Related Content
Content
Wien / Vienna to München / Munich by train
How to take a train journey from Wien/Vienna to München/Munich
Despite the comparatively short distance it's possible to travel by day or night when taking the train from Wien/Vienna to München/Munich.
The first daytime train of the morning, a Westbahn service, is usually scheduled to arrive in München/Munich around 09:50, but the overnight train will take you there in time for breakfast, with an arrival before 06:30.
There are also now two options for travelling during the day by train as Westbahn services now provide an alternative to travelling on the Railjet trains and they also depart from a different station in Wien/Vienna.
Share
Routes
Option 1: travelling by Raijet
Journey Summary
4hr 15min
Daily
Travel Information
The Railjet trains used on this route are branded 'Railjet Express' and can be listed as 'RJX' services on departure screens and timetables.
Though travelling on these trains is no different to travelling by any other Railjet.
Final Destination: Munchen Hbf (or Frankfurt)
These trains also call at: Salzburg
These trains do NOT call at Munchen Ost station.
If your journey in Vienna is commencing in the south west corner of the city, or the area on the ring road around the Opera House - then it's likely that you'll have a faster and more convenient journey if you join the train at Wien-Meidling station.
Wien Meidling is connected to line U6 of the Vienna Metro, which serves the western side of the city centre.
7 x trains per day
Trains depart every other hour
Tickets
The final direct daytime train of the day departs from Wien Hbf at around 18:30.
These trains do NOT call at Munchen Ost station.
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open: 6 months ahead of the travel date
It can be worth comparing prices on the different ticket agents, the cheapest 'Europa Spezial' tickets can still be available on DB, the German railways website, when the most heavily discounted 'Sparschiene' tickets are sold out on OBB, the Austrian railways website.
And the reverse can be true, cheaper Sparschiene tickets can still be available on OBB, meaning that DB can be more expensive.
On the DB (German national railways) booking site look for journeys that have:
- 0 in the Chg. column- .
- RJ (and only RJ) in the Products column
Trains departing at different times can be cheaper than others leaving on the same day, so you may need to look through the day's departures to find the cheapest fares.
Use the earlier/later buttons to search for the cheapest ticket prices.
Booking 1st class tickets
Book 1st class tickets on DB and the reservation is complimentary, seats will be assigned when booking.
Reservations are optional when booking 1st or 2nd class tickets on OBB (the Austrian national railways) booking site, or if you will be using a rail pass.
Child tickets:
Adults (aged 15 and over) booking discounted 'Sparscheine tickets' can take up to four children aged 14 and under with them at no additional cost.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| OBB | from €29 | |
| DB | from €29 | |
| Trainline | from €29 | |
| Save A Train | from €29 | |
| Happy rail | from €29 |
On this journey
Travelling On
Journey Features
Good to Know
ShowMeTheJourney has seen multiple reports that border checks are being carried out on these trains at Freilassing station, which is the first station over the border in Germany, shortly after departure from Salzburg.
Fifteen minutes is usually assigned for these border checks, but the reports state that they are often taking more than an hour, which is leading to late arrivals into Munchen, so keep this is in mind if you will be making onward connection from Munchen Hbf.
These trains heading to Munchen are usually joined to other trains heading for Bregenz on departure from Wien Hbf.
The two trains are then separated from each other on arrival at Salzburg.
So if you haven't reserved, take care that you're boarding the part of the train which will be heading to Munchen.
This is a pleasant rather than wonderful journey, the best of the views are between Linz and Salzburg - so you won't miss out on a fabulous travel experience if you opt to take the overnight train.
Option 2: travelling by Westbahn
Journey Summary
4hr 3min
3 - 6 x trains per day (see the notes below)
Travel Information
Final Destination: Munchen Hbf
These trains also call at: Munchen Ost
The alternative Railjet services do not call at Munchen Ost, but if your final destination is located by Marienplatz or Isator stations in Munchen/Munich city centre, you will save around 20 mins by making a connection into local cross-city trains at Munchen Ost instead of at Munchen Hbf
Departing from Wien/Vienna:
The Westbahn trains leave from alternative station in Wien/Vienna to those used by the Railjets, they commence their journeys at Wien Westbahnhof.
