train from Frankfurt airport to Rothenburg

I have had to take replacement buses before. Actually pretty common in the summer when all the construction projects get done. This one looks easy, since it is the entire train route and it is such a short distance, only about 6 miles.

You can travel in about the same amount of time using only local transport with a Quer durchs Land ticket. Cost for 2 is 55 EUR and you buy when you get there. Take an S-Bahn to Frankfurt Hbf and the Regional Express to Wuerzburg around 30 past the hour, then another Regional Express to Steinach.

Thank you!
I was thinking the same. It could have been a lot worse.

So I can just buy there? Can I still get on the app? I'm trying to keep things simple because I know we will be nervous and tired. I appreciate the help!

Yes, you should be able to buy a QdL ticket on the app.

"We are arriving approx 7:45, and was hoping to catch one of the trains between 10 and 10:30."

I want to get into the details here so you can make an informed choice. Let's review what the DB website offers...

Trains leaving FRA between 10 and 10:30 for Rothenburg... ARE THESE the ones you are considering?

• 10:01-12:51 using the ICE train from Frankfurt Airport's "Fernbahnhof" station (2 transfers to reach Rothenburg)
• 10:09 - 12:51 using the ICE train from Frankfurt Airport's "Fernbahnhof" station (3 transfers)
• 10:34-13:51 using the ICE train from Frankfurt Airport's "Fernbahnhof" station (2 transfers)

If so... Although the QdL ticket which Sam suggests is inexpensive and totally flexible, it does NOT permit you to use the faster ICE trains journeys; it covers only regional train equipment. The full fare on these ICE trips will be about €72 each (assuming DD is adult) if you buy them at the airport train station. To find the "regional-only" journeys for the QdL ticket you must do this when you search...

• click on "mode of transport"
• select "local transport only" from the pull-down that appears.

Sadly, only one journey in your time frame will appear - 10:09 - 13:51, with "BUS X61" at the start of your trip (with 3 transfers.) The starting point for this bus is obviously not a train platform inside the station. It's a bus stop titled "Flughafen Terminal 1, Frankfurt a.M." The bus takes on a 21-minute ride to one of Frankfurt's many stations- the "Südbahnhof" - where you switch to a train.

The NEXT regional journey option is 11:09 - 14:51, with the "HLB" RE 59 title. This in fact is a TRAIN that leaves from the airport's "Regionalbahnhof" station. (This is the airport's other train station - the one for regional train departures.)

So... Here's how I suggest "working around" DB's website to find schedules for the QdL ticket... Break it into two search segments with Frankfurt's central station in the middle.

1) Set mode of transport to "local transport only."

2) search FRA airport > Frankfurt (Main) Hbf (Frankfurt's central station.)

You will see there are 12-13 different direct train journeys between 9 am and 11 am. Each takes about 13 minutes. All leave from the Regionalbahnhof. After you have your QdL ticket in hand, I would just take any one of those departures whenever you are ready to leave the airport.

3) search Frankfurt (Main) Hbf - Rothenburg od Tauber

You will see these 3 regional train journeys each will have two changes of train - one in Würzburg and one in Steinach...
9:30-12:51,
10:34 - 13:51,
11:30-14:51

Take whichever one of these is the next departure from the central station.

My hunch: you'll probably get there at 13:51. But you might arrive earlier if all goes smoothly. And you won't have to use the bus - at least not at the BEGINNING or your train journey.

I saw the bus to Sudbahnhof, but if you just take the first S-Bahn to Frankfurt Hbf, you can wait for the 30 past regional train. Since it is May 1, a German holiday, you can start before 9 am.

DB always shows the tightest possible connection. You can always take earlier trains

I very much appreciate the help and the options. It was super helpful! I looked through the cheaper ticket options/info, and it seems more complicated. Yes, it's cheaper, but I think I'm willing to spend the money to be on an ICE train for part of the trip. I'm hoping to catch the train at 10:01, 10:09, 0r 10:34. I assume it leaves from the long distance train station off the third floor? Still not sure how it works yet.

