I need to get to Pullach in June, but cannot fly into MUC due to lack of inventory for my fare. So the leading alternative at this point is STR, but I was wondering about as far as ZRH or FRA (currently not have my fare).

So which of these alternatives work the best for getting to Pullach? I've looked at maps and train schedules but they leave me confused.

Thanks.

What's STU and ZUR?
I assume ZUR is actually ZRH--Z�rich, but I can't figure out STU. Stuttgart (STR) maybe?

Stuttgart->Pullach: ca. 3 hours by train
Frankfurt->Pullach: ca. 4 hours by train
Z�rich->Pullach: ca. 6 hours by train

Flying Lawyer's master thread on rail travel in Germany may answer some of your questions:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/europ...l-germany.html

How clumsy of me to destroy the airport codes but you correctly identified my destinations as I fly DL and those cities are their primary choices so I amended the OP.

I saw some the schedules on the Iban web but don't know anything about the changes for trains from say FRA or STR. I carry a lot of international luggage and have always struggled in Europe when changing trains in small stations - some but not all have belts to help me get up and down the stairs - much less getting a seat where I can manage the luggage for that matter.

My biggest problem came about a year ago when I landed at FRA and went to Heidelberg. I forget where I changed trains but I got in the rear cabin and only just before the train departed learned that part would break off and go in the wrong direction so I ran to the front of the train. I just haven't mastered reading signs especially when you get away from the metros and don't have much connection time and not as much info posted.

Updated to say that - since I didn't do my homework - I just noticed one schedule from FRA has three changes but most are only 1 yet the fare is much higher than STR. I can fly from STR to MUC for about the same price as taking the train from FRA. If I bought the ticket today, ExpertFlyer talks me I would have to use STR to get the z inventory for my M/B fare (OKC-ATL-STR then back home from IST). So that then makes me wonder about how much taxi fare I would save to simply arrive in STR on DL then take Luftansa to MUC and a train on to Pullach.

If you're concerned about changing trains, these trips shouldn't be too problematic.

From Frankfurt airport or Z�rich airport, you can take trains to Munich and change in Munich Hauptbahnhof.

From Stuttgart airport, you can take an S-Bahn to the Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof and then a train to Munich, changing in Munich to Pullach.

Frankfurt is probably the easiest, but all three should be doable.

To get to Pullach by train you will have to go through Munich train station. While this is a large train station, with a lot of luggage it is probably not much fun to go from the long distance trains to the S-Bahn. However, the S-Bahn to Pullach runs often enough that you do not have to hurry. Just take your time.

To get to Munich is easier from FRA than from STR or ZRH. The fast trains (ICEs) to Munich all go through the ICE station in FRA, i.e., you hop on the train, find some space for your luggage, and relax until you are in Munich. I take these trains quite often and in the late mornings when the flights from the US arrive they are usually not crowded. I still suggest you get a seat reservation, though. The train station in FRA is very nice and designed with travelers in mind. There are escalators and lifts, so you will not have a problem with your luggage.

From STR you have to take the S-bahn to the main station, and you even might have to switch trains. While the connecting S-bahn will depart from the same track, with a lot of luggage this could be an issue. There is an elevator from the subterranean S-bahn station in Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof to the long distance tracks, but it might be difficult to find and is quite slow, so there are often lines there. The alternative is getting up to the main station from the S-bahn by escalator, but this is a pain, especially if you do not know your way around, since the signage is not that good. Alternatively you can take a taxi to the train station. This will take about 20 minutes or so, depending on the traffic on the Weinsteige in Stuttgart, but is probably faster and more comfortable than the S-bahn. Much more expensive, though. However, even with the S-bahn, the trip to Pullach will take less than 4 hours. In addition, I really like the airport in Stuttgart a lot. Although STR has grown a lot, it is still a small and personal airport. And the connection STR-ATL has been much better for me for op ups than FRA-JFK and FRA-CVG (even many years back when I was a GM only).

For the ZRH to Munich connection, there are direct EC connections from the airport to Munich (the 4:44 hour long connections). The train ride from Zurich to Munich is very beautiful, in my opinion, but the frequency of connections from ZRH to Munich is not that high, so if you miss your train, you might have to wait for a couple of hours. And the train ride to Munich is longer than the one from FRA. The alternative connection goes by train and ship. Very nice if you have the time, but not advisable if you have lots of luggage.

So, overall, if I were you, with a lot of luggage I would probably fly into FRA, and only if that's not possible I would fly to STR because of the shorter travel time, overall.

Even though my OP was not up to FT standards, I appreciate the patience and help extended by both of you.

Going to visit the BND in Pullach?

Well, I'm not that 'intelligent' ... the visit is a small gathering of scholars and our housing and the like is not known to me at the moment ... should put pieces together this week.