Exploring Bavaria By Train: A Comprehensive Guide

Bavaria is a state in Germany that is known for its beautiful scenery, including lakes, mountains, and castles. It is possible to tour Bavaria by train, and there are several types of train tickets available for visitors, including the Bayern Ticket, the Regional Day Ticket for Bavaria, and the Regio-Ticket. These tickets offer unlimited travel within Bavaria on regional trains, buses, and other forms of local transportation. The Bayern Ticket is valid for one day and can be purchased for a group of up to five people, making it a cost-effective option for families or groups of friends. In addition to the basic Bayern Ticket, there is also a Bayern Ticket Nacht (Night) option, which is valid for travel during the evening and early morning hours. When planning a trip to Bavaria, it is important to consider the different ticket options and choose the one that best suits your travel needs.

Ticket types and costs

There are a few different ticket options for train travel in Bavaria, depending on your travel plans. Here are some of the most popular options:

The Bayern Ticket

The Bayern Ticket is a special regional train ticket for the German state of Bavaria, offered by the German railway company Deutsche Bahn. It allows for unlimited travel for one day on regional buses and trains within Bavaria. The ticket is priced at €25 for the first passenger and an additional €8 for each additional passenger, up to a total of five adults. This ticket is ideal for groups or families, as it can lead to significant savings compared to purchasing individual tickets. The Bayern Ticket is also available as a night ticket, called the Bayern Ticket Nacht, which is slightly cheaper and valid during nighttime hours.

The Regional Day Ticket for Bavaria

The Regional Day Ticket for Bavaria allows for unlimited travel throughout Bavaria for one day. It is valid on local and regional trains, transport association services, and almost all buses in Bavaria. The ticket costs €29 for second class and €41.50 for first class. There is also a Regional Night Ticket for Bavaria available for overnight travel, which is slightly cheaper. This ticket is ideal for those who plan to make multiple trips within Bavaria in one day.

The Regio-Ticket Allgäu-Swabia

The Regio-Ticket Allgäu-Swabia is a day ticket that allows for unlimited travel in Allgäu and Swabia for €26 for one person and an additional €10 for each additional person, up to a total of five people. It is valid on selected routes in Allgäu and Swabia on DB local trains, as well as trains from the "Bayerische Regionalbahn", "agilis Eisenbahngesellshaft", and "Go-Ahead Bayern GmbH". This ticket is perfect for those who plan to explore Allgäu and Swabia in one day.

The Regio-Ticket Werdenfels (+ Innsbruck)

The Regio-Ticket Werdenfels (+ Innsbruck) offers unlimited travel in the Werdenfelser Land region, including parts of Tyrol, for €26 for one person and an additional €10 for each additional person. It is valid on local trains, S-Bahn trains, and buses in the region. With this ticket, you can also travel between Garmisch-Patenkirchen and Innsbruck. This ticket is a great option if you want to explore the Werdenfelser Land region and parts of Tyrol.

The Regio-Ticket Danube-Isar

The Regio-Ticket Danube-Isar is a day ticket that allows for unlimited travel in the Donau-Isar-Express (Danube-Isar-Express) region for €26 for one person and an additional €10 for each additional person. It is valid for travel in the second class of local DB trains within the valid zone. This ticket is perfect for those who want to explore popular destinations in the Danube-Isar region in one day.

These are just a few examples of the ticket types and costs for train travel in Bavaria. The best option for you will depend on your specific travel plans and the number of people travelling. Be sure to check the validity and restrictions of each ticket before purchasing.

Transport options

Bavaria is easily accessible by train, with regional day tickets offering unlimited travel throughout the region. The Bayern Ticket, for example, offers unlimited travel in Bavaria on regional trains, buses, U-Bahns and more for a day, for a cheap price. The first passenger pays 25 euros, and you only add 8 euros for each additional passenger (up to a total of 5 adults). This ticket can be purchased online, at any DB Ticket Machine, or from a ticket salesperson at a train station (though this option includes an extra fee of 2 euros).

