14 Nights in and out of FRA. Need suggestions!

It looks good to me. I've never been to Ruette so I can't speak to that. I enjoyed the castles in Fuusen. I recommend that you do Hohenschwangau first because it provides background and insight that is helpful for Neuschwanstein. I think you could give up the car in Fuusen, if possible, or Salzburg. Salzburg and Munich are well served by the Bayern train. From Salzburg you'd want to make sure to purchase the Bayern ticket and not the OBB ticket. Families travel for just a bit more than singles on the Bayern train, which also I believe gives you free use of metros in Munich the day of your train ride. We have used a lot of trains in Europe and we've rented a car several times. in some instances it is very nice to have the flexibility of a car, but we have found using the trains to be so much more relaxing. We actually took the train from Munich directly to the Frankfort airport.

Great idea to ditch the car for second week. Drop it off in Salzburg makes sense since the train from fuusen to salzburg goes thru Munich and has 2 stops. I'd like to see Berchitesgaden/Eagles Nest so maybe keeping the car for a day in Salzburg makes sense. On the other hand, we could ditch the call all together for the entire trip, but I think it's makes sense to have the flexibility in the first half. Lots of options. Everything is still flexible. Have refundable hotels booked in Bacharach and Rothenburg but thats it. Wondering how to juggle the second half after Fuusen.

I've not been to Eagle's Nest, but I've read a fair amount of discussion in this forum on doing a day trip from Salzburg to Eagle's Nest, and I thought folks were saying it is well served by train. I also recall something about having to park a fair amount away and having to walk up anyway?? I think you'd get a lot of info if you search this website.

The train within Bavarian (which includes Salzburg) is very inexpensive.

Yes a car is like $25 a day. Might be best to just keep it the entire time as to ensure maximum flexibility.

Looks pretty good. A car does give you flexibility but Fuessen is well served by train and bus to the castles, so ditching the car there isn't a bad idea. I actually enjoyed the town of Fuessen (haven't been to Reutte) even forgetting the castles are there. It's not big but it's got a fortress and castle of it's own.

Nuremberg is not significantly closer to Frankfurt for departure. I'd just say the extra night in Munich and be ready for a long travel day or spend your last night at a hotel near the airport in Frankfurt. It's relatively easy to get yourself downtown to enjoy the afternoon and have dinner, and then you're right there for departure.

I wouldn't stay at the airport in Frankfurt, when the city is only 11 min. away by train and all the things that are there to see and do. Take your 6 year old to the Zoo or the Palmengarten? Or one of the parks that has great water play areas.

With our seven year old we would visit the important sites in the morning. We would plan a visit to a park or something to entertain her every few days. There are some kids books about travel that may be helpful, I do not remember the name. We travelled only by train. Our little girl could get up and walk up and down the train car.

We have a similar itinerary for 14 days with my 8 and 12 year old kids. We fly into Frankfurt and out of Munich. Our itinerary is below- we leave in a week so I'm not interested in changing things, just sharing for you to see what we have planned. I'll let you know how it was when we get back. 😊

Straight to Bacharach (2 nights)
Cochem on Mosel (2 nights)
Pick up car in Wurzburg
Rothenburg (2 nights)
Fussen (1 night)
Garmisch-Partenkirchen (2 nights)
Berchtesgaden (3 nights, day trip to Salzburg)
Munich (drop off car) (2 nights)

Your 3 nights in Fussen or Rutte might be better than our splitting between Fussen and G-P.

We leave in two days and getting very excited! I feel pretty good about our itinerary. Looking to be pretty hot so I’m researching places to go swimming and it looks like there’s a lot of great spots. We are renting a car for the entire time. I don’t like packing and I’m packing up a lot so I had a rule no less than two nights in each spot. Something tells me there is zero chance of us getting bored! My main concern is trying to avoid crowds and get off the beaten path to find the hidden gems. Would appreciate any other suggestions for day trips in these areas. Thanks!

Also I did a lot of research comparing hotels to Airbnb’s. We are doing hotels in Bacharach and Rothenburg but air B and B in Fuusen, Salzburg, and Munich.