karenkr

We'll be in Germany for the Xmas markets and will be staying in Nuremberg and Munich. Is there any relatively easy and quick way to get to Rothenburg either from Nuremburg or Munich? The train schedules seem to have a lot of connections. I really do not want to rent a car for one day (I had an accident in Ireland and found to my shock that CDW isn't quite adequate, but that's another story)

Thanks for any info

GeoffHamer

Connections by train and bus are on www.bahn.de.
From Nürnberg, the journey takes as little as an hour and 14 minutes, with one or two changes.

Dukey

Pretty much regardless of where you take the train from to R-burg you will have to change in Steinach and that is about as easy a connection as you can possibly make.

There are only a couple of platforms and the connecting train is often sitting on the next platform over waiting for you.

I would NOT rent a car for this given the fact that there's fuel costs, possible insurance costs, and the parking issue.

RufusTFirefly

Although parking is very easy when visiting Rothenburg. And gasoline wouldn't cost much from Nuernberg--it's a short drive. But the OP doesn't want to drive anyway.

Dukey

I'm sorry, Rufus, if I'm not as absolutely on the money as you seem to be but I suspect that renting a car is still going to cost more than the train tickets in the end, don't you?

Larryincolorado

Per ViaMichelin, the cost of gasoline alone for a small hatchback, RT N'berg-Rothbg, would be €19, and that's on top of the cost of renting the car.

Rothenburg is inside the Nürnberg transit district, VGN. According to VGN (www.vgn.de, English possible), up to six people, two of them 18 or older, can travel all day (Nürnberg to Rothenburg and back)on a Tages Ticket Plus for €14. The Tages Ticket+ is also valid for an entire weekend, both Saturday and Sunday.

Dutch

It is easier to get to Rothenburg from Nuremberg than from Munich by train.

The Christmas Market in Rothenburg is pretty disappointing - especially compared to Nuremberg and Munich.

As an alternative, may I suggest a stop in Regensburg. It is also a well preserved medieval town with a fantastic stone bridge across the Danau river. They also have a great Regensburger bratwurst. The markets are much better in this city.

Gary_Mc

We went from Rothenburg to or through Nürnberg by train twice in the last couple of years. There are a couple connections but it went smoothly.

We are also visiting Christmas Markets this year. We included Regensburg and not Rothenburg as Dutch suggests. Still, if you have never seen Rothenburg it is a fairly unique tourist stop with medieval walls and buildings largely intact. Regensburg is just as medieval but does not have the same atmosphere.

It might just be me but Christmas booths at the markets tend to be all alike after a couple hours of looking. The best time is at night with the Christmas lights under the influence of Glühwein. It is important to also have additional sights to see during the day.

Regards, Gary

karenkr

I'm taking my Mom - and I've already told her - the first Xmas market we see will have the BEST STUFF EVER. Then after seeing the same lace tablecloth or xmas doodad a thouand times more, the last xmas market we see will seem to have the MOST BORING CHRISTMAS CRAPPOLA EVER.

I wanted to take her to Rothenburg mainly because it is so pretty. I was there once, and I liked it, even if it is the Disneyland version of Germany. I just can't seem to figure out a mindlessly easy and quick way to get there, which is surprising considering what a tourist center it is. You would think they'd have express trains running there from Munich, in particular. We may skip Rothenburg and take a day trip to Innsbruck instead, if we can't find something quick and easy. Connection-free doesn't seem possible at all.

RufusTFirefly

Yes the car would cost more. But it all depends on what you want to do--just get from Nuernberg to Rothenburg and back, or make planned or unplanned stops along the way. Totally a matter of personal travel style, budget, and preference. One way is not inherently better than the other.

Gary_Mc

If you give up on Rothenburg, Regensburg can be reached connection free from Munich or Nuremberg. I much enjoyed its Gothic Cathedral, ruins of the Roman fort and river front. Its Steinerne bridge has been standing for almost 900 years but you would not guess so to look at it.

One of its Christmas Markets is at the Residence of the Princess of the Thurn and Taxis family. My wife liked the tour of this residence though it might be closed during the market.

The city is a series of squares connected by alleyways, all part of its pedestrian zone with very good shopping as well.

Regards, Gary

RufusTFirefly

Bamberg is another wonderful town within an easy train ride from Nuernberg. Not nearly so touristy as Rothenburg--and much more historical; Bamberg is a UNESCO World Heritage city. Besides the Christmas market, there is a nativity scenes "walk" that the town is noted for.

november_moon

We went to Rothenberg from Nuremberg by train, and like others said - even with 2 connections, it was really easy. We connected at Ansbach and Steinach, if memory serves, and both stations are small. We literally got off one train, walked across the platform, and got on the other train. And there were several others doing the same thing.

The day we went to Rothenberg, it was a toss up between it and Bamberg. I wanted B, my husband wanted R, and we only had one free day. We decided to let the train fare and schedules break the stailmate.

We went to the train station and the fare to R was only like 15euro for the both of us because it is within a particular region and the train was leaving in 5 minutes - versus B, fare was much higher and the train didn't leave for quite awhile. So we went to R - LOL.

Larryincolorado

Rothenburg is inside the VGN, Verkehrsverbund Grosser Nürnburg (transit district Greater Nürnberg), so a 10+T Tages Ticket Plus, an all day pass for up to 6 people, 2 adult max, is €14,-. With that you can go to Rothenburg and back in a day. On a weekend you can use one Tages Ticket Plus for Saturday and Sunday.

On the other hand, you could take regional trains to and from Bamberg for only €27 with a Bayern-Ticket.

altamiro

> I just can't seem to figure out a mindlessly easy and quick way to get there, which is surprising considering what a tourist center it is.

It is not. Bot compared to a big city.
By teh way Rothenburg is the way it is ONLY because it has sat off the main transit routes for centuries - it was just too unimportant to modernize.