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Rothenburg ob der Tauber to Fussen

I'm trying to determine driving time from Frankfurt Main (where we're picking up our rental car) to Rothenburg ob der Tauber with stops along the way in Creglingen (to visit the Herr-gottskirche church) and Weikersheim (to visit the Palace gardens). Not exactly sure how long in each stop (perhaps and hour?) We'll be spending three nights in/around Rothenburg exploring on our own during the day.

Following our stay in Rothenburg, we will be driving to Fussen with brief stops in Dinkelsbul, Nordlingen (just to check them out/wander around) then on to Wieskirsche to visit the Boroque Rococo Church then on to Fussen where we will spend three nights. What would you determine the drive time to be from Rothenburg to Fussen with my three stops along the way?

I know my travel times between my main destinations (central Frankfurt/Rothenburg & Rothenburg/Fussen) will depend upon how long my stops are along the way, but your best estimate would be fine.

Finally, is one day enough time to do Rick Steve's Fussen city walk in the morning then visit Neushwanstein, Hohen Schwangau, Mary's Bridge & Pollat Gorge in the afternoon? Would it be better to save the castles/bridge/gorge for another day starting in the morning? We're not rush kind of people and like to take our time and take things in.

My accommodations are all set, so three nights in Rothenburg and three nights in Fussen can't be changed. Thanks in advance for your insight.

Posted by
4845 posts

You can get your drive time estimates from Google Maps or viaMichelin. Just input each leg of each trip separately and they will give an estimated drive time. These are ideal times under optimal conditions, so we add 25% as a fudge factor. Then add in your time estimates at each stop. Sorry, I can't give you those- different people find different things of interest, so everyone will be different. If it was me, I'd allot an hour for each stop on the way plus an hour for a meal.

Posted by
2399 posts

Michelin Green Guide Germany suggests 4 hours for the section Wurzburg to Rothenburg with your stops at Creglingen and Weikersheim plus a couple of others

Posted by
7661 posts

Rothenburg will take up a full day. Dinkelsbuhl, Nordlingen and Douauwurth will take the better part of a day. Suggest spending half a day at least in Augsburg (don't miss the Rathaus and the Fuggeri). You want to stop in Oberamergau before you get to Fussen.

From Rothenburg to Fussen would be two full days with one night in Augsburg.

Posted by
824 posts

It all depends on you personal "touring" habits. I can spend a lot of time in Rothenburg while others think it's too touristy and wish to spend only a couple hours. This last spring, we stayed in Dinkelsbuhl and day-tripped to Rothenburg (~30 minutes drive) and other nearby towns. BTW - No trip to Rothenburg is complete without a night watchman tour in the evening...

If you want to walk the complete wall at Nordlingen as well as exploring the old city, devote half a day. If you want to add the Ries Crater Museum, add a few more hours.

You can easily make it from Rothenburg to Fussen in one day but there's a lot along the way to side track you. Landsberg am Lech was a delightful stop for lunch.

If you want to see both castles and the King's Museum in Hohenschwangau, it will take the better part of a day and you probably won't be able to combine it with Fussen sightseeing. If you aren't familiar with the process for visiting the castles, do your research (https://www.hohenschwangau.de/430.html) before hand. If your itinerary is set in stone, I recommend reserving your entrance tickets ahead of time.

We stayed at the Hotel Waldmann which is a comfortable 1 mile walk to the Hohenschwangau ticket office and on a Fussen-Hohenswangau bus line.

Posted by
76 posts

You could do the walk, palaces, bridge, and gorge in one packed day. I'd do the palaces first, St. Mary's is easily accessible if you walk to Neuschwanstein so you might do it before your ticketed entry. I'd save the Fussen walk for last. The historical things can be seen and done for the most part in the evening (except you'll have to peek into the cemetery not transect it).

I don't know where you plan to stay but may I (unsolicitedly) recommend Ferienwohnung Mein Lieber Schwan? Herr Bletschacher is fiercely proud of his apartments and he should be!