1. Introduction
Rothenburg, Germany, is a major stop on the Romantic Road—a 260-mile trail that takes visitors from the town of Würzburg in the Franken wine-growing region to Fussen in Bavaria (where you can stay while visiting Neuschwanstein castle)—known for its well-preserved medieval architecture.
2. Getting to Rothenburg
Offering guests the chance to explore over 1,000 years of history, Rothenburg is a popular destination for tourism in Germany year-round. Getting to this Bavarian city is relatively simple, regardless of your starting point. However, it’s likely that you’ll be coming from Stuttgart Airport (STR), about one and a half hours by car from Rothenburg. While Stuttgart serves as a major hub for Germanwings and TUI fly, a larger option is Frankfurt Airport.
Convenient Travel Options
Fortunately, there are numerous ways to get to Rothenburg, including direct train and bus services spanning the entire country. Additionally, guided tours and day trips are offered from other major cities across Germany, providing great opportunities for exploring this historic destination.
3. Getting to Rothenburg by Train or Bus
Rothenburg’s train station is conveniently located about a ten-minute walk from the city center (within the walls at the Rödertor gate), although reaching the market square or Marketplatz might take a bit longer.
For direct service, the two-car regional train from Steinach dead-ends at Rothenburg o.d. Tauber Station and takes approximately 15 minutes. Consequently, you may need to make several train changes coming from larger cities like Frankfurt or Munich. Another option is buying a ticket to Ansbach Station and taking a bus for 16 kilometers to Rothenburg.
- From Munich: The train service to Rothenburg takes about three hours and passes through Augsburg. Multiple daily services depart from München Central Station, requiring a transfer at Nuremberg Central Station for a train to Ansbach, which connects to bus service to Rothenburg.
- From Frankfurt: Europabus ED190 travels daily from Frankfurt to Füssen, with stops in Würzburg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, and Munich, among others on the Romantic Road. Travel takes about two and a half hours, and discounts may apply with a rail pass.
- From Berlin: Although flying to a closer city is faster, you can also take the train or bus from Berlin to Rothenburg, which takes between five and seven hours. Trains depart frequently from Berlin Central Station to Bamberg Station, where you can transfer to a Wü rzburg-bound train, and subsequently to Steinach to reach Rothenburg.
4. Getting to Rothenburg by Car
If you desire flexibility with your travel itinerary, consider driving to Rothenburg. Although train and bus trips take a similar amount of time, having the option to stop along the way makes renting a car a worthwhile choice for leisurely touring during your visit.
- From Frankfurt: Use the A2 to Würzburg and then the A7 to Rothenburg. The distance is about 120 kilometers and the drive takes approximately two hours.
- From Munich: Take the A8 Autobahn to Augsburg-West, then B2 to Donauworth, or continue on the A8 and take the A7 to the Rothenburg exit; expect this route to take around 2 hours and 45 minutes.
- From Berlin: Head from the A100 to the A115, then merge onto the A10 and take a left onto the A9, traveling 371 kilometers to Nurnberg before merging onto the A7 toward Würzburg/Rothenburg. The complete trip should take about five to six hours, but account for scenic stops along the way.
5. Coach Tours and Day Trips
If your time is limited, or you’d rather not manage the details of your trip, there are various coach tours and day trips available to Rothenburg from Munich and Frankfurt.
For example, Viator offers a “Romantic Road, Rothenburg, and Harburg” day tour originating in Munich. This trip allows guests to enjoy some of the most famous sites along the Romantic Road. There’s also a longer version starting from Frankfurt, which includes stops at Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein, in addition to Rothenburg and the alluring Romantic Road.
