With its astonishingly well-preserved medieval architecture and charming cobbled lanes, the Franconian town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Bavaria attracts many visitors. This beautiful town won’t have you asking what to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber – instead you’ll be wondering how to enjoy all the fabulous attractions on offer!
This guide will show you how to get to Rothenburg ob der Tauber from Munich, so you can see the sights that appeal to you.
Whether you want to travel by car from the airport, take a train trip from the city of Munich or are wondering what the day tour options are, this article will outline them all. Then you can start planning your own excursion to this beautiful Bavarian town.
Read on to find out all about getting to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Also covered is where in Germany the town is, how far it is from Munich and how to reach it by road or public transport.
There are also sections on how to get to Rothenburg ob der Tauber from Nuremberg or Frankfurt, as well as suggested day trips to the fairytale town. If you want to plan a visit to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, this article should give you all the information you need.
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What's in this Article
Where is Rothenburg ob der Tauber?
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is located in Middle Franconia in Bavaria, Germany. It is situated on two of Germany’s most popular scenic tourist routes, the Romantic Road and the Castle Road.
How far from Munich to Rothenburg ob der Tauber?
The distance between Munich and Rothenburg ob der Tauber is approximately 275 kilometres, or 170 miles.
Munich to Rothenburg ob der Tauber transport options
You can travel from Munich to Rothenburg ob der Tauber by train, car or bus, as follows. If coming from Munich, you can depart from the city centre or the airport.
Train from Munich to Rothenburg ob der Tauber
You can take the train to Rothenburg ob der Tauber from Munich via a couple of routes. Whichever you choose, this is a stress-free way to travel. You don’t need to worry about car rental, navigation or driving in an unfamiliar place. Instead, you can sit back and watch the Bavarian countryside roll by.
The route via Nuremburg is fastest at just under three hours, however tickets may cost a little extra. This train will also make other stops, typically in Ansbach and Steinach.
Alternatively you can travel via Treuchtlingen and Steinach. This route takes around three-and-a-quarter hours to complete.
Your exact journey time will depend on the route chosen and time of day you travel. Some sectors have trains every 15 minutes, while others are hourly services.
At the time of writing, a single standard adult fare between Munich and Rothenburg ob der Tauber costs around €38, but by booking in advance you may pay as little as €21. Return fares often offer better value for money, too.
Train from Munich Airport to Rothenburg ob der Tauber
While it does take longer to get from Munich airport to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, this may be more convenient if you want to visit the town immediately after arrival or before departure. The more lengthy journey time includes the trip between the airport and the city.
Again the train route via Nuremburg is quicker, at around three hours and 50 minutes. If you travel on the slower route, expect a trip time of about four hours and 25 minutes.
A standard adult single fare from Munich airport to Rothenburg ob der Tauber currently costs from around €26. Advance purchase and return fares can often be much more cost effective than single tickets.
Driving from Munich to Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Driving times within Germany are difficult to predict. Though movement via the autobahn network can be very rapid, this is very much dependent on traffic levels and routes.
The drive from Munich airport or the city to Rothenburg ob der Tauber takes around two hours and ten minutes. There is very little difference between the journey times.
Car rental can be cost effective if there are a few people travelling together, but don’t forget to add up all the prices. You’ll need to budget for fuel as well as vehicle hire, plus any additional insurance you want to purchase.
Do note that fuel prices are rising steeply in Europe at the time of writing, so it’s difficult to give a realistic figure. Expect to pay a minimum of €35 for the fuel you’ll need to travel one way between the two destinations.
The pros of driving are the additional freedom this gives you, but the minuses include finding and paying for parking. It also largely depends on whether anyone in your party is comfortable with the idea of driving on foreign roads.
Bus from Munich to Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Travelling solely by bus between Munich and Rothenburg ob der Tauber isn’t really an option. While you can travel from Munich to Nuremberg by bus, you’d then need to take a train from there to Ansbach before switching to another bus.
The same applies whether you travel from the city of Munich or the airport. There is no direct Munich to Rothenburg bus from either.
Day trips from Munich to Rothenburg ob der Tauber
A simple way to take care of all your transport and sightseeing is to book a day trip from Munich to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. This will include the services of an experienced tour guide, plus travel via air-conditioned luxury coach. Here’s an outline of our recommended day tour, if this is the route you decide to take.
Day trip to Rothenburg ob der Tauber from Munich
Bookable via the reputable German company, GetYourGuide, this 10.5 hour day trip takes in Nördlinger Ries, Harburg Castle and the Hallertau hops-growing region as well as Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
You’ll benefit from skip-the-line entry, and can cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund if your plans suddenly change. The trip will also take you along the famed Romantic Road.
> Click here to book this Munich to Rothenburg ob der Tauber day tour
How to get to Rothenburg ob der Tauber from Frankfurt and Nuremberg
If you’re wondering how to get to Rothenburg ob der Tauber from Frankfurt or Nuremberg instead of Munich, this section will briefly outline the main options.
From Frankfurt to Rothenburg ob der Tauber by car or train
The distance between Frankfurt and Rothenburg ob der Tauber by car is about 182 km or 113 miles. By train, the quickest route takes just under three hours.
By car, this trip takes around an hour and 50 minutes. You can also take the Romantic Road coach service for a scenic ride between the two places.
Day trips to Rothenburg ob der Tauber from Frankfurt
If you would prefer someone else to make all the arrangements for you, taking an organised day tour from Frankfurt to Rothenburg ob der Tauber makes perfect sense.
Here are three great options:
- Rothenburg day trip from Frankfurt – click here for details
- Heidelberg and Rothenburg full day tour from Frankfurt – click here for details
- Romantic Road and Rothenburg ob der Tauber from Frankfurt – click here for details
From Nuremberg to Rothenburg ob der Tauber by car or train
It’s a shorter trip of about 80 km (50 miles) between Nuremburg and Rothenburg ob der Tauber. The drive should take around an hour and 15 minutes, depending on traffic.
If you take the Nuremberg to Rothenburg ob der Tauber train, journey times are around an hour and 40 minutes. There is no direct bus route.
Final thoughts on travelling from Munich to Rothenburg ob der Tauber
If you wanted to know about taking a car, bus routes or catching a train to Rothenburg ob der Tauber from Munich, hopefully this article has been helpful. However you get there, a Munich to Rothenburg day trip or longer stay is very worthwhile indeed.
A good alternative to public transport is to take an organised Rothenburg day trip from Munich. This means all travel and sightseeing is taken care of while you sit back, relax and enjoy the Bavarian landscape.
Enjoy your trip! 😃
To make the most of your visit to this fairytale town, we recommend staying overnight (or longer). You can see our recommended hotels in Rothenburg ob der Tauber here. Would you like to include visits to other towns in Bavaria on your trip? Check out our Bavaria Travel Guide for our top picks.
