We're flying to Frankfurt, and then going on to Hamburg. We were going to travel by train, but I was playing around w/ booking tonight, & it looks like RyanAir travels there pretty cheaply. We're not traveling until summer, but I did a ghost booking for the day of the week we'll travel, & there was a flight for $30, for 4!

Now, the flight leaves from Hahn (HHN) & arrives at Lubeck (LBC). I know we'd have to switch airports, but for $30 vs. $350 on the train, it would be worth it!

Any suggestions?

It's going to require a bus ride of 1.5 hours from FRA to Hahn Airport with the Bohr company - 12 Euros each.

I've stayed over near the Hahn airport, which is sometimes necessary for the late and early flight departures Ryanair offers. This place is inexpensive, clean; great breakfast, free transport from airport:

www.advance-hotel-zum-hahn.de/en/index.php

Lübeck isn't all that close to Hamburg so you've got a train ride involved as well.

I would probably choose the train though and look for an advance purchase deal at www.bahn.de . Tickets can be had for as little as 29 Euros each way and you'll be there in 4 hours in the middle of Hamburg.

Or travel on a Sat or Sun for 35 Euros for your travel group on the regional trains - takes about 8 hours with several changes on a "Happy Weekend" ticket , a daypass for 1-5 people (fast trains aren't included.) Sounds like a long ride, but it could be less hassle than FRA to Hahn to hotel to Hahn to Lübeck to train station to Hamburg.

I agree with Russ. The train ride would be longer per se, but the hassle and stress would be less. Shop wisely for a good bahn fare, kick back, and enjoy the countryside!

We are flying RyanAir in October, and although the fares start cheap, the extra's add up. Our fare was 2.99 per person. When taxes were added and all the other charges we were at E340.00 It E40.00 to use a charge card, E10.00 per person to check in in person, only EU residents can check in on line. E30.00 per bag. The weight limit per bag is 15 Kilos where other airlines are 22. We still are going to fly them because their cheaper than other airlines but be careful.

It doesn't cost 40 Euros to use a credit card on Ryanair. It's 5 Euros.

It doesn't 30 Euros per checked bag, but 10 Euros, provided you are within the 15 kg limit.

Ryanair has extra fees (as do all airlines), but they're not as high as stated in the last post.

i love HHN airport and surroundings. rent a car, visit the mosel ( 15 kms.away!!!!!) and drive yourself all over easy germany.

www.bernkastelkues.de is a short trip away from hhn.

or rent a car for the mosel/rhein, turn it back in and train to hamburg .

this part of germany is so beautiful i would rather see it from the ground than to fly over it.

the roads are great. lodging inexpensive and food abundant and correctly priced.

pay attention to the SIZE of cabin "free" luggage. they are very strict at SOME counters/airports.

Ryanair charges per person per flight booking fee for credit-cards so that adds up if several of you and/or return flights. Ryanair is notorious for all their add-on charges. No other airline I've used has so many; Easyjet and Airberlin give total cost of fare incl. taxes on first page (extra charge to check-in luggage on Easyjet at "next step"; with airberlin luggage included). Then you only add a small one-off booking fee (not per person per flight). Other budget airline's weight-limit for checked-in luggage is 20kg (not 22kg) though I'm not sure how strict they are if you are a bit over. Airberlin is flexible but they are full-service airline in fact (free papers, drink + sandwich included); I've never tested Easyjet on weight.

I thnk we'll stick with the train. Thanks for the information!

hahn is out in the country so no matter where you are going you will have to get there via car, taxi, etc.

its a great little airport, near to both the rhein and mosselle....

there is at least one or two hotels on the airport property and also rental cars....

ryan is a fantastic experience and a bargain...

<<< The weight limit per bag is 15 Kilos >>>

The weight limit per PASSENGER is 15kg

isee you have made a decision already, but for others' information..

HHN is out in the country.. but there are frequent buses to the surrounding villages ( bernkastel- kues, for example)and of course to frankfurt itself.

however, we always rent a car as we are going up and over both rivers, but others are happy wiht the pubic transport, which looked excelent.

>The train ride would be longer per se, but the hassle and stress would be less.

The train ride will not be longer. The train from Frankfurt airport to Hamburg (there are direct trains from the airport to Hamburg every 2 hours, and more connections with one change in Frankfurt or Fulda in between) will be already half the way to Hamburg when the bus arrives in Hahn.