RailJet train from Munich to Salzburg
 
Munich-Salzburg or Salzburg-Munich from €17.99
int.bahn.de

DB online tickets from Munich to Salzburg

Buy express & regional train tickets direct from Deutsche Bahn, no booking fee, print your own ticket or show it on your phone or laptop.

Or use www.thetrainline.com which sells tickets for all 3 options, express, regional & Westbahn.

Which train: RJ, EC, IC, RE5 or WB?

Comfortable air-conditioned trains link Munich Hbf & Salzburg Hbf twice per hour in each direction from early until late.  One train per hour is an express, either a railjet (RJ/RJX), ICE, EuroCity (EC) or Intercity (IC).  The other is a slower regional train run by the Bayerische Regiobahn (RE5).  And since 2022 there's a third option too, 6 Westbahn trains per day.  This page explains the choice.

small bullet point  Timetable for all options

small bullet point  Route map

small bullet point  Option 1, by express train - every hour, fastest & most comfortable

    How much does it cost?

    How to buy tickets

    What are the railjets (RJX, RJ) like?

    What are the ICE trains like?

    What are the EuroCity (EC) & Intercity (IC) trains like?

    Travel tips

small bullet point  Option 2, by regional train - every hour, slightly slower, more flexible, cheaper for a day trip

    How much does it cost?

    How to buy tickets

    What are the RE5 trains like?

    Travel tips

small bullet point  Option 3, by Westbahn - 6 per day, excellent double-deck trains, cheap flexible fares

    How much does it cost?

    How to buy tickets

    What are Westbahn (WB) trains like?

small bullet point  What's the journey like?

small bullet point  Munich Hbf station guide

small bullet point  Salzburg Hbf station guide

Timetable eastbound

 Munich ► Salzburg

 Option 1, express train from Munich Hbf to Salzburg Hbf every hour 06:23 until 20:17   

 Option 2, regional train from Munich Hbf to Salzburg Hbf every hour 05:55 until 22:43

 Option 3, Westbahn train from Munich Hbf to Salzburg Hbf 6 times per day 05:48-17:49  

 Check times online at int.bahn.de

Timetable westbound

 Salzburg ► Munich

 Option 1, express train from Salzburg Hbf to Munich Hbf every hour 05:43 until 21:00      

 Option 2, regional train from Salzburg Hbf to Munich Hbf every hour 05:15 until 23:00  

 Option 3, Westbahn train from Munich Hbf to Salzburg Hbf 6 times a day 06:10-18:10

 Check times online at int.bahn.de

Munich to Salzburg is 153 km or 95 miles by train.

Route map

Munich to Salzburg train route map

 

European Rail Timetable and mapClick for larger map

All trains take the same route.

Highlighted = Munich-Salzburg route

Green = scenic sections of line.

Reproduced from the European Rail Map with kind permission of the European Rail Timetable people.  I recommend buying this map, www.europeanrailtimetable.eu.


Option 1, by express train in 1h30

How much does it cost?

How to buy tickets

What are railjet trains like?

Railjets are ÖBB's (Austrian Railways) premier train, fully air-conditioned with 3 classes, restaurant car, free WiFi and power sockets at all seats.  They are fixed-formation push-pull trainsets with a locomotive at one end (usually the Munich end) and a driving cab built into the last carriage at the other end.  Most are shown as RJX (Railjet express), one or two are shown as plain RJ as they make an extra stop or two down the line within Austria.

A railjet train about to leave Munich Hbf for Salzburg

A railjet to Vienna about to leave platform 12 at Munich Hbf.

  Premium class seats on the Munich-Vienna RailJet train   Railjet restaurant car

First class, with black leather seats.

 

Business classAbout.

 

Restaurant.

Railjet train at Vienna Hbf   Railjet train standard class

A railjet boarding at the impressive modern Vienna Hbf.  More about railjet trains.

 

Economy, in open saloons with large windows.  Some seats around tables, most unidirectional.

What are the ICE trains like?

Intercity Express trains (ICE) are Deutsche Bahn's (German Railway's) premier trains.  This route is usually operated with the ICE4 type, these are gradually replacing the EC & IC trains.  They have 1st & 2nd class, a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  I recommend the Erdinger Weissbier!

