Day trip to Rothenberg from Munich
Apr 17th, 2014, 02:07 AM
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Day trip to Rothenberg from Munich
Hi
Need some ideas on day trip to Rothenberg. Should we book before leaving home(Travelling when Oktoberfest is on) or are there plenty of different options when we get there.
Thanks
Leanne
Need some ideas on day trip to Rothenberg. Should we book before leaving home(Travelling when Oktoberfest is on) or are there plenty of different options when we get there.
Thanks
Leanne
Apr 17th, 2014, 06:22 AM
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Plenty of options once you get there - no need to pre-book train tickets or anything else - Oktoberfest has no impact on travel outside of Munich.
The cheapest way to Rothenburg is to use the bargain Bavarian Pass - which you buy at any German train station - but then you are restricted to regional trains and on these there are no reservations possible so you can always board and they are rarely very crowded there being so many trains.
For lots of good info on German trains and things like the Lander Cards (Bavarian Pass) check out these IMO superb sources: www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com. If traveling on more than a few trains check out the German Railpass that lets you hop any train anytime!
The cheapest way to Rothenburg is to use the bargain Bavarian Pass - which you buy at any German train station - but then you are restricted to regional trains and on these there are no reservations possible so you can always board and they are rarely very crowded there being so many trains.
For lots of good info on German trains and things like the Lander Cards (Bavarian Pass) check out these IMO superb sources: www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com. If traveling on more than a few trains check out the German Railpass that lets you hop any train anytime!
Apr 17th, 2014, 10:12 AM
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www.bahn.de/en is the official website of the German Federal Railways - you'll see there are zillions of rail connections each day -faster trains (ICE and IC) take about 2 1/2 hours each way - regional trains take about an hour longer - meaning 7 hours round trip on a train.
Walk up fares are about 70 euros each way on faster trains! But if you book a month inadvance you can get them for 29 euros on ICE trains or 19 euros each way on IC (InterCity) trains but then you have a specific train your ticket is valid on and it cannot be changed nor refunded.
So if doing that day trip you can save a ton by pre-booking faster trains or just buying the Bavarian Lander Ticket once in Munich.
Walk up fares are about 70 euros each way on faster trains! But if you book a month inadvance you can get them for 29 euros on ICE trains or 19 euros each way on IC (InterCity) trains but then you have a specific train your ticket is valid on and it cannot be changed nor refunded.
So if doing that day trip you can save a ton by pre-booking faster trains or just buying the Bavarian Lander Ticket once in Munich.
Apr 18th, 2014, 01:56 PM
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Bayern ticket requires taking only regional trains - an hour longer each way on a trip that on faster trains already takes well over two hours - you can book an IC train in advance for 19 euros each way - or an ICE for 29 euros - may be well worth the extra money to have two hours less time on the train. But those are train-specific and cannot be changed so with the Bavarian Lander Ticket you can hop any regional train since none require reservations nor even accept them I think.
Cheapest is not always the best - and regional trains IME in Germany are much less comfy than ICE or IC trains - I've seen them with hard metal seats in 2nd class - a 1st class Bavarian Lander Ticket does not cost much more really than a 2nd class one and for 3+ hours each way on a regional train IMO pay the relatively few euros extra for much more comfortable and to escape the occasional overcrowding of regional trains in 2nd class - I've seen several regional trains that act as school buses with swarms of kids swarming aboard - I am always glad at that time I have a first class pass.
Does not always happen but has happened more than a few times - you may like be surrounded by loudish moving about kids - squeezed into your seat but I do not.
Cheapest is not always the best - and regional trains IME in Germany are much less comfy than ICE or IC trains - I've seen them with hard metal seats in 2nd class - a 1st class Bavarian Lander Ticket does not cost much more really than a 2nd class one and for 3+ hours each way on a regional train IMO pay the relatively few euros extra for much more comfortable and to escape the occasional overcrowding of regional trains in 2nd class - I've seen several regional trains that act as school buses with swarms of kids swarming aboard - I am always glad at that time I have a first class pass.
Does not always happen but has happened more than a few times - you may like be surrounded by loudish moving about kids - squeezed into your seat but I do not.
