Driving route...Munich to Stein-am Rhine
 

We will be driving from Munich to Stein-on-Rhine. Would you think it a more interesting drive on the German or Swiss side of Lake Constance? Any good stops for lunch?? or sight-seeing?

My vote - German side - Lindau - Friedrichshafen - Meersburg. Lunch stop in Meersburg along the lakefront promenade - ferry to Konstanz - short drive to Stein am Rhein.

You would take the ferry from Meersburg to Konstanz. That sounds like a good idea...it would cut out alot of driving. Do you need to reserve the ferry? Do they go frequently?? Thanks. Do you also know if it is easy to take a boat from Stein am Rhine to Schaffhausen and back? I know there is also a train.

I second bavariaben's recommendation. The German side of Lake Constance is considered to be more beautiful. I'd say it depends on the weather - if it's nice weather you can see the Alps towering up behind the lake from the German side.

The ferry runs frequently, no reservations necessary.

I would take the boat from Stein am Rhein to Schaffhausen and the train back. It is an easy and interesting trip.

I.

Thanks. I really like the idea of taking the ferry. Should be a nice trip.

bavariaben is right.

Years ago, when I was sitting outside a cafe at the lakeside promenade of Friedrichshafen, a Swiss lady complained to me: But you have a very much better panorama here, looking toward us, then we have, looking in your direction.

Be aware that Meersburg is quite crowded in summer.

For sightseeing:

Bregenz is out of your way, but there is a funicular up to Mt. Pfänder. You have an excellent panorame from its top - on beautiful days. They have an old town an a nice seaside promenade with an stage on the lake for their festival.

Lindau´s city, located on an island, is quite pittoresque. Also the lakeside promenade and the harbour.

Wasserburg, Nonnenhorn and Kressbronn are villages fit as a base for visiting Lake Constance. Same with Langenargen and Eriskirch.

Friedrichshafen has a quite nice and also quite long lakeside promenade. If you are a Zeppelin enthusiast, don´t miss the Zeppelin Museum located at the former Hafenbahnhof at the lakeside promenade.

Immenstaad is a nice village, Schloss Helmsdorf at its entry when coming from Friedrichshafen has a restaurant and a beer garden.

Hagnau is also a little, but nice lakeside and winegrowing village.

Meersburg is a lovely town, with pittoreque halftimbered houses and small places, but quite crowded in summer. The castle also is worth visiting, there is also a newspaper museum. Do some further google reseach on it.

The ferry Meersburg - Konstanz saves way and you have a boat trip on the lake with it.

Überlingen is out of your way, a nice town, living on tourists in summer.

Insel (island) Mainau also is out of your way. But if you like flowers, gardens and parks, consider a detour for a visit.

Konstanz (Constance) is a nice town, worth a visit, with an interesting and old-fashioned city with a cathedral (Münster) and a seaside promenade. Quite lively, as it is an university town.

Thanks! I am really looking forward to this trip.