baemel

We're going to fly into Munich and would like to hop around some small towns (in Southern Germany) each day over 5 nights including possibly 1 night in Basel, Switz. <BR><BR>We're trying to decide best to go by train or rent a car? Is there space for luggage on the rail? is it very smoky? Is car travel too complicated? expensive? slow? <BR><BR>PLEASE share your experiences so we can make an informed decision. Appreciate the help.

Patrick

I'm often the big supporter of train travel in Europe. But for those smaller towns, I'd highly recommend a car. We did go to Berchtesgaden a couple years ago without a car and regretted it. We were far more limited in what we could do. This summer we will be traveling by train for two months in Europe -- but will be in Garmisch-Partenkirchen for a week and it is the one place we will definitely rent a car!<BR>At least I'd say do a car if I understand your post correctly. You are talking about spending a night in each of these smaller towns, right? If on the other hand you're taking about staying in Munich and doing day trips everyday from there (except for the one night in Basel) then I'd probably stick with the train.<BR>Trains have no-smoking cars -- and they are honored. There is plenty of room for luggage on the trains, either at the back of the car or above or below your seats. Car travel in Germany is very easy!! Of course, cities are much more difficult than the small towns, however.

uncle_sam

Agree with the previous poster about cars and trains although you can get tosome prettu good day trips from Munich by train.<BR><BR>However, why Basel?<BR><BR>I've been there and there are so many better day trips from Munich!<BR><BR>US

baemel

Uncle Sam,<BR><BR>Ok I tried to reply but it got lost in the system...anyhow,<BR><BR>We were looking onto the Germany unlimited rail pass and it included Basel. We had an interest in Switz. so decidedwhy not. If we drive obviously we'll have more options. Wheer in Switz.? Where else? Please share you suggestions and why...thanks

uncle_sam

baemel,<BR><BR>I would suggest the following day trips from Munich<BR><BR>1. Fussen and Neuschwanstein (Mad King Ludwig's Cinderella castle at the end of the Romantic Road)<BR><BR>2. Rothenberg ob der Tauber (excellent walled medieval city)<BR><BR>3. Salzburg (90 minutes by train and one of the most beautiful cities in the world)<BR><BR>4. Dachau (do not go there the day before you come home...end your trip with more pleasant memories to come home with)<BR><BR>5. Bertesgarten and Hitler's lodge<BR><BR>6. Innsbruck, Austria<BR><BR>7. Garmisch Partenkirchen<BR><BR>There are others as well, these are my favorites. I'd allow two full days in Munich and I'd skip Switzerland this trip. <BR><BR>Hope this helps<BR><BR>US

baemel

Uncle_sam,<BR><BR>Thanks so much for the info. What did you like about Munich? we had only planned 1 day there....

Russ

Baemel: The answer depends on what your plans are exactly. If you're using Munich as a base for exploring on daytrips, the train is excellent. All trains have non-smoking compartments, it's pretty simple, and it can be very economical if travelling on a small-group (up to 5 people) daypass (21-28 Euros/day on the regional tarins.) Munich is the hub, with railway spokes shooting off in all directions. Salzburg, Berchtesgaden, Fussen, Garmisch, Mittenwald, and many other destinations are within about 2 hours of Munich by train. <BR><BR>However, if you plan to go BETWEEN these spots, you'll want a car, since the train will normally require a return to Munich before heading out on another &quot;spoke&quot;.<BR><BR>Here is a map of the train system in Bavaria so you can see how the rail lines run:<BR><BR>www.bayern-takt.de/htdocs/bahnkarte.htm

baemel

Russ, thanks for the map. It is just my husband and I and we were looking to stay somewhere new each night of our stay and only stay in Munich the first night we arrive. That may change as I see this map. Can you offer any info on the nightlife in Munich? worth staying there as a hub and branching out each day? Many thanks.

uncle_sam

Baemel,<BR><BR>I have been to Munich on business and vacation six or seven times and it is one of my favorite places.<BR><BR>You do not say when you are going but I would suggest you consider the following:<BR><BR>1. Marienplatz...great place to drink a beer and eat a brat. The old and new rathauses are there along with St. Peter's Kirche. Go to the top on a clear day and you can see the Alps about 60 miles away. Also the glockenspel comes alive a couple of times a day. In the basement of the neu rathaus is a very good German restaurant.<BR><BR>2. The Beer Halls...The Hofbrauhaus is a beer hall that sits about 3 to 4,000 people inside and out, oompah band and a bunch of drunk tourists and average food. The Augustinerbrau beer haus is outstanding and is where the locals go.<BR>also the Seehaus and the Chinese Pagoda in the Englisher Gartens.<BR><BR>3. The Alte and Nue Penethotek (sp)Art museums.<BR><BR>4. Chruches...the Two Sisters and the Assam chruch are worthwhile, particularly the Assam Church on Sendlinger Strasse is worthwhile. It is very Baroque!<BR><BR>5. Englisher Gartens...great city park and you can rent a bicycle and eat and drink beer at the Seehaus by the lake and the chinese Pagoda. Beware the nude sunbathers in the summer.<BR><BR>6. The Deutshces Museum<BR><BR>7. The Karls Platz and Sendlinger Strassa for shopping<BR><BR>8. Lots of beer halls and wine shtubings for evening entertainment<BR><BR>9. Residenz...The home of the Weitlesbachs (sp), the rulers of Bavaria. Nice place and great tour<BR><BR>10. Summer palace of the &quot;W&quot; people but forget the name<BR><BR>Hope that helps!<BR><BR>US

baemel

Uncle_Sam,<BR>Very much helps....Many thanks for all the great info! We will be going in early May this year.

Snoopy

Listen to US, he shoots straight.<BR><BR>I'd rent a car and drive the Alpenstrasse, it's gorgeous. I've done the same thing on a train, and it was fun but not quite as rewarding. We started in Munich and we would generally get on a train headed somewhere by 8:00am and get off at the first place that looked interesting, usually within 2 or 3 hours.<BR><BR>By car, we'd spend a little more time driving around before we'd decide to stay. There are some spectacular places to stay along the Alpenstrasse that we would never have seen. (http://www.german-alpine-road.de/)<BR><BR>Having said all that, you can't go wrong. It's a beautiful part of Europe.