Bayreuth Frequently Asked Questions

Flights:

Flights from NYC to Frankfurt (FRA) are most frequent (about 7 per day), and require a 3.5-4 hour train with a connection in Nuremberg. 

Flights from NYC to Munich (MUC) are less frequent (about 3 flights per day), have more expensive tickets, and require about a 3.5 hour train with at least one connection, also in Nuremberg.

With a connection, there are flights to Nuremberg (NUE). The U-Bahn (U2) at the airport connects to Nürnberg Hbf, where a Deutsche Bahn train can be taken to Bayreuth. The ride is approximately 1-hour.

Connection through Berlin (BER) is also possible, with a 4+ hour train connection.

Train Connections:

How to book a connecting train in advance when you’re unsure whether your flight will arrive on time, and how long it will take to collect your baggage and clear customs/immigration?

It is advisable to book German long-distance trains directly from your airline using the Rail&Fly program. These tickets function as “Flex” tickets: with them you can simply show up at the train station and take any train you want to the destination you have selected. These Rail&Fly tickets are significantly cheaper than their Deutsche Bahn “Flex” counterparts, and significantly less restrictive than the DB “Saver” and “Super Saver” fares. 

It is important to check for construction and other disruptions with Deutsche Bahn. The DB Navigator app is a great way to stay up-to-date on disruptions affecting your journey, as well as plan both local and long-distance public transportation trips. Many find it helpful to arrive a day in advance or at least early on the day of one’s first performance to allow for potential delays, need to get changed/oriented, and enjoy a nearby city before arriving in Bayreuth.

Personal tastes and amenities vary too much to make specific recommendations, but here are a few hotels our members have stayed at over the years that may give a general idea of the lodging availability in Bayreuth. It is recommended to book directly with hotels (not resellers like Expedia and Trivago) and make direct inquiries about amenities, which often change.

Ibis Budget/Styles: A simple, clean, budget-friendly hotel located very near the train station and a 0.6 mile walk up to the Festspielhaus.

Hotel Rheingold: A comfortable, well-located hotel near the city center with a classic feel. The hotel offers a shuttle bus to and from the Festival.

Goldener Hirsch: A charming, traditional hotel right in the Old Town, surrounded by shops and restaurants. It’s a great choice if you want to be in the heart of Bayreuth and walk most places.

H4 Residenzschloss: A modern hotel close to the New Palace and Hofgarten, offering easy access to the Old Town. The hotel provides a shuttle bus to the Festival.

Bayreischer Hof: A centrally located hotel adjacent to the train station, making arrivals and departures very easy. It’s also within walking distance of the Festspielhaus for those who enjoy a stroll.

Arvena Kongress: A larger, contemporary hotel with spacious rooms and good amenities, slightly south of the center. A shuttle bus to the Festival is provided.

Bayerische Hof: Located beside the train station, this hotel is convenient for travelers arriving by rail. It’s also within walking distance of the Festspielhaus.

Bayerische Hof is beside the train station and walking distance to the Festpielhaus

Liebesbier: A hip hotel for independent travelers, located on the historic Maisel’s Brewery campus: adjacent buildings have a full-service restaurant and coffee roastery. 5 minute walk to the old city; 2.5mi to the Festspielhaus but the Hotel offers a shuttle bus before and after performances. No full-time reception.

DJH Jugendherberge Bayreuth: A budget-friendly option for students and younger guests in shared accommodations in the traditional hostel manner. There are also two-person double-twin private rooms. It should be noted that this site is located near the University, which is located southeast of the city center, and is roughly a 20-25 minute walk from the city center and a 50-60 minute walk to the Festspielhaus. For this reason, scheduling transportation in advance with ample time on performance days is strongly recommended. This location has ample bicycle storage (both covered and out front). 

Dress: Most attendees wear black tie or similarly festive attire. The dress code has no upper bound. Casual dress is discouraged. The Festspielhaus is not air conditioned but uses an air chiller before performances and during intermissions. Weather varies; heat waves are common, as are cool nights and rain.

Start Time & Intermissions: All performances begin at 4:00 p.m. (except Das Rheingold and Der Fliegende Holländer, at 6:00 p.m.) and intermissions are one hour long, allowing guests sufficient time for refreshment, leg-stretching, and good conversation. Most other questions about offerings at the Festival can be found on their own FAQ online here.

Entry & Ticketing: Tickets obtained from the box office must be inscribed with the name of the attendee. Tickets obtained from the Gesellschaft der Freunde von Bayreuth only bear the name of the person or Wagner Society who ordered them. Ushers check inscribed tickets against the passport of the holder at each entry.

1. Members of the Gesellschaft der Freunde von Bayreuth typically receive ticket order forms in Fall.
2. Requests may be made directly to the box office online here. Members should be sure to note in their account their affiliation as a member of the WSNY.
3. In the past few years, a portion of the total number of Bayreuth Festival tickets is also available through immediate online sale. That process usually begins in late November  or early December.
4. WSNY Members may post and browse classified ads in our Ticket Exchange online.

