Hi, me again,<BR><BR>anyone been to / going to the Frankfurt Auto Show? [end of September] Got any advice/experience? I hear it is a world-class show, unlike the dopey cramped cobo-hall Detroit auto show...yawn.<BR><BR>Then Oktoberfest is just around the corner, that sounds fun too.<BR><BR>Thanks, Travel Girl

Are you talking about Automechanika Show in Sept. It is held every other year in Frankfurt. Quite sure there is a website for this show which list all exhibitors and functions and events..I have gone to the last 2 and will attend again this year. Show last for 7 or 8 days..attended by 150,000 + ..and covers I think a few million square feet in exhibits in several different buildings ..be in shape and take some good walking shoes. Any questons let me know.

In 1995 while in Munich, my travel partner (a car fanatic) saw a USA today about the Frankfurt car show which was to feature among other the then unreleased Porsche Boxster, the then yet unreleased BMW Z-3, a new MG, and several others. We took an early morning ICE train (about 3 hours) from Munich to Frankfort and spent the day at the car show. Yes, it is huge, spread out over quite a number of buildings. Companies like Mercedes have their own building --theirs was virtually rebuilt to allow a huge open atrium in the center with special installed escalators going up. The money spent on the exhibits was mind-boggling and they had virtually every car you could possibly imagine and many more you couldn't imagine. The only down side was the the Porsche Boxster and the Z-3 were not on display, nor was the new MG he wanted to see that the paper had specifically mentioned. Even as a non-car enthusiast, however, I was very impressed with the show. And you're right, it was going on at the same time as Oktoberfest so our stay in Munich included both those events.<BR>By the way, if in Munich, don't miss the BMW museum, one of the most interesting and well laid out car museums I've ever seen. Not a lot of cars, but lots of really interesting exhibits, some interactive, regarding motoring in general -- and very English friendly.

I went to the Frankfurt auto show a couple of times many years ago and even then it was the best auto show I've ever seen.<BR>

Travel Girl,<BR><BR>I think you are referring to the IAA(Internationale Automobil Ausstellung).<BR>It is in fact one of the best shows worldwide. Last year they cut it down because of what has happened in N.Y.<BR>If you really want to visit it I would advise to stay out of Frankfurt for the night, because all Hotels are booked and the prices of those available are ridiculous.<BR><BR>Have fun<BR><BR>Miriam