Beer tourist venues: Europe

Good site! The place looks like a mini-Munich... I've decided to pay a visit to Bamberg.

What's the best way to get there from UK?

My initial idea was to fly to Munich. But Frankfurt seems closer. Or even Prague -- would that be a realistic option?!

Unfortunately there aren't many budget UK flights to Munich, Frankfurt. Another option is budget flight to Cologne then ICE train down south...

Travel tips, please, from UK people who have visited Bamberg. Car hire is out of the question -- public transport all the way.

Bruce

The closest airport to Bamberg is Nuernberg. You might be able to get a budget flight to there from e.g. Koeln/Bonn airport, using one of the German budget airlines. I can't recall offhand whether the UK ones serve it (I think Air Berlin might fly there from London - check).

Bamberg is on the secondary rail line which connects Nuernberg with Wuerzburg; both these cities also have direct rail connections to Frankfurt airport. It might be worth your while checking online what British Airways and Lufthansa are charging for Frankfurt flights. They are sometimes cheaper than the budget airlines.

Bamberg is a great place. Both the Faessla and Spezial breweries have rooms. If they're full, the Altes Ringlein hotel is a good alternative.

Whatever you do, don't miss out Mahrs! They'll have anything up to four beers, all gravity dispensed.

Enjoy!

Thanks, Mike. Your postings and what I have read on the net have decided me.

I'll check out the Frankfurt flights option. But at the time I wish to travel, there is a *huge* trade fair on.

The current itinerary is to fly cheapo to Cologne, then get train down to Wurzburg and stay for the night. I am then only 1hr by train from Bamberg.

Lodging costs in Bamberg seem pretty cheap.

After a few days in Bamberg, I can then make my way back up to Cologne/ Dusseldorf for a few beers before jetting back!

Question: How many days to spend in Bamberg? I thought maybe 3 days from a 7 day holiday. Bamberg seems a smallish place.

Bruce

It _is_ pretty small. Three days will be enough; you can probably comfortably do all the interesting brewhouses in Bamberg in two days, but there are a number of interesting beers to be tried in the surrounding towns/villages, which would take up another day.

There is always the train to Cologne. Eurostar now claim to be selling through tickets from London, you just need to change platforms at Brussels Midi.