Car v Train: Confused by Prevailing Advice
Jan 3rd, 2019, 04:52 PM
#21
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,163
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Agree with above posters that you should refer to the country-specific trainlines (Switz = sbb.ch) rather than use RailEurope, prices much better. With any luck, you'll get a response herein from one "PalenQ" whom I refer to the train guru. Heed the advice if given. And most hotels where we have had cars (not that many, but last from Bordeaux to Avignon) the hotel rates for parking begin at 25E per night, and street parking is not easy to find in these popular venues. We opt for trains when they accommodate our destinations always.
Jan 3rd, 2019, 06:47 PM
#22
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,744
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just points that I don't think have been made.
The pass may not be all inclusive. For example in Italy if you buy the pass you still have to pay a €10 seat reservation charge. Per person per leg of the trip. €10 may not sound like much but with advance purchase that is more than the ticket from Rome to Florence . At least if you get lucky on the sales.
If you're looking at long distance you should also look at flying. Most people aren't going to take a multi country train ride when for a fraction of the price and time you can fly. Germany to Italy will almost always be cheaper to fly.
A multi country car rental will also hit you with a cross border drop fee.
In general the choice between car ,train and plane depends on the places you're going. If you're crossing borders you will often find it cheapest and quickest to fly. If you looking at well connected major cities the high speed rail lines bought in advance. If you're going to remote hamlets drive
The pass may not be all inclusive. For example in Italy if you buy the pass you still have to pay a €10 seat reservation charge. Per person per leg of the trip. €10 may not sound like much but with advance purchase that is more than the ticket from Rome to Florence . At least if you get lucky on the sales.
If you're looking at long distance you should also look at flying. Most people aren't going to take a multi country train ride when for a fraction of the price and time you can fly. Germany to Italy will almost always be cheaper to fly.
A multi country car rental will also hit you with a cross border drop fee.
In general the choice between car ,train and plane depends on the places you're going. If you're crossing borders you will often find it cheapest and quickest to fly. If you looking at well connected major cities the high speed rail lines bought in advance. If you're going to remote hamlets drive
Jan 3rd, 2019, 07:20 PM
#23
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 968
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The German Rail Twin Pass (flexi) is €416 for 7 days within 30 and covers 2 adults + 4 children (if you had 4, that is.) It is valid throughout Germany on all trains. It is also valid on many foreign train routes including one to VENICE. German Railways operates certain long-distance buses to/from certain foreign destinations such as Prague, Copenhagen, Milan, Krakow, Brussels, and Amsterdam. 3, 4, 5, 10, and 15-day twin passes are available as well.
German Rail pass information at the German Railways site: https://www.bahn.com/en/view/offers/...ail-pass.shtml
German Rail pass flyer - see routes into foreign countries on map:
ATTACH]1735[/ATTACH]
You sometimes hear that the smaller, old-world towns in Germany are not accessible by train... I'm sure that some are not, but I assure that hundreds and hundreds of them DO have stations and ARE easy to reach. Germany has a dense rail network and around 5,000 train stations:
German Rail pass information at the German Railways site: https://www.bahn.com/en/view/offers/...ail-pass.shtml
German Rail pass flyer - see routes into foreign countries on map:
ATTACH]1735[/ATTACH]You sometimes hear that the smaller, old-world towns in Germany are not accessible by train... I'm sure that some are not, but I assure that hundreds and hundreds of them DO have stations and ARE easy to reach. Germany has a dense rail network and around 5,000 train stations:
Jan 3rd, 2019, 07:52 PM
#24
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 22,987
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you want to go see the mountains, you can only do so much of that by car in Switzerland--the best sights are mostly rail only. Furthermore, a lot of those sights are not covered by Eurail passes.
I disagree. Unless one chooses one of the scenic rail lines, the train from northern Switzerland to Italy is likely to go through many tunnels, whereas one can choose to go over the pass when going by car.
Going over the St. Gotthard by car:
The OP should be aware that there are high cross-border drop-off fees, so that if minimizing rental costs is an issue, starting and ending in the same country with a rental car will reduce costs substantially.
