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Nuremberg to Rothenburg - Is 4-5 minutes transfer time enough?

Hi all! Thanks to the advice from this Forum, I am using DB train website to check/buy my air ticket in early December 2022.

DB train website shows this train timings/connections that I would like to book.

But I am not sure if the 4-5 minutes transfer time is enough. Do I have to change train platform at Ansbach and Steinach (b Rothenburg)? We will have 1 big luggage each when moving around.

Here's the timings:
Nuremberg - Ansbach (24 mins) - 11.42 - 12.06 (1C 2068)
*5 minutes transfer time
Ansbach - Steinach (b Rothenburg) (21 mins) - 12.11 - 12.32 (RB 58124)
*4 minutes transfer time
Steinach - Rothenburg ob der Tauber (15 mins) - 12.36-12.51 (RB 58901)

Hope to check before I purchase the tickets!

Posted by
6175 posts

4 or 5 minutes is more than you need to change train at a small station. These trains are probably scheduled to offer fast an convenient connections.

Posted by
2376 posts

No problem. The train in Steinach waits for the train from Ansbach and perhaps a train from the other direction

Posted by
4616 posts

Yes, But-
You most likely will have steep sets of stairs to go underground and come up at the designated platform. We were just there this past spring, and we had to traverse through the underground walkway. Jump off the arriving train as fast as you can, and keep moving. That might be one of the train stations that have those "luggage escalator" belts next to the steps, I'm not sure . Also not familiar as to where the elevator is.
Safe travels.

Posted by
1477 posts

We travelled that route in April. The Ansbach station was being rebuilt. The signage was poor. We have travelled that route before and still almost missed the train at Ansbach. Worse case, you might have to wait an hour to catch the next RB 80 traveling north to Steinach (b Rothenburg.) I am not sure if they are still working on the Ansbach Station.

At Steinach, you just follow the herd and it is an easy connection.

There is an alternative route: RE 10 to Neustadt (Aisch), RB81 to Steinach (b.Rothenburg) and Rb82 to Rothenburg. You can get DB to show you these connections by requesting a stopover in Neustadt (Aisch) with no time on the stopover. The change in Neustadt is 5 min. The one in Steinach is 15 min.

Posted by
2308 posts

"Nuremberg - Ansbach (30 mins) - 11.42 - 12.06"

So you are going to take IC 2068 from Nürnberg to Ansbach? Please note that this train originates in Leipzig. And given then number of construction sites between L. and N., I'd be surprised if it would arrive in time and you could make your connection in Ansbach. A more safe and cheaper alternative is taking the S4 at 11:21, Ansbach arr. 12:02, dep. 12:11 (RB80 direction Würzburg),Steinach arr 12:32, dep. 12:36. This connection is cheaper since you could use a VGN "Tagesticket Plus". Re the station of Ansbach: yes it's still a construction site, but a 9 min transfer from track 25 (an "appendix" of platform 1) to track 3 will be easy (no elevator tough).

Posted by
78 posts

Hi all!

Thanks for your swift replies!

More details about the timings given by DB:
Nuremberg - Ansbach (24 mins) - 11.42 - 12.06 (1C 2068)
*5 minutes transfer time
Ansbach - Steinach (b Rothenburg) (21 mins) - 12.11 - 12.32 (RB 58124)
*4 minutes transfer time
Steinach - Rothenburg ob der Tauber (15 mins) - 12.36-12.51 (RB 58901)

Looks this like may not be doable and I have to look at the suggestions provided by you:

Alternative 1 (from Gary Mc): RE 10 to Neustadt (Aisch), RB81 to Steinach (b.Rothenburg) and Rb82 to Rothenburg. You can get DB to show you these connections by requesting a stopover in Neustadt (Aisch) with no time on the stopover. The change in Neustadt is 5 min. The one in Steinach is 15 min.

Alternative 2 (from sla019): A more safe and cheaper alternative is taking the S4 at 11:21, Ansbach arr. 12:02, dep. 12:11 (RB80 direction Würzburg),Steinach arr 12:32, dep. 12:36. This connection is cheaper since you could use a VGN "Tagesticket Plus".

