[Leica] Travel question

[douglas.sharp at gmx.de (Douglas Sharp)]

Didier is right with the trains.
The time you spend hanging around airports (they want you to be there at 
least 2 hours before boarding for security checks) usually makes local 
flights take longer than a trip with an ICE Express in Germany, the only 
problem with German railways is their fares system- it's very 
complicated - if you find a VERY good member of staff at the ticket 
counter, he/she will be able to work out very reasonable fares, in fact 
you can sometimes travel cheaper first class than second. There is an 
extra charge for ICE Expresses, so be sure to reserve a seat, you have 
to pay the extra even if it's standing room only. You'll find there are 
all sorts of off-peak offers or special offers for regional trains too. 
First class ICE trains are wonderful, the second class cars are a bit 
too much plastic for my tastes, particularly the compartment cars. Don't 
know whether it affects you, but smoking is prohibited almost everywhere 
in Germany now, so if you want a quick drag and a cough it has to be 
outside.
No problems at all with German airport security personnel, but the 
checks are laborious for passengers and the security people too - so be 
nice to them.
BTW, almost everyone in Germany speaks a little English, most people in 
customer service quite good English.
Douglas
(since 1974 in Germany)

Didier Ludwig wrote:
> John
>
> As Nathan recommended, use trains for shorter travels. Railways have a 
> much bigger acceptance here, and the railway net is very dense and the 
> trains mostly comfortable. Short and middle distance flights are not that 
> easy and affordable like in the US. You cross customs and controls 2x per 
> flight, lose a lot of time, and often the airports are far away from the 
> cities' centres and the taxi ride quite expensive. Customs controls in the 
> trains are much easier. Last time I took an intl. night train I gave my 
> passport to the conductor after the boarding, and in the morning, he gave 
> it back to me.
>
> The german railways (Deutsche Bundesbahn) offer a lot of special 
> arrangements, so if you have a concrete travelling plan they may work out 
> a suiting arrangement for you. I recommend 1st class which is usually 
> still way cheaper than scheduled flights. 
>
> For distances like Frankfurt-Vienna or Frankfurt-Rome a flight might be 
> the better solution. But book early, especially if you want a low cost 
> airline.
>
> Enjoy the german beer. They have the best in the world (together with the 
> Czech's).
>
> Didier
>
>
>
>   
>> I have a job to shoot in southern Germany in early May and would 
>> appreciate
>> any helpful thoughts on traveling there.  Have not done much in the way of
>> flying so help with security check points, batt chg. Adapters, travel once
>> I'm there, I'm thinking mostly rail.  I want to fly into Frankfort, shoot 
>> a
>> wedding, and then travel for 6ish days and fly out of Frankfort. Travel to
>> include maybe Vienna, northern Italy, then into Paris for 3 days and rail
>> back to Frankfort.  Maybe see Wetzlar...
>> Any help would be much appreciated.
>> Regards,
>> John Payne 
>>     
>
>
>
>
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