Berlin to Frankfurt - Train or Fly?
Replies: 14 - Last Post: Oct 9, 2012 7:09 AM Last Post By: volker81
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Berlin to Frankfurt - Train or Fly?
Hi, we’re staying in Berlin for a week over NY 2012, and then need to get to Frankfurt airport for a 22.00 (10 pm) international flight.The train (IC) takes about 5 hours, with 1 change at about 109 Euros, where as a direct flight takes about 1.15 hours and costs 90 Euros.
Will the train be relaxing and pleasant, or time consuming - verses the plane, will the airports be frustrating and busy?
The cost is not so different so it really relies on the expected experience. And we will be sitting on an international flight for 22 hours so should we avoid airports as much as possible? Or is that train trip a boring pain?
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The train (IC) takes about 5 hours, with 1 change at about 109 EurosWhere did you get this information? The tickets will cost much less if you book early enough on http://www.deutschebahn.com/en. You can't book tickets for January yet, but I found some tickets for December for 29 euros. Search for trains to Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Fernbf.
Will the train be relaxing and pleasant, or time consuming - verses the plane, will the airports be frustrating and busy?
It depends on how you like to travel. I would find the train much more relaxing than the flight.
3
According to the Man in Seat 61 (http://www.seat61.com/news.htm#.UG00p44gXZc), the bookings will open on 16 October. Book your ticket then to get the best price.5
in case you've a bit time to spare, I recommend taking the route via Erfurt - much more scenic IMO. just enter Erfurt as a via with zero stopover time. be aware that those special deals bought in advance are non-flexible, you might want to check whether you still qualify for Rail and Fly...7
Traveling after NewYear means lot of people everywhere.Flying to FRA means that you can really save some time since you are going to catch an ongoing flight.
Going by train CAN be more relaxed, but travelling in second class after holiday can get pretty bad. The trains are packed with people and sometimes they are standing everywhere. So be sure to reserve a seat, without you will have a really bad time.
Usually I do my 6:30 nonstop trip from Berlin by train, because it saved me only 1 or 2 hours but I don't have to pass security and I am flexible.
So basically if it is not about money it is about time, quick and dirty or slow and a chance of travelling comfortable :-)
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Take the train. It's cheaper if you book ahead (see above) and a lot less hassle, as you'll just get from city center to city center without airport transfer, checking in, security checks... If you take all that into account, flying is probably not much faster than the train, if it is at all. Get seat reservations on the train, as a lot of people will be travelling at that time.10
The train is direct, takes 4 hours 8 minutes, zero check-in, centre to centre, fare from €29 booked at http://www.bahn.de/enBookings for dates after 9 Dec will open on 16 October.
A 'one hour flight' will take 3-4 hours once you add check-ins, getting to and from airports, baggage reclaims, and all the stress and hassle. Why go through all that for a straightforward internal journey of just a few hundred miles?
11
Another vote for train here.Flight prices do change all the time : but I can't see them dropping to less then 29 Euros. Especially if you're taking luggage, as most airlines which do the really cheap flights charge extra for anything over hand luggage.
Also : German trains are awesome.
I would, however, suggest paying the extra 4 Euros to get a reserved seat. You might be able to get a seat anyway - but NYE is a busy time : so depends on if you feel lucky.
13
#12where do you have your information, from Bildzeitung? I am traveling on a regular basis with Deustche Bahn and even if all planes downed and roads jammed with cars they still go. Maybe they will catch some delays as weather can be really nasty, but at least they are going and not closing down service. Compared to other countries, the trains are fast and accurate. If you calculate a 10 minutes stop at each station it is easy to be on time, but Deutsche Bahn offers competetive connections inbetween ctities. As for example Frankfurt main station to Berlin main station in 3 hours and 40 minutes.
You are not really faster by plane.
