Salzburg to Munich - 14 Best Ways to Travel in 2026

The most popular and convenient way to travel from Salzburg to Munich is by train. There are plenty of direct connections throughout the day, running at least once per hour between 5 in the morning and 11 in the evening. It is easy to find a departure that fits your itinerary.

The travel time from Salzburg to Munich by train depends on the connection you choose and ranges from 1.5 to 2 hours, making it a smooth journey between the two cities. Although both Austria and Germany are part of the Schengen Area, border checks may occasionally take place on this route. If this happens, your train might arrive in Munich slightly late, so it is best not to plan a tight schedule on your travel day.

Comfort and services on the Salzburg-Munich trains vary depending on the connection. There are high-speed Railjet trains with complimentary Wi-Fi, a restaurant, and a quiet zone if you prefer to relax during your trip, as well as Intercity and EuroCity trains, and regional trains that take longer and stop at every station along the way. Regional trains also offer power sockets, air conditioning, and Wi-Fi. These connections are operated by the Austrian national railway company, ÖBB, and the German railway company, DB.

There is also a private company, Westbahn, operating on the Salzburg to Munich route. They run five daily direct trains with a travel time of approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes. Westbahn trains are modern and offer three classes; the level of service and comfort depends on the class you choose. Complimentary Wi-Fi and power sockets are available in all classes.

Salzburg to Munich train ticket

Salzburg to Munich ticket prices vary depending on the day of travel, the connection, and the company you choose. In general, Westbahn trains are cheaper, with prices starting at €9 if you book in advance and rising to €29 for a standard ticket purchased on the day of travel. However, these trains may sell out, so if you plan to travel with Westbahn, it is advisable to book early. Tickets can be purchased on the Westbahn website.

ÖBB and DB trains are generally more expensive. Regional trains from Salzburg to Munich cost around €44, while faster services cost approximately €54 in second class when purchased through the Austrian Railways website. These are flexible tickets valid for two days, giving you greater flexibility in your travel plans. Lower prices may be available on the German Railways website, sometimes as low as €13 for a Railjet train, but the cheapest tickets are usually non-refundable.

You can also buy tickets in person at Salzburg's main train station. The customer centre is located in the underground passage beneath the tracks, near platforms 2 and 3. As the station is busy, you may need to wait in line, so avoid leaving your purchase until shortly before departure.

Salzburg to Munich train with railway passes

If you are travelling with a railway pass such as Interrail or Eurail, you can use it on both ÖBB/DB trains and Westbahn services on this route. You only need to pay extra for a seat reservation, which costs €3 on national carrier trains and €5 on private operator trains. While reservations are not mandatory, they are recommended for peak-hour connections. Regional trains can be used with your railway pass at no additional cost.

Train stations in Salzburg and Munich

Salzburg's main train station, Hauptbahnhof, is located about 2 km from the Old Town. You can reach it by public transport, taxi, or ride-sharing services such as Uber or Bolt.

Munich's central station, München Hauptbahnhof, is located in the city centre, close to the Old Town. All underground and suburban trains serving the city area pass through this station. Once you arrive in Munich, you can easily continue to your final destination by public transport.

The train from Salzburg to Munich runs every hour and gets you there in under two hours. It is one of the easiest connections in the region. What it does not offer is any reason to linger in the Bavarian countryside between the two cities, and there are good reasons to linger.

The Salzburg to Munich Private Transfer Tour turns the straightforward two-hour drive into a 7 to 8 hour day trip with two stops that most visitors to this region never reach. You'll explore an alpine spa town with a history stretching back to Roman times and visit one of the most spectacular royal palaces in Bavaria. Just you and your group, arriving in Munich with a guide who knows this corner of Bavaria well.

What's Included

The recommended departure from Salzburg is around 9:00 AM and the journey takes approximately 7 to 8 hours, arriving in Munich in the late afternoon. You'll travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned car or minivan, privately booked for your group alone.

Your guide is a local who knows this corner of Bavaria well, curious, well-informed, and the kind of person who makes a long drive feel short. You get informed, personal commentary at both stops and real conversation throughout the drive. The pace is yours to set, and the itinerary can flex around your interests.

A lunch break is scheduled in Bad Reichenhall, where you can try Bavarian food at one of the town's cafes or restaurants before continuing to Lake Chiemsee. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

Your group is picked up from your hotel or apartment in Salzburg and dropped off at your accommodation in Munich. Check the Salzburg to Munich Private Transfer Tour booking page to see the exact price for your group.