I find that Auteurope or Kemwel (sister companies) are reliable and give a good base to compare rental rates with other providers.
I disagree. Unless one chooses one of the scenic rail lines, the train from northern Switzerland to Italy is likely to go through many tunnels, whereas one can choose to go over the pass when going by car.
Going over the St. Gotthard by car:
The OP should be aware that there are high cross-border drop-off fees, so that if minimizing rental costs is an issue, starting and ending in the same country with a rental car will reduce costs substantially.
I find that Auteurope or Kemwel (sister companies) are reliable and give a good base to compare rental rates with other providers.
Jan 3rd, 2019, 11:16 PM
#26
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<<Agree with above posters that you should refer to the country-specific trainlines (Switz = sbb.ch) rather than use RailEurope, prices much better. With any luck, you'll get a response herein from one "PalenQ" whom I refer to the train guru. Heed the advice if given. And most hotels where we have had cars (not that many, but last from Bordeaux to Avignon) the hotel rates for parking begin at 25E per night, and street parking is not easy to find in these popular venues. We opt for trains when they accommodate our destinations always.>>
RailEurope is ALWAYS the most expensive, least attractive option. You need to do a whole lot more research on train travel in Europe. Start with Man in Seat 61.
Palenq sometimes knows what he's talking about - I sure wouldn't look to him to be the authority on anything important, though. If he's your train guru you've got a lot of train learning ahead of you.
I don't even know where to begin with the comments on parking at hotels - you spent 25 euros per night? Well, that was just dumb. No one has to do that, so don't flag it on the internet as though it's some sort of normalcy.
RailEurope is ALWAYS the most expensive, least attractive option. You need to do a whole lot more research on train travel in Europe. Start with Man in Seat 61.
Palenq sometimes knows what he's talking about - I sure wouldn't look to him to be the authority on anything important, though. If he's your train guru you've got a lot of train learning ahead of you.
I don't even know where to begin with the comments on parking at hotels - you spent 25 euros per night? Well, that was just dumb. No one has to do that, so don't flag it on the internet as though it's some sort of normalcy.
Jan 3rd, 2019, 11:56 PM
#27
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 8,247
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For each leg of OP's itinerary a different mode of transport can be the "best".
Some factors can be external, some follow one's own preferences.
If I wanted to visit Switzerland, Freiburg/ Black Forest and Venice, I'd probably:
Fly into Switzerland.
If one of the car-free communities like Wengen was on my list, I'd train there from the airport. And explore that area on foot or by trains/buses.
After those days in Wengen, I'd rent a car and explore the mountain pass roads - and avoid towns/villages which get lots of mass tourism.
When driving to Freiburg/ Black Forest I'd have to make sure that my Swiss rental car either already has the green environmental sticker on the windshield (which is required to access many inner cities and towns in Germany), or I'd have to get it after entering Germany (from, for example, car repair shops or other outlets).
After having explored the Black Forest (and possibly parts of Alsace), I'd drop my Swiss rental car at Basel airport and fly to Venice.
Especially during the summer holiday season, the North-South arteries through the Alps can be extremely crowded.
If some city in Northern Italy was on my itinerary, I'd train from Basel to X, and then train from X to Venice.
Just an example..
Some factors can be external, some follow one's own preferences.
If I wanted to visit Switzerland, Freiburg/ Black Forest and Venice, I'd probably:
Fly into Switzerland.
If one of the car-free communities like Wengen was on my list, I'd train there from the airport. And explore that area on foot or by trains/buses.
After those days in Wengen, I'd rent a car and explore the mountain pass roads - and avoid towns/villages which get lots of mass tourism.
When driving to Freiburg/ Black Forest I'd have to make sure that my Swiss rental car either already has the green environmental sticker on the windshield (which is required to access many inner cities and towns in Germany), or I'd have to get it after entering Germany (from, for example, car repair shops or other outlets).
After having explored the Black Forest (and possibly parts of Alsace), I'd drop my Swiss rental car at Basel airport and fly to Venice.
