pja1

Hi,
We were originally planning to arrive Frankfurt and depart from Munich, but now we depart from Frankfurt instead. Any ideas regarding a town (prefer a small town) to stay in within an hour or so of the Airport? We are looking at a 12:30pm flight or 5:15pm flight out of Frankfurt. Any and all recommendations for a town/pension or hotel would be appreciated.

Laurie

We have not stayed yet, but Aschaffenburg is where we will spend our last night in Germany. It is about a 45 minute train ride to the Frankfurt airport.

annw

Several Fodorites recommended Mainz when I was asking this question a while back -- it worked out very well for me; I found a hotel a block from the train station and had no problem hopping a train to FRA in a timely manner. It was well situated for the travel but also an interesting town and good for walking and seeing the sights.

annw

I should add the direct train took about 20 minutes, though it depends on which train you get--some have a stop/change.

Larryincolorado

Even with the 12:30 departure, you should have plenty of time to get to the airport from Bacharach or St. Goar. Either would certainly fit your small town preference, and they would be worthwhile sights, more than just a place to spend the last night.

farrermog

Prior to flying back to Australia from Frankfurt on my 1981 trip I spent the last night at the town of Bad Nauheim and found that a visit to the hot spring baths (in the centrally located public park close to the railway station) was a perfect way to prepare for the long flight.

pja1

Thank you for the suggstions. I should have stated earlier that we'll have a car and we'll be spending 4 nights on the Mosel at the beginning of our trip. Thanks.

Paul

bettyk

I'd recommend either Wertheim or Miltenberg. Both are charming towns located west of Wurzburg. Wertheim is located on the confluence of the Main and Tauber Rivers and Miltenberg is on the Main River.

http://www.tourist-wertheim.com/
http://www.miltenberg.info/

It should only take you about an hour or less to travel from either of these towns to the Frankfurt Airport.

hopscotch

I recommend the Aschaffenburger Hof hotel. It's a few blocks from the train station in Aschaffenburg.

richardsonsnm

Schloss Hotel Kronberg, LHW.COM

LoriS

Another vote for Schlosshotel Kronberg. It's our preferred hotel when departing from FRA.

capxxx

Another vote for Mainz -- a great pedestrian central area with nice restuarants and river views, and the Gutenberg museum.

There are several hotels on the Banhofplatz (right across the plaza from the train station). We like the Hotel Tulip.

richardsonsnm

LoriS; I so agree, we have stayed half a dozen times now. We always find it amazing to be having "breakfast" at the castle in the snow, then home in Phoenix in the sun by mid afternoon, culture shock to say the least. Great, casual hotel in a perfect location.

bettyk

LoriS and richardsonsnm, the Schlosshotel Kronberg goes for 400 Euros and up a night. That's my hotel budget for 4 or 5 nights!!

TuckH

First night and last night, we stayed here...

Iphofen, 100 miles 1hr30min from Frankfurt Airport http://www.gaestehaus-duering.de/

TexasAggie

Hi Tuck,

Wow, looks lovely. We're returning to Germany and Austria yet again next spring (it must get into the blood). We've previously always stayed in Wurzburg or Mainz but have been looking for something a little more peaceful. Our flight leaves at 2:25pm from FRA so we should have no problem staying 1.5 hours away.
Do the owners speak any English at all? My German is slowly improving, but is still pretty poor I'm afraid. My accent is even worse!

amor

I stayed in Aschaffenburg on our first night in Germany after flying into Frankfurt. We stayed in the Hotel Wilder Mann. Reasonably priced,clean, walking distance into town. There are places to eat and a beer garden within a block. There is a castle/museum, a nice river walk, a small town and a park to visit. The hotel is also close to the autobahn that will take you to the airport if driving.

I had wanted to stay in Mainz, but Aschaffenburg was more direct to our next day's destination. Mainz might have more sights if you wanted to take in more touring.

Vttraveler

another vote for mainz. In addition to the sights others have mentioned there is a beautiful Romanesque cathedral and a church (Stephanskirche)with windows by Chagall.

I stayed near the train station in Mainz because I didn't have a car but others have recommended hotels along the Rhine--either the Hyatt or the Hilton

My husband also enjoyed staying in the Lahntal near Frankfurt

richardsonsnm

bettyK; oh what a shame.

TuckH

>Do the owners speak any English at all?<

Yes, she does (somewhat). My wife is German, thus alot went on between them that I missed. I wouldn't be concerned about it; try sending an e-mail in English and test it.