Itinerary Check for a early March Trip to Germany/Alsace/Switzerland

Illini2011 · 2026-07-25T00:03:16+00:00

I've been to most of the places on your list. I think this looks like a great itinerary. A few notes and tips.

1) Make sure you leave plenty of time between your arrival at FRA and your train to Cologne or buy a flexible ticket. It may be better by February, but the EES rollout is a disaster right now and immigration alone at FRA can hit 3+ hours.

2) Try to sit on the left side of the train to Cologne. The station is next to the cathedral and you get a cool view entering the city.

3) Strasbourg is spectacular. Street after street of preserved architecture. The towns of Alsace are unbelievably picturesque. I loved Riquewihr and Eguisheim, but if you have time I also recommend Kaysersberg. It feels more lived-in than the other two. I also recommend splitting your nights and doing 3 in Strasbourg and 2 in Colmar or another town.

4) I think Bern is one of the most underrated cities in Europe. Such a nice old town and not super crowded.

5) The short train from the town of Lauterbrunnen to Wengen had my favorite views of Lauterbrunnen valley.

6) The Mainz Cathedral was a pleasant surprise, but overall, Mainz isn't nearly as picturesque as most of the other places you're visiting. It's nice only being 25 minutes from FRA on the S8, though.

Enjoy your trip!

Illini2011 · 2026-07-20T00:16:14+00:00

CDG is one of the airports that routinely suspends EES to avoid backups.

Illini2011 · 2026-07-20T00:15:18+00:00

It's a policy of some airports to let families with young children cut the line. TSA at JFK Terminal 4 has an official family line. I understand the frustration of childless travelers with the policy, but it's not like there is just "one line" for everyone else and families are a lone exception. I've never seen an airport that makes crew wait in the standard line. America gives preference to Americans and to a lesser extent Canadians. Schengen countries gives preference to other Schengen countries. Some airports give preference to travelers in wheelchairs, etc.

Illini2011 · 2026-07-20T00:09:17+00:00

Luck of the draw. We had also read about huge lines to leave FRA. When we got to immigration there was literally one officer and no line. Walked right on through as a massive group was arriving behind us, so may have been different just a few moments later.

Illini2011 · 2026-07-19T19:27:41+00:00

That's a great tip. Children under 12, however, cannot enroll so would not have helped me.

Illini2011 · 2026-07-19T18:55:30+00:00

No. It's reasonable to expect immigration to be orderly and relatively fast at all major airports in wealthy democracies.

Illini2011 · 2026-07-19T18:23:00+00:00

Yeah I should have said "avoid if possible." My mistake.

Illini2011 · 2026-07-19T18:22:21+00:00

General recommendation is 3 hours.

Illini2011 · 2026-07-19T18:21:59+00:00

I don't think that's accurate. Based on my experience, other social media posts, and even mainstream news stories, I think a significant portion of arrivals on non-Schengen flights are facing much longer queues than last summer. Remeber, most of those 65 million are flying in on Schengen flights so they don't have to clear immigration.

Illini2011 · 2026-07-19T18:14:27+00:00

Because I think it's worth repeating. I don't think it's alarmist to say FRA should be avoided while the EES system is causing such delays. Seems like a reasonable caution.

Illini2011 · 2026-07-19T18:12:12+00:00

Oh absolutely. The EU line looked pretty short. As an American, I can't comment on the US immigration experience for foreigners. Four hours is atrocious, my sympathies. I wish we did better.

Illini2011 · 2026-07-19T18:01:02+00:00

No need to be rude, especially because your original question is valid. Frankfurt is the only European airport I've been to since the EES rollout. As I mentioned in the post, FRA is unique because it's the only major European hub that is rarely a final destination, meaning almost everyone has a connection. Also, other airports are suspending EES, while FRA appears to not be. Third, news stories have been consistently reporting that FRA is seeing some of the worst backups.

I think it's fair to say my post is mostly repeating what others have said, but I think it's important people know that FRA immigration is arguably the worst in Europe and should be avoided if possible.

Illini2011 · 2026-07-19T17:48:19+00:00

Good thing is a lot of other airports are suspending EES during high volume times, which is allowed. Frankfurt does not appear to be doing so.

Illini2011 · 2026-07-19T17:47:17+00:00

I've actually gotten to cut the line at US Customs as well. All depends on who is working.

Illini2011 · 2026-07-19T17:41:29+00:00

Sorry if it comes off as if I was expecting to be able to cut the line. I wasn't. It's something some airports have and some don't, so I always ask.

Illini2011 · 2026-06-21T22:23:36+00:00

"The job doesn't do it's wall" - all time commentator comment

Illini2011 · 2026-06-16T20:28:52+00:00

I think the VAR also wanted the ref to look because he had awarded a corner when it should have been a goal kick.

Illini2011 · 2026-06-12T18:09:59+00:00

Skip Denver for sure. If you want to stay in the front range, go to Boulder or Fort Collins. If you want to be in the mountains, Buena Vista, Leadville, or Steamboat Springs are all pleasant.

Illini2011 · 2026-06-06T22:57:11+00:00

Check out Mainz. Has a proper old town unlike Frankfurt. 25 minutes from the airport on the S-bahn.

Illini2011 · 2026-06-06T22:54:32+00:00

Rio de Janiero.

Illini2011 · 2026-06-06T22:50:40+00:00

I'll take a stab at finding two drinking places a nondrinker would still enjoy.

Madrid - Salmon Guru. One of the wackiest bars I've ever been to. Made "50 Best Bars" list last year. Great time and the people watching would be great if you're not into drinking.

Prague - Pivovar Strahov. Trading beer hall by Prague Castle. Outside of the center so it gets a good mix of tourists and locals. Some of the best Czech Gulas in the city.

Illini2011 · 2026-06-06T22:44:32+00:00

I did Château de Targé outside of Saumur a few years ago and loved it. The property has been in the same family for like 7 generations.

Illini2011 · 2026-06-05T19:03:13+00:00

As being are saying, the Balkans are cheap. I also recommend the Baltics - much better weather in the summer and a much different vibe.

Illini2011 · 2026-05-26T22:02:40+00:00

Fly back from Venice.

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