Apr 19th, 2014, 05:47 AM
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Rothenburg is great but it is a longish day trip - there are so so many equally interesting and awesome day trips closer to Munich - a plethora of them - like Salzburg, Austria just 90 minutes or so by train from Munich and one of Europe's most physically gorgeous cities - a Baroque wonder - the Bavarian Pass will get you there to, but again about an hour longer - even though Salzburg is a few miles inside Austria the Bavarian Lander Ticket is valid the whole way - you do again have to take regional trains - pay more and get discounted tickets on ICEs and have more time in Salzburg.
Apr 19th, 2014, 06:27 AM
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I am fan of Rothenburg but would not consider it a day trip from Munich. We just visited Regensburg which is much closer to Munich and would a more reasonable day trip.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regensburg
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its medieval buildings. I especially love its alleyways and plazas.
Also nice are Landshut and Freising, both quite close to Munich.
We visited Rothenburg and these three other towns within the last month. Each is unique and all worth a visit. Rothenburg is just so far away time-wise.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regensburg
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its medieval buildings. I especially love its alleyways and plazas.
Also nice are Landshut and Freising, both quite close to Munich.
We visited Rothenburg and these three other towns within the last month. Each is unique and all worth a visit. Rothenburg is just so far away time-wise.
Apr 19th, 2014, 07:49 AM
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I'll echo Gary's enthusiasm for Regensburg, said to have more historic buildings in its historic center than any other city in Geramny - on the Danube adds something else. And just over an hour by train.
Jun 10th, 2014, 01:57 PM
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Actually we just purchased our tickets for travel from Munich to Regensburg in August. We, too, are planning it as a day trip. Total cost for 2 round trip, first class tickets on the "fast" train (ICE or whatever, my husband isn't here to correct me) was 50 euros.
I did purchase a book about Regensburg by Eugene Trapp. Has lots of information and photos to help us in our preplanning of what we'd like to see.
If I have any words of wisdom after our trip, I'll pass them along to you.
I did purchase a book about Regensburg by Eugene Trapp. Has lots of information and photos to help us in our preplanning of what we'd like to see.
If I have any words of wisdom after our trip, I'll pass them along to you.
Jun 10th, 2014, 03:37 PM
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Total cost for 2 round trip, first class tickets on the "fast" train (ICE or whatever, my husband isn't here to correct me) was 50 euros.>
Much better IMO than the Bavarian Lander Ticket always touted for this kind of journey - faster trains and IME much MUCH nicer comfy trains than being restricted to regional trains that not only take much longer but just are not made for longer distance comfortable travel and can at anytime IME be swarmed on by school groups which even if just for a few stops can be IME very unsettling. Going first class makes it even more posh and relaxed.
If doing the Regional Lander Pass IMO pay the relatively little extra for a first-class regional pass as most of those trains I believe do have a first-class section inured from sudden overcrowding.
Much better IMO than the Bavarian Lander Ticket always touted for this kind of journey - faster trains and IME much MUCH nicer comfy trains than being restricted to regional trains that not only take much longer but just are not made for longer distance comfortable travel and can at anytime IME be swarmed on by school groups which even if just for a few stops can be IME very unsettling. Going first class makes it even more posh and relaxed.
If doing the Regional Lander Pass IMO pay the relatively little extra for a first-class regional pass as most of those trains I believe do have a first-class section inured from sudden overcrowding.
Jun 11th, 2014, 05:00 AM
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About the Munich-Regensburg-Munich trains...
"Total cost for 2 round trip, first class tickets on the "fast" train (ICE or whatever, my husband isn't here to correct me) was 50 euros."
That sounds right - it is the best possible saver-fare price for a round-trip advance purchase.
I see that you have already pre-purchased this ticket, paris1953. But for the benefit of future readers who may stumble across PalenQ's comments above, there are some good reasons NOT to pre-purchase this route and NOT to use the ICE trains.
First off, it is simply NOT true that the ICE trains are the fastest way to reach Regensburg, as PalenQ maintains. ICE trains do not cover the whole route - if you board the ICE in Munich, you are forced to change trains in Ingolstadt, and the trip typically takes 1 hr., 55 min. as a result.