ICE4 at Munich Hbf

Above, an ICE4 at Munich Hbf.  Click on the interior images below for larger photos.

1st class on an ICE4 train   Restaurant car on an ICE4 train

1st class on an ICE4.

 

Restaurant car on an ICE4.  Sample menu.

Bar counter car on an ICE4 train   2nd class on an ICE4 train

Bar counter at the other end of the kitchen.

 

2nd class seats on an ICE4.

Bar counter car on an ICE4 train   2nd class on an ICE4 train

Lunch and an Erdinger in the restaurant car.

 

An ICE4 at Hamburg Hbf.

What are EuroCity (EC) & InterCity (IC) trains like?

Most EC & IC departures use German Intercity cars like those shown below, with 1st class seats in classic 6-seat compartments and 2nd class seats in open-plan saloons.  There's usually some sort of catering on board, serving tea, coffee, beer, wine and snacks.  There are power sockets at all seats, but no WiFi.  One or two departures per day are InterCity (IC) rather than EuroCity simply because they start/finish at Salzburg & don't go further into Austria.  One EC train per day (12:17 from Munich & 14:00 from Salzburg) use Austrian carriages.

A DB InterCity train at Hamburg Hbf

German trains:  Most EuroCity trains are composed of German Intercity cars like this.

2nd clas seats on a DB Intercity train

2nd class seating is usually in open-plan saloons like this, most seats unidirectional, but with some tables for 4.  Most of these trains have a few 2nd class compartment cars with side corridor and ten 6-seat compartments  Larger photo.

1st class comparment on a Berlin to Amsterdam train   1st class 6-seat compartment on a Berlin to Amsterdam train

Most of these trains have 1st class cars with traditional 6-seat compartments with side corridor.  Larger photo Larger photo.

Travel tips for express trains


Option 2, by regional train in 1h47

How much does it cost?

How to buy tickets

What are the RE5 trains like?

RE5 trains are comfortable & air-conditioned, but there are no power sockets and no WiFi.  There is a very small and limited 1st class section at one end of each unit.

Munich to Salzburg BRB regional train at Munich Hbf

A Munich-Salzburg RE5 regional train on platform 10 at Munich Hbf, a 150m walk from the main concourse.

2nd class on a Munich-Salzburg BRB train   1st class on a Munich-Salzburg BRB train

2nd class on a Munich-Salzburg RE5 regional train.  Toilets, air-con, but more basic than the express trains.  Larger photo.

There's a small 16-seat 1st class section at one end of these RE5 trains.  Larger photo.

Travel tips for these regional trains


Option 3, by Westbahn train in 1h34

In April 2022, Austrian open-access operator Westbahn extended 6 of its Vienna-Salzburg trains to Munich, providing yet another option between Munich & Salzburg.  Not as frequent as options 1 or 2, but fast, affordable, and with swish new double-deck trains that are as good as a railjet or ICE, and better than a EuroCity train.

How much does it cost?

How to buy tickets

What are Westbahn trains like?

Westbahn trains are swish modern double-deckers, air-conditioned, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  They have 2nd class, comfort class and 1st clammmunich-to-salzburg-by-train.htm#What_arss, with a choice of upper & lower deck seats in all three classes.  Very comfortable trains indeed, sit upstairs for the best views!  There is no restaurant car, but vending areas for tea & coffee.  Orders are taken and served at your seat in 1st class.

Westbahn train to Salzburg at Vienna

WESTbahn double-deck train on platform 8 at Munich Hbf.

Westbahn 2nd class seats   Westbahn comfort class

2nd class seats, lower deck.  Seats arranged 2+2 across the car width.  Larger photo.

 

Comfort class.  Almost identical to 2nd class, a bit more legroom & all seats around tables. Larger photo.

Westbahn train buffet car   Westbahn first class seats

Food vending area, 4 per train.  Larger photo.

 

First class seats, upper deck.  Larger photo.


What's the journey like?

Pleasant Bavarian scenery between Munich & Salzburg.

View of Salzburg as the train crosses the River Salzach

Your first view of Salzburg will be from the train, right hand side.  This is the view of the Fortress Hohensalzburg as the railjet crosses the River Salzach & approaches Salzburg Hbf.


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