Especially during the summer holiday season, the North-South arteries through the Alps can be extremely crowded.
If some city in Northern Italy was on my itinerary, I'd train from Basel to X, and then train from X to Venice.
Just an example..
Jan 4th, 2019, 12:59 AM
#28
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 8,381
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
" Unless one chooses one of the scenic rail lines, the train from northern Switzerland to Italy is likely to go through many tunnels, whereas one can choose to go over the pass when going by car"
...or by Post Bus. There is no alpine pass itinerary whcih can not be done by public transport. Some gems:
Lucerne - train - Meiringen - Post bus - Grimsel Pass - Furka Pass - Gotthard Pass - Airolo - train - Lugano - Milan;
Lucerne - boat - Fluelen - Post bus - Linthal - train - Nesslau - Post bus - Wildhaus - Buchs SG - Liechtenstein - Feldkirch;
Bern - train - Gstaad - Post bus - Gsteig - gondola - Sanetsch Pass - Post bus - Sion;
Bern - train - Gstaad - Post bus - Pillon - Pass - Les Diablerets - Croix Pass - Villars - train - Orsieres - bus - Grand Saint Bernard Pass - Aosta - Chatillon - Turin;
Saas Fee - Post bus - Brig - Simplon Pass - Domodossola - train - Locarno - boat - Stresa;
Davos - Post bus - Fluela Pass - Ofen Pass - Umbrail Pass - Stelvio Pass - Tirano or Spondigna;
Chur - Post bus - Lenzerheide Pass - Julier Pass - Sils Maria - Maloja Pass - Lake Como - Lugano;
...or by Post Bus. There is no alpine pass itinerary whcih can not be done by public transport. Some gems:
Lucerne - train - Meiringen - Post bus - Grimsel Pass - Furka Pass - Gotthard Pass - Airolo - train - Lugano - Milan;
Lucerne - boat - Fluelen - Post bus - Linthal - train - Nesslau - Post bus - Wildhaus - Buchs SG - Liechtenstein - Feldkirch;
Bern - train - Gstaad - Post bus - Gsteig - gondola - Sanetsch Pass - Post bus - Sion;
Bern - train - Gstaad - Post bus - Pillon - Pass - Les Diablerets - Croix Pass - Villars - train - Orsieres - bus - Grand Saint Bernard Pass - Aosta - Chatillon - Turin;
Saas Fee - Post bus - Brig - Simplon Pass - Domodossola - train - Locarno - boat - Stresa;
Davos - Post bus - Fluela Pass - Ofen Pass - Umbrail Pass - Stelvio Pass - Tirano or Spondigna;
Chur - Post bus - Lenzerheide Pass - Julier Pass - Sils Maria - Maloja Pass - Lake Como - Lugano;
Jan 4th, 2019, 05:19 AM
#29
I am firmly in the car camp. Shelling out for four train tickets for every trip vs. piling everybody into the car (one price) makes complete economic nonsense. Finding taxis or wrangling surface transport for the "last mile" - the distance from the train station to the destination such as a hotel that's affordable for four - adds more expense, more time, and more hassle.
With a car you can amend your plans according to spur of the moment decisions, stop for roadside scenery or to explore villages en route, play your own music. A car can provide shelter from poor weather, it can be a "safe" place or a little bit of familiar surroundings if kids become overwhelmed by too much input. You can pack snacks and stop for picnics...
If you want to experience big cities, find a village or suburb with easy train or bus access, stay there and park the car for the day while you run into the town, then return at night to your cheaper and/or more spacious accommodations.
For one or two people wanting an urban holiday, the train is fine. For families with the OP's priorities, not so much.
With a car you can amend your plans according to spur of the moment decisions, stop for roadside scenery or to explore villages en route, play your own music. A car can provide shelter from poor weather, it can be a "safe" place or a little bit of familiar surroundings if kids become overwhelmed by too much input. You can pack snacks and stop for picnics...
If you want to experience big cities, find a village or suburb with easy train or bus access, stay there and park the car for the day while you run into the town, then return at night to your cheaper and/or more spacious accommodations.
