There are no long-distance bus routes in Germany except a few to Berlin - because there are the trains, which most people find more convenient.

Pack lighter - that is the only solution to the problem.

By the way, there is a porter service in Frankfurt central station (which has to be ordered in advance I think).

thank you - packing lighter - a few pounds more or less is not the solution i still have to carry my luggage on the train which is still auful. europe could copy the united states we have the grayhound bus that takes you all over the united states besides the trains so you have a choice of transportation a pity europe doesn't follow. i am travelling from the united states to a 3 weeks trip and can't travel with a small suitcase. your reply is appreciated.

20, 30 years ago there had been more far distance bus lines in Germany. But while the trains had becoming faster, the bus schedules had become less reliable due the increased traffic on the roads (e.g. the A3 Nuremberg to Frankfurt is prone to traffic jams).

thank you - you know the trains in europe as well as in the united states are very expensive - the buses in the states are half what the trains charge. by train from philadelphia to new york it takes one hour and twenty minutes the price $50 US DOLLARS - one way by bus its $20.00 one way the time difference by bus its 2 hours a 40 minute difference. i always take the bus.

A frequent traveler in Germany will buy a BahnCard 50 giving 50% on the normal rail fares for one year.

It's in first place the frequent travlers (e.g. commuters) which don't like the buses. For them the price difference is small. And with the trains they have a hourly connection they just can hop on.

In cases like yours a bus maybe more attractive. But even on routes there are buses (e.g. to cities abroad) the frequency lets lot to desire (often not even a bus daily).

And e.g. on relations like Berlin - Hamburg or Nuremberg - Munich the travel time by bus is 3 times longer than the by (fast) ICE trains.

Being squeezed on a bus for hours and hours? No thanks, give me a train all the time.

in defense of taking the bus at least in the united states there is at least one bus an hour to most major cities i like the bus because it is much cheaper than the train in the united states up to 50% and if you have luggage they put it inside the bus not like the train where you carry it yourself. a few years ago by accident i discovered the bus from hamburg to berlin it cost me 15 euros one way the driver took my luggage and put it inside the bus i went up the steps my luggage taken care of by the driver and relaxed in my seat - what a blessing. trains are very nice and confortable and expensive if you don't have any luggage or very light luggage. but for a traveler coming from o0verseas with heavy luggage the train is a nightmare. i was so hoping you had a bus from frankfurt to nuremberg i really am disappointed. thank you all so much for replying.

With Hamburg to Berlin you have discovered the only frequent (more than 1 bus daily) city bus connection in Germany.

i know, i know - it was just luck the bus was 15 euros and the train second class was 45 euros that was about 4 years ago - speaking of trains the german trains are just wonderful especially the ICE. you have the best trains along with the swiss probably in europe. i am not going to let this ruin my trip..to germany which i like very very much. take care.

There's another issue - buses are far more polluting and less green than electric trains. Also they are far safer than buses in terms of accidents/passenger kilometer.

That's why the trains rule in Germany (and other European countries.)