At the Festival, Wahnfood provides a number of restaurants and concession stations around the Festspielhaus, from 7€ bratwurst and beer to cafeteria-style hot and cold dishes, to pre-reserved fine dining. There is ample seating at tables, benches, high-tops, and patio furniture. 

Recommendations Around Town:

Coffee, Desserts, Bakeries

Crazy Sheep KaffeeManufaktur – A coffee roaster on the grounds of Liebesbier, they make espresso drinks and anything you would expect to find at a Western coffee shop. Andreas-Maisel-Weg 2, 95445 Bayreuth.

1897 Wiener Kaffeehaus am Neuen Schloß – Ludwigstraße 9, 95444 Bayreuth

Eis Opera Bayreuth – Gelato shop. Opernstraße 9, 95444 Bayreuth.

Food

Restaurant Eule – Regional German dishes served in a stone-and-wood space with Wagner-themed menu. Fußgängerzone, Kirchgasse 8, 95444 Bayreuth.

Oskar’s – Franconian & regional fare showcased in a 16th-century town hall-turned-eatery with outdoor seating. Maximilianstraße 33, 95444 Bayreuth.

Café Kraftraum – Sandwich and drink cafe. Sophienstraße 16, 95444 Bayreuth.

Hansls Holzofenpizzeria – Pizza shop, dine-in and takeaway. Friedrichstraße 15, 95444 Bayreuth.

Bratwursthäuschen – Take away sausage stand. Richard-Wagner-Straße 8, 95444 Bayreuth.

Café Florian – Badstraße 13, 95444 Bayreuth. 

Restaurant Bürgerreuth – Italian restaurant open late after the operas conclude. Reservations are recommended but they accommodate walk-ins. An d. Bürgerreuth 20, 95445 Bayreuth.

Regional specialties

Upper Franconia, including Bayreuth, is known for its hearty, traditional cuisine and impressive beer culture. The region boasts more breweries per capita than anywhere else in Germany, offering a wide variety of local beers such as Rauchbier (smoked beer) in Bamberg and crisp lagers and wheat beers in Bayreuth. Food specialties include Bratwurst, Schäufele (pork shoulder), Knödel (dumplings), Spätzle (soft egg noodles), and Obazda (a creamy Bavarian cheese spread), often accompanied by seasonal vegetables and rich sauces.

Reservations; Closing Times

Many restaurants will accept one last seating after performances and prefer that you have a reservation. 

In Bavaria, most shops and retail stores are legally required to remain closed on Sundays. Exceptions include bakeries (often morning hours only), gas station convenience shops, and some small shops at airports or major train stations, which may open on Sundays; some restaurants and cafes are also open as usual. Many shops and restaurants also close for a set week during August for firm-wide vacation.

Bayreuth is a compact city, and most visitors orient themselves around the pedestrian Old Town, which centers on Maximilianstraße and the Marktplatz, where shops, cafés, and major sights are located. From the Old Town, most places in the center are reachable on foot within 5–10 minutes. The Festspielhaus sits on a green hill north of the center and is about a 30-minute walk or a 10-minute bus ride from the Old Town. The main train station lies just east of the center and is roughly a 10-minute walk to the Old Town and about 15 minutes by bus to the Festspielhaus. Overall, distances in Bayreuth are short, and buses run frequently, making it easy to get around without a car.

Public Transit: Tickets for international, national, regional, and local transportation can all be purchased and validated using the Deutsche Bahn App. Bayreuth has surface transit (buses) but no trams or subway. There is a bus stop behind the Festspielhaus. Note that buses do not run overnight. 

Taxis are generally available and gather at the Bus Depot, Train Station, Old City, or can be telephoned. Uber does not have a presence in Bayreuth,  but Sixt Ride and FreeNow apps work well. Taxis are often unavailable without prior booking at peak times.

Bicycle Rental: Radgarten is a locally-owned Bicycle rental. Bayreuth is a fairly navigable city and, aside from some cobblestone streets, is very bicycle friendly with racks available throughout the city center and Festspielhaus grounds. Their website is in German, but Bicycles can be rented on-site based on availability.

Getting to/from the Festpielhaus: Many hotels run shuttles that go to and from the Festpielhaus. These often leave 2+ hours before the performance start time to allow time on the Green Hill and depart soon after the performances conclude. Check with your hotel for specifics and availability. There is a taxi stand near the ticket office where taxis can be hailed following a performance. 

Parking: Public parking garages are available across Bayreuth, but parking facilities at the Festspielhaus tend to fill up during performances—if you plan to drive to the performances, arrive early.

Most businesses, and all businesses around the Festpielhaus, take credit cards – Visa/Mastercard. American Express is not widely accepted, although it is accepted at the Festspielhaus. Some shops and restaurants in the town are cash-only; this is usually posted at the business entrance.

In Germany, including Bayreuth, tipping is appreciated but not mandatory, and the approach is a bit different from, say, the U.S. In restaurants, it’s common to round up the bill or add about 5–10% for good service, usually by handing the tip directly to the server or asking them to round-up the bill on their credit card reader, rather than leaving it on the table. Taxi drivers are typically tipped around 5–10% or simply rounded up to the nearest euro. For hotel staff, a small tip of 1–2 € per bag for porters or 1–2 € per day for housekeeping is customary. Overall, tipping is seen as a polite acknowledgment of good service, not an obligation.

