Originally Posted by
Scummer
Well, I could take the S-Bahn, then the train or long distance bus, then the S-Bahn again and arrive at my parents house. Which I have done before when I went just by myself. But for a family of 4 we are talking close to 200 Euros for one way.
Are the two smaller members of your family children? Carrying children's toys, strollers, luggage, diapers, clothing, snacks, child seats, cribs, etc. in a personal motor vehicle is a lot easier than schlepping them on and off and between multiple transport modes in all weather conditions, especially when such an effort is unnecessary.
If you and your parents are typical of most Europeans, you and they do not live next door to the train station.