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stevesnj · Mar 10, 2006, 09:06 PM

Hey there my German MacNNr's!!! I need some travel advice and whom better to ask than those from the country I plan to travel to.

Here's my travel needs and help from an German native to an American traveler is appreciated.

I am a teacher and plan to travel to the Hockenheim to watch the Formula 1 race on the 30th of July. Needless to say being an American teacher I get paid terrible and I am in need of an economical travel plan. I am coming from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA and like to go to Hockenheim. BUT here's a wrinkle in my plan, I want to visit someone in Norden in Northern Germany also. I would like to find a way to get to Norden in the most economical way and back to Hockenheim. My question is; Is it cheaper to fly, take the train, or drive? The drive is 360 miles, 580 kilometers. Also I don't mind sleeping in a shed if I can get a cheap place to sleep as long as its air conditioned...lol. Also I want to take my PowerBook and digital camera. Any advice if I should take them?

I appeciate any help and advice from my German MacnNN friends and hope to be in Germany in July if all goes well

Thanks

Steve

fhoubi · Mar 10, 2006, 10:00 PM

Why Hockenheim? It is one of the boriest races anyway. And it was almost canceled this year because of the circuit is going bankrupt I think.

Nonetheless, a single oneway regular train ticket from lets say Hamburg to Mannheim/Hockenheim will cost you exactly 100 euros.. (www.bahn.de), probably plane or car would be cheaper... dunno

(Yes, my girlfriend is german, lives in south Germany, I travel every 2..4 weeks by train thru Germany, and the last 6 holidays I spent in north Germany

) Oh, by the end of July I am there again! And the race is on my birthday...

Analogika, Euphras?

TETENAL · Mar 10, 2006, 10:15 PM

Cheapest is probably by bus. You can go from Heidelberg to Hamburg for 19,- €. It'll take almost 10 hours though.

http://www.ab9euro.de/de/Fahrplan/

When you are in Hockenheim I definitely suggest you pay a visit to Heidelberg anyway.

Kr0nos · Mar 11, 2006, 01:48 AM

I would agree with the two people posting above me. Take a train from Hamburg to Mannheim, and from there it's only a short trip by PT (I think train as well).

Make sure to stop by Heidelberg as well after you're done sight seeing in Hockenheim, - which will take about 10 minutes.

skalie · Mar 11, 2006, 01:58 AM

Thre used to be adeal where up to five people could travel all they want on the trainlines for 10 euro in the weekend.

Not sure if it still exists.

Germans are also fans of Missefahrtcentrum (sp?) which is sort of like hitchhiking but you help pay the costs for the trip, you react to messages posted on bulletin boards in the centrums, I think there's even an online version.

skalie · Mar 11, 2006, 02:28 AM

Here it is, you can ask for lifts as well.....

http://www.mitfahrgelegenheit.de/

stevesnj · Mar 11, 2006, 06:40 AM

Hmm i never thought of a bus...getting to Norden will take longer than 10 hours but to keep my travel spending down it may be a good option and I get to see Germany, through a window, but I still get to see it

Wheres the best place to stay? We have a lot of cheap hotelslike $40 night here in the US any such places in Germany?

SimeyTheLimey · Mar 11, 2006, 06:44 AM

I lived a couple of years in Mannheim, which is just down the road from Hockenheim. Do try to at least stop off at Heidelberg. Walk around, eat dinner or drink a beer with the students at the Schnookeloch. Walk around the corner and take in the view of the old bridge and the river. Walk up a short hill and order a beer or a coffee at one of the cafes in the Marktplatz and take in the view of the castle. You won't regret it.

TETENAL · Mar 11, 2006, 06:57 AM

Originally Posted by stevesnj

Hmm i never thought of a bus...getting to Norden will take longer than 10 hours

OK, what exactly do you mean by "Norden"? Hamburg is in the north of Germany and if you want to visit it I would say go for it. That will take 10 hours by bus from Heidelberg. Heidelberg and Hamburg are great cities and worth the visit (and if you go by bus you'll see a little bit of Frankfurt by night as well.

)
Or do you want to go to even further to the North See coast? I have never been there, but I guess it's cold and boring.

euphras · 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by TETENAL

OK, what exactly do you mean by "Norden"? Hamburg is in the north of Germany and if you want to visit it I would say go for it. That will take 10 hours by bus from Heidelberg. Heidelberg and Hamburg are great cities and worth the visit (and if you go by bus you'll see a little bit of Frankfurt by night as well.