I like the idea of the cheaper ticket, but maybe not after a night with no sleep on a plane. But it gives me ideas for other trips in the future. There are a lot more options out there than I realized! Thanks!

oops, I'm sorry, we are arriving the 15th.

Yes, it's cheaper, but I think I'm willing to spend the money to be on
an ICE train for part of the trip.

My advice is to AVOID the 10:09 ICE journey. There are 3, not 2, changes of train - just like the QdL/regional train option, except it's 2 ICE trains, then 2 regional trains. And the first change of train shows just 6 minutes between trains in Hanau - which is fine if the first train is on time. But ICE trains have a very poor on-time performance record and there's a fair chance that you will miss that #2 ICE train.

The other two ICE journeys with just 2 changes of train look preferrable. The 10:34 ICE departure provides a long stopover in Würzburg (which helps ensure timely transfer to the first regional train.) The 10:01 ICE departure, however, gives you just 12 minutes in Würzburg. So if it's late, there's a chance you will need to wait for the next regional train sequence to Rothenburg.

There was a time years ago when travelers did not have to worry so much about missing their connections. But over time, increased ridership and deferred rail system maintenance have had an unexpectedly large impact on long-distance train punctuality. Missing trains has become routine procedure. This is one of the reasons I tend to go with regional trains when feasible. And these days - as overnight flights tend to deprive me of more and more sleep than previously... if my first destination after FRA necessarily involves ICE train travel, I plan to spend that first night closer to FRA (Mainz, Frankfurt itself, or some smaller town within 30-45 minutes of FRA by regional train.)

3 regional train journeys each will have two changes of train - one in Würzburg and one in Steinach...
9:30-12:51,
10:34 - 13:51,
11:30-14:51

We did this exactly as Russ Described. Easy-peasy.

Thank you very much for your help! Sorry for the delayed response. It was Spring Break for my kids, so a little busier than usual.

If our plane is scheduled to arrive by 8:05, is it feasible to get 10:34 tickets now? Or would you suggest waiting until we arrive at the airport? I assume I would have to go to a ticket counter.

I really appreciate all the insights. I have been overseas, but usually on a guided tour. This is the first time I am using the books and planning out everything myself.

Your question refers to this train sequence - with transfers to a regional train in Würzburg and the BUS EV in Steinach - right?
10:34 - 14:01

10:34 - 12:01 ICE to Würzburg (starting from FRA's FERNBAHNHOF)
12:41 - 13:25 RE train to Steinach
13:38 - 14:01 Bus EV to Rothenburg

If your flight is on time, you should have no trouble catching the 10:34 train. A non-refundable saver fare ticket purchased now is priced at €29.90 ea. (If you do not catch the 10:34 train specified on your ticket because of a delay or for some other reason, you will forfeit the ticket and need to buy a new "Flexpreis" ticket - see below.)

Alternatively, buy the refundable Flexpreis option for €56.80 ea. (You can buy now or at any time prior to boarding the train - the price will remain the same.) If you wait until you reach FRA, you can still use the DB App, or you can go to a ticket window, or to a ticket machine to make this purchase. With the Flexpreis ticket you can use any ICE train you wish that same day - a long flight delay will not cause you to forfeit this ticket.

Then there's the Regional QdL train ticket option (€55/2 persons) leaving from FRA's Regionalbahnhof with an additional transfer at Frankfurt Hbf (prior to the same transfers you will otherwise have to make in Würzburg and Steinach.)
10:00 - 14:01

Like the Flexpreis ticket, this ticket will be available for purchase on the day of travel at the same price (app, ticket machine, or ticket window.) If your flight is on time, you should have no trouble catching this train. Also, this ticket is immune to forfeiture, just like the Flexpreis ticket... If you are delayed and cannot catch the 10:00 train, it is still completely flexible for use on the same day on any subsequent regional train to Frankfurt Hbf and onward from there by regional train to Würzburg, Steinach, and Rothenburg.