Germany

"My husband wants to drive thru the autobahn." It's not as fun as it sounds. Unless traffic is especially light (which it never is around Frankfurt), you're limited to short bursts of speed while passing, and for the most part, averaging about 80-100 km/hr (48-60 mph). Then, traffic will often come to a screaming halt for no apparent reason.

Lani, I agree with the others - take the train from Frankfurt to Munich. It's very easy and relaxing, and you won't have to deal with high fuel costs, parking, CDW, etc. The rail stations are in the city centres, so it shouldn't be hard to get to your hotel in Munich. For the trip from Germany to Paris, at least part of that will likely be via TGV, which travels at 300 kmH. That's a very efficient use of travel time. As Paris has about six rail stations, you'll have to use the Metro or whatever to get to the area of your hotel. You'll likely be arriving at Gare de l'Est (although I haven't checked). Happy travels!

Thank you all, this is very helpful. Will just take the train then.

The fastest way from Munich to Paris is either a direct TGV from Munich or ICE to Stuttgart and TGV from Stuttgart to Paris. These connections also offer advance purchase discount fares.

Lani, There is a way to to go from Munich to Paris by avoiding both the TGV and Thalys, taking both legs on the ICE, much more preferable. Take an early ICE Munich-Frankfurt, get there by noon, then then the ICE Frankfurt Hbf. to Paris Est at 1301. The drawback is that you may arrive later than you want to in Paris. I'd rather transfer in Frankfurt Hbf than Stuttgart Hbf. There is always the CNL night train option Munich Hbf to Paris Est direct.

Both the ICE from Munich to Frankfurt and the ICE from Frankfurt to Paris stop in Mannheim. You can save 1½ hours by making the change to an earlier ICE in Mannheim rather than going all the way to Frankfurt. Having been in both Frankfurt Hbf and Stuttgart Hbf (and Mannheim Hbf), I see nothing wrong with changing in Stuttgart.

"Having been in both Frankfurt Hbf and Stuttgart Hbf (and Mannheim Hbf), I see nothing wrong with changing in Stuttgart." Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof is currently undergoing a multi-year massive and quite controversial renovation, dubbed "Stuttgart 21". If I had my choice, I would prefer not to change there right now.