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Frankfurt Day Trip Dilemma

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Hello all, I am wondering how much I can realistically see with Frankfurt as our home base for our upcoming Germany trip. We will have 3 full days plus most of the day that we arrive. Our hotel will be right next to the Frankfurt airport for this segment of our trip.

My plan is this:

Arrival-Explore Frankfurt, rest, sleep

Day 1-Frankfurt Food Tour, Stadel Museum

Day 2-Heidelberg Day Trip

Day 3-Rhine Gorge Day Trip

Now, I'm wondering if we should forget Heidelberg and spend two days on the Rhine instead of one.

My reason is it seems like there will not be enough time to see very much with only one day using the train along the Rhine. Ideally, I would like to see Rheinfels castle and Marksburg castle. Alternatively, one castle and explore Bacharach for a single day. If I had two day on the Rhine, though, I think we could see all three. Does this seem reasonable?

I am torn because I have heard great things about Heidelberg from friends.

My question is: would you vote for two day trips to the Rhine, or one day on the Rhine, and one day in Heidelberg?

If it helps, we will spend two days in Wurzburg after Frankfurt, and four in Nuremberg after Wurzburg, with a likely day trip to Bamberg while in Nuremberg.

I have no preference for smaller/larger towns, and find them both equally appealing in different ways. We love food, art, and history.

I look forward to reading your responses.

Thanks in advance,

Michael

Posted by
2841 posts

I’ve spent about 30 days on the Rhine, 4-5 in Heidelberg, so I vote for 2 days on the Rhine, but I wouod stay overnight on the Rhine, not do 2 day trips

Posted by
1530 posts

When are you going? Towns along the Rhein are pretty dead in winter.

Posted by
3 posts

Got it. Maybe we could fly into Frankfurt and then stay two days on the Rhine like you suggested.

We are going April 20-May 1st for all 3 cities.

Thanks!

Posted by
2228 posts

It doesn't make a lot of sense to go to Bamberg from Nuremberg if you're already in Wurzburg. Do it in this order: Wurzburg-Bamberg-Nuremberg.

I'd make a loop. Frankfurt, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Heidelberg, Mainz, the Rhine, then home. Just remember May 1st is a National Holiday, and May 8th is a holiday in much of Germany also (end of WWII).

Posted by
7667 posts

I would leave Heidelberg out of the mix. Interesting if you haven't seen much else in Germany, but slightly meh compared with places like Nuremberg and Bamberg.

Upon arrival at FRA, I'd hope on a Rhine-bound train straight away. It takes only about 1 hour, and there are direct train options. Do your resting, relaxing there on that first day.

Days 2-3 on the Rhine. Maybe you head to Würzburg in the pm on Day 3. Takes about 2.5 hours. 16:56 - 19:32 for example.

Then Nuremberg, etc...

FRANKFURT: leave it at the end of your trip. There's no reason to stay there twice, and it's a reasonable place to stay before flying home,

Posted by
1318 posts

My two cents: get a car and spend the first night in Wiesbaden (or Bad Ems? Or another nearby spa town for your recovery). Then drive to Marksburg and tour the castle. Continue on to the Mosel and spend two nights in your pick of lovely towns on the river. Can be done by train, too.

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