I'm planning a weekend in the Frankfurt area over Presidents' Weekend and am debating the whole rental car v. train argument.

No set schedule, although I'm debating Heidelberg, Strasbourg and Luxembourg.

Any suggestions as to which is better? I see there's a rental car/railpass combo available at RailEurope.com but since I don't really have a real plan I am not sure about that.

Thanks.

One word: autobahn.

Make sure you rent a nice car. ;) Bmw or Audi would do nicely.

One word: autobahn.

One word: STAU.

Means "traffic jam". And you get lots of them around Frankfurt.

I'd go for the train.

For a weekend trip I'd take the train - it's easier and will likely save time, which will give you more time to actually enjoy yourself.

If I understand the rail/drive passes correctly, they are hugely annoying. Last time I looked into one, it was basically a railpass plus vouchers for car rentals. That all sounds good, except that you either had to make reservations for specific pick ups on specific dates (which takes away the flexibility), or you had to hope the rental office had the size car you wanted on the day you wanted, or else you were out of luck (though you could pay a surcharge locally to upgrade to another class of car). It may not be that way anymore, but I think it sounds like more hassle than it's worth.

For this trip, I would probably use the car (unless it also happens to be a German holiday). Heidelberg is a fairly quick and easy drive from Frankfurt via the autobahn network. You might or might not hit a stau around FRA, who can ever tell if that will happen?

Luxembourg is an easy drive, too.

The train seems like it would be pricey for this short of a trip. I don't believe (I could be wrong) that you can use a weekend ticket outside of Germany. Point to point train tickets seem expensive, and you are limited by their schedule.

I'd get the cheapest car possible and have fun. Get something small and quick, like a Peugeot 206 or something along those lines.

If you get a car, get a DIESEL!!!! You will save a ton on fuel...I drove 1500 kms on a recent trip and only spent 150 euro on fuel because I had a Diesel. Diesel is cheaper in Europe and you get almost 1.5x-3x the gas mileage over a gasoline car.

Sixt is your best bet, IMHO. They also don't upcharge for Automatics like the American based rental companies. I rented from Sixt and got a MB E220 Diesel Automatic with GPS for 166 euros (tax included/no CDW) for 4 days at CGN.

Used Diners Club as primary insurance. YMMV

If you are an upper elite in any of the major hotel or airline programs, you can get in the Sixt Gold or Platinum service with gives you discounts and free upgrades.

- HF

The train seems like it would be pricey for this short of a trip. I don't believe (I could be wrong) that you can use a weekend ticket outside of Germany. Point to point train tickets seem expensive, and you are limited by their schedule.

I don't know either... but if you can't then you just get separate tickets, i.e., one to the border and one for the short journey the other side of the border. I have done similar things many times (e.g., when travelling from Brussels to Aachen on a Benelux railpass). Border crossing points are classed as stations for ticketing purposes - i.e., you can buy tickets to and from a border crossing even though the train doesn't stop there.

You might wish to use a "Schönes Wochenende" (Have a good weekend) Ticket. This allows unlimited Saturday or Sunday travel on any regional train for up to five persons for 33 Euro. Frankfurt to Heidelberg will take you 1,20 hours with several trains per hour, Frankfurt to Luxembourg 4.30, Frankfurt to Strassburg about 4 hours. Staying in the area and going eg to Würzburg, to Mainz, to Wiesbaden, Heidelberg would be less of travel and all of these are places well worth be going to (Strassburg is nice, Luxemburg with all respect rather boring, especially during a weekend)

I'm planning a weekend in the Frankfurt area over Presidents' Weekend and am debating the whole rental car v. train argument.

No set schedule, although I'm debating Heidelberg, Strasbourg and Luxembourg.

Any suggestions as to which is better? I see there's a rental car/railpass combo available at RailEurope.com but since I don't really have a real plan I am not sure about that.

Thanks.

The period you are going is Fasching/Carnival in Germany. Frankfurt is OK, but avoid Mainz (on Rosenmontag).

I would rent a diesel car from Sixt, Sixty (cheaper) or any other rental. The traffic would not be too bad.