Unlike Wien hbf the Westbahnhof is served by line U3 of the Vienna Metro which calls at city centre stations with no direct link to the main hbf station including Volkstheater
The Westbahn trains also call at Wien Hutteldorf a station not served by the Railjets, which has an interchange with line U4 of the Vienna Metro, which makes multiple stops on the southern side of the city centre, including at Karlsplatz.
Until Aug 1st:
Mon - Friday = 4 x trains per day
Saturday = 3 x trains
Sunday = 4 x trains
From Aug 2nd:
Mon - Saturday = 6 x trains per day
Sunday = 5 x trains
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
The daytime train service between Wien/Vienna and München/Munich is now split between Railjet trains operated by OBB and these trains operated by Westbahn.
The two train services have similar journey times;, the difference is generally less than 10 mins compared to OBB's fastest services), but the Westbahn trains depart from a different station in Wien/Vienna
Tickets for the trains operated by Westbahn are not available on the OBB ticket booking site and vice versa, tickets for the trains operated by OBB are not available on the Westbahn site, but both services can be looked up and booked on Trainline.
Though on this route when travelling on Monday to Thursday limited numbers of WESTsuperpreis tickets will be available for €23.99, they must be booked in advance and are only valid when travelling on the selected departure.
Last minute tickets booked at the station are more expensive than booking in Advance.
Differences in ticketing terms to travelling by Railjet:
- For these cross-border journeys Westbahn offers complimentary seat reservations when booking online
- Tickets can be cancelled/refunded up to one day before the travel date
- Book any ticket and you can take up to four children who are family members and aged 14 and under for €1 per child.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Westbahn | from €23.99 | |
| Trainline Österreich |
Option 3: travelling by EuroNight
Journey Summary
7hr 17min
Nightly
Travel Information
This train is usually scheduled to depart from Wien Hbf at around 23:30 and arrive in Munchen Hbf at 06:10 - note the exceptionally early arrival time.
Final Destination: Stuttgart Hbf
This train also calls at: Munchen Ost
1 x train per night
Tickets
Book early and save: Yes
Online bookings open:
6 months ahead of the travel date on OBB
3 months ahead of the travel date on DB Bahn
'Kalaman Imre' is the name given to this train that is provided by Hungarian Railways (MAV) - the train will have commenced its journey in Budapest.
OBB Nightjets are not used on this route.
It comprises
- Compartment Seats
- Couchettes ; 4 berths AND 6 berths
- Sleeping cars with 3 bed, 2 bed and 1 cabins (there are no deluxe sleeping cars with showers in the cabins available on this route)
The first price you will see on the OBB ticketing site will be for the compartment seats.
Click the train info below for more info including the rail pass reservation fees:
Rail pass users must reserve before boarding this train.
However, these rail pass reservations can NO longer be booked online the DB website.
If you want to reserve seats, berths in couchettes or beds in the sleeping cabins before you arrive in Austria, the best option is to pay a booking fee and use the Eurail or InterRail reservation services.
If you would rather not do this, reservations can be arranged and paid for at the ÖBB Reisebüro desk in Wien Hbf - ideally do this when you first arrive at Wien Hbf on the preceding train on your itinerary.
Where to book
| Ticket Provider | Approximate Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| OBB | * | |
| DB Bahn | * |
On this journey
Journey Features
Good to Know
On departure from Wien Hbf, this train heading to Munchen/Munich will usually be attached to another train which will be heading to Zurich.
There's no need to be concerned about this as your reservation will be in the correct part of the train, but if you see Zurich as a destination on the departure info at the station, then the info will almost certainly also apply to the Munchen train.
This second version of ShowMeTheJourney is exciting and new, so we are genuinely thrilled that you are here and reading this, but we also need your help.
We’re striving not to let anything get in the way of providing the most useful service possible, hence a facility has been set up with DonorBox which can be used to support the running costs and make improvements.
Instead of advertising or paywalls, your financial support will make a positive difference to delivering an enhanced service, as there’s a lot of ideas which we want to make happen.
So if you have found the info provided here to be useful, please consider saying thank you.
See if there’s a unique journey guide for your trip, featuring info on the trains, tickets & stations.
This is one of more than 100 train travel guides available on ShowMeTheJourney, which will make it easier to take the train journeys you want or need to make. As always, all images were captured on trips taken by ShowMeTheJourney.
