โก TL;DR
- Fastest: รBB railjet direct, 4 hours through the Alps
- Cheapest: Book railjet 2 months ahead, 2nd class from โฌ29-39
- With rail pass: Only โฌ3 reservation fee โ great value for multi-city trips
- Recommendation: Choose left window seat for spectacular Alpine scenery
Route Overview
| ๐ Departure | Mรผnchen Hbf (Munich Central) |
| ๐ Arrival | Wien Hbf (Vienna Central) |
| โฑ Duration | 4 hours |
| ๐ Train | รBB railjet |
| ๐ Frequency | 6-8 direct trains daily |
| โก Top speed | 230 km/h |
| ๐ถ Wi-Fi | Free (good quality) |
| ๐ Power | At every seat |
๐ฐ Rail Pass vs Point-to-Point Prices
| Option | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Advance railjet | โฌ29-49 | Cheapest 2 months ahead |
| Walk-up railjet | โฌ79-99 | Flexible fares cost more |
| German/Eurail Pass + reservation | โฌ3* | *Pass cost separate, cheap reservation |
| FlixBus coach | โฌ15-25 | 5-6 hours, budget option |
Sources: oebb.at, bahn.de (Feb 2026)
๐ก This route is perfect for pass users! With only a โฌ3 reservation fee, German Rail Pass or Eurail Pass pays off if you're doing multiple Germany-Austria trips. Point-to-point works if it's your only journey.
๐ซ Reservation Requirements & Fees
- Recommended reservation: Not mandatory for railjet but advised for peak times and weekends
- Pass holder reservation fee: Only โฌ3 (same price for 1st and 2nd class)
- Where to book: oebb.at, bahn.de, or station ticket machines
- Advance booking: Book at least 1 week ahead for peak seasons (summer, Christmas)
- ๐ก Even without a reservation, you can sit in any available seat after boarding
๐งณ Practical Tips
- ๐๏ธ Best seats: Left window seats (A/B) for spectacular Alpine views near Salzburg โ truly breathtaking
- ๐ Mรผnchen Hbf: One of Germany\'s busiest stations โ arrive at platform 20 minutes early
- ๐งณ Luggage: Overhead racks and end-of-car storage available. Large bags go in vestibules
- ๐บ Classes: Business class is more comfortable and quiet; Economy offers great value
- ๐ฝ๏ธ Dining car: Full restaurant service with hot meals and drinks โ try Austrian coffee
- ๐ฑ On board: Good free Wi-Fi, power at every seat, perfect for work or entertainment
- ๐ Time zones: Germany and Austria are both CET โ no clock adjustments needed
๐ Alternative Routes
Via Salzburg (~5-6 hours)
Stop for a few hours in Mozart's birthplace to explore the Old Town and Salzburg Castle. RE train segments need no reservation with a pass but total time increases.
FlixBus Coach (~5-6 hours)
โฌ15-25, cheaper than train but slower. Highway route with limited scenery but has Wi-Fi and charging ports.
Flight (1h flight + airport time)
Lufthansa and others offer direct flights. But with airport transfers and security, total time may not beat the train โ and you miss the scenic route.
๐ Official Sources & Booking
- รBB (Austrian Railways) โ Official Austrian Railways booking
- Deutsche Bahn โ German Railways official booking platform
- Eurail Pass โ Official European rail pass website
๐ Related Pages
๐What Real Travelers Say
Aggregated from Reddit, Seat61, TripAdvisor & travel forums (updated 2026-03-08)
โจ โ4h by Railjet, no reservation needed (optional โฌ3). This is the poster child for Eurail freedom โ just hop on any train.โ
โ r/Interrail ยท 2025-10
โจ โScenery through the Austrian Alps is stunning. Sit on the LEFT side going from Munich to Vienna for best views.โ
โ r/travel ยท 2025-09
๐ก โWestbahn also runs this route โ included in Eurail, Standard class free, Comfort upgrade โฌ9.90.โ
โ r/Interrail ยท 2025-08
๐ก โSalzburg is exactly halfway โ consider a free stopover. Just hop off, explore for a few hours, hop on the next train.โ
โ r/Interrail ยท 2025-11
โ ๏ธ Common Complaints
- Can be crowded on Friday afternoons
- WiFi quality varies
๐จ Strike & Disruption Alerts
DE: GDL (train drivers union) strikes have become more frequent. Check bahn.de for disruptions. (Risk: medium)
โ FAQ
How long is the train from Munich to Vienna?
The direct รBB railjet high-speed train takes about 4 hours from Mรผnchen Hbf to Wien Hbf. There are 6-8 direct trains daily.
Do I need a reservation with a rail pass?
Reservation is not mandatory but recommended. German Rail Pass or Eurail Pass holders pay only โฌ3 reservation fee. Book 1 week ahead for peak times and weekends.
How far in advance should I book for the cheapest fare?
Tickets open 2-3 months ahead. Lowest fares start at about โฌ29 (2nd class). Booking 1-2 months out typically gets โฌ39-49. Last-minute fares can reach โฌ79-99.
Which side of the train has the best views?
The left side (seats A/B) facing forward offers stunning Alpine views near Salzburg. The scenic Salzach Valley and Danube riverside sections make window seats essential.
Are there alternative routes?
1) Via Salzburg with a stop: Explore Mozart's city but total time becomes 5-6 hours; 2) FlixBus coach ~5-6 hours, โฌ15-25 for budget travel; 3) Flights ~1 hour but no real advantage with airport time.