Ok here is only one question - where do I find and calculate the fee for train travel? I know that I am going to do the following:
Munich to Fussen
Fussen to Salzburg & return
Fussen to Strasbourg & return
Fussen to Bacharach
Bacharach to Heidelburg & return
Bacharach to Rothenburg & return
Bacharach to Munich
There must be a site where I can compare all the different types of train travel vouchers compared to just buying as I go.
thanks - Nova
To get the base price of point-to-point tickets, check the Deutsche Bahn website:
http://www.bahn.de/p/view/index.shtml
As for comparing all the options for railpasses, voucherts, etc... this might be a good reason to call a representative at Rick's HQ, although you'll pay a fee for their time.
You can also check RailEurope.com but the site doesn't always have the most accurate prices for tickets - often the sale prices and all fare options aren't displayed but it should give you a general idea of what you will spend.
First point, Strasbourg, and Heidelberg are between Füssen and Bacharach. Why not stop in Strasbourg and Heidelberg on the way from Füssen to Bacharach and save all the backtracking.
2nd, Munich, Füssen, Rothenburg and Salzburg are all within the validity area of a Bayern-Ticket (all day travel on regional trains for €28 for 2-5 people, €20 for one).
Strasbourg is just across the river from Kehl, Germany, which is in Baden-Württemberg; a €28 Baden-Württemberg-Ticket (€19 Single) gets you to Heidelberg. I haven't seen a day yet where a railpass would pay. From Heidelberg, the S-Bahn gets you to Mannheim for €4,70, where you can use a Rheinland-Pfalz-Ticket (€27, €19 Single) to Bacharach. Füssen to Strasbourg and Bacharach back to Rothenburg are a little more complicated, but also not worth a railpass.
Oh, and don't think of using Railsaver. They don't know anything.
And, learn to spell Fuessen (Füssen) and Heidelberg; it might make your searching a little easier.
I think you will find a good rail pass will make things easy for you - and sometimes offer discounts. The Bayern ticket may also worth looking into for that area (perhaps save you some eurail pass days if you get the flexi pass).
I also agree on making as much a loop as you can without too much wasted back and forth if you can. Start on one end and go around in one direction if you can. I did the Rhine to Wurzburg to Rothenburg, to Hidelburg back to Mosel/Rhine loop. You can easily add Austria/Tyrol and Bavaria to extend that loop. Just plan it out on paper and check the rates on Diebahn.de - they have an "english" button!