For one or two people wanting an urban holiday, the train is fine. For families with the OP's priorities, not so much.
Jan 4th, 2019, 05:43 AM
#30
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We usually travel by car or in a mixed car-public mode, with our trips being two to three weeks. Here's why:
1. For two of us the rail vs car cost is about breakeven.
2. I hate to schlep luggage through rail stations.
3. We like the flexibility, although it's rarely used.
4. With train you need to use taxis or hassle the luggage on a bus.
5. Google maps serves as a great navigator, for free.
6. Seems to be more time efficient.
7. I like to drive.
That said, of course there are cons to using a car. Parking is the big one. Driving in large, strange cities is another (in any country). You may find my recent post "Swiss Rail (partially) Decoded?" useful. We will go with the Swiss Half Fare Card for our 8 days in the Bernese Oberland, primarily because of the discount on lifts.
Here are some of the car things that are helpful to us:
1. We reserve our rental from the USA before we leave. It's cheaper. We always use Hertz and have been very happy with them.
2. You mentioned a car rental cost of $200 per week. Doesn't sound plausible. Something like $50 - $55 per day for a midsize is more like it with a main rental company. I would use only a major company. And with kids you may need a van or a full size, midsize is small.
3. Insurance is an issue. My American car policy flat out doesn't cover us in Europe. Some policies will cover some countries but not others, you have to check. Your credit card coverage has a lot of fine print, you have to check. If you accept the rental company's coverage it can double your cost. I have an AmEx card and they offer a terrific auto rental insurance policy - something like a $27 premium for 45 days of all the coverage you need. You would have to research that with them.
4. Hotel choice is important. Hotels that offer parking or free parking are often a ways from city centers. So big cities may involve being near a bus stop or metro station, dealing with driving and parking there, or switching to a train for these legs as you mentioned. We use Booking.com to reserve our hotels and have had good luck with finding parking. Note that some parking is in public lots or even on the street.
Have a good trip!
1. For two of us the rail vs car cost is about breakeven.
2. I hate to schlep luggage through rail stations.
3. We like the flexibility, although it's rarely used.
4. With train you need to use taxis or hassle the luggage on a bus.
5. Google maps serves as a great navigator, for free.
6. Seems to be more time efficient.
7. I like to drive.
That said, of course there are cons to using a car. Parking is the big one. Driving in large, strange cities is another (in any country). You may find my recent post "Swiss Rail (partially) Decoded?" useful. We will go with the Swiss Half Fare Card for our 8 days in the Bernese Oberland, primarily because of the discount on lifts.
Here are some of the car things that are helpful to us:
1. We reserve our rental from the USA before we leave. It's cheaper. We always use Hertz and have been very happy with them.
2. You mentioned a car rental cost of $200 per week. Doesn't sound plausible. Something like $50 - $55 per day for a midsize is more like it with a main rental company. I would use only a major company. And with kids you may need a van or a full size, midsize is small.
3. Insurance is an issue. My American car policy flat out doesn't cover us in Europe. Some policies will cover some countries but not others, you have to check. Your credit card coverage has a lot of fine print, you have to check. If you accept the rental company's coverage it can double your cost. I have an AmEx card and they offer a terrific auto rental insurance policy - something like a $27 premium for 45 days of all the coverage you need. You would have to research that with them.
4. Hotel choice is important. Hotels that offer parking or free parking are often a ways from city centers. So big cities may involve being near a bus stop or metro station, dealing with driving and parking there, or switching to a train for these legs as you mentioned. We use Booking.com to reserve our hotels and have had good luck with finding parking. Note that some parking is in public lots or even on the street.
Have a good trip!
Jan 4th, 2019, 07:00 AM
#31
There is no one answer to the car vs train/plane/bus queston. It depends on who is traveling and on the itinerary.
I travel solo, and I haven't rented a car on a trip since 2004. It is seldom cost effective and I don't want to deal with the hassles. Since I have to drive at home I am delighted to be able to use public transport abroad.
The OP is traveling with a party of four, which changes the economic equation. Two of them are kids, but we don't know their ages. If they are small, a car will be easier, if they are teens they can handle trains.
