I am traveling about 20 miles north of Nuremberg to Erlangen which is half way between Frankfurt and Munich Airports. I am looking at a 1 1/2hr train ride from either. I can fly out of San Diego or Seattle (Seattle seems to be less expensive), but I am just trying to see which airport is easier and less expensive to fly into. Any comments/suggestions are appreciated.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
Frankfurt is usually faster and less expensive to get to from the US, but, IMO, Munich is an easier airport to fly into.
By the way, I don't see any 1½ train connections from either airport to Erlangen Hbf. Looks like around 2½ hrs from Munich and around 3 hrs from Frankfurt.
Posted by
🏝️ Hobe Sound, FL⛱️
3160 posts
Your travel time from Munich is about 2 1/2 hours, from Frankfurt about 2 3/4. If one airport is less expensive than the other and/or has better schedules, I'd base my choice on that to start with. Though slightly longer, the Frankfurt trip involves only one change in Nuremberg. From Munich, you'd have to make two changes. Only other difference I can see is that the airport in Munich is considerably smaller than Frankfurt. Interesting that you're choice of US departures is so far apart. You might want to factor in getting to/from those airports as well.
Posted by
Green Bay
20081 posts
Munich will have more trains to Erlangen, and you have the option of using a Bayern Ticket on bus + regional train that is only a little longer ride, but a lot cheaper. Bus from Munich to Freising, then regional train to Nuremberg then train to Erlangen.
All that said, I'd pick the airport that gives you the best price and flight times.
Posted by
Augsburg, Bavaria
2332 posts
Trainwise, there is no big difference between those two destinations. However, if you travel on a budget you can travel from MUC on a cheap Bayern Ticket (takes approx. 40 min longer). Changing train in Nürnberg is no problem at all since there are elevators and / or escalators on every platform. Let us know if you need tips for local transport in Erlangen.
Posted by
San Francisco
14507 posts
Hi,
SFO flies direct to Frankfurt and also to Munich. To me it makes no difference but in terms of airport preference i Iike MUC better than Frankfurt.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32201 posts
cathy,
You might be able to get even cheaper flights from Vancouver, especially with the current exchange rates. Air Canada and others have flights into Frankfurt every day, but I haven't checked Munich.
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
8942 posts
I use Icelandic Air to fly to the West Coast, down to Sacramento. Though you have to change planes in Iceland, this is a quick 40 min. layover. You get off one plane, go get on the next one. The best part is the 7 hour flight to Seattle. So, if you are flying out of Seattle, this works well for you.
Flight from Seattle to Iceland is 6.5 hours, then to Frankfurt is 3.5 hours. Total is 11 hours including your layover, but for me it is worth it to get off the plane instead of being stuck in a metal tube for 10-11 hours. Plus I like bringing my own food and the scenery on this flight over Greenland and the icy north can be stunning.