Question: What is VGN "Tagesticket Plus"?
I have bought the Stuttgart Hbf to Nuremberg Hbf ticket (the ticket is for 2 days travel before I travel from Nuremberg to Rothenburg). This ticket comes with free City-Ticket - Stuttgart+City - Nürnberg+City.
*You have purchased a long-distance ticket (e.g. for a journey of at least 100 km on an IC or ICE train) as a saver or flexible fare? Then the ""City Ticket"" option is automatically included. It lets you travel in over 120 German cities to your departure station and from the destination station to your final destination by bus, S-Bahn (local rapid transit), U-Bahn (underground) and tram within the respective cities. Free of charge.
Does this ticket allow me to take free local train from Nuremberg to Ansbach?

Posted by
188 posts

We were there in the late spring early summer of 2019. At that time the connections were tight but make able unless only one of you has to carry both of the big bags and the luggage slide on the side of the stairs going up is broken and the person in front of you sliding their baggage up is very slow. Then you don’t make the connection unless some one younger and stronger is kind enough to carry one of the bags up for you. If you have one big bag each and both of you can push your bag up the conveyor if is broken you should be okay. We barely made it leaving Steinach thanks to help from a kind soul. Otherwise we would have missed the connection

Posted by
19052 posts

Two things to note.

First, notice those blue boxes on the Bahn website's details, those starting with Pl. Those are the platform numbers assigned to those trains. IC 2068 will arrive on platform 2; RB 58124 will depart from platform 3.

Here us the station layout of Ansbach. Those platforms are on opposides of the same island. It's what is called a cross-platform change; you just walk across to the other side of the island. RB 58124 arrives at 11:59; it should be sitting there when IC 2068 arrives. Just walk to the other side and get on.

Second, if IC 2068 is a few minutes late, they will probably hold the regional train. If not, there is another regional train going to Steinach an hour later.

In any case, remember, a train is not an aircraft. You are not required to remain in your seat until the train comes to a complete stop. Keep track of the time, and where you are. As you approach the Ansbach station, get up, gather your luggage, and proceed to the door of the coach, ready to get off when the train comes to a stop. That way you will maximize the time you have to make the change.

Posted by
2308 posts

Question: What is VGN "Tagesticket Plus"?

Rothenburg is within the VGN area (the transport authority of Nuremberg and surroundings). A VGN tagesticket Plus (€21.50) is valid the whole day in the whole VGN area for as many journeys as you like, on weekends even on both days. It is valid for up to 6 people, but only on regional trains, not on the IC 2068 you are considering.

""City Ticket"" ....
Does this ticket allow me to take free local train from Nuremberg to Ansbach?

No, it's just good for a single trip on urban transport within Nürnberg.

Second, if IC 2068 is a few minutes late, they will probably hold the regional train.

In the case of IC 2068, we are not talking about 3-5 minutes, but rather about 15-30, and then there is no connecting train waiting. IC 2068 has a lousy punctuality score of 53% over the last 30 days, which is not only due to the above-mentioned construction sites but also to the type of train used, a new series from Bombardier, which has acquired a notorious reputation for unreliability since its launch, so much that DB has refused to accept the remaining 25 trains ordered. People still ride it because it's comparatively cheap, but that doesn't apply to the short leg between Nuremberg and Ansbach. The pure travel time is a little longer with the VGN ticket, but given that local transport has a punctuality rate of over 90%, the actual travel time is often shorter.

Posted by
19052 posts

According to the station plan for Steinach (bei Rothenburg), they do have some sort of provision for luggage help on the stairs - might just be rollers, might be an automated conveyer, doesn't specify.

Edit: The legend says that symbol is for a "transportband", which Google Translate says is a conveyer belt.

Again, be prepared to deboard as soon as the train stops in the station, then stay with the herd. The conductor will be standing on the platform watching people coming up the stairs to board the train, and they are not going to release the train while people are trying get on.

We will have 1 big luggage each

Overpacking is its own reward.

Posted by
78 posts

Hello again!

Thanks for all your tips! I have decided to go with the RE trains with these connections:

December 2022
Nuremberg - Ansbach (28 mins) - 12:38 - 13:06 (28 mins) (RE 90)
*5 minutes transfer time (Ansback Pl 5 to Pl 3)
Ansbach - Steinach (b Rothenburg) (21 mins) - 13:11 - 13:32 (RB 80)
*4 minutes transfer time (Steinach Pl 2 to Pl 5)
Steinach - Rothenburg ob der Tauber (15 mins) - 13:36-13:51 (RB 82)

After all your advice, it looks like we can make the transfer if we can move with our luggage quickly.