)

Tetenal, he pro´lly means the town Norden (vicinity of Emden and Aurich)

Stevesnj: Dunno how much time you got on your hands, but if you´re planning to visit the northern part i highly suggest visiting Bremen (not Bremerhaven) and Hamburg (including a harbour tour).

Or do you want to go to even further to the North See coast? I have never been there, but I guess it's cold and boring.

Sorry, but if you´ve never been there, you pro´lly can´t judge. I´ve lived there for some time, it´s one of the most beautiful landscapes of GE.

stevesnj · 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by euphras

Tetenal, he pro´lly means the town Norden (vicinity of Emden and Aurich)
.

Yes Im sorry it is the town of Norden way North Germany, a beach town, near Bremen my friend says. and closer to Hamburg.

Simey,

What airline and price on air fare did you get? Im getting a range of $750-$1,200 round trip to Hockenheim (arriving at Frankfurt, or Cologne airports)

Map of Norden location and some surraounding airports (more expensive to fly to those)

euphras · Mar 12, 2006, 02:56 PM

Aaahh, you mean the Hallig Nordstrand; Norderhafen, - gosh - , Schleswig-Holstein is EVEN MORE beautiful than that "Norden" i thought of (you can get some initial impressions by viewing my holiday thread:
http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...eswig+holstein

As for going by plane: these Airports are not "real Airports", these are small ones for private planes, gliders and so on...

Maybe we can meet when you´ll be there in july; i´ll visit some friends in S-H

stevesnj · 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by euphras

Aaahh, you mean the Hallig Nordstrand; Norderhafen, - gosh - , Schleswig-Holstein is EVEN MORE beautiful than that "Norden" i thought of (you can get some initial impressions by viewing my holiday thread:
http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...eswig+holstein

As for going by plane: these Airports are not "real Airports", these are small ones for private planes, gliders and so on...

Maybe we can meet when you´ll be there in july; i´ll visit some friends in S-H

Well this is the postal code he gave me '26506 norden , germany' ...I have been usung google to get a map but I just seen that Bremen is more towards the Netherlands so I wonder if theres a way to pinpoint his location from the posatal code or could you help out? He is away and I cant get a hold of him just now.

I will be there in July, from the 25th to the 30th or 31st.

TETENAL · Mar 12, 2006, 03:34 PM

http://www.mapquest.de/mq/maps/linkT...;cid=lfmaplink

SimeyTheLimey · Mar 12, 2006, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by stevesnj

Simey,

What airline and price on air fare did you get? Im getting a range of $750-$1,200 round trip to Hockenheim (arriving at Frankfurt, or Cologne airports)

Uncle Sam bought my ticket, and anyway, that was 13 years ago so I can't help you directly. However, your ticket prices seem pretty good to me.

Frankfurt is closer to where you are going than Cologne. Unless you get an amazing deal on Cologne, you are better off going to Frankfurt.

stevesnj · Mar 12, 2006, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by TETENAL

http://www.mapquest.de/mq/maps/linkT...;cid=lfmaplink

Ah two Norden's ... thanks TETENAL!!! this is much better than the other Norden...Seems Bremen or Hamburg is the best airport then Im off to Hockenheim!!!

Maybe the bus will be cheaper now also or even a train. What is your price in fuel? Is it to much in your opinion to drive a rental car? depends on fuel costs Iwould assume.

euphras · Mar 12, 2006, 03:57 PM

So it´s Norden/Niedersachsen. The red arrow indicates the location of Norden

feel free to contact me via PM

stevesnj · Mar 12, 2006, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by euphras

So it´s Norden/Niedersachsen. The red arrow indicates the location of Norden

feel free to contact me via PM

pm sent

wdlove · Mar 12, 2006, 04:57 PM

I hope that you will have an awesome trip to Germany. Sounds like an awesome trip.

