I have a Ryanair flight out of Frankfurt at 4pm on 26/08. I'll be in Amsterdam until the 24th and was going to take the train to Germany. Does anyone have any recommendation where to spend a couple of days close to Frankfurt? Is Frankfurt worth checking out. I've heard alot about Berlin but I am worried it is too far.
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
My choice would be the Rhine area stay in Bacharach or St Goar. I was there last Aug it was great and 2 nights is just about right.
Posted by
Chicago, IL
103 posts
Remember that Ryanair's "Frankfurt" is nowhere near Frankfurt. It's closer to the Mosel River Valley than Frankfurt. (Frankfurt's well to the east of the map in that link)
It's hard to go wrong staying in the Rhine (St Goar/Bacharach) or Mosel (Cochem/Zell/Trier) areas. Nothing against Frankfurt, but the Rhine/Mosel area are probably a better use of 2 days.
There's a blurb somewhere in Rick's Germany book about how to get to Hahn from the Mosel area, but I don't know it offhand.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, US
516 posts
We spent a couple days each in Bacharach and Cochem and loved Cochem (we liked Bacharach a lot too). I would vote for Cochem if it's a toss-up between the two places for a few days. Not sure the routing for the trains to the airport for Ryanair but if the timing is close I'd vote for Cochem.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19269 posts
Check out the Hahn airport website at www.hahn-airport.de. It looks like the closest bus connection to Hahn is at Bullay, a little south of Cochem, by train.
You could also leave from Koblenz, but that takes 1h05m, vs 35min from Bullay. The website for the bus from Koblenz says it costs €13,20; the website for the bus from Bullay doesn't say how much it costs (Hmm!). And to reserve a place on the bus from Bullay you have to call a "fee-per-minute" number.
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
9205 posts
I know everyone is waiting on me to toot Frankfurts horn, so here goes. I think there is a lot to see here. This is a hugely historical city, with a riverfront full of museums, great diverse restaurants and there is always a festival going on. Are people aware that the Holy Roman Emperors were elected here for 800 years and crowned here for over 200? Did you know we have a Holocaust Memorial wall with over 11,000 names on it? Hmm, I didn't think so. There is plenty more to see, so please stop by and give us a try. The bus going to Hahn leaves from our Main Train station and I believe it costs 12€. If you would like more info on Frankfurt, feel free to write to me personally.
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
9205 posts
Lee, I would so love to show you around town to all the places that so many people don't bother going to see because they don't know about them. I do believe that you might change your mind just a little tiny bit. So, the next time you are in town, please let me know and I will be thrilled to take some time to show you some of our hidden gems.
Posted by
Germany
116 posts
i was SO scrolling down looking for Jo's Frankfurt-fanfare! :P
First - double check which Frankfurt you're flying out of. I'm 99.9% sure you'll be at the Frankfurt-Hahn with Ryan Air.
I agree w/a pp that Frankfurt-Hahn is pretty removed from Frankfurt itself. I think it's a 1hr+ bus ride to just the regular Frankfurt AM airport...??
Hitting the Mosel seems like the best idea since F-Hahn is super close. A little Cochem/Burg Eltz action for you!
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
9205 posts
I did do a bit more fan-fare stuff on this board about the Frankfurt Museum Riverbank fest. So if you are hungering for more, check it out. You might have to scroll!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19269 posts
Contrary to what Jo believes, I have nothing against Frankfurt, other than the fact that I was there once and wasn't particularly impressed, either. Anyway, the bus from Frankfurt (the town, not the airport) takes 1¾ hour (and yes, it costs €12, one way).
With the Mosel such a beautiful spot, I can't see going so far out of your way to NOT enjoy it. Unless you have already seen the Rhein-Mosel-Koblenz area, I wouldn't miss it.