We will be arriving in Frankfort and traveling to Nuremberg ahead of our GAS tour in mid September. We will spend 2 nights in Nuremberg and 1 night in Wurzburg. We hope to visit Rothenberg as well. We will leave Wurzburg on Sat to arrive in Trier to start our tour in the afternoon, There are 3 of us traveling together.
We are trying to decide if we should rent a car in Frankfort and return it in Trier or just use the trains for our journeys. We are trying to factor in cost, ease of travel and time. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Posted by
Maryland
872 posts
https://www.bahn.com/en/view/index.shtml
The costs look pretty reasonable right now, but you have to do the math.
In mid-September:
It is 2.5 hours by train Frankfurt Flughafen to Nuremberg. Tuesday and Wednesday
One can also go from Nuremberg to R o d T via the VGN local system.
It is an hour to go from Nuremberg to Wurzburg by train. Thursday
It is also 75 minutes from R o d T to Nuremberg by local train.
It is 70 minutes from Wurzburg to Rothenburg ob der Tauber by train. Friday
It is 4 hours from Wurzburg though Frankfurt to Trier. "Saturday"
Parking is always an issue. Diesel is expensive. Trains go everywhere you want to go. Leave the driving to them unless you need the car for some other reason. Bring wine with cheese and crackers on the train to relax. Three people with luggage in a normal European rental car will get very familiar over several days.
Have a great time.
Posted by
Paradise
6663 posts
I would suggest a slightly different sightseeing strategy that reverses your nights in Nuremberg and Würzburg.
1.) Train to Würzburg for your first night. It's closer to FRA than Nuremberg- which is a nice thing after a long flight. You will have some time to sightsee there in the afternoon and evening, probably.
This journey can be done using one "Day Ticket" for 3, bought at the station in Germany - €60 total:
https://www.bahn.com/en/view/offers/regional/day-ticket-for-germany.shtml
2.) Rothenburg can easily be seen in a few hours' time. Train to Rothenburg, stow luggage in a locker there, see the town. In the pm travel to Nuremberg for your two nights there.
These two journeys can be done on a Bavaria (Bayern) Ticket for €39/3 - total for the day - also bought at the station in Germany.
https://www.bahn.com/en/view/offers/regional/regional-day-ticket-for-bavaria.shtml
3.) You can ride the train to Trier from Nuremberg on an advance-purchase saver fare ticket from DB. (This ticket must be pre-purchased online at home, ASAP, to get the best price.)
A random date in mid-September turned up a fare at the DB itinerary page of €78 total for 3 adults for the 9:29 - 15:23 journey.
You can find travel times for 1.) and 2.) on your dates at the same DB page I used - be sure to specify "only local transport" under "Connections" when you do your search. These day passes offer good schedule flexibility so that you can use any of the regional trains you wish that day (note the after-9 am restriction on weekdays, however.)
For 3.) scheduling... you should deselect "only local transport" so that the high-speed trains will be used for part of this longer journey. You will need to ride the trains as scheduled to Trier (the scheduled high-speed trains, anyway) and you will need to pre-purchase this journey to get the low price.
It's not a good idea to be driving after a long international red-eye flight. The transport between Würzburg Rothenburg and Nuremberg is very good by train as well. The train trip to Trier takes you along the scenic Rhine and Mosel River routes - one of Germany's best train rides.
Yes, I support the idea of taking the train. With 3 towns in 3 days, you do not have a lot of time for stopping to smell the roses on the way anyway - so let DB do the driving for you, I say.