Germany
 

We have been to Europe but never Germany. We are planning to go the end of Sept and the first week of Oct. We are wondering whether to drive or take trains and would appreciate input.

For some people, driving is the objective of the trip, while for others, it one of the means of moving from one place to another. To answer the latter, we would need to know where you are visiting.

You might want to take a look at my trip report from last summer; click on my name to find it.

But reading some guidebooks as a preliminary step might be even more useful.

Hi kathiel,

I live in Garmisch, and I gave up my car when I moved here. I love travelling by train, for many, many reasons --

It's a lot more fun. You get to really mingle with the locals who are sitting next to you, and you get to do some world-class people watching: fashionistas returning from a big city shopping spree, retired couples out for a long hike, matrons coming home from visiting grandkids, young families. You get to see how teens treat the elderly, how families interact, etc.

Plus, you get alot more freedom on the train. You can wander up and down the aisle, grab a snack from the snack car, and visit the bathroom while enroute. Everyone gets to enjoy the scenery instead of watching the road or studying a map. You can munch a snack while watching the sights slip by your window, or read a book, take a nap, listen to music, or even strike up a conversation with your seat mates.

Trains and busses go practically everywhere in Germany, so you won't be missing out on anything.

In addition, using trains and busses is better for the environment. We're already seeing bad effects of Global Climate Change here in Bavaria -- scientists say that in 30 years, all of the glaciers will be gone, and indeed we no longer have snow on the Zugspitze in the summertime.

So, you may be happy that you are helping to preserve the beauty that you came over to see!

You can see all the train schedules at the German train site

www.bahn.com

Have fun as you plan!

s

Train is probably the way to go unless you love driving. It also depends on where you plan on going and what you plan on doing.

DB's English site: http://www.bahn.de/i/view/DEU/en/index.shtml

I like driving in Germany for exploring a smaller region, staying at pretty & inexpensive places outside of city centers, and touring through landscapes and small towns. I perfectly loathe driving in Germany for long trips and big cities. Cars are useful, though, if you find rolling your bags around and lifting them onto trains and busses too physically taxing.

for lots good info on German trains check out these superb IMO sites - www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com. And check out the German Railpass - if taking several trains it can be as cheap as a series of discounted tickets and unlike those allows you to hop any train anytime with very few exceptions - also valid on K-D boats thru the Rhine Gorge (www.k-d.com), a great thing to do if in the area.

I've done both (well, DH did the driving!) and both were "perfect" for what I/we wanted to do/where we wanted to go. If you click on my name, you will see 2 reports--one from summer 2012 when I spent over 3 weeks based in Frankfurt and went on about a dozen day trips via trains--most using a German RailPass (WONDERFUL option for me wanting complete flexibility--and about a half dozen driving trips with DH. This year I just returned from a week in the Frankfurt area and again there was a combo of daytrips for me via trains and a couple driving trips with DH.

It really does depend on what you want to do and where you want to go. DH would always choose to drive, though (he's been to Germany many many times in the last 10 years and is quite comfortable/familiar). I found the trains to be great for day trips and for solo travel. I only did day trips, though--I did not have to mess with luggage or finding ways from station to rooms.

For your first trip, you are probably going to visit the more popular places. Almost all of those are reachable by Germany's excellent train and bus system. Check out some trip reports (including mine) at www.bensbauernhof.com

The German Rail Pass Twin (two people traveling on one pass but not 3 or more like Saver Passes) costs about $45/day for unlimited hop on at will travel on nearly all trains in Germany and that is about 30 euros a day p.p. - a huge bargain for full fare travel - Frankfurt to Berlin itself on a full fare ticket would cost about $130 or so for one trip!

Unless staying in one compact area where you can always use Lander Tickets for 3 or more long train trips take a strong look at the pass! If wanting flexibility - otherwise discounted tickets if you book in stone months in advance can usually be had for 39 euros but 39 euros is more per day than a day on the pass - and the discounted tickets cannot be changed nor refunded.

For someone who wants flexibility the German Railpass can be a great deal.

<i>Germany
Posted by: kathiel on Mar 31, 14 at 12:21am
We have been to Europe but never Germany. We are planning to go the end of Sept and the first week of Oct. We are wondering whether to drive or take trains and would appreciate input.</i>

It depends on whether you plan to visit the major cities (train) or amble about the countryside (drive).

If you've never been to Germany then you will probably want to see its tourist mecca cities like Berlin, Munich, Dresden, Heidelberg - buses and trains can get you around kind of in rural areas - like Bavaria from Munich - trains go to Neuschwanstein Castle, Garmish and the Zugspitze, Herrenchiemsee Castle - another of Mad Ludwig's fantasy castles, this one lovingly set on an island in the middle of a placid Alpine lake, etc.

http://www.jaunted.com/travel-photos...9;s+ICE+Trains

If you compare American trains to German ones you will be shocked at how 'futuristic' German ICEs look compared to any Amtrak dinosaur train! And speeds up to nearly 200 mph or a tad more! Hourly at least between all main cities.

I love traveling by train and find it easy to do in Germany. Have fun. I love Germany and will arrive there on May 8th.

German trains are amongst the finest on the planet - and frequency is so so great - everywhere all the time - even to smaller towns.

as I like to quote the slogans on train stations walls I have seen "Have a Good Fahrt" (translated) - meaning I think have a good journey or ride.

We do a little of both. We love the trains in Germany and you can get just about everywhere on them. We rented for part of our last trip because I had a broken foot and we stayed at a more remote location. Pick something close to the train and you will be fine.

<i>Traffic is not issue in Germany.</i>

Someone has never experienced either the daily rush hour traffic or school holiday traffic.

That is because the post is a spam by an insurance company.

Ah, good point. ;)

Traffic is not issue in Germany.>

Obviously has never even ever been to Germany!