Travel Guide: Munich To Austria

There are several ways to travel from Munich to Austria, including by plane, train, bus, or car. The fastest option is to fly, which takes around 1 hour and 48 minutes. However, if you're looking for a more scenic journey, you can take a train, bus, or car and enjoy the beautiful views of the Austrian and German countryside.

Travelling by train is a popular option, with direct trains available between Munich and Vienna, as well as Salzburg. The high-speed Railjet train takes approximately 4 hours to get from Munich to Vienna, offering a comfortable journey with panoramic windows, WiFi, and power sockets.

Alternatively, you can take a bus, such as Flixbus, which offers direct services between the two cities for a more affordable option.

Finally, you can also drive from Munich to Vienna, which takes around 4-5 hours depending on traffic. This option provides flexibility and the opportunity to make stops along the way, such as at the Hohensalzburg Fortress or Mirabell Palace.

So, whether you're looking for a quick trip or a leisurely journey, there are plenty of options to travel from Munich to Austria.

Travel by train

Travelling from Munich to Vienna by train is a great option, with modern, comfortable, and high-speed services available. The journey takes approximately 4 hours, and there are 3 direct connections per day, with the first train departing at 5:49 a.m. and the last one leaving at 9:54 p.m. The average ticket price is around €86, but prices may vary depending on the time of booking and the class.

Train Providers

Several train providers operate on this route, including Deutsche Bahn, Westbahn, and ÖBB. The ÖBB Railjet is a popular choice, offering modern and spacious trains with comfortable seating, air-conditioning, power sockets, and free Wi-Fi. The Railjet high-speed train travels at 230 km/h, covering the 358-kilometre distance quickly and efficiently.

Train Stations

The train departs from stations in Munich such as München-Pasing, München Ost, and München Hbf, and arrives at Vienna's Wien Westbahnhof, Wien Meidling Bahnhof, Wien Hütteldorf, or Wien Hauptbahnhof. Make sure to plan your journey accordingly and be mindful of the station names when booking your ticket.

Booking Tips

When booking your train ticket, it is recommended to book in advance to find cheaper options. Railway operators typically release cheaper tickets at least two weeks before departure, and timetables are usually announced 12 weeks in advance. Flexibility with travel dates can also help in finding more affordable options.

Onboard Experience

The trains offer various amenities to ensure a pleasant journey. You can expect comfortable seats, panoramic windows, and Wi-Fi access. There are usually different travel classes available, such as Economy, First Class, and Business Class, each providing different levels of comfort and services. Some trains have onboard cafeterias or restaurant cars, while others provide trolleys with refreshments. Power outlets are available, and luggage can be placed on suitable racks near your seat.

Travel by bus

If you're travelling from Munich to Austria by bus, you have a few options. Flixbus offers around eight direct services between the two cities daily. The journey takes around five and a half hours and costs as little as €20. All Flixbuses leave from Munich's central bus station, which is close to Munich Hbf, and arrive at Vienna Erdberg. From there, you can get a taxi or Uber to your accommodation.

Another option is to take a bus from Munich central bus station to Vienna, International Busterminal (VIB). This journey costs between $28-70 and takes 6h 56m.

You can also take a bus from Munich Hbf to Vienna.

Travel by car

The journey from Munich to Vienna by car should take you around 4-5 hours depending on traffic and covers a distance just shy of 450km. The quickest route is along the A8 and A1.

As you’ll be staying within the EU, there are no border checks and crossing between the countries is unnoticeable. However, do remember to get an Austrian vignette, which is like a toll sticker. Also, make sure you buy the appropriate Austrian freeway toll sticker, in case you need to drive on freeways on the Austrian side.

Of course, you can take your own car on this journey but if, instead, you need to hire a car in Munich, check out these great deals. Hiring a car can be expensive, especially when you add in fuel and parking costs, but if you’re travelling as a group or family, it becomes more affordable and, of course, offers the flexibility to stop and explore along the way.

If you want to stop along the way, then the Hohensalzburg Fortress, the city of Salzburg, and Mirabell Palace all make for popular stops.

You might even do a slight detour and include one more country in your itinerary – the Czech Republic. One of the most charming towns in the region, Cesky Krumlov, is located just across the border from Austria and makes a perfect stop on your Munich to Vienna trip.

When looking for the best car offers, check airports too, as sometimes they have the best cars and prices.

Travel by plane

Flying is a viable option for travelling from Munich to Austria. There are six daily direct flights, operated by Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa, departing from Munich at 07:30, 08:15, 11:40, 15:30, 19:25, and 21:35. The flight time is only about an hour, so this is a good alternative to other modes of transportation, especially if you are in a hurry. With travel to and from the airport, you can make it between the centres of both cities in about 4-5 hours.

The Munich to Vienna plane ticket price depends on when you purchase it. If you book your ticket in advance, you can pay as little as €130 for a one-way flight, but last-minute journeys can be over €400.

To get to Munich airport from the city centre, you can use the S1 or S8 S-Bahn trains, which depart every 10 minutes and take around 40 minutes to get to the airport. The ticket for this connection costs €14.80.

Once you land in Vienna, you have several options to get to the city centre. You can take the City Airport Train (CAT) to Wien Mitte station, which takes 16 minutes. The Vienna Airport Lines also operate buses between the airport and important transport hubs. The rapid transit train (S-Bahn) is an economical option, taking approximately 25 minutes from Wien Mitte and running every 30 minutes. Every two hours, ICE trains run from Vienna Airport via Wien Hauptbahnhof and Wien Meidling directly to St. Pölten and Linz.

Airlines

Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa offer exactly the same prices, so the choice between them comes down to your personal preference.

If you are flying from the UK, British Airways has been flying to Austria since as far back as 1980 and now flies about 30,000 customers there and back every year. They offer routes from London Heathrow to Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck. The flight time from London to Vienna is 2 hours.

If you are flying from the US, Austrian Airlines offers direct flights to Vienna from Chicago, Los Angeles, New York/JFK, Newark, Washington, D.C., and Boston (starting 1 July 2024). Flight times range from 8.5 hours to 11 hours.

For flying into Vienna, one-stop offers are available from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth with THAI Airways International, Emirates, and Qatar Airways. Codesharing with THAI Airways International, Austria's national carrier Austrian Airlines connects via Bangkok to Australia.

If you plan to visit the western regions of Austria, such as Tirol, Salzburg, and Vorarlberg, it is better to fly into Zurich or Munich. Flight times are almost identical to those for flying into Vienna, and you can choose from additional carriers: Etihad, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and Swiss.

Travel by taxi/Uber

Within Munich

Uber is available in Munich, but it operates differently from other cities. You can book rides in the Uber app, but the request goes through a local taxi operator. Uber Taxi allows you to order a regular metered taxi via the app. Other taxi-hailing apps that you can use in Munich are Bolt and Free Now.

To/From Munich Airport

Uber can also be used to get to and from Munich Airport. You can request a ride at any time of day, and the app will provide directions about pickup points. The Uber pickup location at the airport may vary, so it's best to check the app and follow the instructions to meet your driver.

To Austria

Although I could not find specific information about travelling from Munich to Austria by taxi or Uber, it may be possible to do so. You could try contacting taxi companies or checking with Uber to see if they can accommodate such a trip.

Frequently asked questions