Renting a car in Germany and dropping off in Italy

Probably bad. Many rental companies do not want their cars taken into Italy. Second, you have no need for a car in Venice and Rome, It might work to use a car from Venice to Rome. Be careful of Florence. It is notorious for sends 200 and 300 dollars fines to drivers six months later. The dreaded travel limited zones will bite you in Florence. If I read you posting correctly you are planning to leave Venice, stop by Florence and Pisa and get to Rome all in one day? No way. I think you have a bit too much planned for ten days. You need to look at a map and understand the distances involved with your proposed schedule.

Agree...bad! Probably best bet is to train to Munich, rent a car at the train station, do your touring, train to Venice, and then train to Rome. You need to skip something. I don't know if you've looked at the rental rates in Munich, however, they appear pretty breathtaking!I haven't done the Munich itinerary, however, if it's like other EU areas, I'm sure they have trains or buses or local tours to the sights you want to see. Finally suggest you all limit yourselves to a backpack and one 22" carry on to schlep through the train stations. In addition, we always take an unpacked stuff bag for dirty clothes on the way back to give us room for goodies to bring home.

Thanks Frank, I know we are taking on alot in a short amount of time, but we are used to it. We don't plan on seeing much in Florence or Pisa, but after hearing what you said about Florence, maybe we will skip Florence and take a train from Venice to Pisa, or Venice to Rome.

I think that schedule is kinda nuts, but if you're up for it, more power to you.

Add me to the no-car crowd. In addition to the problems pointed out by the gentlemen above, the drop-off charges for returning a car in a different country can be outrageous.

You can book a tour to Pompeii or do it via train. No need for a car.

You're going to be in Frankfurt for 10 days or in Europe for 10 days? If the latter, it sounds like you are going directly from Frankfurt to Munich. Why not fly into Munich and avoid the trip from Frankfurt to Munich?

Anyway, for travel in Bavaria (around Munich), most of your travel, like to Füssen (Neuschwanstein), will be by regional trains, and Bavaria has all day passes for up to five people on regional trains for €28. You can't rent a car for that.

Dachau, BTW, is a suburb of Munich and best reached by S-Bahn and bus. Dachau is in the second to inner zone of Munich and travel in the two inner zones for a day (S-/U-Bahn, trams, and buses) for up to five people is only €12,30.

Frankfurt to Munich -- definitely better by train than car.

In Munich -- hard to find a place to park a car.

Side trip to Dachau by car -- takes almost twice as long by car as by S-Bahn / Bus.

Side trip to Fussen -- a little more expensive by car, but possibly the day I'd recommend one. Being free from a schedule to see castles, ride the luge, get lunch -- or do a picnic -- and run around the countryside... And renting in the Munich train station is a snap.

Once in Italy... none of those cities is any good by car.

Thank you to all. We are going to be in Europe for 10 days. It is a hectic schedule, and considering everyone's response about the car, I think we are going to reconsider. We have never been to Europe and are used to traveling around the U.S. Our flight is already booked into Frankfurt, they did not have a flight going into Munich. I've just heard so many different stories about which is better, car or train, especially considering there is 5 in my family. I did not know you could get a train pass for 5 people for that price though. Thanks!

...I know we are taking on alot in a short amount of time, but we are used to it.....

..... We have never been to Europe.....

Wow !! are you in for a surprise. Those two statements do not match well. Flying around Europe is not the same as doing it in the US when you are the native, understand how everything works, know the culture, know the language, etc. I think you asking for a lot of frustration especially if you think traveling in Europe is the same as the US. And second why would you want to race by some great historical sights?

O.k. I get the picture, doing too much, but we just want to see everything! I guess we cut back on our sites and hope to travel there again some day. Thanks.

You have to slow down. You don't see much racing by in a car or train. You have to adopt the attitude, "We can see that next time." That saves a lot of frustration. For some reason my wife always had that attitude since our first trip in 72. Didn't take the second trip till 93. Since then we have been averaging almost every year and sometimes twice. Always assume you will be back so you can really enjoy the moment.

Fly into MUC, as Lee suggsts.

After Munich, catch a cheap train ride to Venice. There are advance-sale discount tix for this route at www.bahn.de. A mythical date of March 12 turns up a fare of 138 Euros for 2 adults and 3 kids under 14 for the 9:03 pm departure on the direct City Night Line train, but fares as low as 98 Euros may be possible on other dates. Advance sale tix are available 92 days prior.

Venice to Rome: Mythical date of March 17, fly Ryanair for 79.60 Euros total for the whole family.

www.ryanair.com (buy tix ASAP for best price.)

So in March, your major legs are covered for around 220 Euros total. Prices on your dates may be different.

Alternative: Fly into FRA, take the train to see the nearby medieval castles along the Rhine and Mosel Rivers, then fly Ryanair from Frankfurt Hahn to Venice (tickets for 5 run about 50 Euros total on Ryanair right now!)

www.burg-eltz.de
www.marksburg.de

Hi Tammy-If you are still deciding, for what it's worth, we took our 2 kids, ages 9 and 16 at the time, to Italy two years ago. Here's what I can share: Venice is wonderful and magical to just walk around. So many bridges, canals, shop displays, etc. Pisa you can definitly see in a few hours, the leaning tower is a pleasant 40 minute walk from train station, where you can then relax on the green (my daughter did gymnastics) and soak in the splendor, or shop at souvenir stands. Florence, however, requires at least one night, we stayed three. Climbing the Duomo was great, my kids loved it, and the view is gorgeous. Florence is also great for just walking. We were coaxed inside an artist's shop with beautiful ceramics, she showed my daughter her tiny studio, we bought small souvenirs. Priceless memories.
Riding the trains is fun, but we bought a ticket for a seat that didn't exist. Rick warns you that Italy is somewhat unpredictable, and that's true. You must be flexible. We learned that any of the seats in the aisles are for the taking.
We spent three nights in Rome and thought that was plenty, especially with the kids, although we didn't see everything. Rome is hectic, like any big city.
The best thing about Italy for my kids was the pasta, pizza, and gelato. Gelato was my 9 year olds' favorite Italian experience, besides the town children she played with in the square in Manarola. I have always found scheduling a little less when traveling with kids is wise. Letting them sleep in whenever possible helps too! Finally, figuring out how to let them make a few decisions (pick the restaurant, etc,) keeps them from rebelling, which can ruin the fun for all.
Good Luck!