EmptyNest

Is it possible to travel by train from Frankfurt to Rothenburg and then on to Munich? BMW has changed the delivery date for our car and I don't want to spend four days in Munich during Oktoberfest. I thought Rothenburg would be a great way to spend the extra two days but it doesn't look like the train serves the area.

Any other idea to spend 2-3 days while we wait for our car? We can change our arrival city from Munich to Frankfurt or Paris.

Musicteacher

Right now because of the flooding, Rothenburg is served by substitute bus service. However, you can get there. A bus would be a little slower and managing luggage might be more difficult.

Würzburg and Nürnberg are other cities between Frankfurt and Munich where you might consider staying.

PalenqueBob

Yes trains do serve Rothenburg though it's on a deadend spur line or you can take the Romantic Road bus from Frankfurt's main train station to Rothenburg and get commentary en route. The train doesn't go on a direct route - for train schedules: www.bahn.de and then click on 'internat. guests' on top bar to get English timetable and plug in Frankfurt Hauprtbahnhof (or Flughafen if going from airport) and Rothenburg ob der Tauber for Rothenburg - lots of connections - fastest via Wurzburg and then Steinach, from whence the spur line off the mainline to Rothenburg starts. Cost: about 35 euro per person but in Germany at station second person buying ticket pays only 50% of what first pays - i believe still in effect - is officially due to end in Dec 2005 (escept for online tickets).

PalenqueBob

For Romantik Road buses info:
www.deutsche-touring.com

Winnepeg

There is a small town that i stayed in last year. Sommerach is about 40 minutes from Wurzburg. It sits on the main River. Really nice small town. Didn't see an American the entire 2 months I was there. Great wine and really good food.

With a car it is easily gotten to. Without a car, really hard to get it done.