We have a group of 10 people traveling from Berlin to Munich, with a planned overnight in Rothenburg. Following Rothenburg, we plan to tour Dachu and then head for Munich. We had planned to rent cars and to these destinations, but are wondering if taking a train would be a viable option. If taking a train is an option, would we be smarter to drive from Berlin to Rothenburg-Dachu-Munich?
Posted by
Chicago
8126 posts
Take the train only specifically because the stops you mentioned are all well served; Germany I have found has a great system, fast, safe, clean and equipped with toilets.
Posted by
Paradise
6941 posts
A few facts:
Berlin to Munich is possible in 4 - 4.5 hours by direct train.
Munich to Dachau station takes 20 minutes by train + a 7-minute bus ride to the camp
Your plan:
Berlin to Rothenburg takes 5 - 5.5 hours on 4 separate trains. (One of the train changes is in Nuremberg, FYI)
Rothenburg to Dachau station takes 3-5 hours on 3-5 separate trains. Then you have to take the bus to the camp.
It should be obvious that visiting Dachau is much simpler from Munich than from Rothenburg (also because your bags will be left in Munich.)
If I chose to, I could easily make the train trips into and out of Rothenburg, but then my luggage is always minimal - I pack even tighter than Rick Steves suggests - it still takes a long time. If any of you have extra bags or mobility issues, all those changes of train to and out of Rothenburg could be a pain.
For train travelers, it is obviously much easier to stop over in a place like NUREMBERG than Rothenburg. Nuremberg is on the same high-speed train line between Berlin and Munich - and only 3 - 3.25 hours by direct train from Berlin. Nuremberg to Munich takes as little as an hour. And Nuremberg is also a wonderful place to visit. You could probably see quite a bit more there, as there's more to see and you'd be saving 4+ hours of train time. I believe Nuremberg makes for a better visit than Rothenburg anyway, no matter how you are traveling - so that's my recommendation. Have you considered Nuremberg?
Nuremberg museums
Imperial Castle of Nuremberg
Castle grounds
Nuremberg Nightwatchman tour (in English by arrangement)
Nuremberg pubs
Nuremberg places of interest
Craftsmen's Courtyard
But you have chosen Rothenburg. If you choose to go by car you can check travel times at www.viamichelin.com
Posted by
Green Bay
20977 posts