Trying to finalize cities for May trip - Bavaria+Budapest

Just as info about Würzburg: In 1945, the town was the target of several air raids. The heaviest of these occurred on March 16, 1945, unleashing a firestorm that claimed the lives of around 5,000 people and left 90,000 homeless. 82% of the building fabric and 90% of the historic city centre, including the most important architectural monuments such as the Residenz and the cathedral, were destroyed or damaged. After battles, the city was handed over to the Americans on April 6/7, 1945.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Sources in German language:
https://hdbg.eu/wiederaufbau/orte/detail/wuerzburg/65
https://wuerzburgwiki.de/wiki/W%C3%BCrzburg_im_Zweiten_Weltkrieg

May around Würzburg and the surrounding Main River wine region is really nice. Spargle (German white asparagus) time too. Try Spargle with a Silvaner Wein and boiled potatoes with butter or hollandaise sauce. Get out some and enjoy the countryside and surrounding wine villages.

Sally H, I am certain you thought it through pretty well, and did a lot of research for the route and the things you want to see. But (always a BUT, LOL) is there no way you could do this in one continious journey without a lot of bouncing back to Munich? The flow is like this: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8Etdjv2ejDvDJoDAA The only thing "bad" is the final long haul train. But its not terrible (I hope, cause I am on it in about 2 weeks).

Otherwise excellent time of year and interesting stops. And yes a lot of what you will see in Germany is recreations but the culture is real and thats the real reason to travel.

When you get to the Budapest leg, post on the Hungary forum. We have several people who are real good with Hungary.

@Mr É I was thinking about doing Salzburg to Budapest earlier but then I was put off by the 6 hour train! Though maybe it wouldn't be that bad? The flight from Munich is only 1 hr. 15, but then there is the added stress of figuring out the airport situation. Though now I'm seeing I could also get a direct flight from Stuttgart to Budapest, which would be closer to Wurzburg and maybe less crazy since it's a smaller airport?

Updated version, took one day away from Budapest:

Tue May 6: Arrive at MUN at 7:10 AM - Check in at Hotel Uhland
Wed May 7: Munich
Thur May 8: Daytrip: Neuschwanstein Castle/Linderhof Palace (via tour bus)
Fri May 9: Salzberg, Austria daytrip (2 hrs by train)
Sat May 10: Munich
Sun May 11: Munich
Mon May 12: depart Munich in morning, check in Nuremberg (1 hour by train)
Tue May 13: Nuremberg
Wed May 14: depart Nuremberg in morning, check in Rothenburg (1 hr 15 min by car)
Thur May 15: depart Rothenburg in morning check in Wurzburg (45 min by car)
Fri May 16: Wurzburg
Sat May 17: Wurzburg
Sun May 18 Drive about 2 hrs to Stuttgart, 1.5 hr flight to Budapest
Mon May 19 Budapest
Tue May 20 Budapest
Wed May 21 Budapest
Thur May 22 Budapest
Fri May 23 Budapest
Sat May 24 Depart BUD 2:05 PM

Okay wait maybe you are right about the train LOL. Oh geez I'm a mess. The bad thing though is if I do your version I have to redo all my hotels and I can't believe how fast they are selling out 9 months in advance!!!

Tue May 6: Arrive at FRA at 7:20 AM - 1 hour by train or car to Wurzburg
Wed May 7: Wurzburg
Thur May 8: Wurzburg
Fri May 9: Wurzburg to Rothenburg
Sat May 10: Rothenburg to Nuremburg
Sun May 11: Nuremburg
Mon May 12: Nuremberg to Munich
Tue May 13: Munich
Wed May 14: Munich
Thur May 15: Munich - Neuschwanstein
Fri May 16: Munich
Sat May 17: Salzburg
Sun May 18: Salzburg train - Budapest
Mon May 19 Budapest
Tue May 20 Budapest
Wed May 21 Budapest
Thur May 22 Budapest
Fri May 23 Budapest
Sat May 24 Depart BUD 2:05 PM

I feel your pain. Ha! But truthfully the last itinerary is probably the best - unless you can’t get lodging. Backtracking is usually a waste. Plus I like that it gives you an overnight in Salzburg. I’ve done the train ride Salzburg to Budapest (in reverse) and it’s not bad.

sally h. If you see any of my old posts you will see that I am not a huge fan of long train rides or riding a train for the "romance of the rails". There are a few great scenic train rides in the world, but most are boring with obstructed views to keep the train noise out of the countryside and cities. Usually if a train is 4 hours it can be done by plane door to door in the same amount of time; so thats my break even time. But in your case on this trip and in my case 14 September the only realistic flight option is Munich and thats just not worth the time and effort.

Your last plan I think is a winner.

Thank you all! I'm going with the last one I posted! I really appreciate the advice. It actually worked out and for some reason all my hotels on my rearranged days were cheaper!

Sounds like fun. Have a blast.

going with the last one I posted!

Please get seat reservation for the trip from Salzburg to Budapest.

Sounds like a great trip!