Munich to Trier via Frankfurt?

Have you considered just taking the train from Munich to Trier? Just one change in Mannheim. You could spend the night actually in Munich.

CJean- I hadn't considered it. How is the scenery? It's a 6-1/2 - 7 hour trip.

Normally, I would probably advise you to go into Freising and stay the night there. You could visit Weihenstephan, the oldest brewery in the world and have a nice dinner there. In the morning it would only be a 20 minute bus trip from the Freising Bhf to the airport.

But by train it's probably only 20-25 minutes longer into Munich. The trip from Munich Hbf to Frankfurt Hbf is just over 3 hours. You probably can't get to the airport (even from Freising), go through security, wait to board, fly to FRA, find and take ground transportation to the Frankfurt Hbf in 3 hours.

I'd say it is a choice between going into Munich and taking the train the next day to Trier vs staying nearer the airport (Freising) and flying to Luxembourg the next day, then training to Trier.

With getting g between airports and train stations, then arriving g at the airport early, dealing with security etc, you wouldn't save that much time by flying IMO. Plus, on the train you can eat and drink what you like (buy your picnic lunch at the station) and even get up and walk around. The scenery is nice enough- mostly rolling countryside mixed with towns and cities.

I watched a you tube video today of the train from Munich to Paris, which includes much of that route. You could check it out if you want.

How is the scenery

How's the scenery at 30,000 ft? Or sitting in the airport waiting for your flight?

On the other hand, the train from Bingen to Koblenz goes through the Rhein Gorge, one of the more scenic parts of Germany, with vineyards up the hillside and castles on the top.

Another consideration, I see the fare from Munich to Luxembourg is about $145, and that is just the airfare. Depending on your airline, you might be able to book a flight with Rail&Fly. A Rail&Fly ticket cost about 33€, and covers your train transportation from your arrival airport to any station in Germany on your arrival day or the following day, by any train, even ICEs. Check with your airline to see if they are participating.

I highly recommend a Hotel at the Airport with all the amenities. I assume you are exhausted unless you fly first class. View is not an issue when you are tired and have a jet leg. Keep the distance short. Taxi and Uber are expensive in Germany. Munich is quite expensive anyways and if you have tuff luck there is a international fair or trade show wich will double and triple hotel rates some times.

I'm sorry to be blunt, but flying from Munch to Frankfurt to get to Trier is a really bad idea. Just take the train from Munich to Trier, it takes 6 hours (5:59 according to the schedule) with one change in Mannheim. Flying to Frankfurt will take longer and be more expensive, and include security checks and other airport faff.

"I hadn't considered it (the train to Trier.) How is the scenery?"

Not bad on the whole, completely over the top once you pass the Frankfurt/Mainz area and arrive in Bingen.

Scene at Bingen
Downstream from Bingen
A bit further yet downstream

Your group meets at 4 pm Saturday in Trier, takes a pm walk there, and spends Sunday touring the city, right? Sadly, the Best of GAS tour does not provide any ground time in the scenic and historic Middle Rhine Valley, where these photos came from. But you can fix Rick's mistake. On Saturday morning, why not catch a train to Bingen, drop your bags, have lunch, then take the 14:30 Rhine Cruise to St. Goar? It takes just 1.5 hours and once there you'll have time to tour Rheinfels Castle if you want - or just take a walk and enjoy the scenery.

Bingen has a developed riverfront walk dotted with cafes and restaurants, great for strolling. So catch a train back to Bingen after you've finished with St. Goar - the train covers the same gorgeous territory but with a different perspective.

Book a river-side room at the NH Bingen at the downstream end of the waterfront if possible. It's a great location on either side. Guests staying on the town side of the hotel can enjoy the river scene from the breakfast dining room as well.

I see a Saturday 10:13 train out of Bingen that gets you to Trier by 12:30. Earlier and later options are also possible. From Koblenz the train follows the Mosel River most of the way - expect ooh/aah scenery here too.

At the DB site I found a Friday May 20 7:46 departure from Munich to Luxembourg and added a 22-hr. stopover in Bingen. The fare was €36.90 each. This "Super-Sparpreis Europa" fare allows an extra-long stopover, whereas a standard ticket to Trier would not. Refundable "Europa" fares are also available for more €s.

I hadn't considered it. How is the scenery? It's a 6-1/2 - 7 hour trip
Make sure you are comparing apples to apples. That is the train time from Munich to Trier. You are proposing heading to the Munich airport (30 min-1 hr); Check in (2 hours) fly (~1 hour) get to your train and wait (30 min), then 3 1/2 hours by train to Trier...so taking your journey to around 7-8 hours, with much of the scenery being the inside of an airport or airplane.

The scenery between Munich and Frankfurt is pleasant, but not spectacular along the rail line, but you travel in comfort, have wifi, can read, bring along a lunch or snacks, including a beer or wine. However, you would need to determine in Munich what your route will be. A train from Munich to Trier typically will not go through Frankfurt, down the Rhine, and up the Mosel like Russ describes. Usually you change at Mannheim and take a Southerly route into Trier that is less spectacular. If you want to see the Rhine and Mosel (though I think your tour includes that) you would want to buy a ticket via Frankfurt, rather than directly to Trier. It really does not add much time to the journey.

One of the faster connections (6H47), actually, leaves Munich at 9:55 (am) and has changes in Nürnberg and Koblenz. The first two legs are by ICE; the last leg, from Koblenz to Trier is by Regional train. It gets to Trier at 16:42. The second ICE stops in Würzburg, Hanau, Frankfurt Hbf. It goes through Bingen without stopping and from there down the Rhein Gorge. But you would have to make sure that was the connection you were ticketing.

Adding to Russ's post: There are two rail stations at Bingen, Bingen Hauptbahnhof and Bingen Stadt Bahnhof. Bingen Hbf is inland a few yards, across a river coming in from the south, and it is a hub, with six platforms and connections going to Mainz, Koblenz, and south to Kaiserslautern. Bingen Stadt is a smaller, two platform station between Mainz and Bingen Hbf (& Koblenz) across the highway from the river. The river cruise ships dock near Bingen Stadt. Make sure you get off at the correct Bahnhof.

Because the NH Bingen Hotel location which I've suggested is the closest waterfront hotel to the Bingen Hbf station, because the Hbf station entertains the faster long-distance trains (like the IC in the schedule I provided,) and because the walk from the Hbf station to the NH Bingen is easy and doable - it's fully "barrrier-free" station for the disabled, which means no staircases from the platforms - it's probably the Hbf station that's the "right" station.

On a long trip like yours, arrival at the Bingen Rhein Stadt station often means an additional change of train because the station accommodates the local/regional trains. Also, arrival at some "Stadt" station tracks will mean toting your bags up the stairs. Nonetheless, if you book at some other hotel, the "Stadt" station might be the one to use instead. Depends on the location.

With that multi-day Europa fare you don't HAVE to stipulate Bingen as your stopover - it will work with other towns too. But Bingen is an ideal place to embark on the river cruise.

Thank you all so very much for your replies! I'm glad I came here for advice. You've given very good reasons for taking the train rather than flying. (Blunt is good, Badger)

I sincerely appreciate everyone's input.

:)