The Wagner Society of New York organizes a variety of enriching activities for visitors during the Bayreuth Festival season, including informal artist talks where Festival performers share personal insights into their careers, roles, and creative processes in a relaxed, behind-the-scenes setting. We also host dinners, luncheons, and other informal gatherings during the Festival. These events offer great opportunities to connect with fellow Wagner enthusiasts and gain a richer perspective on both the Festival and the composer’s work.

The Richard Wagner Museum is located in the heart of the city at Wagner’s home of Villa Wahnfried. The grounds are public, with the museum charging a fee for admission. A special ticket can be purchased to access the Richard Wagner Museum, the Franz Liszt Museum (where Liszt spent his last years until his death), and Jean-Paul Museum, both of which are adjacent to the RW museum. The grave of Richard and Cosima Wagner is located behind Villa Wahnfried. 

Haus Wahnfried Concerts: The Richard Wagner Museum hosts several concerts during the evenings during the Festival season, which are a great way to spend an evening away from the Festspielhaus. Adjacent to the museum is Cafe Wahnfried, where desserts and coffee are served. 

Franz-Liszt-Museum – Wahnfriedstraße 9, 95444 Bayreuth. Compact but well-appointed museum around the corner from Haus Wahnfried dedicated to Liszt.

The Hofgarten, which is Bayreuth’s central public park, is located directly behind the Richard Wagner Museum (and can be accessed from the grounds of Villa Wahnfried). 

At the far end of the park is the baroque Neues Schloss (New Palace), where Wilhelmine, Margravine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth (Princess of Prussia and sister of Frederick the Great) lived in the 18th century. Self guided tours are available as well as pre-bookable tours in German and English.

The Bayreuth Tourism Office offers a range of visitor services including free city maps, brochures, and personalized advice to help you plan your stay and find local attractions, events, and walking routes. They maintain an up-to-date online event calendar where you can check performance schedules, tours, and special happenings around town. The office is open year-round with regular daytime hours (typically Monday–Friday and shorter hours on Saturdays), and staff are happy to assist with ticketing information, transit tips, and recommendations for dining and lodging.

The Stipendium Concert is part of the Richard Wagner Scholarship Foundation’s program that brings young artists and scholars to the Bayreuth Festival, giving them opportunities to perform, listen, and exchange ideas in a supportive artistic environment. It’s a highlight event where scholarship recipients showcase their talents and connect with peers and mentors from around the world.

The Steingräber Piano Factory in Bayreuth offers engaging experiences during the Festival, including factory tours and insights into the craftsmanship behind world-class pianos, often accompanied by talks or demonstrations that explore music and instrument history. Visitors can also attend lectures (often in German) and performances connected to the Steingräber Haus programming, making it a cultural stop that blends music, history, and behind-the-scenes learning.

Nuremberg
About an hour away by train, Nuremberg offers a well-preserved medieval old town, the Imperial Castle, and excellent museums. 

Eremitage (Bayreuth)
The Eremitage is a former margravial pleasure palace with ornate fountains, landscaped gardens, and rococo architecture. It’s easily reached by local bus or a short taxi ride and is ideal for a relaxed half-day visit.

Lohengrin Therme
These municipal thermal baths feature indoor and outdoor pools at varying temperatures, all themed around Wagner’s swan motif. Take bus 303 for a roughly 20-minute ride from the city center; after hours, the reception desk can arrange a return pickup. Kurpromenade 5, 95448 Bayreuth

Bamberg
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bamberg is famous for its half-timbered houses, cathedral, and canals that earn it the nickname “Little Venice.” It’s also renowned for its distinctive smoked beer (Rauchbier).

Walhalla (near Regensburg)
Walhalla is a neoclassical hall of fame overlooking the Danube, dedicated to notable figures in German history, culture, philosophy, statecraft, and science (including, of course, Richard Wagner). The dramatic setting and views make it a worthwhile stop just outside Regensburg.

Regensburg
Regensburg’s Old Town, another UNESCO site, features Roman roots, medieval streets, and the iconic Stone Bridge. It’s a compact, walkable city with lively cafés along the Danube.

TAFF (Team aktiver Festspielförderer Bayreuth)

TAFF is a local association of active Festival supporters that works closely with the Bayreuth Festival to promote and enrich Festival life, including special events like open‑air concerts and social gatherings. 

Gesellschaft der Freunde von Bayreuth (Society of Friends of Bayreuth)

This German society supports the Festival through fundraising, scholarships, and cultural events. Members often have access to special events, pre-performance talks, and networking opportunities with other Wagner enthusiasts.

Richard-Wagner-Verband International

The RWVI is a global network of Wagner societies that promote Wagner’s music and culture worldwide. Activities during the festival season include social gatherings and parties.

The Richard Wagner Stipendium-Stiftung (Scholarship Foundation) supports young artists, musicians, singers, and scholars attending the Bayreuth Festival.

Anything you need to know about attending the Festival that we didn’t cover? Drop us a line at bayreuth@wagnersocietyny.org and we’ll do our best to help.