My family (spouse, 13 year old son, and 9 year old daughter at time of trip) will be in Denmark next summer, and plan to spend 4-5 days in Paris after Denmark. We have a couple of days that we could spend in Germany in between Denmark and Paris. No one in our group have been to Germany, and I hate to only spend two days there, but that's how it would work out this trip. Any recommendations on cities or towns to visit on the way from Denmark to Paris? Also, any recommendations on transportation? I'm leaning toward train, but my husband is thinking about renting a car from Denmark to Germany, if we go, then taking a train from Germany to France. Thanks.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Hamburg, definitely Hamburg! It's one of Germany's most elegant cities.
Posted by
Stuttgart, Germany
3050 posts
Hamburg seems like the natural place to see and two days would make sense (I'm sure you could spend longer, but 2 days is a good introduction to most cities). I'd just take the train, as a car won't be of much use in a big city anyway.
Posted by
Green Bay
21153 posts
I posted to your question in the "Travel" Forum. If you travel by train, you'll change in Hamburg, and Tom likes Hamburg. I am partial to Cologne (but then I've never been to Hamburg). Cologne is another place where you change trains. From Cologne it is a straight shot to Paris on the Thalys train, 5 trains a day get you to Paris in 3.25 hours. Traveling by car may be cost effective for a family of 4. I don't know anything about drop off charges. If your husband is a normal, red blooded American male, I know he just can't wait to get on the Autobahn and see if you really can go as fast as you want.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10601 posts
As mentioned, do make sure you know the extra costs associated with renting a car in one country and returning in another. It can add up to hundreds of dollars. A car in Europe is best used to go to places not easily reached by train. You won't be doing that with your very short timeframe. Have a great trip!
Posted by
OP
Oklahoma, Oklahoma, USA
34 posts
Haha Sam, come to think of it, that's probably why he wants to rent a car! I think we'll take a train. Thank you everyone for the great advice. We'll have to do some research and choose between Hamburg and Cologne.
Posted by
San Francisco
14980 posts
Hi, I say choose Hamburg. Spend the 2 days there, then take the ICE to Frankfurt, where you transfer to Paris, also on the ICE, depending how you time it. Both legs are direct.