Driving from Viena to Frankfurt
 

Hi Everyone,
My husband and I + two teen girls are planning a trip in Viena and Frankfurt. Our flight back is from Frankfurt.
We could take a flight from Viena to Frankfurt and then flight home (Boston) or we can drive from Viena to frankfurt and take the flight from Frankfurt (which I prefer)

The problem is that I am extremely afraid of heights, and can't even be in a car if it is on a cliff or close to a cliff, I also feel nerves driving in isolated roads, need to see houses and people ...

We have about 5 days so we can take it easy. I would love to stop on the way and see nice little towns.

I would love to hear what you guys think. Do you think that I might be scared with the ride? any way to avoid it? also if you can think of nice places to stop in the middle that would be great.

If there is a slight chance I would feel nerves one option I think is to take the train.

Thank you so much in advance!
Ali

Feeling as you do there is no way I would do this as a drive. Western Austria is mountainous and even if you are on major highways (which involve tunnels 15 miles long which I suspect may also be a problem for you) there are many places where you are out in the countryside - with perhaps only a village in the far distance.

You would be driving through deep countryside - not a major metro area - and the autobahn deliberately circles around cities. Even if you wanted to use all local roads though small villages there would be areas in between with no towns or pedestrians.

And I hate to ask but will you be going any other places than Vienna and Frankfurt. There is a LOT of countryside in europe.

Can you not fly home from Vienna?

Did I get this right, "extremely afraid of heights" but ok flying over 35,000 feet? It seems trains is an ideal solution, but it appears it is a last resort for some reason. Depending on how you define "nice little town," there are many places you can easily stop by on trains between Viena and Frankfurt. I found really small ones not that interesting. Most of them were quite modern in looks and not surprisingly come with services and shops for the locals to live there and commute to some larger places of work. If you are looking for quintessentially medieval German towns/cities, you would need to go to where the medieval buildings original and restored are purposely preserved/restored that way.

The itinerary is fairly flat, this does not mean you will occasionally be on top of hills or crossing flat valleys over viaducts. No major tunnels or mountain areas, but deep green country all over the way. Also, the itinerary is quite long - 8-9 hours driving is a reasonable estimate.

The international one way car rental also needs taking into consideration. I don't know what the fee (if any) would be but it could be quite high.

I suggest you, with the help of a map, see what, if anything, appeals as a place to stop along the way both by road and by rail. With 5 days you have time to divert from a direct route, as long as you are continuing vaguely in the right direction.

Thanks so much everyone! I read everything and it was very helpful :)
We are going Boston - middle east and this is a connection between - google flight finds amazing flight so it is just something to do between.
The flight back is from Frankfurt, not Vienna (or the price goes really high) this is why I thought I should do the drive.
Greg, I am not afraid of flying, it is different :) I think most people who afraid of height are like that.
Car gives us the flexibility to stop in the middle but it is very expensive with the rent not sure it is worth it.
I think that the train will be also expensive so maybe it is worth to take the flight.
I will do more research ... thank you :)

I think I would drive from Vienna to Salzburg--lots of scenery and good stops along the way, and you will see mountains but not drive on them. Turn in the car in Salzburg and take the train to Frankfurt.

elberko - that is a very good idea! I think you right.
Will save me a flight which is good and I will get to see something special - will give me more time in Frankfurt too.

Does anyone have any idea for good stops on the way? I assume I should take E 60 right? just to make sure - this is all flat drive - no mountain? hard to see on the map.

Thank you!

Vienna to Frankfurt by luxurious ICE train starts at €29. Expensive, that? ;0)

Or from €59 in 1st class. Book at www.oebb.at or www.bahn.de/en and print your own ticket.

Treat yourself to a meal in the restaurant car as the countryside flies by!

Melk is practically on E60. A stop type of place. The lake district area, however, is worth spending overnight. Look up images for example, Hallstatt, what kind of places you expect if you are not familiar with the Salzkammergut area.

ok great! I think it is time to do some research but you guys gave me a lot to think about, everything has pros and cons ... thank you very much!!!