If you're looking to travel by train to hiking routes in Bavaria, the Osterseen lakes near Weilheim, the Immenstädter Horn, and the Ringspitz above Lake Tegernsee are all easily accessible by train.

For those looking to travel by bus, the regional day ticket for Bavaria is valid on almost all scheduled bus services in Bavaria.

For those travelling in a group, it may be worth looking into the Regio-Ticket options, which offer all-day travel for a group of up to 5 people to specific regions within Bavaria. For example, the Regio-Ticket Werdenfels (+ Innsbruck) offers travel in the Werdenfelser Land region and parts of Tyrol for 26 euros for 1 person, with an additional 10 euros for each extra person.

For those looking to travel by air, the Lufthansa Express Bus offers transport from Munich Airport to Munich Central Station every 20 minutes, for a cost of 18.50 euros for a two-way journey.

Travel times

Bavaria is a large state, so if you're planning to tour the whole region, you'll need to set aside a good chunk of time. Here are some example travel times by train between different Bavarian cities:

• Munich to Füssen: Around 2 hours
• Munich to Nuremberg: 2 hours
• Munich to Regensburg: 1.5 hours
• Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen: 1.5 hours
• Munich to Rothenburg: 3 hours (with a transfer)

To make the most of your time, consider purchasing a Bayern Ticket, which offers unlimited travel on regional trains and buses within Bavaria for a day. This can save you a lot of money if you're planning to take multiple trips. The ticket costs €25 for the first passenger and an additional €8 for each additional passenger (up to 5 adults total). It's important to note that the Bayern Ticket is not valid on long-distance trains (such as ICE and IC trains).

If you're travelling within Munich, the city has an extensive public transport system, including U-Bahns (subway), trams, and buses. You can use the Deutsche Bahn app to check timetables and buy tickets for trains and regional transport.

When planning your trip, keep in mind that some trains may have reduced frequency on weekends or holidays, so it's always a good idea to check the schedule in advance.

• Marienplatz to Munich Central Station: Around 10 minutes by U-Bahn
• Marienplatz to English Garden: Around 20 minutes by U-Bahn
• Munich Central Station to Munich Airport: Around 45 minutes by Lufthansa Express Bus

Discounts and deals

There are several deals and discounts available for those touring Bavaria by train. The Bayern Ticket, also known as the Bavaria Ticket in English, is a special regional train ticket for the German state of Bavaria. It offers unlimited travel for a day on regional buses and trains. The ticket is priced at €25 for the first passenger, and then an additional €8 for every additional passenger, for up to 5 adults in total. This can result in significant savings, especially for larger groups.

For example, a trip to Neuschwanstein Castle for four people would cost €92 for a return journey by regular train. With the Bayern Ticket, the same group can make the journey for just €49, a saving of €43.

There is also a Bayern Ticket Nacht (Night) option, which is slightly cheaper. This ticket costs €23 for the first passenger and €5 for each additional passenger, for up to 5 people in total. The night ticket is valid from 6 pm to 6 am on Sundays through Thursdays, and from 6 pm to 7 am on Fridays, Saturdays, and public holidays.

The Bayern Ticket is available for purchase online, at DB Ticket Machines, and from ticket machines at train/tram stations. It is also possible to buy the ticket from a ticket salesperson at a train station, but this incurs a €2 surcharge.

For those travelling with children, the Bayern Ticket offers further savings. Children under 5 travel for free and are not included in the count of total travellers. For children aged 6 to 14, up to 3 can travel for free per ticket, regardless of whether they are your own children or not.

For travellers with dogs, small dogs (up to the size of a domestic cat) can travel for free in a transport box. Larger dogs are considered passengers and must be paid for, with "Hund" (German for dog) written on the ticket instead of a passenger name.

