German Airports?
 

We plan to fly direct from Atlanta to Germany on Delta on frequent flyer points so price is not an issue. Our choices are Frankfurt, Stuttgart or Munich. We plan to spend our first night in Rothenburg. Which airport do you recommend? What are the differences between these airports? Any comments on size, ease of getting in and out of the airport, baggage handling, etc.? Thanks!

Stuttgart, the smallest, is easiest and would easily be my choice. It doesn't take international non-stops however. Frankfurt is huge but closer to Rothenburg than is Munich - my second choice.

There IS nonstop service from Atlanta to Stuttgart. Flights 116/117.

I don't know the airport.

Best wishes,

Rex

We've flown Delta from Atlanta to Munich many times. I like the Munich airport a lot more than the Frankfurt airport (maybe because I'm so familiar with it) but I think it's easier to get around. Now that terminal 2 is open, terminal 1 (which Delta uses) is almost empty (as in no crowds).

You might want to check with Delta re their service toi Stuttgart as it USED to involve a stop in Paris but that has probably changed.

You do not say, unfortunately, how you plan to travel from the airport, etc...by car? by train?

IF you were traveling by train, an advantage to flying into Frankfurt would be the fact that the airport has its own rail station; Munich, on the other hand would require a transfer into the city either by airport bus, S-Bahn, or taxi first.

I like the Munich airport for many reasons...it is easy to navigate and it has easy connections to both public and private transport. Frankfurt is quite a bit larger and busier but it does have that rail station.

Stuttgart is the smallest of the three as someone has said but may involve a longer journey to reach, a stopover, or even a change of aircraft.

Like rex says, there IS a daily nonstop to Stuttgart on Delta from Atlanta.

Stuttgart is closest by distance, so if you're renting a car, that'd be the best choice.

But if you're taking the train, a search of the www.bahn.de timetable will show that Frankfurt is probably the best. First, there's a train station at the airport, and the fastest train (ICE to Wurzburg connecting to Steinach on regional, connecting to Rothenburg) takes ~2:45. The connections from Stuttgart or Munich will take 3 hours or more.

Mea culpa - I should have said "I don't think there's a non-stop". I've checked for just such a thing, but I'm flying out of JFK. I DON'T THINK there's a non-stop out of JFK.

I have flown into and out of Strauss airport in Munich several times.
The question as always is what next?
The airport is not on any main rail lines. You must go into town, or at least to Munich East, to find inter city trains.

Getting to town is about an hour's commute, either by S-bahn or Lufthansa Bus. The bus at least goes to the main train station in about an hour's time.

From the Frankfurt airport there are trains to Rothenburg ab der Tauber but a couple of changes are involved.

From Munich, it is a longer ride and just as many changes to get there.

When taking a train to Rothenburg, make sure you get the right one.

I am assuming you want Rothenburg ab der Tauber. You need the full name because there are Rothenbergs as well and other Rothenburgs.

Based on that consideration, I suggest Frankfurt.

Speaking of Munich airport (MUC), I will be arriving there a couple of hours earlier than my friends in a few weeks. Does anyone know what the international arrivals area is like? I had the same situation at Heathrow a few years ago and the area I was stuck waiting in was not very comfortable and a bit of a madhouse.

This is off the subject thread.
i suggest you post on your own.
You will get a better response.

I have arrived there several times and found it orderly.
There is a map of the airport on line.
I suggest you look at it and pick a place, like a restaurant.
It is a huge airport, so pick something very visible and obvious.