Here is my recommendation: Frankfurt - Heidelberg - Baden Baden - Schwarwald Hoehen Strasse - Freiburg - Colmar - Alsace - Strassbourg - Frankfurt ... you may skip one or two points.
And yes, Wuerzburg and the wine villages nearby are nice ... if you stay "near" Frankfurt.

The period you are going is Fasching/Carnival in Germany. Frankfurt is OK, but avoid Mainz (on Rosenmontag).


:confused:
Why avoid Mainz? Rosenmontag in Mainz is a unique experience :p :D
If you like party and want to experience something very different, visit Mainz on Rosenmontag!

As to the original question: I'd also take the train.

David

Thanks so much for your input! I love this board.

Also, if you decide to avoid the whole Fasching, make sure to check out when each city you want to visit has its parade. A lot of places have their parades Saturday, Sunday or Tuesday so people can watch the major parades on Rosenmontag.

Additionally, Rosenmontag can be a local holiday (at least around Mainz), so a lot of people might use the weekend for a skiing trip (that is if there is snow) causing traffic jams...

David

PS: Whatever you decide, make sure you know that the proper celebration greeting is Helau, not Alaaf ;)

Given the quality of rail links within Europe, any responsible individual would take the train. No muss, no fuss, direct service from airport to city center.

There is only one...no, two caveats. Namely, German-engineered cars and German-engineered highways. You have not truly experienced one until it is mated it with the other

So, be irresponsible. Get stuck in STAU, circle the block for the umpteenth time, struggle to find parking. Frustration quickly fades when, faced with an open road, you firmly press the accelerator and watch the needle creep ever higher. Guilt quickly evaporates when you realize that what you are doing is completely legal, prompting you to nudge the little black peddle closer to the floor!:cool:

As mentioned previously, if you opt for a car, go Diesel. More torque and better fuel efficiency, the latter somewhat negating the monetary impact of a heavy foot :rolleyes:

Finally, be realistic and drive within your comfort level. When a 911 or 7 series barrels past (which is inevitable), acknowledge they have a better ride and don't be a hero. I had a Passat TDI in the Bavarian Alps this fall and simply did not feel comfortable breaking 200, even though I knew it was within the capabilities of the car.

Above all, keep a close eye on the rear-view mirror :)

Disclaimer. I'm a 27 year old male

One word: autobahn.

Make sure you rent a nice car. ;) Bmw or Audi would do nicely.

don't drive, from FRA, trains are very good and alot quicker than car.

One word: STAU.

Means "traffic jam". And you get lots of them around Frankfurt.

I'd go for the train.

STAU: not only around Frankfurt - even down't to Karlsruhe/Freiburg its hell ;)



Here is my recommendation: Frankfurt - Heidelberg - Baden Baden - Schwarwald Hoehen Strasse - Freiburg - Colmar - Alsace - Strassbourg - Frankfurt ... you may skip one or two points.
And yes, Wuerzburg and the wine villages nearby are nice ... if you stay "near" Frankfurt.

if you need any assistance in Colmar/Strasbourg - jusk ask. thats where I live - the SXB FTer are always ready for a drink - or two ;) :D

:confused:
Why avoid Mainz? Rosenmontag in Mainz is a unique experience :p :D
If you like party and want to experience something very different, visit Mainz on Rosenmontag!

As to the original question: I'd also take the train.

David

I have been to Mainz for Rosenmontag.

If you like parades of people in costumes, drinking from sunrise to sundown, huge crowds of good-natured, drunken people shouting 'helau', you will love Mainz on Rosenmontag.

If you don't like crowds so thick that you can't make your way through them, seeing the occasional person vomiting because of drinking too much before 11:00 am, not being able to find an open restaurant, you might prefer to go to Mainz on another weekend.

It was an interesting and sometime enjoyable experience once, but I think if I should end up in the Frankfurt area again at this time of year, I would choose to stay away from Mainz (despite the fact that I normally stay in Mainz for short layovers near Frankfurt).

I am in Europe several times a year, Frankfurt is usual gateway, then I "train it" except use taxi to business appointments.

Have fun!

Everytime I've gone to Germany, I've taken the train, but talk of driving on the autobahn is really going to make me reconsider next time.