Hi Dori - It all depends: In and around the major cities you have well developed public transport systems that are fast and reliable. Jams on the autobahns have become a regular occurrence depending on the location and time of the day [week]. So if you plan to visit places that are far apart it may be advantageous to cover the longer distances by train and then hire a car or use the local transport system [if available]. Train tickets are significantly cheaper if booked a few months in advance. Still, if two people ride together in a rented car, there is not much cost difference between train and rented car. However, you may be able to locate out of the way [and significantly cheaper] accomodation, which is easier to reach by car. If you go by train + public transport you have a certain amount of additional shlepp as you have to carry/pull your luggage with you. Best regards - Bernd *********************************************************** Message: 1 Date: Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:47:02 -0600 From: Dori Rhody <drhody@spwl.net> Subject: [PBS] A travel question To: polandbordersurnames@rootsweb.com Message-ID: <4B6B6A86.8040404@spwl.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed I know this is really niave, but, my husband and I would like to visit Germany and perhaps the area my people were from and a couple of relatives I've located. Last time we rented a car and drove where we wished to go, This year I'm wondering if it might cost less to use public transportation. Where we are in Wisconsin, there isn't any, in fact I don't recall ever riding a train. Guide books can only answer so much. Dori