WRT MitchGuy's points:
Luggage - travel light. With small kids you need more stuff, which is why a car makes more sense, with older kids everyone handles their own luggage. I travel for months at a time with a 22inch rwo wheeler and a day pack, and I could get by with a 20 inch.
Getting from train to hotel - train stations are often central, so you can walk to your hotel. In London there is now a good choice of hotels walking distance to King's Cross/St. Pancras and Euston, and that has long been the case with Victoria and Paddington. And if not, I would rather do one transfer to the center on arrival and one on departure rather than two every day because I was staying in the outskirts.
I travel solo, and I haven't rented a car on a trip since 2004. It is seldom cost effective and I don't want to deal with the hassles. Since I have to drive at home I am delighted to be able to use public transport abroad.
The OP is traveling with a party of four, which changes the economic equation. Two of them are kids, but we don't know their ages. If they are small, a car will be easier, if they are teens they can handle trains.
WRT MitchGuy's points:
Luggage - travel light. With small kids you need more stuff, which is why a car makes more sense, with older kids everyone handles their own luggage. I travel for months at a time with a 22inch rwo wheeler and a day pack, and I could get by with a 20 inch.
Getting from train to hotel - train stations are often central, so you can walk to your hotel. In London there is now a good choice of hotels walking distance to King's Cross/St. Pancras and Euston, and that has long been the case with Victoria and Paddington. And if not, I would rather do one transfer to the center on arrival and one on departure rather than two every day because I was staying in the outskirts.
Jan 4th, 2019, 07:02 AM
#32
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just posted this question yesterday and today I have maps, websites, tips and suggestions, itinerary ideas and diverging opinions to consider. How did travelers in past decades survive? Imagine how much money I've saved in the past 24 hrs! Imagine how much stress has been reduced! Imagine how many of my mistakes my family has been spared .... just by tapping into the vast wealth of knowledge provided by those individuals across the world who have already been to and done what I am trying to do.
Thank you!
At this point our trip is still somewhat fluid but as the months pass before we leave, I always revisit these posts in travel planning.
Because of ff fares, we have to fly into either Munich or Amsterdam. I am leaning on an open jaw. Because I don't have much interest in Munich, some have suggested I fly into Amsterdam in order to not drive after jet lag. I prefer flying into Munich for two reasons: 1) cheaper car rentals 2) I can get a nonstop from my city to Amsterdam and I'd prefer to use that nonstop flying east to west rather than west to east.
As of right now, we will probably take the jet lag/driving advice and just stay the first night in Munich. From there we are looking to get a rental car for one week .... driving through Switzerland and the Alsace region ... dropping the car off somewhere in Germany so as to avoid high cross country drop off fees as suggested here. At that point we will probably take a train to Brugge and then on to Amsterdam for the final week. I'd love to squeeze Venice into the mix but just don't know how feasible that would be. If we did add Venice it would probably look like this:
Fly into Munich and overnight, train to Venice for two nights, train to Zurich - car rental for 5/6 days exploring immediate area near Zurich and Alsace, return rental to Zurich and on to Brugge for two nights and finishing up in Amsterdam.
MichGuy suggested using Hertz, are the smaller car rental companies not as reliable? I'm getting a week car from Munich to Stuttgart for $200 using Dollar or Thrifty?? And I also hear many people talk about Booking.com. In the states I've always used Hotels.com. Does Booking.com have more access to smaller, guest house type properties?
Again, thanks for all the help and suggestions!
Thank you!
At this point our trip is still somewhat fluid but as the months pass before we leave, I always revisit these posts in travel planning.
Because of ff fares, we have to fly into either Munich or Amsterdam. I am leaning on an open jaw. Because I don't have much interest in Munich, some have suggested I fly into Amsterdam in order to not drive after jet lag. I prefer flying into Munich for two reasons: 1) cheaper car rentals 2) I can get a nonstop from my city to Amsterdam and I'd prefer to use that nonstop flying east to west rather than west to east.