D'Espice · 05:32 PM

Nice, coming to Germany is always a good idea. And here's some additional information, hope I'm not too late

First of all, travelling through Germany can be quite expensive. Taking the train (Deutsche Bahn) is probably the most expensive way unless you get one of their special prices like the weekend ticket (which will not allow you to use the fast trains though) or other specials. You can get a quick look at what specials are or are not available at www.bahn.de (somewhere on that very confusing website there's a way to switch language... dunno where, couldn't find it). Now for cheaper alternatives: flying can be quite cheap but not necessarily. I see you've already gotten some information about flights, you may wanna check out these websites as well:

www.traveloverland.de
www.billigflieger.de
www.easyjet.com
www.ryanair.de
www.opodo.de

There's a ton more where these come from but those are the only ones I still remember (not getting any younger you know...). Renting a car and driving might also be a possibility (you're gonna love the German Autobahns, trust me - everybody always does) but not a very cheap one. Rentals are quite expensive (check out www.budget.de, www.europcar.de, www.avis.de, www.sixt.de) but what's really gonna kill ya is gas prices. Right now we're at 1,25€/l and god only knows how high it will get in July. Usually gas prices skyrocket around mid-july when summer long vacations start in Germany, hence 1.30-1.50€/l is not completely utopian. And last but not least of course the buses, the cheapest way to travel through Germany.

Now about finding a hotel. The problem is that during events like the F1GP in Hockenheim, hotels usually go bananas and try to make as much profit as possible... hence room prices are pretty much like gas prices, they tend to skyrocket. You can get a good look at hotel prices at www.hrs.de and even make book your room online. If you prefer to camp, the ADAC Camping Guide might help. Another great source of information might be the website of the city of Hockenheim (http://www.hockenheim.de/main), check out the Tourism section maybe you can find some cheap hotels and campgrounds there (especially these here should be very helpful)

This is all for now, feel free to contact me anytime for further assistance and help and also once you arrive here. I can give you my phone number in case you run into any trouble, maybe I might be able to help you out. I live in Munich though which is not even close to Hockenheim but if there's anything you need, feel free to contact me

SimeyTheLimey · Mar 12, 2006, 06:55 PM

For accomodation, you might want to look into youth hosteling (assuming you are young enough). Otherwise, hotels can be quite steep. Novotel is a chain that is pretty close to a US motel and they are usually reasonably economically priced. Not $40 but not outrageous.

Otherwise, look into guesthouses. They are usually smaller family run affairs and can be quite nice and reasonably priced if you don't expect things like en-suite bathrooms. The buildings are often too old for that and those that have them charge a steep premium.

The cheapest way to do train tickets is to buy a Eurail pass now, before you go. You can't buy them in Germany. You buy them through a travel agent in the US. They will save you a bundle, and give you a lot of flexibility.

Otherwise, rent a car. You are going to places kind of off the beaten path anyway. It won't be cheap, but maybe you can offset costs by staying further away from Hockenheim with its inflated hotel charges. I would imagine if you stayed in one of the Mannheim suburbs or maybe even around Speyer it would be cheaper.

stevesnj · Mar 12, 2006, 07:22 PM

Well someone mentioned 1.50 Euro gallon...which converts to $2.14 gallon USD which is what I pay now! Plus I found a car for $70 day unlimited milage...woo hoo!! I'll sleep in the car if I find a safe spot...lol...I would just need to shower. lol...im still workin on it all. A lot to think about, this is gonna be a great trip I think..

TETENAL · Mar 12, 2006, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by stevesnj

Well someone mentioned 1.50 Euro gallon

No. Someone mentioned 1.50 € the litre. That's not quite the same as a gallon.

turtle777 · Mar 12, 2006, 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by TETENAL

No. Someone mentioned 1.50 € the litre. That's not quite the same as a gallon.

Come on, minor detail, don't spoil his vacation with that

-t

D'Espice · Mar 13, 2006, 05:17 AM

Originally Posted by stevesnj

Well someone mentioned 1.50 Euro gallon...which converts to $2.14 gallon USD which is what I pay now! Plus I found a car for $70 day unlimited milage...woo hoo!! I'll sleep in the car if I find a safe spot...lol...I would just need to shower. lol...im still workin on it all. A lot to think about, this is gonna be a great trip I think..

Trust me I'd be more than happy if it really was 1.50 Euro per gallon.... but it's 1.50€ per liter or in other words ~6€/gallon. Or in yet other words, about 4x as much as you pay in the US

skalie · Mar 13, 2006, 05:50 AM

When in Germany be prepared to wait for like 10 minutes for a tap beer.

It's worth the wait, but it can be an idea to order a bottle as well if your thirst is urgent.

