you could still see enough, and you could viably do much of it by train if you didn't want a car.

There is even a reasonable amount to see and do in Frankfurt - the museum riverbank, the Römerberg (old district), the applewine pubs in Sachsenhausen, good shopping ...

Lavandula

nytraveler

IMHO flying all the way to Istanbul for one day is close to madness.

In the limited time you have I would either

1) spend 3 or 4 days in Istanbul and stop in one place in Germany on the way back

2) head to Germany with 2 stops and possible day trips from them

Car or train depends entirely on your itinerary.

StCirq

A lot of people are doing that flight to Istanbul thing these days. Some airline is having a special that sends you to Istanbul for 22 hours, then sends you on to Paris and maybe other destinations. It's like $599 or so RT, so really cheap. One of our neigbhors (19 years old and dying to visit Paris) is doing it. A bit crazy but maybe not so ditsy for newbies or youngsters. Our neighbor is over the moon about the possibilities.

lpwelborn

That was our thought exactly; however, we may need to rethink. If we can see Istanbul for one day coming and going with a cheaper flight than going straight to Germany then we may. Thanks for everyone's input. It is very much appreciated.