Train stations in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Rothenburg ob der Tauber has one station, at the end of a short branch line, and every journey there involves a change at Steinach (bei Rothenburg ob der Tauber). From Steinach the regional train takes 15 minutes to the town.

Getting to Rothenburg ob der Tauber by train

There is no through train to Rothenburg. Take the RE 80 to Steinach (bei Rothenburg ob der Tauber), the junction on the main line between Würzburg and Treuchtlingen, then change to the RB 82 for the last stop. The RB 82, a DB Regio train (Mittelfrankenbahn), runs about hourly all day, leaving Rothenburg ob der Tauber at 5 past the hour and Steinach at 36 past, and the ride takes 15 minutes (timetable of 14 December 2025 to 12 December 2026).

From Würzburg Hbf the RE 80 takes about 40 minutes to Steinach and runs about hourly. From Ansbach the ride to Steinach is about 20 minutes. The RE 80 is the connecting train: from Steinach it leaves for Würzburg Hbf about hourly, with the last one at 23:33, and for Ansbach about hourly, with the last at 23:47 (on Sundays that train ends at Ansbach).

From Nuremberg, Munich and Frankfurt

From Nuremberg, take the S4 or the RE 90 to Ansbach, which takes 30 to 45 minutes, then the RE 80 towards Würzburg to Steinach. Munich is on the same RE 80 line, with a direct train from Steinach to Munich Hbf about every two hours. From Frankfurt, take an ICE to Würzburg Hbf, then the RE 80.

Walking into the old town

The station is on Bahnhofstraße and has no staff, though it has toilets and a taxi stand. The old town is a few minutes' walk away. Head towards the town wall and go in through the Rödertor, the gate on the station side; the street beyond leads to the Marktplatz, where the tourist office is at Marktplatz 2. This is also the town's recommended low-barrier route from the station, though the old town itself is cobbled and has slopes. The tourist office opens 09:00 to 17:00 on weekdays all year; weekend hours are shorter, and it is closed on Sundays from November to Easter, apart from the Christmas market.

Tickets and the Deutschlandticket

The Deutschlandticket costs €63 a month in October 2026 and is valid on the RB 82, the RE 80, the S-Bahn and local buses. It does not cover ICE, IC, EC or FlixTrain.

Rail passes and reservations

As of October 2026, an Interrail Pass is valid on regional trains in Germany, and those need no reservation. That covers the RB 82, the RE 80 and the RE 90. On ICE, IC and EC trains, such as the ICE into Würzburg Hbf, a seat reservation is optional and costs €5.50 in second class or €6.90 in first. Fill in your travel day before you board.

Traps to avoid

• Buy your ticket to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, not to Steinach: only the RB 82 goes on to the town.
• The last RB 82 leaves Steinach at 22:36 and Rothenburg ob der Tauber at 23:05, every day. On Mondays to Fridays there is no 21:36 from Steinach or 21:05 from Rothenburg ob der Tauber, so the evening gap is two hours. Miss the 22:36 and there is no train on to Rothenburg that night.
• Steinach has no staff and no step-free access between platforms, and no boarding assistance is available there, so the change is hard with a wheelchair, a pushchair or heavy luggage.
• The Romantic Road coach serves Rothenburg only on Sundays from early May to mid-September. The rest of the year, come by train.