And watch out for "Hefe Weiser", it ferments in your stomach and you end up getting more and more drunk even after you've stopped drinking.

euphras · 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by skalie

And watch out for "Hefe Weiser", it ferments in your stomach and you end up getting more and more drunk even after you've stopped drinking.

Hefe Weizen does not ferment, the yeast cells are dead.

stevesnj · 11:57 AM

lol..yeah im a Metric rookie..lol

yeah that will put a damper on my trip so the bus thing may be the way still. I would love to have driven around Germany. Do you have a bus companies that travel Germany wide? We have Greyhound and Trailways bus lines and they travel the whole USA.

Yeah I figure 17 US gallons a tank average comes to $115.00 US Dollars per tank, not in my budget. The car i was looking at is an Opel Astra 1.8 so maybe I will get 325 miles a tank?! Dunno

turtle777 · Mar 13, 2006, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by skalie

And watch out for "Hefe Weiser", it ferments in your stomach and you end up getting more and more drunk even after you've stopped drinking.

That's what they tell you Yankees, so you keep drinking your horse piss Bud

-t

turtle777 · Mar 13, 2006, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by stevesnj

Yeah I figure 17 US gallons a tank average comes to $115.00 US Dollars per tank, not in my budget. The car i was looking at is an Opel Astra 1.8 so maybe I will get 325 miles a tank?! Dunno

If you get a rental car, make sure to get a diesel. Gotta reserve it.
Much better fuel economy, plus lower price for the dieseil fuels = much better for your pocket.

-t

stevesnj · Mar 13, 2006, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by what_the_heck

If you get a rental car, make sure to get a diesel. Gotta reserve it.
Much better fuel economy, plus lower price for the dieseil fuels = much better for your pocket.

That's what they tell you Yankees, so you keep drinking your horse piss Bud

-t

Oh Diesel...good idea, I did see a diesel on the list

how much is diesel there?

and by the way...only if were are DESPERATE do we drink Bud! Im actually a Becks guy, and I also drink Yuengling a Yankee beer. Bud just sucks a*s.

skalie · Mar 14, 2006, 12:38 AM

Originally Posted by what_the_heck

That's what they tell you Yankees, so you keep drinking your horse piss Bud

-t

Bud is banned here in Europe, we only can get the godlike original Budvar from Czech.

Dr.Michael · Mar 14, 2006, 04:06 AM

Originally Posted by skalie

Here it is, you can ask for lifts as well.....

http://www.mitfahrgelegenheit.de/

Yes, I also recommend this.
You will meet nice people (mostly students) and pay around 25 € for the trip. A flight can be cheaper, but if you need a train to go to the airport...

analogika · Mar 14, 2006, 05:40 AM

Originally Posted by skalie

Bud is banned here in Europe, we only can get the godlike original Budvar from Czech.

Not true.

When you order a Budweiser, you do actually get real beer (Budvar from Czech Rep., as you say), but they sell the U.S. Bud here as well, as Anheuser.

I don't blame you for not having noticed - I've only ever seen it at an "American" diner, and why anybody would *want* one here in Germany is completely beyond me.

btw, stevenj, I'm in Hamburg.

PM me if you like.

turtle777 · Mar 14, 2006, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by skalie

Bud is banned here in Europe, we only can get the godlike original Budvar from Czech.

That's NOT true. They are just not allowed to sell it as Bud or Budweiser.

The reason why it's hard to get is because only a farkin moron would buy and drink American Budweiser in Europe. There just is no market for it.

-t

skalie · Mar 14, 2006, 09:23 AM

I know it's not true, I forgot the [sarcasm] tags.

.... but back to the Hefe Weiser, why do the roll the bottles to make sure you get all the yeasty bits in? For the taste?

When drinking another "yeastie brew" in the form of Australian Cooper's, it is advised to decant to avoid the yeast.

( Love it the way threads about Germany always end up in discussions about beer )

Dr.Michael · Mar 14, 2006, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by skalie

I know it's not true, I forgot the [sarcasm] tags.

.... but back to the Hefe Weiser, why do the roll the bottles to make sure you get all the yeasty bits in? For the taste?

When drinking another "yeastie brew" in the form of Australian Cooper's, it is advised to decant to avoid the yeast.