It is in fact faster and easier to go to Regensburg on the REGIONAL trains - the ones PalenQ has just told everyone not to use. The 9:01 ALX train is a direct train that takes 1hr., 19 minutes. Obviously, the ALX will save you nearly one hour round-trip over the ICE option with ZERO changes of train. There are also DIRECT RE trains to Regensburg that take 1:30 each way.
And guess what. To get on these trains, you don't have to purchase tickets in advance. The Bavaria ticket, which PalenQ advises against for some peculiar reason, can be bought on the day of travel for these fast regional trains. With the Bavaria ticket you are NOT locked into a travel schedule like you would be with the ICE saver fare option - you can return to Munich at any time that suits you on any of the many regional trains.
And if like PalenQ you are unsettled by groups of school kids (which, if it is a problem at all, is only a problem right wnen they are going to school or returning home,) you can do as he suggests and ride in first class on the Bavaria Ticket. You won't get to Regensburg any faster, but you will have the 1st-class area to yourself and will not have to mingle with everyday folks (who may carry cooties?)
How much is the first class Bavaria Ticket for two? €50 - same price you pay for the more restrictive ICE saver fare bought months in advance.
A couple who isn't afraid of cooties can do Munich-Regensburg-Munich for a total of €27 on a 2nd class Bavaria ticket.
"Total cost for 2 round trip, first class tickets on the "fast" train (ICE or whatever, my husband isn't here to correct me) was 50 euros."
That sounds right - it is the best possible saver-fare price for a round-trip advance purchase.
I see that you have already pre-purchased this ticket, paris1953. But for the benefit of future readers who may stumble across PalenQ's comments above, there are some good reasons NOT to pre-purchase this route and NOT to use the ICE trains.
First off, it is simply NOT true that the ICE trains are the fastest way to reach Regensburg, as PalenQ maintains. ICE trains do not cover the whole route - if you board the ICE in Munich, you are forced to change trains in Ingolstadt, and the trip typically takes 1 hr., 55 min. as a result.
It is in fact faster and easier to go to Regensburg on the REGIONAL trains - the ones PalenQ has just told everyone not to use. The 9:01 ALX train is a direct train that takes 1hr., 19 minutes. Obviously, the ALX will save you nearly one hour round-trip over the ICE option with ZERO changes of train. There are also DIRECT RE trains to Regensburg that take 1:30 each way.
And guess what. To get on these trains, you don't have to purchase tickets in advance. The Bavaria ticket, which PalenQ advises against for some peculiar reason, can be bought on the day of travel for these fast regional trains. With the Bavaria ticket you are NOT locked into a travel schedule like you would be with the ICE saver fare option - you can return to Munich at any time that suits you on any of the many regional trains.
And if like PalenQ you are unsettled by groups of school kids (which, if it is a problem at all, is only a problem right wnen they are going to school or returning home,) you can do as he suggests and ride in first class on the Bavaria Ticket. You won't get to Regensburg any faster, but you will have the 1st-class area to yourself and will not have to mingle with everyday folks (who may carry cooties?)
How much is the first class Bavaria Ticket for two? €50 - same price you pay for the more restrictive ICE saver fare bought months in advance.
A couple who isn't afraid of cooties can do Munich-Regensburg-Munich for a total of €27 on a 2nd class Bavaria ticket.
Jun 11th, 2014, 06:31 AM
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A couple who isn't afraid of cooties can do Munich-Regensburg-Munich for a total of €27 on a 2nd class Bavaria ticket.>
for a very few extra like sparkchaser says go first class and insure a nice ride in a section sure to be sparsely full - a few extra euros well spent IME.
And even if ICE trains are slower they are infinitely more comfy - you get what you pay for. On the trip of a lifetime trying to chisle down every few euros and sacrificing comfort to me just does not compute - but there are those were think even saving a few euros is worth the sacrifice - I disagree.
for a very few extra like sparkchaser says go first class and insure a nice ride in a section sure to be sparsely full - a few extra euros well spent IME.
And even if ICE trains are slower they are infinitely more comfy - you get what you pay for. On the trip of a lifetime trying to chisle down every few euros and sacrificing comfort to me just does not compute - but there are those were think even saving a few euros is worth the sacrifice - I disagree.
