France Germany Itinerary and train ticket help please

if you want specifics of important things like connection times and places, please don't use Rome2Rio to get those. They are fairly good decent at showing alternatives, but not reliable for the actual details.

Use sncf for france and the DB for Germany and for accurate details. The Bahn (DB) will even give you platform numbers and if you click through you can get all sorts of extra information, even maps. https://www.bahn.com/en There are other ways into the engine but for me such a simple address works well.

Strasbourg is easy from Paris. Gare de l'Est straight through in a couple of hours on a really fast TGV, many times a day. Super easy.

I don't do "worth it" questions. It all depends on what you like, and what you want to see. If it has what you want, it is worth it. If it doesn't it isn't - for you. Everybody is different. There is lots to do in and around Strasbourg - but is it what you want? Dunno.

A 12 minute connection in Mannheim should be easily doable for most people; using the 2 change train with the local to Offenberg and change again at Mannheim (each a 7 minute connection for 2 platforms away) might be less easy if you have luggage and aren't familiar with the stations. Especially if it a very important connection for you since you have such a short time frame.

I liked Strasbourg better aesthetically than Munich. I went the opposite way from Munich to Strasbourg with a train change in Stuttgart (it is a major station ) with no problem.

Strasbourg and nearby Colmar are very special at Xmas.
If you are going to Munich for the markets, I'd cut that time short and instead go to Stuttgart and adjacent Esslingen. The MiddleAge themed markets in Esslingen are unique and so much fun, and the decorations on the vendors' roofs in Stuttgart are remarkable.
Have a great trip!

Unless you have a flight home from Munich, I would also suggest that it's farther and less glorious than you need to go to enjoy the Christmas season. I'm not a Christmas Market visitor, so I can't offer good advice there.

If you are going to Munich for the markets, I'd cut that time short and instead go to Stuttgart and adjacent Esslingen.

I'd listen to this and explore alternatives to Munich. I am continually perplexed by the popularity of Munich (and also Barcelona), neither is that great.

I went to Munich a few years ago at Christmas. I liked it okay but it wasn’t as special as I’d hoped. I went off to Salzburg on a day trip, and that gave me the atmosphere I was looking for. But friends who’ve been to Strasbourg really rave about it, so I think I’d spend more time there.

Appreciate the info and insight. That I should really consider changing Munich was unexpected but worth considering. My flight plans were into Paris and out of Munich. Should I get Frankfurt flight home? I have to purchase tonight or tomorrow as every time I check they get higher, sigh. I also have downloaded the SNCF app, its very user friendly! Thanks again.

I like Munich, just not four days’ worth compared to your other locations.

If I keep Munich, the 4 days are for Salzburg day trip and possibly a castle day trip. If I delete Munich, which is under serious consideration now, I’d add a day in Strasbourg, (day trip to Colmar) do 3(?) in Stuttgart, and fly back to Atl from Frankfurt if easy train route. We do carryon only but hope to bring back a bag of gifts.

I vote for Frankfurt for departure. Also, get your hotel rooms asap, as they book up very early. Have a great time.

Is stuttgart a good end city for transport to Frankfurt airport, for either Hotel shuttle or train?

You can easily and directly get from Stuttgart to Frankfurt.

But if you want to get to Salzburg, it is also unique.

Glad to hear you are changing plans. Stuttgart and Esslingen are so much better than Munich. Strassbourg and Colmar are tops too. Come back another year perhaps and do Salzburg, Munich and Regensburg.

Easy, direct train from Stuttgart to Frankfurt.