Is Erfurt a Good Base for Exploring Thuringia?
Yes, Erfurt is an excellent base for exploring Thuringia by train due to its central location and direct ICE connections to many other cities in the state and beyond. It makes it easy to take day trips to popular destinations like Weimar, Eisenach, and Gotha, and even to cities like Leipzig or Berlin by high-speed train.
Erfurt is not just “good”—it is strategically the best option for a rail-based holiday in Thuringia. As the state capital and a major ICE (high-speed train) hub, it sits right in the middle of the region. You can reach the most famous cultural and historical sights in less time than it takes to commute across a large city like Berlin or London.
Advantages of using Erfurt as a base
- Excellent train connectivity: Erfurt is a major rail hub with six ICE (Intercity-Express) train routes converging there, providing fast connections to numerous cities.
- Convenient day trips: You can easily visit other key Thuringian cities, such as:
- Weimar: The city of Goethe and Schiller, easily accessible by train.
- Eisenach: Home to the Wartburg Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Gotha and Mühlhausen: Other historic cities that are convenient to reach by train.
- Day trips to larger cities: The high-speed train network makes day trips to major cities like Leipzig, Halle, and even Berlin feasible. Erfurt also has a direct connection to Frankfurt Airport, which is convenient for travelers.
- Comfortable city for a base: Erfurt itself has a well-preserved medieval city center with a unique atmosphere, making it an enjoyable and worthwhile place to stay between your excursions.
Rail Connectivity & Day Trips
The train frequency from Erfurt is excellent. For most destinations below, you won’t even need to check a schedule religiously; trains often run every 15–30 minutes.
| Destination | Best For | Travel Time (One Way) | Frequency |
| Weimar | Bauhaus, Goethe & Schiller, UNESCO World Heritage | 10–15 mins | Very High (approx. every 15 mins) |
| Gotha | Friedenstein Palace, Ducal Museum | 15–20 mins | High (approx. every 20 mins) |
| Eisenach | Wartburg Castle (Luther), Bach House | 30–45 mins | High (approx. every 30 mins) |
| Jena | Optics, Planetarium, University history | 30 mins | High |
| Arnstadt | Bach history (his first organist post), cute old town | 20 mins | Moderate |
Tip: Because Erfurt is on the main high-speed line, you can also do effortless day trips to major cities outside Thuringia, like Leipzig (45 mins by ICE) or Halle (30 mins by ICE).
The “Thüringen-Ticket” (Money Saver)
If you plan to do multiple day trips, ignore the expensive ICE (Intercity Express) trains for short hops and stick to regional trains (RE, RB). They are only slightly slower for these short distances but allow you to use the Thüringen-Ticket.
- What it is: A day pass valid for unlimited travel on regional trains, trams, and buses within Thuringia, Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt.
- Validity:
- Weekdays: 9:00 AM to 3:00 AM the following day.
- Weekends/Holidays: Midnight to 3:00 AM the following day (27 hours).
- Price: (Approximate) Around €30 for the first traveler + roughly €8 for each additional person (up to 5 people total).
- Where to buy: DB Navigator App or ticket machines at the station.
Erfurt as a City to Stay In
Unlike some transport hubs that are purely functional, Erfurt is a stunning destination in itself.
- Atmosphere: It has one of the best-preserved medieval city centers in Germany.
- Dining: After a day of exploring, you have hundreds of restaurants to choose from, particularly around the Fischmarkt and Wenigemarkt.
- Walkability: The train station (Erfurt Hbf) is a 10-15 minute walk (or 3-minute tram ride) from the absolute center of the Old Town.
Must-See in Erfurt
- Krämerbrücke (Merchants’ Bridge): The longest inhabited bridge in Europe. It’s filled with artisan shops (chocolate, ceramics, antiques).
- Erfurt Cathedral & Severi Church: The iconic silhouette on the Domplatz.
- Petersberg Citadel: A massive baroque fortress overlooking the city.
- Old Synagogue: One of the oldest in Europe, housing the Erfurt Treasure.
Recommendation
If you stay in Erfurt, you avoid the hassle of changing hotels. You can have a leisurely breakfast, hop on a train, see the Wartburg in Eisenach or the Goethe House in Weimar, and be back in Erfurt in time for a nice dinner by the river Gera.
If you’re looking for more Thuringia blog like How to Hike up to Wartburg Castle from Eisenach and Booking Wartburg Castle Tickets Online to Avoid Queues subscribe to join us.
