twodanes

Just cashed in my Delta FF miles for September trip to Bavaria including Oktoberfest - could only find seats flying into Frankfurt (got a flight returning from Munich) - should I spend a day or two in Frankfurt, or catch a train immediately to Munich and thereon?

Thanks

platzman

I don't relish the thought of boarding a train for the 3.5 hour ride after finishing a transatlantic flight.
It can be done easily as far as logistics, and I have done it several times, but I didn't find it fun.
Frankfurt has a nice Altstadt (old town) near the Main River thats fun to poke around and you can find many reasonable eateries with traditional German food.
I'd say its worth a one night stay.
Alternatively, you could hop on the train upon arrival and head to Wurzburg for the night. The train ride is little more than an hour.
In Wurzburg, you can find many churches, the baroque Bishop's palace and the fortress overlooking the town.

TexasAggie

Wurzburg is a wonderful town! I spent some time there in 2002 and we will be there for a day in just about a week.

Festung Marienburg (big fortress) is fascinating, the Residenz and gardens are spectacular, and the churches are beautiful and interesting. We also enjoy visiting the Juliusspital winery.

It is about an hour and 20 minutes by train straight from the Frankfurt airport. I'd rather stay there than in Frankfurt any day!

mr_compass

I would catch a train out right after landing. Frankfurt was leveled in the war, and rebuilt as a modern city. The altstadt, is a recreation and very small and not worth the time. I would rather keep going and try to nap on the train to Munich. Your time valuable, so make the most of it.

RufusTFirefly

We caught a train right after landing in Frankfurt on our trip to Germany in 2002. We thought it was very pleasant and relaxing way after being cramped in the airplane all that time.

celticdreams

If you really want a break someplace before heading to Munich - you could take an hour bus ride to Heideberg, stay there for the day and night, then catch a train from there. The Lufthansa bus will bring you right into town, I think its about 19 Euro.

BTilke

I don't think the train ride is that bad, particularly if you're coming from the East Coast. But you would probably doze through the best scenery.
My advice would be to hop a one hour train to Baden-Baden. Depending on your budget, you could spend the night at one of the hotels with its own spa (like the Dorint) or a regular hotel and take in the Caracalla spa. Soak away all your jet lag in the spa (get a back massage if you're really stiff from a long economy class flight), stroll along the streets or parks in this attractive, delightful resort town, enjoy some pastry and coffee at one of the many fine cafes, have dinner at one of its excellent restaurants (great choices for all budgets), maybe try your hand at the casino, then wake up the next morning completely refreshed and relaxed and ready to "hit the ground running" for the rest of your trip.

BTilke

Forgot to add that there is a daily direct EC train from Baden-Baden to Munich, leaving around 11:30 am and taking about 3.5 hours.

padams421

I agree with the above posters who suggest you catch a train out of Frankfurt upon arrival. Frankfurt is a big, modern city without much character compared to other places in Germany. It is also relatively expensive. Take a short nap on the train and you'll be ready for your destination. Have a great trip.