Bamberg is easily reached by car, train, and plane.
Travel by plane: Nuremberg Airport
The closest airport to Bamberg is Nürnberg airport (IATA: NUE), which has frequent flights into most major European hubs such as Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, Amsterdam, or London.
If you arrive during the day (before 22:00 or so), the best way to get to Bamberg is by public transportation: take the subway from the airport to Nürnberg main station (Hauptbahnhof) and from there a regional train or S-Bahn. The local transport authority VGN has online time table information available.
You can buy a ticket at the ticket machine at the airport subway station, located outside just after exiting the airport terminal. If you are traveling on your own, get a single ticket to Bamberg at the machine (11.50 Euro, fare zone 10+T). There is also a day ticket for 2 adults (+ 4 children) for 19.10 Euro. Note that with these tickets you are not allowed to use the fast trains (ICE), use the regional trains and S-Bahns only.
Detailed instructions how to use the VGN ticket machine at Nürnberg Airport can be found on the page “VGN Ticket Machine“.
If you arrive later than 22:00 it is best to use a taxi. There are always enough normal taxis in front of the airport, with trips to Bamberg that cost about 85-90 EUR. If you are a group, ask for a taxi van. There will either be one in the queue or a van will be called for you. There are also licensed shuttle services which you can book before your trip.
Travel by plane: München Airport
Arriving in München airport (MUC), take the S-Bahn to München central station (Hauptbahnhof) and then take a train to Bamberg (see below for general information on train travel). Since MUC is rather badly connected to public transportation, the whole trip will take 3 to 4 hours, and will cost 71 EUR one-way. There are very good fast trains (ICEs) from München to Bamberg every two hours, alternatively, switch in Nürnberg to a regional train.
Alternatively, take a rental car, which should take about 3h.
Travel by plane: Frankfurt Airport
if you plan to fly into Frankfurt, continuing to Bamberg by train is recommended (direct ICE train from Frankfurt Airport to Würzburg, continuing on a regional train to Bamberg; total travel time will be between 2:30h and 3:00h, and it will cost about 70 EUR..
Travel by train
Bamberg is a stop of the fast ICE line München – Nürnberg – Berlin, with connections every two hours. In addition, there are local trains to Nürnberg (see above) as well as to Bayreuth and Würzburg. See the www-pages of Deutsche Bahn for ticketing and connection information.
Travel by car
Located at intersection of highways (autobahns) A70 and A73, Bamberg is easily reachable by car. If you come by rental car, ask your hotel beforehand about parking possibilities as most of downtown Bamberg is a pedestrian zone and free parking is difficult to find. Note also that Bamberg is a medieval town and driving there is a daunting task for the uninitiated…