On May 14, we will fly into FRA (Frankfurt) and wish to take the train directly from FRA to Rothenburg ODT. On the DB website, they list the regular fare for two as 88 euros and a Dauer-Spezial fare for two as 49 euros. The Dauer-Spezial fares are noted as limited, and once purchased the use of selected train is required and refund excluded -- which means we should not buy them now. Should we expect these Dauer-Spezial fares to be available on the day we land in FRA? In general, how available are these low Dauer-Spezial fares? Are they just come-ons?
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
The Dauer-Spezial are not "come-ons" any more than are the low fares on airlines. They work for someone who can commit to a specific train well in advance - you can't. Just as you can't get the best fare walking up to the airline counter just before you want to fly, you can't expect to get the best Dauer-Spezial fare when you arrive.
Howerer, if you are willing to spend a little more time (less than an hour extra) you don't have to spend €88. Simply taking regional trains will get you there for €63 and only take about an hour longer. If you want to save even more, buy local (RMV) tickets to Kahl for €6.75 per person and a Bayern-Ticket (purchased from an automat at the airport) will get you from there to Rothenburg. Total €40,50. OK, so it takes you another hour, but it's even less than the €49 Dauer-Spezial tickets.
Posted by
OP
Ann Arbor, MI, USA
18 posts
Thanks, Lee, for your good tips.
On the DB site, I see that the 63 euros regional fare would require a 10 minute walk from Frankfurt Hbf (tief) to Frankfurt(Main)Hbf. What is tief? Are there two Hauptbahnofs in Frankfurt?
The regional trains take 3:47 duration for the trip. Would the 40.50 euro ticket be on the same regional trains and therefore not take another hour?
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
"tief" (pron. Teef) is German for "deep". The S-Bahn runs underground in downtown Frankfurt, and the tracks run under the main station (Hauptbahnhof). If you take the S-Bahn to the Haubtbahnhof, you have to come up several stories on escalators to the main track level. The Regional Express to Würzburg leaves on track 7-11, depending on the time.
With the local tickets and Bayern-Ticket you would take exactly the same trains, as long as they are regional, that you apparently found on the DB site.
There are two S-Bahns through the regional station at the airport. The S8 starts in Mainz (I believe) and goes through the Hbf tief station to Offenbach. There is no regular train connection there; if you take the S8, you have to change at the Hbf. However, the S9 goes on to Hanau, where you can catch that same Regional Express from the Hauptbahnhof. It might be an easier connection.