Frankfurt, Nuenburg,Prague

Train, definately. All three cities are served by major ICE trains, and at least Prague and Nurnburg have a metro system (Frankfurt probably does, but I'm not positive). Although driving between these cities is fairly easy, parking and navigation within the cities is difficult and more trouble than it's worth.

I don't think there actually is ICE service from Nürnberg to Prague, but the quickest way (~5 hrs) is all regional.

There is a regional connection leaving Nürnberg at 9:36, changing at Schwandorf to a train from Munich to Prague, getting into Prague at 14:50 (2:50 PM).

There is also a direct regional train leaving Nürnberg at 13:39, getting into Prague at 18:50.

The full fare for these connections is €53,80 one way per person. However, there are discount round-trip Prag-Spezial fares available for less on the DB website. You can also buy point-point fares from Furth im Wald, on the border, to Praque for €26,10 per person at any DB counter, and then split a €28 Bayern-Ticket from Nürnberg to Furth (about €40, per person, total).

I guess that depends on your travel style. There are certainly plenty of train connections from Frankfurt to Nürnberg and from Nürnberg to Prague. Going by train probably costs less and will free you from finding parking and navigating, and you can watch the scenery or do something else, like read, without having to watch the road all the time.

However, it takes some planning, and you have to carry you own luggage, so pack light.

Frankfurt probably does, but I'm not positive

Frankfurt does. The Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV, www.rmv.de) covers most of southern Hessen. Kahl am Main (the first stop in Bavaria on the way to Würzburg) and Mainz are in not actually in the RMV, but transition areas that you can get to with RMV tickets.

If you are willing to take a few more hours getting from Frankfurt to Nürnberg, you can buy an RMV ticket to Kahl (€6,95 pP) and use a Bayern-Ticket from there. There is a direct Regional Express (RE) from Frankfurt Hbf to Würzburg.

Thanks for all the in put. Trip still in planning stages but THINK we would fly into Frankfort, take train to Nuenburg, and then rent a car to go to Prague. Would really like to go native, see country side and stay at gausthoff's (if that is how you spell it. I will keep checking my messages.

Sorry, guess it would have been to say we would like to "go hosteling".

RAi
We are planning the same trip.But in June,12
Do you know a rent car company which we can pick up the car in Frankfurt e leave this sama car in Prague ?
best regards
eric

Rai Ann,

the word in German is Gasthof (Gast'·hof, technically "guest court"). And, the plural, in German, would be Gasthöfe, or Gasthoefe.

I don't know what they call them in Czech.

In Czech they are called penzion, plural penziony.

Then, what are Pensionen called?

Gasthof is usually a pub or restaurant with few rooms above. Pension usually in Germany, Austria and the Czech R. is a house where sometimes owners family live and they also have rooms to rent. See Zimmer frei- room available. Could be also translated room free but that's not what they mean. Breakfast is almost always included in price. Pensionen is plural for pension in German.

Frankfurt probably has over a hundred hotels, all shapes and sizes and prices, along with B&B's, pensions, hostels and short term rental apts.

What is your price range and how long were your planning on staying in town? We do have some lovely neighborhoods that would be nice to stay in. Lots of people like being next to the train station, but since we have a really good public transportation system in town, you can be at the train station within 10 min. or so from most places in town.

I will be happy to recommend a few places.

Probably spend 3 days when we get in. Would like hotel or B&B that has German food, breakfast, not too far from train station. If we leave the U.S. on the 5th of May we would arrive in Frankfurt morning of 6th. Which would have us taking train on Sat. for Nuenburg. When is train travel the heaviest, week day or week end?

Check with the rental company about taking a car to Prague. Most of them won't let you do that due to higher theft rates.

What is the hotel situation in Frankfurt? Anything aroun the airport?

Last time I flew out of FRA, I spent the previous night in Mainz, at Hotel Königshof. It's pretty economical and very convenient to the Mainz train station, from which it is a short S-Bahn ride to the airport. The employees there spoke good English, and they have free wifi.

