Car Rental vs. Train

I think it will be much easier with a car, with a Navigate. If you are spending any time in Frankfurt, you might consider picking up your car in town rather than at the airport. The airport tax for a rental is per day, and I was surprised how much I saved on my last 2 week rental. I've always used Sixt, but last trip I rented from gamut.com and was very pleased. You can talk to Andy in the U.S and choose a car that will be comfortable for 4.

I agree that in your situation it would be better to rent a car. I've had good luck using AutoEurope. I've driven in Germany with and without a GPS. I highly recommend the GPS!! Be sure to have a paper map too so you have a good general idea where you will be going.

I concur...rent a car! As fun as trains are in Europe it can be exhausting getting luggage on and off, and then walking to your destination even if it is just the taxis in front of the station, especially for people who are on the older side. Uneven pavement, cobbles, and other rough ground make rolling luggage inconvenient as well. Driving in Europe is not difficult and makes things much more enjoyable!

Drove from Lucern to Munich thru Fussen and Austria. Easy as pie and the best way to see things and hump luggage. I am 66, don't put us out to pasture just yet!!!

Drove from Lucern to Munich thru Fussen and Austria. Easy as pie and the best way to see things and hump luggage. I am 66, don't put us out to pasture just yet!!!

Drove from Lucern to Munich thru Fussen and Austria. Easy as pie and the best way to see things and hump luggage. I am 66, don't put us out to pasture just yet!!!

Oh, come on. Bavaria has the most extensive rail network in Europe. Going by train is a breeze. I'll be 69½ when I make my next trip to Germany, and it will be all by rail (or bus). It's such a relief to be able to sit in a big, comfortable seat and watch the scenery, read, write in my log, whatever. If, as I assume, Riezlern is in Austria, in the Kleinwalsertal, it is easily reached by bus from Oberstdorf. I've been through it many times.

Lee is not a fan of cars, as you can see. While the trains are excellent in Germany, I still think that with the people traveling in your party and the places you are going a car would benefit you.

I must agree with Lee and advocate for the public transport. Just pack light ot resonably light and you'll be fine. Driving a car is a hassle and only serves as a two ton necklace aroudn your neck as another poster has mentioned. Who needs the hassle and inherent danger that goes with a car? Take the rail!

I agree with Lee especially in Germany. If the train doesn't go there, then obviously you need a car. For us, it far more relaxing traveling in the train rather than dealing with traffic and parking. Not sure what 70 has do with it if they are health. We are pass that point and really prefer the comfort of the train (don't have to stop for a bathroom) over riding in a car.

I vote for a car for their sake. You may have a hard time getting them to pack only a carryon and a day pack, but for 4 really that is all that will fit in a "large" car like a Passat or a VW Touran. Finding the hotel on foot can add stress to a trip when you don't need it, and face it, sometimes you do make a wrong turn! We just rented from Europecar in Berlin and turned it in Amsterdam,paid only 100 euros for the drop off. They were cheaper than Sixt this time, and their insurance was less as well-total was under $100 a day for the rental,all the fees, insurance. I consider it the cost of entertainment as well as transportation.

You are visiting a lot of smaller places, which means slower regional trains and extra connections. If you were going city to city, I'd opt for train - for your itinerary, car may be the best option. Either way, pack light. While you won't carry your bags much with a rental, they normally don't accommodate much luggage. Pay careful attention to the amount of luggage different classes of vehicles can handle or you're likely to ride with your bags on laps. If the car isn't big enough when you pick it up, don't think twice about returning to the counter and asking for another car - it's rarely a problem.

I hope you dad is not disappointed with Riezlern. Austria has legalized gambling in the Kleinwalsertal, and it is filled with casinos. I think there are even one or more in Riezlern. I did find a half dozen nice, but not cheap, hotels in Riezlern. One advertises that it is only 40 meters (130 ft) from the bus stop. But you might not want to stay in Riezlern. It looks like it is very small. A few hours might suffice. German Rail runs trains from Immenstadt (on the main line between Munich and Lindau, up the Illertal to Oberstdorf, and the bus stop for the Walsertal is just a few feet from the station. Buses run up the valley every 20 minutes, and it takes only 20 min from Oberstdorf to Riezlern.

I would recommend renting a car. Though you might be able to reach some of these destinations on public transport, it will involve lots of back-tracking, transfers and use of buses, inferior they are to trains. So rent a car and be on your own. Much better for your itinerary.

When you are researching hotels, make sure to check whether they have a parking lot, and whether there is a charge for using it. (Or a public lot nearby.) You might want to lean towards big chains, to be sure of onsite parking and elevators. Have you driven in "old towns" before, folding in your mirrors and scraping through arches? But big-city traffic is the same everywhere!