Jun 11th, 2014, 10:33 AM
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<i>On the trip of a lifetime trying to chisle down every few euros and sacrificing comfort to me just does not compute - but there are those were think even saving a few euros is worth the sacrifice - I disagree.</i>
I agree. Also, if someone does get an ICE ticket, you might as well spend the few extra Euro for a reserved seat.
I agree. Also, if someone does get an ICE ticket, you might as well spend the few extra Euro for a reserved seat.
Jun 11th, 2014, 11:37 AM
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Russ: "It is in fact faster and easier to go to Regensburg on the REGIONAL trains - the ones PalenQ has just told everyone not to use. The 9:01 ALX train is a direct train that takes 1hr., 19 minutes."
www.bahn.de/en does not show any such train for the day I searched - tomorrow as Russ says and shows no such train taking nearly that little time- so Russ because it is an ALX train it does not show up in www.bahn.de/en - where can I confirm that that is accurate info as it just seems impossible.
All rail links Munich to Rothenburg on bahn.de show ICE involved links being at least 45 minutes faster.
So Russ as you are want to do with me - where can I substantiate this seemingly impossible 1 h 19 direct rail link?
danke
It is in fact faster and easier to go to Regensburg on the REGIONAL trains - the ones PalenQ has just told everyone not to use
that may be true on that one train but throughout the day links involving an ICE train are 45 minutes faster all told than those just involving regional trains - something Russ did not say but cherry picked the odd train that goes direct - but yes if that fits your plans it would be smart to take it and save time and money and arrive bright and early.
But in general my take was correct - I looked at dozens of trains and the ICE link with regional trains the final bit are 45 minutes or more faster than those only involving regional trains - with the odd exception that Russ points out. Go to www.bahn.de/en and look and see which trains are faster for you departures and chose - if a regional train is faster take it - if it is the same time go for the really significant extra comfort level of an ICE or EC or fast train link, on which Bavarian Passes are not valid.
www.bahn.de/en does not show any such train for the day I searched - tomorrow as Russ says and shows no such train taking nearly that little time- so Russ because it is an ALX train it does not show up in www.bahn.de/en - where can I confirm that that is accurate info as it just seems impossible.
All rail links Munich to Rothenburg on bahn.de show ICE involved links being at least 45 minutes faster.
So Russ as you are want to do with me - where can I substantiate this seemingly impossible 1 h 19 direct rail link?
danke
It is in fact faster and easier to go to Regensburg on the REGIONAL trains - the ones PalenQ has just told everyone not to use
that may be true on that one train but throughout the day links involving an ICE train are 45 minutes faster all told than those just involving regional trains - something Russ did not say but cherry picked the odd train that goes direct - but yes if that fits your plans it would be smart to take it and save time and money and arrive bright and early.
But in general my take was correct - I looked at dozens of trains and the ICE link with regional trains the final bit are 45 minutes or more faster than those only involving regional trains - with the odd exception that Russ points out. Go to www.bahn.de/en and look and see which trains are faster for you departures and chose - if a regional train is faster take it - if it is the same time go for the really significant extra comfort level of an ICE or EC or fast train link, on which Bavarian Passes are not valid.
Jun 11th, 2014, 01:19 PM
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247 Km - Distance from Munich to Rothenburg ob der Tauber
www.distancesfrom.com
Russ: "It is in fact faster and easier to go to Regensburg on the REGIONAL trains - the ones PalenQ has just told everyone not to use. The 9:01 ALX train is a direct train that takes 1hr., 19 minutes."
that ALX train must be a bullet train - covering, with presumably stops, 150 miles in just 80 minutes - much faster than ICE trains even on that route - that's about 125 m p h if not even stopping - Russ where can I find details on that bullet train?
www.distancesfrom.com
Russ: "It is in fact faster and easier to go to Regensburg on the REGIONAL trains - the ones PalenQ has just told everyone not to use. The 9:01 ALX train is a direct train that takes 1hr., 19 minutes."
that ALX train must be a bullet train - covering, with presumably stops, 150 miles in just 80 minutes - much faster than ICE trains even on that route - that's about 125 m p h if not even stopping - Russ where can I find details on that bullet train?
