Nuremberg is the gateway to Franconia, directly connected by ICE train from Munich (60 min), Frankfurt (approx. 2 hr) and Berlin (approx. 3 hr). From Nuremberg Hauptbahnhof, regional trains run to Bamberg (24 min), Erlangen (12 min) and Forchheim (18 min). A hire car is recommended for Fränkische Schweiz and smaller brewery villages.
Journey Times to Nuremberg
- Munich → Nuremberg: 1 hr (ICE)
- Frankfurt → Nuremberg: 2 hrs (ICE)
- Berlin → Nuremberg: 3.5 hrs (ICE)
- Vienna → Nuremberg: 3.5 hrs (train via Munich)
- Zurich → Nuremberg: 3.5 hrs (EC/ICE via Munich)
- Erfurt → Nuremberg: 1.25 hrs (ICE)
By Train — The Recommended Option
The train is the best way to reach Franconia — and within Franconia, it is the best way to drink. Nuremberg Hauptbahnhof is an ICE hub with hourly services from Munich, Frankfurt and Berlin. Bamberg sits on the Munich–Bamberg–Berlin ICE route and is reachable from Munich in about 2 hours.
| From | To Nuremberg | To Bamberg | Train |
|---|---|---|---|
| Munich | 1:00 | 1:45 | ICE hourly |
| Frankfurt | 2:00 | 2:30 | ICE hourly |
| Berlin | 3:30 | 2:45 | ICE several daily |
| Vienna | 3:30 | 4:15 | ICE via Munich |
| Zurich | 3:30 | 4:15 | EC/ICE via Munich |
| Erfurt | 1:15 | 0:50 | ICE |
By Car
A rental car is useful within Franconia, less so for the journey there. Anyone arriving from Munich, Frankfurt or Berlin is better off taking the train and renting locally — especially since Fränkische Schweiz beer cellar tours require a non-drinking driver. Nuremberg sits on the A3 (Frankfurt–Passau) and A9 (Munich–Berlin) motorways. Bamberg is on the A70 and well connected from the A3 via Erlangen.
By Plane
Nuremberg Airport (NUE) has connections from London, Zurich, Vienna, Amsterdam and other European cities. An S-Bahn line connects the airport to Nuremberg Hauptbahnhof in 12 minutes. Munich (MUC) is the larger alternative — then 1 hour by ICE to Nuremberg.
Getting Around Within Franconia
| Route | By Train | By Car |
|---|---|---|
| Nuremberg → Bamberg | 50 min ICE/Regional | 55 min |
| Nuremberg → Forchheim | 25 min Regional | 30 min |
| Nuremberg → Erlangen | 18 min S-Bahn | 25 min |
| Nuremberg → Coburg | 1:30 Regional | 1:20 |
| Bamberg → Forchheim | 10 min Regional | 25 min |
| Forchheim → Ebermannstadt | 20 min Regional | 15 min |