In addition to the Bayern Ticket, there are other regional day tickets available for Bavaria. These include the Regional Day Ticket for Bavaria, which offers unlimited travel within Bavaria for a day, and the Regional Night Ticket for Bavaria, for overnight travel. These tickets are valid on all local and regional trains, transport association services, and almost all buses in Bavaria. The Regional Day Ticket for Bavaria is priced at €29 for second class and €41.50 for first class. The Regional Night Ticket for Bavaria is €27 for second class and €38.50 for first class.

For those planning to travel beyond Bavaria, the Quer-durchs-Land Ticket is an alternative, as it is valid for travel throughout Germany rather than just Bavaria. The Deutschland-Ticket is another option, which is a subscription season ticket for all local transportation options throughout Germany, including regional trains, S and U-Bahn trains, city buses, and trams. This ticket costs €49 per calendar month and can be cancelled at any time.

Attractions and activities

Bavaria is home to a plethora of attractions and activities, many of which can be easily accessed by train. Here is a list of some of the top things to see and do during your visit:

Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most popular attractions in Bavaria. This magnificent castle was built by King Ludwig II and is known for its stunning architecture and picturesque location. You can reach the castle by taking a train from Munich to Füssen and then a bus to the castle itself. There are also organised tours that include transportation and a guided tour of the castle.

Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site

The Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site is a harrowing but important place to visit. It was the first Nazi concentration camp and now serves as a memorial to those who suffered and died there. The site is located about a 30-40 minute walk from Dachau train station, or you can take a bus from the station to the memorial. There are also guided tours available that include transportation and a more in-depth look at the history of the site.

Marienplatz

Marienplatz is the largest public square in Munich and is a great place to start exploring the city. It is full of life and energy, with plenty of restaurants, shops, and historical buildings to discover.

English Garden

The English Garden is a large public park in Munich that offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. It features a Greek temple, a Chinese pagoda, and a Japanese tea house, making it a unique and internationally-inspired space.

BMW Museum

The BMW Museum is a car enthusiast's dream. It showcases the technical development of cars and motorcycles, with exhibits on the history of the company and displays of old and rare vehicles. The museum is located next to the iconic BMW tower and is easily accessible by tram.

Zugspitze

Zugspitze is Germany's highest peak and offers stunning views of the surrounding area. In the winter, it is a popular ski destination, while in the warmer months it is a challenging but rewarding hiking spot. You can reach Zugspitze by taking a train from Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and then a cable car up to the peak.

Nymphenburg Palace

Nymphenburg Palace is a vast museum complex that was once the summer residence of the Wittelsbach monarchs of Bavaria. The palace and its grounds are impressive, with historical buildings, ponds, streams, and beautiful gardens to explore.

Viktualienmarkt

Viktualienmarkt is Munich's largest and most famous outdoor marketplace. It is a great place to sample local produce, enjoy a traditional Bavarian meal, and browse the various shops and stalls.

Asamkirche

Asamkirche is a beautiful church in Munich known for its intricate interior. While the exterior may seem faded, the inside is well worth a visit and will take your breath away.

Osterseen Lakes

The Osterseen lakes near Weilheim are a great option for a relaxing hike. You can easily reach the lakes by taking a regional train from Munich's main train station to Iffeldorf, and the hike around the six lakes takes about two and a half hours. Along the way, you'll enjoy views of the turquoise-blue lake landscape, with the Alps as a backdrop.

Immenstädter Horn

The Immenstädter Horn is another great hiking destination that can be easily reached by train. The hike starts directly at the Immenstadt train station and takes you through wooded areas and along unusual views of Immenstadt and its surrounding lakes.

Ringspitz above Lake Tegernsee

This less crowded hike takes you to the 1293-meter-high summit of Ringspitz, offering a superb view of Lake Tegernsee. You can reach the trail by taking a train to the Gmund (Tegernsee) station and then a short bus ride to the Ringsee stop.

Frequently asked questions