However, I can't buy the tickets (VGN Offers) on DB website or app. It is stated "Departure lies too far in the future. Purchase not possible." But I get this message even if I try to make the same tickets on any dates this week. Is it because I can buy VGN tickets online?

I can buy the Bayern Ticket but they are more expensive.

Help!!! Thanks!

Posted by
2308 posts

Just buy it same day or the day before from a vending machine ore the app. There is no advantage with buying several weeks out.

Posted by
19645 posts

How many people are traveling in your group? You already asked about the Tages Ticket Plus, and this is good for up to 2 adults and 4 children under 18 years old. So that is the cheapest deal if there are at least 2 adults. It will also include public transportation in Nuremberg from your lodging to Nuremberg Hbf. As said, buy from a vending machine or use the VGN app.

Regarding your planned connections:
RE 90 originates at Nuremberg Hbf, so it is highly likely to depart on time. It makes only 3 short stops between there an Ansbach, so it is also highly likely to arrive on time.

RE 80 is a regional train that originates in Treuchtlingen going to Wuerzburg. It is scheduled to arrive in Ansbach before RE 90 arrives, and will be sitting there waiting for you. Note that almost all stops along the way are 1 minute or less, time enough for people to get off and new passengers to board. But in Ansbach, it remains in the station for 12 minutes. So that it is a hint that this is a designed connection for people coming from RE 90. Just be waiting by the train door with your luggage as RE 90 arrives in Ansbach and get off as soon as the train stops in the station.

RE 80 makes just 2 quick stops before arriving at Steinach. Again, be waiting by the door with your luggage as the train arrives at Steinach and get off immediately.

RB 82 is just a little train that shuttles back and forth between Steinach and Rothenburg. The trip is only 15 minutes with 2 quick stops along the way. Every hour it travels to Rothenburg waits there 15 minutes, than travels back to Steinach. So it can wait a minute or 2 for stragglers, as long as the conductor is aware of it. 90% of the people getting off at Steinach are continuing on to Rothenburg, so just follow the crowd.

Posted by
78 posts

Hi all,

Thanks for all your help again!

My travel group is just me and my companion (2 adults).

Sorry to clarify more! Does the VGN tagesticket Plus (€21.50) ticket refer to the connections I am looking at - this:
Nuremberg - Ansbach (28 mins) - 12:38 - 13:06 (28 mins) (RE 90)
*5 minutes transfer time (Ansback Pl 5 to Pl 3)
Ansbach - Steinach (b Rothenburg) (21 mins) - 13:11 - 13:32 (RB 80)
*4 minutes transfer time (Steinach Pl 2 to Pl 5)
Steinach - Rothenburg ob der Tauber (15 mins) - 13:36-13:51 (RB 82)

So looks like I can get the ticket above at the station's vending machine or via the VGN app (VGN Fahrplan & Tickets) as the ticket fares will not change closer to my travel date? Is that correct? Thanks all!

Posted by
2308 posts

Does the VGN tagesticket Plus (€21.50) ticket refer to the connections I am looking at - this:

Yes, and to any other connection within the entire VGN network, provided you are are using local trains.

So looks like I can get the ticket above at the station's vending machine or via the VGN app (VGN Fahrplan & Tickets) as the ticket fares will not change closer to my travel date? Is that correct?

You can get it
1. From a vending machine in Nürnberg Hbf (both VGN and DB ones; at DB automats select "VGN tickets" before proceeding)
2. From a vending machine at major U-Bahn and Tram stops in Nürnberg (some of them are still labelled "VAG" instead of VGN, don't worry about that)
3. Via the VGN and DB apps.
4. In person at the VAG Service Center in the underpass from the train station to the Old Town (open Mo-Fr. 07:00-19:00, Sa. 09:00-14:00)

You simply pay the fare that is valid on the day you are booking for (presently €21.50, will increase only by 1th of January, 2023). Don't forget to enter the correct travel date!!