Train Connection Times Enroute To And From Rothenburg ob der Tauber

You didn't say which trains (time) you would be taking. Some connections might not be the same. I looked at train-train connections before noon.

First, the good news, the change in Ansbach, going to Stuttgart, looks like it will be a cross platform change. The train to Stuttgart might not even be in the station when you get off the train from Rothenburg. Going the other way looks like it will require a change of platforms, but you'll have approx. 20 minutes to make the change, no problem.

Also, the change in Steinach is a relatively short change (1 platform), and the train to Rothenburg is a shuttle and has nothing else to do but to take people up to Rothenburg and then wait to come back. It's not going to be in a hurry to leave. Just stay with the herd, so the conductor know there are more people coming to get on.

The bad news, Steinach is a very small station with primitive facilities. There are no elevators/escalators in Steinach. I've never (6 times, 3 x round trips) needed to use one, looked for one, so I don't know personally, but the station layout doesn't show any. If you have very large rolling suitcases, you might have some problems with the stairs.

Added (after Russ's post): The Ansbach to Stuttgart connection is served by two types of trains, an IC (Intercity) or an RE (Regional express). They alternate every 2 hours. Full fare from Rothenburg to Stuttgart on the RE is 50,70€ per person before 9:00 am. After 9, you can use a Quer-durchs-Land Ticket for 49€, one person, or 59€ for two people. The only fare on the IC is 49,70€ per person, 99,40€ for two people. The connection with the RE only takes 10-15 minutes longer, so I would assume you will plan to take the RE. After 9, the first connection using the RE leaves Rothenburg at 10:05, and takes 3:01, getting to Stuttgart at 13:06, but if you miss the 4 minute connection in Steinach, you can't take the IC from Ansbach at 12:07 (the QdL ticket) only covers regional trains). You'll have to take the RE from Ansbach at 13:10 and won't get to Stuttgart until 15:05.

An alternative would be to leave Rothenburg on at 9:05. If you make the quick connection in Steinach, you'll get to Ansbach at 9:45. The next RE leaves Ansbach at 11:07, so you will have to wait 1:22. There's a Bistro and an Imbiß (snack bar) in the station so you can get breakfast or coffee and a pasty while you wait. But if you miss the 4 minute quick connection, you'll have to spend the next hour in Steinach. Across the street from the station, at Hotel Gamersgarten, there is a restaurant, which might only be for overnight guests, I can't tell. There is also a kiosk where you could get coffee and a snack (pastry). Then you would take the train to Ansbach and get there in time (~20 minute wait) for the RE. You'd still get to Stuttgart at 13:06.

Rothenburg is not a train hub. It's at the very end of a trunk railway and a poor travel base for those using trains; the location is inherently problematic for coming/going from/to the usual places.

The change of train at Steinach is generally not difficult. Basically, it's a little-used railway that gets you there from R'burg, so it is not flooded with passengers, so there is no reason for your train to be delayed unless something like a track or signaling problem pops up.

When you are carrying luggage, you toss another variable into the mix. Dropping stuff that spills onto the steps, falling, etc. are very unusual but possible problems. Do not run.

Multiple transfers makes things trickier. Obviously, if the 2nd train is late to Ansbach for whatever reason, your 3rd train to Stuttgart may or may not leave on time.

Ansbach is a train hub and does have elevators. Staying in Ansbach would mean a direct train ride to Stuttgart. A day trip from Ansbach to Nuremberg is also direct. And for a day trip to Rothenburg, starting your day in Ansbach means only ONE change of train on the way. For individuals who want elevators or who have mobility issues or big bags, Ansbach makes for a stable travel base for someone interested in seeing Rothenburg and/or Nuremberg on day trips.

The issue of train access to Rothenburg is brought up here all the time. I think it is unfortunate that Rick Steves' guide to Germany does not address the ease-of-access issue for rail users looking for good base towns.

