We are going to be in either Stuttgart or Heidelberg for a couple days and would like to take a bus tour of the Black Forest region. We realize we could not see much in a day or 2 but cannot rent a car and would at least like a glimpse of the area. Anyone know any bus companies that run from either Stuttgart or Heidelberg, we cannot find a thing on the web?

Thanks

Hello - I ran into the same problem last year when passing through the Black Forest on my way to Italy. I was planning to spend 2 days in the area but somehow it was very difficult to find information online in english. The owner of the bed and breakfast I stayed at referred me to a woman who had recently moved back to the Black Forest from the US and spoke english. She was a tremendous help in setting me up on a tour. I don't think she offers bustours but rather small individual tours. But you might want to email her. She has been very helpful and can probably put you in touch with a bus tour operator. Her website is at www.the-black-forest.com - please tell her Julie send you, she will remember me.

Is going on your own by train an option for you? There is a ticket which allows unlimited travel on regional trains in the whole of Baden-Württemberg for a day (Baden-Württemberg-Ticket, 20 € for one person or 28 € for 2-5 people travelling together), and there are two major railway lines with hourly service through interesting parts of the Black Forest, plus some side lines.

Take the train to Schluchsee, Titisee, Feldberg-Bärental. This train brings you right into the heart of Black Forest.

Use www.bahn.de for schedules.

Of course you can alternatively join a bus tour which is offered by a bus company which is based in Stuttgart or Heidelberg. The disadvantages are:
- These bus tours have special schedules which might not fit into your itinerary.
- The bus tours are 100% German, in German language, with guides speaking German etc.
- Usually these bus trips involve some shopping and other activities which might not interest you (but create extra revenue for the tour operator).

They offer bus trips from Stuttgart:

http://www.woehr-tours.de