Hello,
I will be in Munich January 4-6, 2020. I am thinking of taking a bus tour to Rothenburg. Has anyone done this at this time of year?
I am checking with Graylines to see if the tours are running during my stay.
Danke
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32202 posts
Bug,
I doubt that there will be many Romantic Road bus tours operating in January. Rothenburg is not an ideal day trip, due to the travel time involved (at least 3 hours each way). You might want to save that for a future visit and stay in Rothenburg ODT for a night or two. That would allow you to take the Night Watchman's tour (I don't believe those tours operate in winter).
Posted by
Paradise
6637 posts
Visit REGENSBURG instead - a medieval town with UNESCO World Heritage status. It's only about 85 minutes by direct regional train.
Other good day trip options from Munich to old-world towns include...
NUREMBERG (2 hrs. by regional train)
You can take a free walking tour of Nuremberg in English if you wish:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187310-d10838535-Reviews-Nuremberg_Free_Walking_Tour-Nuremberg_Middle_Franconia_Franconia_Bavaria.html
LANDSHUT (45 min. by regional train)
Rothenburg is too far, too touristy.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded. Yogi Berra
I've been to Rothenburg three times; I've always enjoyed it. Yes, it is crowded, but it is also unique. Neither Nürnberg nor Regensburg is really a substitute.
I would definitely recommend going there, but it's a long enough trip that I would not do it as a day trip from Munich. Spend a night there. (Note: years ago I did it as a day trip from Ansbach, but it's a short trip (40 min) from Ansbach to Rothenburg.)
I would do it by train. The travel time by regional trains from Munich to Rothenburgby, per ViaMichelin, is about ½ hour longer than by car, but there is more than one connection per hour - far more convenient than by bus. The fare for one person using a Bayern-Ticket is €26 (€8 more each for co-travelers 2-5).
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
864 posts
I lived just outside of RodT for 3 years. I'd never take the bus; use the train. But as noted it's not really a one day and done destination from Munich. If you can't find enough in Munich itself to keep you busy (something I can't comprehend) visit Ulm or Augsburg, those are short train rides and good for a day or two just in the old parts of the cities.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
The town of Nördlingen is closer to Munich (about 2 hrs via Augsburg) than is Rothenburg odT. It also has a complete wall around it, and the wall has a Wehrgang you can walk on. It is similar to Rothenburg (but smaller) and it is a lot less touristy than is Rothenburg. It does lack a Christmas shoppe and a Crime and Punishment Museum, but who need those things.