What Travelers are Saying

Travelling from Salzburg to Munich by bus is a budget-friendly alternative to the train, with several direct services operating daily. However, it is important to consider travel time and departure locations before choosing this option.

The fastest Salzburg to Munich bus connections take approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes, although some services may take longer depending on traffic. All buses depart from Salzburg Süd bus stop, which is located south of the city centre. Reaching this stop typically requires a taxi, ride-sharing service, or local public transport to Salzburg Süd railway station.

In Munich, buses arrive at the ZOB München (Hackerbrücke) central bus station. This station is conveniently located about a 10-minute walk from München Hauptbahnhof, the city's main railway station, making onward connections relatively easy.

The primary operator on the Salzburg to Munich bus route is FlixBus. This company runs multiple daily services and offers competitive pricing. Tickets can start from around €8 when booked in advance, with standard fares usually ranging up to €15 depending on demand and booking time. You can search for schedules and purchase tickets directly through the official FlixBus website.

Flying from Salzburg to Munich is not the most practical option given how close the two cities are, but this crazy idea may still be of interest for aviation enthusiasts. There are no direct flights between Salzburg and Munich, so you would need to travel via another airport in Germany, most commonly Frankfurt or Düsseldorf. This significantly increases the overall travel time.

The fastest flight connections have a total airborne time of under three hours. However, this does not include travel to and from the airports, security checks, boarding procedures, or waiting time. Realistically, you should allow around six hours in total for the journey.

The cheapest Salzburg to Munich plane tickets start at approximately €65 for a one-way fare and are typically operated by Lufthansa or Eurowings. If you travel with larger luggage, additional fees may apply for checked baggage. To compare connections and prices, it is best to use a flight search website.

Airports in Salzburg and Munich

The easiest way to reach Salzburg Airport from the city centre is by electric trolleybus. Line no. 2 runs from the main train station, and line no. 10 connects the Old Town with the airport.

From Munich Airport, you can reach the city centre by S-Bahn lines S1 or S8. Together they operate approximately every 10 minutes, and the journey to Munich Hauptbahnhof takes around 40 minutes.

Driving from Salzburg to Munich is a comfortable and efficient option. The two cities are approximately 150 kilometres apart, and the direct journey usually takes around two hours, depending on traffic conditions.

For the fastest route, take the A8 motorway towards Munich. The German section of the motorway is toll-free for passenger cars. However, if you use Austrian motorways before crossing the border, you will need a vignette. To avoid purchasing one, it is possible to use local roads on the Austrian side before reaching Germany, although this may increase travel time slightly.

If your itinerary allows, you can turn the drive into a short road trip by adding stops along the way. Popular destinations include Berchtesgaden, surrounded by Alpine scenery; Lake Chiemsee; and the town of Rosenheim.

If you need a vehicle for your Salzburg to Munich drive, you can rent a car in Salzburg and return it in Munich. Keep in mind that one-way international rentals are usually more expensive due to cross-border return fees. Prices for a Salzburg to Munich rental car can start at around €400, excluding fuel costs, depending on availability and season.

A more cost-effective way to travel from Salzburg to Munich by car, without renting one yourself, is to book a private transfer. For a modern and comfortable vehicle with an English-speaking driver, the price is around €300. It is a door-to-door service, so you do not need to worry about transporting large luggage or navigating busy train stations. You can choose the pick-up and drop-off locations in both cities.

The direct journey takes approximately two hours. You can also use the drive as an opportunity to explore more of the scenic region between Salzburg and Munich. For an additional fee, sightseeing stops can be added along the way. Popular options include the picturesque town of Berchtesgaden, the lakeside village of Schönau am Königssee, the Austrian town of Hallein, Herrenchiemsee Castle, and the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site.

Even though carpooling is a popular way to travel around Europe, it does not always work well for the Salzburg to Munich route. Despite the short distance between the cities, there are often only a limited number of rides available, and they rarely start or end in the city centre. Given the uncertainty and coordination involved, carpooling may not be the most reliable option for travelling from Salzburg to Munich.

If you would still like to try it, the most popular platform for finding rides is BlaBlaCar. Once you find an offer that suits your schedule, you can contact the driver to arrange the pickup time and location. Prices for Salzburg to Munich carpooling typically start at around €9, but the final price is set by the driver.

If you enjoy adventure and the thrill of unpredictable travel, hitchhiking from Salzburg to Munich can be an interesting option. Given the short distance between the two cities and the direct motorway connection, it is often possible to complete the trip without changing rides. Since the A8 motorway is part of a major European transport corridor, traffic volume is generally high, which may increase your chances of finding a lift.

