Frankfurt to Munich: Where to pick up a car, where to train

Why even consider a car in Germany. Travel by train is so convenient; I would thoroughly explore trains in the area, and then only rent a car if absolutely necessary.

Tiffany,

Most autobahn (on the highway) or autohof (off the highway and usually are upscale [by American standards] truck stops with great fod) gas stations take Master Card, not sure about Visa, AMEX, etc.

You can pick up your rental car in Koblenz on the 2nd or 3rd day or so. Personally I think you're much more flexible in discovering the Rhine and Mosel river valley if you've got a car. Avoid picking up at train stations though as they add 19% of extra handling fee. Pick a downtown location. By the way today the gallon of regular gas in Frankfurt is $9.07, Diesel is $8.64. Also diesel cars get much better milage...

Thanks Andreas for the information! Sounds like maybe we are better to brave driving in the cities and to pick-up and drop-off in Frankfurt/Munich? Thanks also for the gas information - I was definitely planning on budgeting that in.

Do you know - can you use credit cards at gas stations?

Every single brand name (Aral, Shell, Esso, Total, etc.) gas station takes credit cards incl. visa, master, amex, diners club. Gas at supermarket gas stations such as real or globus (and many, many others) don't take credit cards, only cash and debit (maestro, visa eletron) but are around 5 cents per liter cheaper than the brand name ones.

I once had an accident after crossing the Atlantic and then driving in Nürnberg. My reactions were simply not swift enough.

I lived in Germany for 6 years and owned a car. IMO, it was great for touring in the country and a pain in towns.

Now that we are returning for visits as tourists, we prefer train travel. There are so many trains and so many departure times that we are rarely inconvenienced time wise. And, we do not have to worry about where to park the car. An added advantage to the train is that you are traveling with Germans and other tourists, rather than in a private bubble. For us it enhances the travel experience, but that is a personal taste.

For your itinerary I might consider a car if I wanted to see the Alps while visiting Füssen, etc. Otherwise, I would at least take a look at train availability:

http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en

Regards and good luck,

Gary

Having just returned from a fantastic trip to Germany I will say that for me, a car is a must. Go where you want, stop where you want, and luggage safe and secure in the trunk the whole time. I picked up a car at the Frankfurt airport and spent most of my time on the castle road.

I cannot stress enough the value of a GPS. It saves a lot of time and headache.

As for the jet lag. I got advice on this site and it worked well for me. A few days before you leave, get up early at home (I got up at 3am)and go to bed when you are absolutely exhausted. By the time you arrive in Germany, you will be well adjusted to the time difference.

Rob

I've gone through Germany once by train and once by car. We're going again this fall by train.

Trains don't get lost,or run out of gas, trains don't get stuck in traffic, or detoured by construction, I don't have to find and pay for parking for a train. I don't have to worry about falling asleep on a train because I'm tired. I can actually enjoy the scenery from a train without getting into an accident, or missing my exit.

The train schedules are flexible and connections are well spaced.

Enjoy your trip, but I'll enjoy mine because I'm not driving.