I think that most hotel right at or near the airport are pretty pricey (if that matters). There is a Best Western (Atrium) in Rüdesheim that is closer to the airport and not too bad cost wise.

There are also hotels in Frankfurt. I'm sure Jo will tell you about them. I saw some around the Frankfurt Hbf but didn't like the neighborhood.

Ilja, nice explanation. Couldn't have said it better myself. I knew the difference but I am sure many on this board didn't.

But my real question is, in Czech, are the equivalent of both German Gasthöfe and German Pensionen called Penziony, or is a Gasthof called something else?

And in German, frei means available, not costless. Free is kostenlos. Found that out with pay toilets. :)

What exactly do you mean by "weakest"? More trains usually run during the work week, but of course, that's because the trains are more crowded.

We took this route (in reverse) last July, from Prague/Nurnburg/Frankfurt by train. There is one express train daily to and from Prague from Nurnburg, don't take any of the other ones. Take food and drink with you! You end up in the small Prague station on the west side of the river, not the main station, so take that into account in your plans. The subway goes right to the station. The train goes a lot faster on the German rails. Nurnburg to Frankfurt is, of course, just a 2 hour snap.

Adding to my earlier post, Eurail pass doesn't include Czech Republic. You can get a special Czech rail pass that allows you to go to Prague and out, different border entrance/exit if you want, or buy the ticket on supplement on the train (a bit cheaper, even with a fine).

The eurail global pass covers Czech. I think this is new though. I don't remember it being on there last year.

Sounds like you are planning a similiar route to me. I figure I am going to take the 0935 train from Nueremburg and switch over in Schwandorf. I want to get to Prague early enough to find my hostel and get some sight seeing in as well.

This is right on the home page of the Eurail website, www.eurail.com.

On popular demand, the Czech Republic has been included in the Global Pass and the Select Pass. Now you can easily visit Prague with Eurail!

This is a relatively new addition.

Lee, Gasthofs are not as common in the Czech R. as they are in Germany or Austria. If there is some pension with restaurant it is also called penzion (spelled with "z").

I wish you would have given me some sort of idea on your hotel budget, as there are a number of really beautiful little hotels here, but the rooms are in the 100 € and above catagory.

Anyway, here are some selections that I thought looked quite nice and were under 100 € per night for a double.

http://www.hotel-goelz.de/ This is located in a beautiful old neighborhood, the Westend. Have not seen it, but it really looked charming.

http://www.bornheimer-hof.de/ Though not elegant, this hotel is in my neighborhood, Bornheim. I walked past there last night, and it did look like a place I would want to stay. An applewine garden/ restaurant right across the street, built in 1600, wine cellar Dunker a block down the street, and a few other nice old buildings surrounding the hotel. The street where it is located, Berger Strasse, is simply wonderful. Filled with cafes, pubs, unique stores and it has a large, open produce market on Wed. & Sat. Most of the buildings in Bornheim were built in 1900, though we do have a few built around 1600.

Price not a problem, however we are not extravegant people. Middle to upper class. Looking to spending 100.00 to 150.00 U.S. dollars per night....Gotta go now.... More later. Thanks all!

We stayed at the Hotel Salvator. Checked out every posting on Helpline last year before choosing a hotel and that one came out on top all the time. We were completely satisfied. Check out their web site.

I believe both hotels have double rooms starting at 70 € per night. Both are in neighborhoods with lots of character and charming architecture, but different from each other. Westend is more old villas, late 1800's or so, and Bornheim is more rustic, with a very diverse population and a great sidewalk cafe scene. I especially like it in the evening, when all the tables have lanterns or candles on them, it just looks so inviting and fun. One wants to sit outside all night, and watch the world go by.

We will be taking the train only from Frankfurt to Nurnberg. If we purchase a rail pass, will it have an open end return since we will not know what date we will be returning to Frankfurt? We plan on renting a car in Nurnberg and driving to Prague