Where to stay in Germany?

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Im considering taking the kids 3 and 7 to Germany in May half term and have been researching places we want to visit. My eldest is visiting was to take her there. I also want to take them to the toy and transport museum as well as legoland or Phantasialand. Ive never been to Germany so not sure how far away all these attractions are. Where would be the best place to stay and the easiest way to travel around once there. Also we would be travelling from London, is it best to come via train or plane.

You may find more information on Trip Advisor. You can also ask specofic questions there.

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g580189-d261317-Reviews-Legoland_Germany-Gunzburg_Swabia_Bavaria.html

Not sure about the attractions but the railway network there is great, and cheaper than the UK. Staff at the stations usually speak English so it's easy to get the right ticket.

I would go by train, but then i go everywhere by train! London-Brussels-Köln, you might even be able to get a Sparticket for £29 each way if you book early enough. The train journey would take about five hours, I think.

I live in the north of Germany. The original LEGOLAND in Denmark is much closer than the German one.

Fly easy jet to Munich! There's a legoland up the road, and you're less than an hour from alps, lakes, also visit Salzburg in Austria, Munich is a lovely city, often lovely and warm in May....... Biergartens, Lederhosen, if you're lucky the Frühlingsfest will be one (sort of like a slightly-smaller-scale Oktoberfest). It's perfect.

I live 2 miles from Phantasialand. I don’t think it’s great for small kids. It’s also a long way from Legoland Deutschland.

I prefer Efteling in Holland to both of them.

From London I would always fly, particularly if you're going to southern or eastern Germany. Within Germany I sometimes go by train and sometimes fly, depending on which offer is best - when you book a train ticket for an adult, then children under 15 travel completely free, so that might make the train better value.

I've not been to Legoland or Phantasialand, but I don't think either of them are uniquely 'German' experiences - you could get the same thing in the UK from Legoland and Alton Towers surely. It makes sense to find something you just wouldn't get in the UK - the Alps, for instance. I think the older child would be able to appreciate the 'different ness' of Bavaria and would like the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle.

If you want a theme park and Germany how about Freiburg in the Black Forest?
Lovely area and Europa park is nearby

Efteling is amazing misses point about Germany If I was going abroad for Legoland, I'd also go to Denmark.

Not sure why you want to go to Legoland in Germany. Either go straight to Denmark or go to Windsor, the German one is no different to the UK one.

We (we are Germans) always fly unless we have to take the car to transport large items. You can fly direct to lots of areas, and while you can take a train it takes around 8 hours, I did it due to plane issues and won't recommend it for an adult, less for somebody travelling with children.

Themeparks in my opinion are always the same, I can't really see a reason to just go to Germany for them. Germany is a great country for holidays but choose an area you want to see not to tour themeparks.

We have a bit of everything, sea side (North Sea and Baltic) plus lots of lakes, mountain (medium to alpine), historical towns, castles, outdoor adventures.

I assume you mean the toy museum in Nurnberg, you would spend all your time in trains or in the car and not actually seeing the country. Phantasialand to Nurenberg is around 4 hour train ride from there to Legoland anonther 4-5? with various changes.

Sorry i should have said in my post. I'm not travelling all that way just for a theme park. I will also be taking my 15 year old in which we are both interested in the culture and history of different countries. However the 7 year old is autistic and loves looking at and collecting transport which is why I've suggested it. Playmobil is another thing that loves. We have only been legoland one and suggested the theme parks incase they were near by. Im of course not willing to travel hours away for a theme park. Trouble is the 7 year old does not like too much walking so restricts some of the things we wanted to do.

We went Holland in Aug but didn't have time to visit efteling however it looked really good something we would like to do.

I took my dc to Legoland Windsor when they were 7 and 3. There were a lot of height restricted rides which the 3 year old couldn’t go on (and she is really tall). I imagine other Legolands might be similar.

Munich. Great city.

• easy train transport to beautiful Alps and lakes. Mittenwald is a lovely town with reasonable accommodation. Your DS will love the efficiency and beauty of the train ride.

• Chiemsee also a lovely nearby lake

• big castle nearby for kids

• lots of culture and history for the other DC: it was Hitler’s favourite haunt/popular base and there’s quite a few walks showing interesting aspects of his regime.

• very efficient transport system

• impressive airport. Cheap to fly to.

Go go!!

Your last message does change things a bit. I would definitely recommend Munich as your base.

Definitely fly to the airport there - you can get straight to the centre by local train.

Legoland is 1hr 10 mins from Munich by car, but 2 hr 30 mins by public transport - not sure how feasible that is for you.

If your 7yr old is into transport, the Deutsches Museum Verkehrszentrum is Great, andin the centre of Munich.

Munich has plenty of history and culture for your 15 yr old, and good public transport so your 7 yr old doen't need to walk too much.

The englischer Garten in The centre of town is a lovely place to relax for all of you.

Also from Munich at the end of one of the S-Bahn lines is Terme Erding, a massive spa place with loads of water slides etc. And the science museum has a huge fake mine in the basement, think loads of tunnels with all sorts of machinery in them.

Thank you. Will look into all of these.

I agree with the others, Munich is a great base.

One word of warning, Bavaria has Whitsun holiday during our May half term, there may be lots of things to do for children but equally it will be very busy.