We will be landing in Frankfurt on July 24 at 6:45a and traveling by car to Schwangau where we have reservations for the night of July 25. We would like to see the Zepplin Museum in Friedrichshafen near Bodensee but would appreciated suggestions for other sights to see along the way as well as hotel suggestions for the night of July 24. Thank you!
Posted by
Atlanta
4856 posts
You will be arriving after an overnight flight during which you probably wont get anything like your normal sleep. Unless you really know your way around, Frankfurt isn't the greatest place to drive if you are semi jet lagged. Since you do not have to be in Schwangau until the next afternoon, you might want to take the train to a place in-between, stay overnight, and rent the car the next day. Don't mean to rain on your parade, just food for thought.
Posted by
New Jersey USA
30 posts
Heidelberg and Ulm are great if you've got some energy to get out and about on your arrival day. Those distances are easy with your car rental from the Airport. I've arrived in FRA and driven for hours many times, but I know the routes and I know my limits - just dont exhaust yourself.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19099 posts
I would agree with TC. You shouldn't plan on driving, particularly all day, on the day you arrive.
Another place I would suggest is Lindau, the island city on the Bodensee. It's about half an hour east of Friedrichshafen.
Maybe take a high speed train to Stuttgart (around an hour) the first day, rent a car, and spend the night near Stuttgart (Tübingen would be nice). The second day, drive south to Friedrichshafen, then go through Lindau on the way to Schwangau.
Posted by
OP
27 posts
We are flying to Frankfurt after spending a couple of days in Berlin so we shouldn't be too jet lagged by then...
We had thought of renting a car and driving from Frankfurt to Friedrichshafen just to enjoy the Black Forest Scenery, however after reading both Lee and Nigel's posts on another page, perhaps driving the Black Forest for the Scenery isn't that great...neither is Baden-Baden...Perhaps we should fly from Berlin to Munich and take a car from there to Friedrichshafen???
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Add me to the chorus of "Don't drive long distances after a trans-Atlantic flight." The studies of alertness and reaction times on airline pilots showed that the affect of flying across the ocean is similar to alcohol intoxication, no matter how subjectively alert or tired they felt. Just because someone has done it before without consequences doesn't make it safe.
Heidelberg is about as far as I would consider driving from the airport. Ulm is too far and the traffic between there and Frankfurt is some of the worst in Germany.
Lee's idea is best. Take the train somewhere the first day, get a good night sleep, and pick up the car later.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Oops, saw your response. Ok, no issue driving then.
Posted by
San Diego, CA, USA
321 posts
Friedrichshafen is a lot easier drive from Munich (or Stuttgart or even Zurich, depending on the price of airline tickets and where you want to return the car) than Frankfurt. Stay in the Friedrichshafen-Lindau area the night of the 24th and then on to an early arrival in Schwangau the 25th.
Have a great trip!!!!