plades to stay near frankfurt airport

If you are not already locked in to picking up the car at the airport, you might just ride the train to Würzburg (on the Romantic Road) for the night and arrange to pick up the car there the next day. Otherwise, we like Aschaffenburg which is about 29 miles, mostly by Autobahn, from the airport.

Like Gary said, you can simply ride the train to one of the near-by towns and rent your car from there. You might also want to consider staying the night in Frankfurt, so you can tour one of the historic, important cities of Germany. I know it isn't often presented that way in the guide books, but it is one of the older cities, with lots to see. Then, just pick up your rental car the next day and take off. It will be cheaper than renting at the airport too.

thanks, was thinking we'd have to pick up the car at airport.... will have to check the car rental websites for pick-up locations. thanks for the suggestions...

Here are two options I can personally recommend, although I don't know if either will fit your plans. You can take the train from the airport to Frankfurt's main train station, Frankfurt AM Main. Directly across the street is the Hamburger Hof Hotel. In the morning, you can either rent a car at the train station or return by train to the airport to rent your car. Meanwhile, there are some interesting shops and restaurants at the train station. Link: http://www.hamburgerhof.com/default.aspx?lang=en Alternatively, you could take the shuttle bus from Frankfurt Airport to Frankfurt Hahn Airport. We stayed nearby at the Snider's Place B&B. They'll pick you up at the airport if you make prior arrangements. In the morning, they can take you back to Frankfurt Hahn Airport where you can rent your car. The hosts are gregarious and speak fluent English, and we enjoyed having multiple rooms and a small kitchen during our stay. There's nothing to do locally, but if you want a good night's sleep this is a nice option. Link: http://www.hahn-snider-place.homepage.t-online.de/
Whatever you decide to do, have a great trip!

There are car rental places all over the city of Frankfurt. They are cheaper than renting at the airport, so the advice given to go back to the airport the next day to rent a car, will cost you money. The suggestion to ride a 12 euro per person shuttle bus, for 1.5 hours to Hahn, just to rent a car is crazy. Why Hahn of all the places in Germany one could overnight in? A town with nothing to see or do. They could ride the train to places like Wurzburg in the same amount of time. Sounds more like a shill for the B&B there. The same thing goes for just shopping inside the main train station in Frankfurt. When the whole city is there to explore and visit and dine in, why would anyone stay inside the train station?

Hahn? That's a 1.5 hour bus ride in the WRONG direction. Würzburg is a fine suggestion. There are direct trains from FRA. Stay within walking distance of the station and pick up at the station itself. See the Residenz while you're there - it's maybe a 20-min. walk from the station.

I don't get the Hahn suggestion. The Romantic Road (boy those PR guys worked overtime when they came up with that name - I know why the name is used but wow do they sucker people in with it) is a fair distance EAST and SOUTH of Frankfurt. The route begins at its north end in Wuerzburg. Hahn is very nearly the same distance due WEST of Frankfurt. It don't make no sense to go way west to sleep and pay extra to rent at an airport, then drive a long way back east - through all the traffic problems around Frankfurt - and then the same distance east again, then south into the "RR".

thanks for your suggestions... nothing is carved in stone on my trip.. so you never know what direction we will head.. so i appreciate your thoughts of places that you truly enjoyed. i'm sure frankfurt is a lovely city so i don't want to totally discount staying there... i was told there is a historic section that is a very nice area to stay... as i do more research on car rental agencies i'm sure i will find pick-up and drop off sites that work for me.. i am having so much fun researching and enjoy communicating with you all...any ideas you have for my dream trip are appreciated...
thanks again and happy new year....