Standard Fare Ticket - German Rail Question

I believe you can start using the standard (full fare) ticket any time, from the date/time of the train on the ticket until something like a month later. Once you start using the ticket, you have a limited time to finish the trip - until the end of the second day for trips over 100 km, until the end of the first day for shorter trips. But the ticket is only for the specific route and class of train indicated. That is, if your ticket is from Wuerzburg to Munich via Treuchtlingen by regional trains, you can't go via Nuernberg by ICE.

Last year I flew into FRA and took an express train to Karlsruhe. I wanted to take a train that left a short time after my scheduled arrival. To save the time to buy a ticket, in case I had time to catch that train, I bought a ticket online. But I arrived too late for that train. I used that ticket for the next train to Karlsruhe.

Note, this is for full fare, standard tickets. It does not apply to discounted, Savings Fare tickets.

Well, if was going to pay full fare, I would not buy in advance. I'd get it just before I travelled. If I wanted to make a stopover, I'd specify it at the time of travel. If I wanted full flexibility and not in a huge hurry, and could travel after 9 am on week days, I'd get a 23 euro Bayern Ticket and travel when and where I wanted on regional trains throughout Bavaria.

If you pay the standard fare (full price, around €70) for use with high speed trains, you have flexibility with any train from Würzburg to Munich on the same route stipulated on your ticket as long as you start and complete your trip within the period of validity. If you buy a discounted ticket (saver fare) for the same trains, you must travel at the time specified on your ticket.

If you pay the standard fare for regional trains only (around €45) you can use any regional trains at any time within the period of validity along the same route specified on your ticket. Regional trains will take about 1 hour longer than high speed trains.

But if you plan to use regional trains only, it is much smarter to buy the Bavaria ("Bayern") Ticket - €23 for one, €27 for two. This also allows full flexibility all day (but on weekdays only after 9 am.) You can travel on any route you wish to Munich as long as you stay within Bavaria. You can buy it for this same price at the station in Würzburg.

Bavaria Ticket

Thanks for all your replies! All your tips are great!

Well, I read many times my Germany's RS guidebook and I had bypass so many tips (I rememeber something about a Bavaria pass but never considered Rothenburg and Wurzburg where inside Bavaria) . Thanks again for your great insights and detailed tip. Even the stopovers tips will be useful for other parts of the trip.

Now that I made some research and Rothenburg ob der Tauber is inside Bavaria as well, a Bavaria day pass ticket will suit perfectly to move from Rothenburg, day stop at Nurnberg and then Munich; or decide to take another journey plan toward Munich. I like the price and flexibility of this until-now-unknown pass gives to me. Thanks again!

If you do use the Bayern-Ticket to go from Nuernberg to Munich, there are several REs that take the same high speed line that the ICEs use. These regional trains can make the trip in less than 2 hours. There is one at 5:10 PM and at 7:10 PM.

Thanks Lee, I grabbed the Bavaria Pass for that stretch and probably will do one of those journeys you mentioned to me.

RS's guidebooks and this wonderful traveler's community of helpful and uninterested volunteers had saved me lots of money, time and inconvenience. You are all great, I hope that after my first european journey I will be able to help others too! Thanks!