My husband and I would like to take Romantic Road from Frankfurt to Munich. I see there is a bus we can take that stops off at the little towns along the way, but I'm wondering if we should rent a car so that we can stop where we want for as long as we want? Also, I'm not sure we want to stay right in Munich - I'm thinking we'd have some more overnight options if we had a car?
Posted by
Vancouver, BC, Canada
107 posts
I would get a car, it gives you way more options than a train and Germany is really easy to drive in. Also I would stay a night in Munich it is a very nice city.
Posted by
Des Moines, IA
2193 posts
Rick used to recommend a particular bus tour company for the Romantic Road, but I believe he has since deselected it as a recommendation due to schedule. If you prefer to take your time and stop where you wish for as long as you want, a car rental from FRA is probably your best bet. It's easy. Rail is another good option, however, and it's very efficient. They're both easy, so this may just end up being a selection of preference for you. Stay in Munich...there's much history and culture to experience there. I'll recommend Hotel Uhland. You didn't mention the castles, but you'll want to visit Bavaria south of Munich.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19234 posts
The Romantic Road Coach does not stop in most towns long enough to get off and see anything.
The Romantic Road does not really go from Frankfurt to Munich; it goes from Würzburg to Füssen. The parts from Frankfurt to Würzburg and from Augsburg to Munich were just added so the bus would go between more accessible cities.
In Oct. 2007, I spent five days on the Romantic Road, going from Wieskirche to Würzburg. Each day I did a little travel by train or local bus and spent several hours each visiting about half the towns along the way. Based on my experience, I would say, "skip it."
Take the train from Frankfurt to Würzburg, then to Rothenburg. From Rothenburg, take the train to Munich, then to Füssen. The only intermediate town that I thought was worthwhile was Nördlingen, but it is really just a less touristy version of Rothenburg. Nördlingen is also accessible by train.
The road, itself, is just a winding, two lane country road, with low speed limits and a lot of bus, truck, and farm equipment traffic. Most of the towns along the way are not worth the trouble or expense to get to, particularly if it means the expense of renting a car.
As for Munich, there are some nice places to stay near the Hauptbahnhof or Marienplatz, but if you want to stay outside, the S-Bahn goes far out of town. It is possible to pick a town on the S-Bahn and easily get into town.
Posted by
Salt Lake City
1523 posts
The "Romantic Road" is a publicity gimmick. The joy is the towns that lie in the vicinity of it. I would research the towns and visit them by train. If you just want to drive in the countryside, which can be very nice in Germany, rent a car for a day or two along the way. ADAC Atlas and other road maps have scenic routes highlighted, drive them rather than the "Romantic Road".
Regards, Gary