Train FRA to Garmisch
 

Hello~

I checked out the train schedule from FRA to Garmisch, wow, its almost 6 hrs!
I have 2 small kids ages 5 and 6, i think they will lose their mind (or I will mine!), there is some with one or 2 connections, but we have luggage, plenty of it...suggestions how to break this up, what to do to get through that haul?
NO flights get into Garmisch, and hear car rental is nightmare so skip it...HELPF

Germany is not as small a country as many think. Fly to Munich or Innsbruck, Austria.

Thanks RK for fast reply
Dying here looking at options.
Its $700 for us to fly R/T FRA to MUC but then again, guess we would spend that money on a car...

How far is Innsbruck to Garmisch?

...or get a train that stops in Munich-Pasing instead of central station. (HBF) Pasing is much smaller and it's rather convenient to change trains there.

Insbruck to Garmisch is about 70km, but you'll be driving via Zirl. It's a "high" montain road, not so easy in a new rental car and with two kids.

I'm wondering why you think car rental is a "nightmare"?
I've rented a car in Germany, it was easy. The roads are very good and the drive to Garmisch is lovely.

www.whichbudget.com lists cheap airlines on FRA-MUC route. Did you ask your trans-Atlantic carrier about add-on fares or are you traveling military?

Hi~
You guys are so great.
All over Fodors everyone says what a traffic nightmare it is, etc. to drive such a FRA to Garmisch route.
Folks get lost even with GPS. So I started checking flights, seems I can fly FRA to MUC (thanks to my helpful friend here) for $179 each R/t, about same cost total as I would spend on car rental.
SO how long a drive is it from MUC to Garmisch? Will a taxi take us, cost?

Taxi Munich to Garmisch, that sounds cool. :D I'd guess 250€?? maybe more. Driving on the Autobahn is fast and hassle free. As is the train.

Holy Toledo, 250 EU, whoa...how long is that ride exactly via car.
Can I rent a car, then turn it in locally in Garmisch? or is that frowned upon.
Train will be such a hassle with the kids and 4 big luggage bags, back packs, etc.
Maybe I am back to renting car in Frankfurt and driving to Garmisch...so frustrating...all i want to do is get to garmisch easily

Holy cow. Not every town in the world has non-stop flights from the US! Sheesh!

Garnish is 1:25 by train from Munich, which does have a major international airport with many flights from the US. But no, you're flying into FRA. And you didn't figure that out before you buy your ticket!

We have given you tonnes of ways to do it - it's up to you which one to use.

I don't know where are you from, but if I use a Texas example, you need to go to Galveston, but you're flying to DFW and is complaining how hard it is to get to Galveston.

Or you're going to Southern Maine, but are flying into NYC instead of Boston, and is complaining.

Give me a break.

A rental car from Frankfurt to Garmisch may well be the best option in your case. Dropping of in an other place usually doesn't cost extra.

Rent a car.

Driving in Germany is a breeze, honestly. People may drive faster, but they tend to follow the rules. Just brush up on those rules. Everything from Frankfurt to Garmisch is extremely well-marked - it would be nearly impossible to get lost with a GPS.

A car will give you plenty of room for you and the kids and all your stuff.

There are loads of places to stop along the way, walk around, eat, etc. Your choice of stops would probably depend on what time your flight arrives.

What are you going to do once you get there? Stay put or travel around? For me, traveling with two kids is reason enough to have a rental car. You can create your own schedule - start and end your day when you want - change your mind - leave things in the car...

By reading his other thread, I learned that the reason the OP is flying into Frankfurt rather than Munich is that he is an American Airlines employee and American doesn't serve Munich.

It seems to me that a rental car might also be the best option, if you don't mind driving 4.5 hours after an overnight flight from DFW.

The problem with the train would be luggage, if the 5 and 6 year-olds are not able to carry their own luggage. Otherwise, I think the train would be more comfortable than the car, since on a train they can get up and walk around.

Assuming you arrive on the AA direct flight at 7:10, you could get the 8:54 train to Garmisch, changing in Munich-Passing, which is a smaller station and easier to make the change. The travel time on the train would be 5:03. The issue is luggage for four people if only two can carry the luggage.

First RKWAN,
My husband is in IRAQ serving our country/USA.
I am in Texas. I work for American, thus my flight options are limited to AMERICAN. Thus FRANKFURT or ZURICH, all stated in my first email.
So don't try to set me up as pompus priss. I am traveling 9hrs to get to germany, to see my husband i have not seen in 8 months. Taking by myself kids ages 5 and 6 yrs.
Yes I DO WANT EASE. If I could afford it, I would not drive to Garmisch, but at $60 US a night with meals, seems its our only affordable option. UNDERSTAND! Geez!

Thanks to everyone else who actually read my particular situation.
Especially musicteacher.
I think car is the best option.
I am flying DFW-FRA arriving and staying one night at the local marriott to digest the trip, the day before the military sends my husband to FRA.
Then we will get the car, take the leisurely drive, we would take the train, but like I mentioned earlier, can't really get off of it when kids get fussy and frustrated...car we can.
I am open to any special stops one might suggest for us to make.
Our time is only to see daddy, and whatever part of German we can. Germany is just middle ground for us.
We might rent car once in garmish, go to legoland or the like...

When I was in the service--this was 35 years ago--I was stationed in Frankfurt for a time.

I am not sure what to suggest for small children, except that you might take them to the Frankfurt Zoo during the day that you are waiting for your husband. If you are staying at the airport, you can get there by S-Bahn and U-Bahn.

wolftactical - I respond to information you gave in this thread. I don't usually look up other threads people have posted prior.

Anyways, since you guys will need the car at Garmisch afterall, then I don't see why you shouldn't just rent the car from FRA.

I've been reading and posting on Fodors for several years and I've never read of any "nightmares" in regard to renting a car and driving in Germany.

Admin - if you've got a day to recover from the trip over, you'll be fine getting to Garmisch by car.

I assume you're staying at the Edelweiss lodge - I just booked a weekend there for January. When are you going?

Tell your husband I said thanks for his service. Best wishes for a relaxing R&R.

My thanks to you and your husband for his service. My prayers for his safety. Can he meet you in Frankfurt and drive down with you? With 2 children I can't imagine you won't be exhausted when you get to Frankfurt. I would think the children would rest better on a train then they did on the plane. Can you take the train to the first stop and spend the day there resting and maybe your husband meet you there? I know there is no great solution, but we (Fodorites) try to help when we can.