Driving to ROT after flight into Frankfurt

I would ignore reckless advice like Rick's based only his own personal take. He obviously thinks jet-lagged driving is ok since he's done it, apparently. Don't drunks say the same? He doesn't know you or how you will feel when you step off the plane.

Driving in new territory, in a car that is not yours, and in a different "driving culture" that includes different driving practices, and navigating roads with unfamiliar symbols on road signs, some that include German-language place names and instructions... that will be enough challenge on Day 2 when you pick up the rental car in Würzburg, even if you are a fully-alert driver. Studying up is helpful, and of course some or most of your driving skills will transfer. But you're still going to be a little nervous because you are a "babe in the woods" driver with no practical in-country hands-on experience.

Taking the train to Würzburg is super-simple. Go to the platform with the correct number, board the train, find a seat, and look out the window until you arrive in Würzburg. It doesn't matter what state you are in - you will arrive safely. When you book a rental from a European airport after traveling across several time zones, you actually have no idea how alert or un-alert you will be when you pick it up, but you will likely follow through with the rental regardless of your condition because that's all you've got.

Your chances of being maximally alert the next day are much improved after a fair number of hours and a good night's sleep.

Depends on how long a flight, how much sleep you can get on the flight, your age, and confidence. It should be only a bit more than a 2 hour drive.
In my working life, my boss told me, "Get the next flight to A in Europe, rent a car and drive to B". No one ever questioned the wisdom of doing this. However, when I discovered the ease and convenience of taking a train rather than driving, especially in Germany, I often did that instead of renting a car.

Where else are you going that you will need a car?

Please listen to Russ. He made a number of very good points about driving after a long overnight flight. Even a small fender bender at the start of the trip will ruin the whole trip. And the Frankfurt area is not the easiest place to drive even when one is in tip top shap mentally.

Having lived in Wurzburg, you might want to spend a day or two there. The Residenze (and some other sites) are not to be missed.

Then you can rent a car, or take a very simple one change train ride to Rothenburg.

Thanks everyone!

You helped me make a good final decision on this. We'll take the train to Wurzburg then drive from there the next day when we're more rested. We're going to spend 3-4 days driving the Romantic road area before meeting a friend in Munich. We'll just need to decide where to take the car back before taking the train to Munich, as I doubt we'll want to drive into the city. So if you have any tips on that please share!

Squirrelgirl, I see that you have decided on the best plan for you. Now you will need to determine what the drop charge will be for leaving the car at a location different than you rented from. It is not difficult dropping a car at an airport location either in Frankfurt or Munich. The caveat when renting a car in Europe and driving into big cities is to be aware of the green or eco zones. They are usually clearly marked and easy to avoid. A quick internet search of such zones in cities you will be visiting is helpful.
My two cents on driving for 2 hours after an overnight flight, it should not be a problem. We have landed in Frankfurt or CDG on a number of trips through the years and driven a rental car that day. Full disclosure, there was one trip where we drove from Frankfurt to Innsbruck (5.5-6 hours) and i was feeling tired near the end. Would I do it again? Yes. Now that I have more time to devote to trips and depending on the itinerary, I will either spend a night nearby and then drive, or, if in Germany take the train. My trip last November to Germany was strictly by train and local transport. Very easy.
Have a great trip!

The drive is two hours on mostly interstate type roads, so it is definitely doable. Weather, time of day, sleep on the flight, etc., all factor in. I try not to drive more than an hour after a long-haul flight, but have driven as long as 2.5 hours when I’m familiar with the roads. Only you know you and what your limits are.

OP Squirrel: Talk to your airline to see whether you can do "rail and fly" or fly and rail" - or whatever it's called - which allows you to get flexible post-flight ticket at a reasonable set price.

Options for normal tickets:

https://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en

Stations: Frankfurt(M) Flughafen > Würzburg Hbf (Hbf = main station)

(There are actually 2 airport stations; for the fast ICE train the site will select the Fernbahnhof station or Fernbf).

Sample schedule for your mystery date... I picked is June 14... Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Fernbf 14:45 - Würzburg Hbf 15:56

For the train-specific cheapo non-refundable fare are €17.90 each at present. But you can't always be certain about catching the train due to flight delays, delays at security, etc. So consider the alternative flexible fare tickets as well, or create a "time cushion" after whatever time you anticipate leaving security so that you maximize your chances of getting on with your cheapo ticket.

The other option... don't travel to Würzburg. Hanau is an option between Würzburg and Frankfurt where you can rent a car and stay overnight. Part of Hanau, the neighborhood of Steinheim, is full of old half-timbered buildings and a member of the German Half-Timbered House driving route and a nice place for strolling. You can get to Hanau-Steinheim or one of the other Hanau stations by direct LOCAL train for less than €10 ea., no advance purchase needed, buy at the station, in 30-40 minutes by direct local train. The Brunnenhof is a hotel in Steinheim with reasonable prices (never stayed there myself however.)

I have driven a few times after a transatlantic flight, but it was less than two hours.

Have you driven in Europe before? German roads are excellent, but you must not stay in the left lane on the autobahn if approached by a vehicle from behind.

The Wurzburg option sounds good, but check out your auto rental options at both places. Sometimes your options for vehicles is limited at smaller cities.

Thanks all for the great replies and information. I think we have some good things to consider now!

"so it is definitely doable"

... until you get involved in an accident. Then the court will probably find you partly to blame because of your inability to drive due to overtiredness, even if you were not at fault for the accident.

Why do you want to rent a car? It's generally not needed in Germany. The train system is excellent.

I am surprised that there are a few encouraging OP to rent a car after an international flight. Even if you have personal experience doing that without a negative consequence, why would you encourage something that is obviously dangerous?

I have a lot of experience operating on little to no sleep during 36 hour shifts and still making life and death decisions. I drove from Keflavik to Reykjavik after a flight from MSP. My travel companion was sleeping soundly in the passenger seat. I was being extra careful and did fine until I ran into a concrete pole in the underground parking garage. The rental car was a slightly wider version of the car I drive at home and my brain told me that I had enough clearance. It was an important lesson for me. I won't ever put others at risk by doing that again.

Please don't drive after an international, overnight flight.

@Squirrelgirl, you have made the correct decision. Have a great trip!

Thanks all for the great replies and information. I think we have some good things to consider now!

After observing squirrels on roads, I suggest you take the train.

@vandrabrud - I don’t think anybody encouraged renting and driving right after a long flight, just that it was an option. People need to make personal choices accounting for a number of factors when considering all options. The opinions expressed about not driving are just as valid as those saying the drive is possible. People come to the forum to ask for others’ opinions and each respondent is entitled to their own opinion whether others like it or not.

People need to make personal choices accounting for a number of factors when considering all options.

Agreed. Circumstances have an impact. We've flown both comfort plus and had the chance to fly first class. When we flew first class, we arrived rested and ready to go. When we fly comfort plus or economy, we've been glad we didn't have to drive.