As of right now, we will probably take the jet lag/driving advice and just stay the first night in Munich. From there we are looking to get a rental car for one week .... driving through Switzerland and the Alsace region ... dropping the car off somewhere in Germany so as to avoid high cross country drop off fees as suggested here. At that point we will probably take a train to Brugge and then on to Amsterdam for the final week. I'd love to squeeze Venice into the mix but just don't know how feasible that would be. If we did add Venice it would probably look like this:
Fly into Munich and overnight, train to Venice for two nights, train to Zurich - car rental for 5/6 days exploring immediate area near Zurich and Alsace, return rental to Zurich and on to Brugge for two nights and finishing up in Amsterdam.
MichGuy suggested using Hertz, are the smaller car rental companies not as reliable? I'm getting a week car from Munich to Stuttgart for $200 using Dollar or Thrifty?? And I also hear many people talk about Booking.com. In the states I've always used Hotels.com. Does Booking.com have more access to smaller, guest house type properties?
Again, thanks for all the help and suggestions!
Jan 4th, 2019, 07:13 AM
#33
Where are you pricing flights? Have you checked skyscanner? If you want to see Venice it makes sense to fly into Venice even if it costs a bit more - it will cost something to get there from Munich. I prefer to put the direct flight on the outbound leg rather than the inbound if there is only one. If something is going to go wrong I'd rather it happened on the way home instead of impacting the trip.
From Venice I would train into Switzerland and spend time in the mountains before heading to Germany and picking up the car. I would skip Amsterdam and fly home from Munich. (BTW, I posted just before you.)
From Venice I would train into Switzerland and spend time in the mountains before heading to Germany and picking up the car. I would skip Amsterdam and fly home from Munich. (BTW, I posted just before you.)
Jan 4th, 2019, 07:50 AM
#34
Autoeurope works better than most of the big "American" (often not the same company) brands and the prices are similar or lower. Finally, with a dispute, they work for you.
Hotels.com I've used it and Booking.com is better in Europe as a generalisation.
Some smaller places are not on either and just have a webpage or facebook. For these use google maps and search under B&B while hovering over the geography of your choice.
Hotels.com I've used it and Booking.com is better in Europe as a generalisation.
Some smaller places are not on either and just have a webpage or facebook. For these use google maps and search under B&B while hovering over the geography of your choice.
Jan 4th, 2019, 07:57 AM
#35
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 22,987
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
" Unless one chooses one of the scenic rail lines, the train from northern Switzerland to Italy is likely to go through many tunnels, whereas one can choose to go over the pass when going by car"
...or by Post Bus. There is no alpine pass itinerary whcih can not be done by public transport. Some gems:
Lucerne - train - Meiringen - Post bus - Grimsel Pass - Furka Pass - Gotthard Pass - Airolo - train - Lugano - Milan;
Lucerne - boat - Fluelen - Post bus - Linthal - train - Nesslau - Post bus - Wildhaus - Buchs SG - Liechtenstein - Feldkirch;
Bern - train - Gstaad - Post bus - Gsteig - gondola - Sanetsch Pass - Post bus - Sion;
Bern - train - Gstaad - Post bus - Pillon - Pass - Les Diablerets - Croix Pass - Villars - train - Orsieres - bus - Grand Saint Bernard Pass - Aosta - Chatillon - Turin;
Saas Fee - Post bus - Brig - Simplon Pass - Domodossola - train - Locarno - boat - Stresa;
Davos - Post bus - Fluela Pass - Ofen Pass - Umbrail Pass - Stelvio Pass - Tirano or Spondigna;
Chur - Post bus - Lenzerheide Pass - Julier Pass - Sils Maria - Maloja Pass - Lake Como - Lugano;
...or by Post Bus. There is no alpine pass itinerary whcih can not be done by public transport. Some gems:
Lucerne - train - Meiringen - Post bus - Grimsel Pass - Furka Pass - Gotthard Pass - Airolo - train - Lugano - Milan;
Lucerne - boat - Fluelen - Post bus - Linthal - train - Nesslau - Post bus - Wildhaus - Buchs SG - Liechtenstein - Feldkirch;
Bern - train - Gstaad - Post bus - Gsteig - gondola - Sanetsch Pass - Post bus - Sion;
Bern - train - Gstaad - Post bus - Pillon - Pass - Les Diablerets - Croix Pass - Villars - train - Orsieres - bus - Grand Saint Bernard Pass - Aosta - Chatillon - Turin;
Saas Fee - Post bus - Brig - Simplon Pass - Domodossola - train - Locarno - boat - Stresa;
Davos - Post bus - Fluela Pass - Ofen Pass - Umbrail Pass - Stelvio Pass - Tirano or Spondigna;
Chur - Post bus - Lenzerheide Pass - Julier Pass - Sils Maria - Maloja Pass - Lake Como - Lugano;
I can imagine the OP doing a driving circuit starting in Frankfurt and ending in Munich that would include southern Germany, parts of Switzerland, a dip down to Venice and a return to Munich.
