Heading out to explore Germany for a few weeks in Sept/Oct and hit Oktoberfest in Munich. Would like to cross into Austria and Switzerland just a bit.
Question: Am I better off taking a train to Germany from Amsterdam and renting a car in Germany that I plan to drive into Austria and Switzerland and ultimately drop in Munich, or is it just as easy/economical to rent the car in Amsterdam and go straight from there? There will be four of us.
Thanks for any help or advice.
"...is it just as easy/economical to rent the car in Amsterdam and go straight from there?"
You will pay a heavy drop-off fee if you rent in the Netherlands and drop in Germany.
Since you ask about costs, you should also inform yourself on vignette fees for Austria and Switzerland - you can't drive there without them, I understand.
Train fares to Germany: You didn't say what your plans were exactly - just Munich was mentioned. You can get from A'dam to Munich by train in 7.5 to 8.5 hours. There are still some €78 fares for that route (that's for two adults one way, so double that for 4 adults) for late September. Then you wouldn't have to rent a car (not that you HAVE to rent a car at all, but it seems you want to) until you're done with Munich. A car in Munich is useless.
If your plan is to explore Bavaria, make sure you rent a car with adequate luggage storage for 4, of course. Alternatively, the Bayern Ticket day pass provides nearly unlimited travel around all of Bavaria and in parts of Austria for €38/day for 4 adults.
Bayern Ticket info
Thanks so much for the reply!.
A little more info. When we "do Europe" we generally go for 3 weeks. Get a car, and do not make reservations ahead of time. We like to fly footloose and fancy free and let the wind take us where it will. I think the best thing for us is to travel from Amsterdam by train to Dusseldorf and just pick up a car there. We have a list of cities/sites we would "like" to visit and we really make it up as we go for the most part. Suits our travel style and we always have a great time. Like to engage the locals and find the backdoors. :)
THANK YOU for mentioning the vignette fees. Forgot about that!
So....we are booking accommodations for our time in Munich (right during Oktoberfest), and we're thinking it wise and economical to stay out of town. I am guessing Germany has the equivalent to American Park & Ride lots where we can drive, park, and just take a train into town?
"I think the best thing for us is to travel from Amsterdam by train to Dusseldorf and just pick up a car there."
Check the DB itinerary page for your dates for €38/couple saver fares on direct trains between Amsterdam Centraal and Düsseldorf Hbf. For that fare you commit to your travel date and time. Fares rise as tickets sell.
If you aren't familiar with them, you might want to explore Gemut.com. They are experts on car rental and travel in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. BTW, you don't need a vignette for Germany. You do for Austria and Switzerland.
When I lived in Germany, I never drove to Munich. I always took the train. The guys at Gemut will be able to help you with parking outside. Or maybe even with a hotel with free parking and easy access to public transportation into Munich.
I wouldn't expect to easily find lodgings in or near Munich around Oktoberfest on the fly. I'd make reservations ASAP. Their help could be invaluable.
Edit: the first Oktoberfest beer keg will be tapped this year at 12:00 noon, Saturday, 19 September. It ends at 23:30 Sunday, 4 October.
Since you ask about costs, you should also inform yourself on vignette fees for Austria and Germany - you can't drive there without them, I understand.
I think Russ meant to say Austria and Switzerland.
This applies if you use the Autobahns (4 lane expressways).
I said "Germany"?? Better fix that now.
If you hire a car outside Germany it probably won't have the green Umweltplakette on the windscreen which is required for entry into the more central areas of most German cities. It is an environment decal which indicates low pollution from the vehicle.
Cars rented in Germany will all have an appropriate sticker.
If you haven't got your Munich hotels you need to move that up your list. During Oktoberfest places as far away as Augsburg and Ulm will be filled and have higher prices. Get on it.
This applies if you use the Autobahns (4 lane expressways).
Not in Switzerland. There are many roads with only one lane in each direction which have been designated motorways. The key is in the colour of the road sign (which is opposite to France). In Switzerland a green sign requires a Vignette, as does the icon of a white car on a green background on a small square sign. Non toll roads not requiring a Vignette are blue.
From Amsterdam, my first thought is Koln rather than Dusseldorf - but you could really go anywhere (Hamburg, Bonn, etc.), depending on where you want to go, and pick up a car from there.
I think it's best to rent where you expect to drop off, but I'd test it both (or several) ways. You may find the drop off fee is worth it because of some other priority.
When I drove in Austria the vignette was cheap. You only need it if you drive on the Autobahn. If so, you can stop at what look like truck stops on the border. They also made me buy an orange safety vest - but it was cheap too.
