We are landing in Frankfurt and had planned to drive up to Bochum up Rte 3 to get there quickly. Now we are wondering if we can see some of the scenic parts of the Rhine on the drive up, since it has been years since we have seen it and one of us has never been there. We would also like to have lunch at a nice restaurant. As I map it, it looks like it will double our drive time. That could be stressful after an overnight flight with a child under 5. On the other hand, he's been on several flights, just not this long overnight. Perhaps it is obvious - drive the scenic Rhine route or not. Is there any route or part of a route that would not double the time?
Thank you, as always, for your help!
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
9428 posts
Recommend not driving at all after an overnight flight. Jet lag is as dangerous as drunk driving. Stay overnight in Frankfurt or get on a train that goes along the Rhein. Then you can see the castles. All of you. Cause the driver can't look at anything.
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
2039 posts
That's a 3-4 hour drive at best. A3 has a lot of construction going on. Going along the Rhine would, as you note, add another 3+ hours to the drive.
As to taking the train, you really don't get that good a view from it. There's a lot of greenery between the tracks and the river.
Posted by
OP
Boston
11 posts
Thank you. We have a car. We are not taking a train. We are definitely driving with at least 1 stop.
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
35249 posts
I hope it works out for you.
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
1021 posts
I tend to agree that the distance is too great coming off an international flight, regardless of route. If you can add an overnight stay a short drive from the airport (I enjoyed recovering in the thermal pools in Wiesbaden), the drive along the river will be safer and more enjoyable for everyone.
Posted by
Paradise
7473 posts
I field a lot of Rhine questions here. Many forum users assume they can see the Rhine by purchasing a day tour that includes round-trip ground transport from Frankfurt or Cologne to Rüdesheim + a 2-hour river cruise and lunch - or think that doing this independently is a good plan - in one full day. My normal advice is that they need more time to and to spend at least a night so that they do not shortchange their visit.
Since your Rhine time would be even less - only car time and restaurant-table time - I offer the same response. Or do as you first thought... drive "up to Bochum up Rte 3 to get there quickly" as you suggested (3 hrs on the A3 + shuttle/pick-up time at FRA) since you can't see yourselves on either the Rhine Gorge train route detour or on the high-speed ICe route (which would take only 2 hours from the FRA rail station using the better connections.) Make your next Rhine visit a proper visit at some future time when you are less rushed.
Posted by
OP
Boston
11 posts
Thank you all. I appreciate your input.
Russ, I've seen all of your detailed Rhine information. That's what prompted this question. You are so informative.