Munich- Prague-Berlin Itinerary Help
 

My husband and I are going to Munich, Prague and Berlin in September. We can spend 4 days in Munich, 4 days in Berlin and 3 days in Prague. My husband would like to drive on the autobahn at least once so I'm not sure where is the best place to start. I don't think we need a car the whole time. Been getting different advice as to driving vs the train. Want to also see sites not just in the cities but just outside of these cities. Any advice. Thank you so much!!

For cities trains are tops as cars in cities are rather useless and must be parked at a high cost often - hotels mahy not offer onsight parking but for exploring the countryside cars are of course best:

If you just want to go between those cities in one shot take the train - if you want to spend time meandering along the route drive - south of Dresden, on the route to Prague is wonderful Saxon Switzerland - one of the most gorgeous river valleys in Europe - stay there a night perhaps in a cute riverside town.

For train info check these sites: www.seat61.com - great info on discunted tickets that can save tons - check www.bahn.de/en for schedules and booking your own tickets (German Railways web site) and for general info on European train - www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Dropping a car off in a country other than which you picked it up in may - will usually result in a huge drop-off fee - maybe tool around Germany and take the train to Prague.

BTW nearly half of Germany's autobahns have speed limits so be careful before hitting the throttle!

IMO you do not need a car IN either Munich or Berlin and in Prague, either. I suppose if your husband really wants the autobahn driving experience you could rent a car to get between Munich and Berlin. If you do that be aware of the "rules" in terms of not staying in the "fast lane" any longer than it takes to pass another vehicle and get ready for really FAST vehicles, too.

The public transport systems in both Munich and Berlin are good IMO and easy to use. Munich, at least the "old town" portion is easily walkable; getting onto the city from the Munich airport is easy to do using the S-Bahn; in Berlin the U/S-Bahn system is VERY extensive.

I would definitely go from Berlin to Prague by rail.

Not sure why he specially wants to rive on the autobahn. If he thinks it is all without speed limits he is incorrect - there are many places with speed limits (usually 81 mph and esp near larger cities with more traffic).

We have done numerous road trips in europe - including Germany - and early when there was no limit and now in some rural area still with no limit. If he wants to drive there he needs to understand the rules of the road - which are very different than in the US. And if he doesn't follow them it's dangerous for everyone and very irritating to locals.

Also you would need to rent a sporty car - or a large one - to be able to really take advantage of this type of highway driving. Also he should be a skillful and confident driver and not drink at all.

(DH and I both enjoy driving fast cars fast - not possible in the NY metro area - and do enjoy autobahn driving. But you MUST follow the rules - drive only in the right lane. Left land is for passing ONLY. And even if he thinks he is driving fast - 110 mph - that is too slow for the left lane. I was driving that speed up a hill and saw a black car coming up behind me quickly, pulled over as soon as I has passed the Fiat and was quickly passed by the largest Mercedes which pulled right in front of me - to be passed by a Ferrari - doing probably well over 160. If he/you are not comfortable doing this - stick to speeds you are used to.)

And if a car comes up behind you flashing blinkers get out of the way immediately. I know some men don't like this - but believe me - there will be people going faster than you are able to - even if you would want to.

Ah the thrill of the Autobahn or go to Montana!

Think again, Pal.

http://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/speed_limit.shtml

Ok scrub Montana!

I would definitely go from Berlin to Prague by rail.>

One of the most scenic rail lines is when it goes thru Saxon Switzerland south of Dresden - try to sit on the east side for the best views of these amazing reddish sandstone cliffs:

https://www.google.com/search?q=saxo...=1600&bih=1075

Driving is boring, the autobahn is in bad condition in some places.

Take the night train Berlin to Munich.

When in Berlin try a dining in the dark experience, spend time staying on the east and the west, go to the house of terrors museum, day trip out to Potsdam and surrounding area.

When in Munich, drink beer in the beer halls (Munich is much more expensive than Berlin), take a day trip out to Neuschwanstein Castle, maybe hire a car to drive around Bavaria.

Prague - take a day trip out to Kutná Hora (drink more beer)

Having taken more than one "night train" and I loved every one of the experiences, especially when they were CityNightLine or Elipsos Trenhotels, you are left with one possible problem after having "saved a night in the hotel" and that is <B>you arrive early</B> and the chance of getting into your next hotel at that hour may not be so great.

Admittedly the scenery on the rail journey between Berlin and Munich doesn't compare to somewhere like Switzerland but if you book early enough you can get decent fares on ICE services between these two cities.

Better yet: FLY cheap using www.skyscanner.com to find something.