Stay in Ansbach. It's a nice town, and easy to get around in. If you miss a train you can easily take the bus or a cab to Rothenberg. There's not much in Steinach; I lived there for a while years ago and it hasn't changed. Trains don't wait.

two days later from there to Stuttgart require transfers as short 5 m. in Ansbach and 4 m. in Steinach.

You could take the bus from Rothenburg to Dombühl (#807) or Schnelldorf (#817). These are two tiny stations on the Nuremberg-Stuttgart line, so you only have to change once with a transfer time of about 15 minutes (the connection via Dombühl: you can find it if you specify it as a stopover on the DB website). The bus is almost always empty (except around noon when it takes schoolchildren).

NB. Don't be tempted by a connection that involves an IC train. It is much more expensive (no Deutschlandticket ticket allowed!), not a minute faster than the connections mentioned above, and too often unpunctual. Caveat emptor.

From Nuremberg, the train to Rothenburg will wait at Steinach for the train.

The train from Rothenburg will be on time to Steinach. After that, it’s anyones guess since German
trains being late seems to be the rule lately.

In 1988, my first trip to Rothenburg, we stayed at Windmühle in Ansbach for two nights and commuted into Rothenburg for the day. I wasn't sorry I did it that way, but the trip to/from Ansbach takes about 45 minutes.

A lot of people like to stay in Rothenburg; it's magical after the day-trippers leave. If you stay in Rothenburg late, there are train connections leaving Rothenburg at 10 and 11 PM. The 11 PM train has a 27 minute change in Steinach and gets into Ansback at 9 minutes after midnight.

There is also a hotel, Gallmersgarten, across the street from the station in Steinach. From Steinach, it's only 15 minutes to Rothenburg, and you would avoid that 4 minute change with luggage going to Stuttgart.

In 6 times (3 going to, 3 coming from Rothenburg) I've never missed the connection, but then, with only a 12 lb backpack, handling my luggage is no big deal.

You could take the bus from Rothenburg to Dombühl or Schnelldorf.

I didn't bother to mention the buses. I took the bus from Dombühl to Rothenburg in 2007 when I did the Romantic Road without a car. I knew about them, but I find a lot of people don't seem to want to take a bus in Germany.

Should have included more information with my post:
From Nuremburg, probable trains will b 10:38 - 11:51 am. with 5 m. transfer in Ansbach and 4 m. transfer in Steinach before arrival in Rothenburg. Entire journey covered by Deutschland Tickets we each will buy for December. From Rothenburg to Stuttgart we plan to take 12:01-15:05 trains with a 4m. transfer in Steinach and 22 m. transfer in Ansbach As we plan to stay four nights in Stuttgart with local transport trips as well as day trips to Eslingen and Ludwigsburg as well as local transport in Heidelberg, Frankfurt and Cologne the DT Tickets will save us money. We will take ICE trains from Stuttgart to Frankfurt and Frankfurt to Cologne because we prefer faster journeys. We are booked for a two night stay in Rothenburg and have planned stays in Stuttgart (4 nights), Heidelberg (1 night) and Frankfurt (3 nights) as well as beginning with Nuremberg (3 nights)

So, instead of the 12:01 (I think it is actually 12:05) train, take the earlier one, at 11:05. If you make the 4 minute connection (I think you will), get to Ansbach at around 11:45. You'll have about 1½ hours in Ansbach for lunch before catching the 13:10 RE to Stuttgart. There are a lot of lunch possibilities at or across the street from the Ansbach Bahnhof, including a Subway in the station building. Use Google Maps to check them all out.

But if you do miss the connection, you can have lunch at the hotel, Gallmersgarten, across the street from the station, and then take the next train to Ansbach and have 20+ minutes to catch the train to Stuttgart.

The connection in Ansbach is cross platform; you don't need 20+ minutes for that. Make the Steinbach connection and add the hour to the 20+ minute change time in Ansbach for a leisurely lunch.