( Love it the way threads about Germany always end up in discussions about beer )

brewers yeast contains a ton of minerals, vitamins (especially b) and essential amino acids. This is why drinking beer is so healthy

.

turtle777 · Mar 14, 2006, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by skalie

.... but back to the Hefe Weiser, why do the roll the bottles to make sure you get all the yeasty bits in? For the taste?

Taste and looks.
Some people just don't like clear beer...

Oh, and btw, it is either called "(Hefe) Weizen" (in northern parts of Germany) or "(Hefe) Weissbier" (in Bavaria). The "Weizen" is pronounced "vhy-tsen".

Originally Posted by skalie

( Love it the way threads about Germany always end up in discussions about beer )

Beer is teh hot !

-t

Doofy · Mar 14, 2006, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by skalie

godlike original Budvar from Czech.

That stuff tastes like goat's pee.

Originally Posted by what_the_heck

That's NOT true. They are just not allowed to sell it as Bud or Budweiser.

That's not true either. It may be the case for Germany, but it's not the case for Europe.

Originally Posted by what_the_heck

The reason why it's hard to get is because only a farkin moron would buy and drink American Budweiser in Europe. There just is no market for it.

Germany is not Europe. Big market for it over here.
Oh, and my tackle is big enough, so I don't need to prove how manly I am by the strength of the beer I drink. I drink Bud because I like drinking it.

turtle777 · Mar 14, 2006, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by Doofy

That's not true either. It may be the case for Germany, but it's not the case for Europe.

Really, links, please ?
How could they prohibite Anheuser-Busch selling it under a different name ?
Exactly, they can't. It's a brand name dispute, nothing else.

Originally Posted by Doofy

Oh, and my tackle is big enough, so I don't need to prove how manly I am by the strength of the beer I drink.

Well, great that you bring dick size into play, but there is another thread. Please bring information about your shoe size.

Originally Posted by Doofy

I drink Bud because I like drinking it.

But you call Budvar goat's pee ?

Some of you Brits are seriously retarded when it comes to taste.

-t

skalie · Mar 14, 2006, 10:52 AM

Thought they had to sell it as Bud in Europe, cos Budweiser should = Budvar.

Sorry to hear about your taste in beer, Doofy, hope it's not terminal.

Doofy · Mar 14, 2006, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by what_the_heck

Really, links, please ?

I'm looking at a bottle right now.
TV ads call it "Bud" and "Budweiser".

Check their web site: http://www.budweiser.co.uk/index.aspx

Budvar is quite rare over here.

Originally Posted by what_the_heck

But you call Budvar goat's pee ?

Yeah. Vile stuff.

Originally Posted by what_the_heck

Some of you Brits are seriously retarded when it comes to taste.

*cough* David Hasselhoff's musical career *cough*

turtle777 · Mar 14, 2006, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by Doofy

*cough* David Hasselhoff's musical career *cough*

Ok, call it quits.

We still have the better beer though

-t

turtle777 · Mar 14, 2006, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by Doofy

I'm looking at a bottle right now.
TV ads call it "Bud" and "Budweiser".

Check their web site: http://www.budweiser.co.uk/index.aspx

Ok, so it seems like they are NOT allowed to call it Budweiser in Europe, but Bud in some countries. Any case, you can get it, but it's probably only popolar in the English speaking world...

-t

Doofy · Mar 14, 2006, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by what_the_heck

Ok, so it seems like they are NOT allowed to call it Budweiser in Europe, but Bud in some countries.

Ummm, dude... It's called "Bud" and "Budweiser" here (check the bottle design on that web link I just gave you by signing in and going to "Fresh Beer"). "Here" is in Europe.
If indeed there's a law against them calling it "Budweiser" then it's a local thing, not a Europe thing.

turtle777 · Mar 14, 2006, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by Doofy

Ummm, dude... It's called "Bud" and "Budweiser" here (check the bottle design on that web link I just gave you by signing in and going to "Fresh Beer"). "Here" is in Europe.
If indeed there's a law against them calling it "Budweiser" then it's a local thing, not a Europe thing.

Ok, make that most of Europe.
The trademark dispute is a local issue (by country), so yes, technically, it's not Europe, but many countries in Western Europe. Whatever.

I DIDN'T START IT, in case you forgot. My reply was merely to skalie who said "Bud is banned here in Europe, we only can get the godlike original Budvar from Czech." I said NO, it's not banned, but can't be called as such in Europe.

-t