Chels

A group of 4 of us will be arriving at Frankfurt airport, and going on to Wurzburg. I know we can take the train; however, I would prefer a car or shuttle service as we will have some luggage and be arriving late in the evening.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a car or shuttle service? We have submitted this question to our hotel; however, I would like to explore our options.

Thanks in advance,
Chels

TexasAggie

I have always made the trip by train, even when carrying a lot of luggage and even at night. It is very easy by train. The train station is actually in the airport and there are elevators so you don't need to haul your luggage down stairs or anything. The train to Wurzburg is safe, direct, nice, clean, and fast. You can easily get a tazi from the Wurzburg station even late at night, or there are a variety of buses and trams right out in front of the Wurzburg station. You could even arrange with your hotel in Wurzburg to have a taxi waiting for you at the train station.

Wurzburg is a lovely town, one of my favorites. Be sure to see the Residenz and Hofkirche (and the palatial gardens in the back!), Festung Marienberg, the Dom, and the Kapelle. The Juliusspital winery and wine shop is wonderful

pef1234

I've used this service in the past to get from FRA to the Rhine Gorge area. They are very cost competitive. They advertise that they do private sightseeing tours to the Middle Rhine area so I would imagine that they would do a transfer to Wurzburg especially for 4 persons. Won't hurt to contact them . . .
http://www.wi-taxi.de/index2.htm

Chels

Thank you for the responses.

I am very comfortable with European trains - even with the luggage. I am glad to hear, TexasAggie, that the train transfer will be smooth should we use that option.

However, after a long day at work in NYC, followed by an overnight flight passing through LHR, I would like the option of stepping directly into a car from the airport and out to my hotel. Pef1234, I will take a look at the service you recommended - it sounds like that may work.

Thank you again for responding!

TexasAggie

Hi Chels,

Yikes, your trip certainly sounds exhausting. I hope the car transfer service works for you.

Are you going to be sightseeing in Wurzburg at all, or are you there for business? Wurzburg gets little mention here but it is one of my favorite towns in Germany. I have a collection of information on open hours for the major sights if you are interested.

Chels

TexasAggie,

We are actually going to be basing in Wurzburg for a World Cup match, before moving on during our trip. I am not familiar with Wurzburg, although I spent a few days in Rothenburg several years ago on a college trip. We will have 1 full day and a 1/2 day to explore, and I would love to hear your suggestions.

Thanks again,
Chels

TexasAggie

Wurzburg is a fabukous town and it's the first town of the Romantic Road. This is a great website for an introduction:

<font color="blue"> http://www.romantischestrasse.de/?lang=uk </font>

Look to the right and select Wurzburg from the dropdown box. Then you can use the navigation bar on the right side of the screen to read about the history, sights, etc.

<b><u>Highlights</u></b>
<b>Marienberg Fortress (early 13th century):</b> 1253 - 1719 residence of the Prince Bishops; large-scale reinforcement and extension of the Fortress in the 17/18th centuries; extensive fortifications with the Church of the Virgin Mary (Marienkirche, built in AD 706, the oldest round church in Germany east of the Rhine), gateway (Scherenbergtor - 1345/1482), Renaissance Brunnentempel (well temple - approx. 1600) and F&uuml;rstenbau (Prince Bishop's Hall) with late Gothic Bibra staircase (1511).

<b>Residenz:</b> residence of the Prince Bishops (1720-1744): major work of South German Baroque built according to plans by Balthasar Neumann; staircase with self-supporting arched ceiling and splendid ceiling fresco by Giovanni Tiepolo; late Baroque and Rococo staterooms, including the White Room, Imperial Room, Mirror Room; elaborately decorated church (Hofkirche) and Baroque Court Garden; UNESCO World Heritage Monument since 1982.

<b>St Kilian's Cathedral (approx. 1040):</b> the fourth biggest Roman Catholic church in Germany with a cruciform plan; extended, rebuilt and added-to up to the 18th century; destroyed in 1945; reconstruction completed in 1967; bishops' tombs from the 12th to 19th centuries; cloister (1420-53) built on Romanesque foundations; Sch&ouml;nbornsche Grabkapelle (1718-36; Sch&ouml;nborn Family Mausoleum) by Balthasar Neumann.

<b>Neum&uuml;nster (New Minster - 11th century):</b> Romanesque basilica with dome (1710-16) and Baroque fa&ccedil;ade; remains of the Hohenstaufen cloister with the sepulchre of the minstrel Walther von der Vogelweide in the Lusamg&auml;rtlein garden.

<b>Juliusspital (Hospital - endowed in 1576):</b> Baroque, castle-like complex with an original Rococo pharmacy, the 'Alte Anatomie' (1705-14), and renowned vineyard. Today, a modern hospital with a retirement home. <font color="blue"> The wine shop that I adore is across the street. Be sure to stop in for samples of the best Franconian wine in the area! </font>

<b>K&auml;ppele:</b> Gnadenkapelle (Chapel of Mercy; 1653) on the Nikolausberg hill with domed central building and double tower fa&ccedil;ade by Balthasar Neumann (1747-50); magnificent ceiling frescos and stucco work; stairs with stations of the cross lead up to the pilgrimage church.

<b>Marienkapelle and Haus zum Falken on the Market Place:</b> late Gothic hall church (1347-1481) erected by the citizens of W&uuml;rzburg; remarkable tomb stones and tomb of Balthasar Neumann.


Use this website for the open hours of all the sights:
<font color="blue"> http://www.wuerzburg.de/system/inter...ngress/sights/ </font>

Chels

TexasAggie- thank you, you are the best! I appreciate the time it took for you to give me your response.

If I am really limited for time, can you recommend 1 or 2 of your best-loved Wurzburg activities? Also, is it worth taking a 1 hour river cruise? We will be there in June, and I am hoping the weather will be good.

Thanks,
Chels

TexasAggie

Hi Chels,
You are most welcome
The number one sight in Wurzburg is the Residenz palace, the attached Hofkirche chapel, and the amazing Court Gardens behind the palace. You should be able to see the entire complex in under 2 hours at a quick pace, perhaps 3-3.5 hours at a very slow pace.
From there you can walk across the Old Main Bridge and head to the Fortress Marienberg (the castle you will see above you on the hill). If you don't have time to visit, you at least get a splendid view of both the castle and fortifications AND the old town center of Wurzburg. Great photo opps
The river cruises are a lot of fun and the narration is a good overview of the town's history. If the weather is nice I definitely recommend it. If it is rainy or cold... well it will be even colder on the boat so perhaps not then.
Enjoy your visit!

Chels

TexasAggie,

You have outdone yourself - you are one of the people who make Fodors such a treasure chest! Thanks for the comprehensive information. I am looking forward to our trip in June - I'll be sure to post and let you know how we did in Wurzburg.

Best,
Chels

TexasAggie

Awww, thanks so much Chels
I hope y'all have a lovely time.

Wurzburg is a really neat town so I am always happy to spread the news so more people can discover its charms.

I don't know if you have more time in the region, but Bamberg is pretty close via train (1.25 hours-ish) and it is amazing. The entire old town (altstadt) is a UNESCO world heritage sight. Also closeby is Rothenburg ob der Tauber, one of the most famous towns of the Romantic Road. A very interesting old Medieval walled city.