Last edited by Michael; Jan 4th, 2019 at 08:21 AM.
Jan 4th, 2019, 08:10 AM
#37
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 876
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have traveled by both train and auto throughout Europe with my kids and now grandkids. As others have suggested, I check with Seat61 every time which has saved my sanity and my money. You might want to try plugging in an earlier date into the websites just to get a general idea of what the cost might run. Also, kids are sometimes free ,with the adult fares depending on their age. Lots of research to do on train travel.
Travel by car is fun with kids because you can stop anyplace interesting on a whim when they start to get bored. The cars are much smaller and not much trunk space so I prefer to take soft duffle bag type luggage for clothes that can be scrunched into the trunk using all the crevices that are available.
On one trip we flew into Dusseldorf and drove through the Rhine valley to Freiburg and then made a big loop through Switzerland and the east part of Germany before traveling to Koln and back to Dusseldorf. So much to see!
And I also hear many people talk about Booking.com. In the states I've always used Hotels.com. Does Booking.com have more access to smaller, guest house type properties?
We also use VRBO, Airbnb, and Homeaway to find vacation rentals with washer and dryers and kitchens so that we can shop at farmers markets for local food and have breakfast and fix snacks for the road. Many of the rentals will take even one or two nights reservations but be careful that they do not charge a huge cleaning fee which will raise the nightly rate to more than a hotel.
Travel by car is fun with kids because you can stop anyplace interesting on a whim when they start to get bored. The cars are much smaller and not much trunk space so I prefer to take soft duffle bag type luggage for clothes that can be scrunched into the trunk using all the crevices that are available.
On one trip we flew into Dusseldorf and drove through the Rhine valley to Freiburg and then made a big loop through Switzerland and the east part of Germany before traveling to Koln and back to Dusseldorf. So much to see!
And I also hear many people talk about Booking.com. In the states I've always used Hotels.com. Does Booking.com have more access to smaller, guest house type properties?
We also use VRBO, Airbnb, and Homeaway to find vacation rentals with washer and dryers and kitchens so that we can shop at farmers markets for local food and have breakfast and fix snacks for the road. Many of the rentals will take even one or two nights reservations but be careful that they do not charge a huge cleaning fee which will raise the nightly rate to more than a hotel.
Jan 4th, 2019, 09:41 AM
#38
Have you tried BudgetEuropeTravel.com? BETS-European Rail Experts
You can call their 800 number. They were so helpful when we needed train fare for 4, within Europe. They do not mark up the tickets, as I recal.
You can call their 800 number. They were so helpful when we needed train fare for 4, within Europe. They do not mark up the tickets, as I recal.
Jan 4th, 2019, 04:50 PM
#39
Updated info on rail passes:
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-ti...on/trains/2019
But also read:
https://www.seat61.com/Railpass-and-...pass-guide.htm
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-ti...on/trains/2019
But also read:
https://www.seat61.com/Railpass-and-...pass-guide.htm
Jan 4th, 2019, 09:05 PM
#40
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,744
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And I also hear many people talk about Booking.com. In the states I've always used Hotels.com. Does Booking.com have more access to smaller, guest house type properties?