A common starting point for hitchhiking towards Munich is near the motorway access roads leading to the A8. One practical location is near the Salzburg Mitte ramp on Münchner Bundesstraße, approximately a 20-30-minute walk from the city centre. It is also accessible by public transport. This area offers reasonable visibility and space for drivers to stop safely.

One word of caution: in some countries, like Romania, it is customary to pay a small fee for a ride, even when it appears informal. To avoid misunderstandings, it is advisable to confirm in advance whether the driver expects payment before getting into the vehicle.

Given the relatively short distance between the two cities, cycling from Salzburg to Munich can be an attractive option. If you are in good physical condition and have strong endurance, it is possible to complete the ride in one day, although it would take at least 9-10 hours of cycling time without longer breaks.

The Salzburg to Munich bike route passes through scenic Alpine foothills and Bavarian countryside, offering opportunities to stop in towns and natural areas along the way. Many riders choose to divide the journey into two or more stages to allow time for sightseeing and rest.

If you prefer not to manage the practical aspects of organising a long-distance ride yourself, you can join one of the organised bike tours that connect Salzburg and Munich. These tours typically follow a slower pace and include additional sightseeing stops between the two cities, with daily cycling distances of up to 50 km. This option is also suitable for travellers who would like to cycle in a group and meet fellow cyclists during their trip.

Walking from Salzburg to Munich is a challenging long-distance option for experienced hikers and endurance walkers. The route covers approximately 140-150 km, depending on the chosen path, and typically requires five to seven days to complete at an average pace of 25-30 km per day.

The Salzburg to Munich hiking route passes through the Alpine foothills and rural Bavaria. While the journey does not involve high-altitude mountain terrain, walkers should expect rolling hills and moderate elevation changes, particularly in the sections near Salzburg. The terrain becomes gentler as you approach Munich.

Travellers planning to walk from Salzburg to Munich should consider daily distance, accommodation planning, weather conditions, and physical fitness. The route allows for visits to small towns, lakes, and historic sites along the way, making it suitable for those who prefer slow travel and regional exploration.

Flying by private jet from Salzburg to Munich may sound like a luxurious option for travellers who prioritise comfort and are less concerned about cost. However, from a time perspective, it is not significantly more efficient than other modes of transport.

The airborne flight time is approximately 40 minutes. Once airport transfers, preparation time, and arrival procedures are included, the total door-to-door travel time is comparable to travelling by train or car.

If you are travelling around Europe in a motorhome, a road trip from Salzburg to Munich can be a rewarding option. The route allows you to travel at your own pace, take detours, and visit scenic locations along the way, including mountain landscapes, historic towns, and lakes.

It is important to be aware of camping regulations. Wild camping is generally prohibited in Austria. In Germany, overnight parking for rest purposes may be tolerated in certain situations, but setting up camping equipment outside designated areas is typically not allowed. Fines for violations can vary depending on location and circumstances (but we are talking about fines of up to €14,500).

Fortunately, this region has well-developed tourist infrastructure, and you will find numerous campsites and designated parking areas along the route. Using official campsites ensures access to proper facilities and helps avoid potential penalties.

Riding from Salzburg to Munich by motorcycle is a flexible and scenic way to travel between the two cities. The route covers approximately 145-150 km, and the journey typically takes around two hours via the A8 motorway, depending on traffic. If you use Austrian motorways before crossing into Germany, you must purchase a valid Austrian vignette for your motorcycle. Motorways in Germany are toll-free for motorcycles.

Motorcyclists can choose between the direct motorway route or quieter regional roads through the Alpine foothills and the Bavarian countryside. Scenic alternatives allow riders to pass through areas such as Berchtesgadener Land and the Chiemgau region, making the Salzburg to Munich motorcycle route suitable for those who prefer a more relaxed pace.

There is no direct river cruise from Salzburg to Munich, as the two cities are not connected by a navigable river. Salzburg lies on the Salzach River and Munich on the Isar River, neither of which supports regular cruise traffic between the cities.

However, some Central Europe river cruise itineraries include visits to both Salzburg and Munich as part of their programme. These are typically Danube cruises that dock in cities such as Passau or Linz, from where guided excursions to Salzburg or Munich are offered by bus.

If you would like to visit both cities during a cruise, look for an itinerary that travels along the Danube between Budapest, Vienna, and southern Germany, and includes inland excursions to Salzburg and Munich.