Wekiva

I'm helping friends who will be in Europe for their daughter's orchestra tour this summer. They end in Munich and then need to get to Amsterdam to spend a few days before flying home. Saving time is important, but they're a big group of 8 with kids and one set of grandparents. I'm loosely figuring door to door is 9.5 hours via train and 4.5 by plane (which is what I'm recommending). Is this bad advice? I've read in other threads about how tight the budget airlines are getting about luggage...and this family won't pack light (I doubt). Budget isn't as much a concern in this decision.

J62

You don't need to fly a budget airline, but all airlines are now in the baggage = revenue game.

Lufthansa has non-stop flights MUC to AMS for about 120 euros, one way "Economy Classic" fare that includes one checked bag + 1 small carryon for each passenger.

If they have more than 8 total checked bags they can pay for additional luggage ahead of time, or pay at the airport (likely higher cost).

You can also check KLM as they operate this route as well.

It looks like all trains require at least one change enroute, and is 8-9 hrs travel time, so I would agree that for this family, flying is a better option.

The Munich airport is easy to get to by train (S-bahn) from just about anywhere in Munich, or they can get a private van transfer arranged by their hotel.

PalenQ

There is an overnight train I believe - could be nice to book joining private compartments and chill - for lots on night trains for them tell them to check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Well a novel idea maybe.

WoinParis

Last time I went to Munich I went by plane with a train.

Lufthansa was on strike - they often are nowadays so I ended up with a TGV and ICE. It took about 6 hours if I remember well from Paris.
Double check Duration per train. Seems a lot of hours.

Man_in_seat_61

There are a few good options by train, including using the Munich-Cologne sleeper then an ICE train to Amsterdam.

Or a fast train to Cologne from €29, overnight stop, then onward train next morning - book at www.bahn.de/en

The train is hassle-free and centre to centre, it becomes part of the vacation, not an interruption to it.

http://www.seat61.com/international-...nich-Amsterdam

Wekiva

Thanks for all the feedback

justineparis

Many folks do not sleep well on those overnight trains.. and with an overnight stop.. yeah right..

You will arrive tired.. and taking the train at night means no scenery.. you are in a rumbly box ( your cabin) for hours, its not as glamourous or fun as it sounds.. lol

If there was a day train then I would consider that however.. at least you can see things.. and you can bring on as much luggage as you can reasonably handle yourselves.

happytourist

We took easyJet from Munich to Rome because it was less hassle and cheaper than the train. However, you need to carefully check out the luggage size and weight requirements for each airline. Make sure you pay for luggage when you book or you will get hit with massive charges. Also, the easyJet luggage checkin in Munich is in Terminal 2 but you fly out of Terminal 1, so go to 2 first. It's a very long walk!

With the discounters you usually can only take one item onboard. A purse counts as an item, so unless you can stuff everything into a carryon bag you will end up paying for the luggage. Also, make sure all boarding passes are printed before you get there or you could pay a huge penalty (e.g., 70 pounds on Ryanair). You should be able to print the boarding passes 30 days in advance.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ne...heck-in-desks/

hetismij2

KLM fly from Munich. If you book early enough it isn't that expensive. They do charge for checked bags on European flights, but if you book that with the ticket it is cheaper (€25 for a 23kg bag).

You can also get a daytime train to Frankfurt and then a direct train to Amsterdam - that takes just under 8 hours. A long time to be on a train or two.

swandav2000

Hi Wekiva,

Unlike justineparis, I adore night trains, and I sleep fine on them.

I will add that I splurge and get a private cabin with its own toilet, shower, and sink (having the toilet there isn't really a luxury for me, but a necessity). I "justify" it to myself saying that it will take the place of a hotel room for the night, and I'll get to wake up refreshed and ready to go in my new destination.

I like to buy some gourmet snacks to eat along the way, and occasionally I get a bottle of champagne. Then when the train starts to move, I get undressed, turn out the lights in the cabin, open the curtain, and get snuggled under the covers. I actually do think it is glamorous and fun! I sit and look at the lights as they pass by the window, and I can imagine that it's 1950.

At the very least, it will be an unusual & unique experience that isn't easily duplicated, as many overnight trains no longer run. My favored route between Munich & Paris was cancelled, leaving me really unhappy about how I travel now to Paris.

Have fun as you plan!

s

Cowboy1968

I think the night train could be an interesting option if there was a night train from Munich to Amsterdam.
But there isn't.

You will need to transfer in Düsseldorf to the ICE to Amsterdam.
You cannot do that in Cologne as the sleeper calls at Cologne Central, and the Frankfurt-A'dam ICE at Cologne Fairgrounds/Deutz station.
In Düsseldorf you can pray that your sleeper gets there on time because you have only 15 minutes to make the connection - during the morning rushhour when the station will be crowded.
Or wait 2hrs for the next direct ICE.

Even when you make the connection, you will not arrive in Amsterdam until 11:30am.

Wekiva

Swan - your description made me want to be on a night train right now!

I don't think a night train is right for this group...youngest is 2 and oldest is 75. With 8 of them a night train swap would be a real challenge.

Thanks for all the input. They'll probably lean toward flying on a larger carrier that won't charge as much for the luggage.

PalenQ

Yes for a group like that flying makes sense over trains - or hire a van and driver for the trip.

swandav2000

Thanks Wekiva; it really is a civilized way to travel. I'm so sorry to see them go away -- as Cowboy1968 notes one more route gone.

s

PalenQ

Too bad the direct Amsterdam - Munich overnight train I took several years ago is gone- a hassle to change in morning.