Train service
Deutsche Bahn
Deutsche Bahn (DB) is Germany’s national railway company, operating long-distance, regional, and international train services across Europe.
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OBB
ÖBB is Austria’s national rail operator, known for its Railjet trains and Europe’s largest night train network, Nightjet.
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Westbahn
WESTbahn is a private Austrian train company offering fast, low-cost travel on modern double-decker trains between Vienna, Salzburg, and Munich.
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Omio
Omio connects you with over 1,000 transport providers - trains, buses, flights, and more - to simplify your travel planning.
Trainline
Trainline sells rail and coach tickets worldwide on behalf of major UK and European transport companies.
Raileurope
Rail Europe is a leading travel tech company specializing in European train bookings for over 15,000 travel professionals worldwide.
Three train companies run direct services between Munich and Vienna: ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) with its Railjet trains, Deutsche Bahn with ICE and EC services, and WESTbahn. The fastest trains take around 4 hours; most journeys fall somewhere in the 4 to 6 hour range depending on the service and number of stops.
Advance fares can start from around €19.99 with ÖBB Sparschiene pricing, though prices change with demand and how early you book. Flexible tickets bought close to departure cost considerably more. Check current fares at oebb.at or bahn.com.
Introduction to the journey
The route covers approximately 380 km between Munich Hauptbahnhof and Wien Hauptbahnhof, running via Salzburg and Linz. Both stations are central. Wien Hauptbahnhof has direct U-Bahn connections into the city: lines D and 1 both run from the station into the city centre.
All three operators accept Interrail and Eurail passes. WESTbahn trains are the exception to the station rule: they do not arrive at Wien Hauptbahnhof but terminate at Wien Westbahnhof (Vienna West), roughly 4 km away and served by U-Bahn lines U3 and U6. If you are travelling with a pass, check which Vienna station your chosen service uses before you book.
Train tickets and prices
2nd class tickets
Economy Class on ÖBB Railjet is the default for most travellers. Seats are arranged 2+2 with folding tables, footrests, and power outlets at every seat, plus free Wi-Fi.
ÖBB Sparschiene advance fares can start from around €19.99, but they are train-specific and non-refundable outside a 3-hour cancellation window after booking. Prices rise the closer you get to departure, so buying ahead pays off. DB ICE trains run on this corridor too and offer similar 2nd class comfort; compare fares on bahn.com alongside ÖBB when you search.
WESTbahn Standard Class is another solid option. See the WESTbahn section for details on fares and the station difference.
1st class tickets
First class on ÖBB Railjet has 2+1 seating with wider seats and more space. In 1st class you can order food and drinks from the restaurant car menu directly to your seat, which makes a 4-hour journey noticeably more comfortable. Fares vary by demand and how far ahead you book. Vorteilscard holders get 50% off 1st class tickets as well as standard fares.
Business Class is Railjet’s premium product: upgraded seating and service. Interrail and Eurail pass holders can upgrade to Business Class for €15 on top of the standard seat reservation fee.
Night train options
ÖBB runs an overnight Nightjet service between Munich and Vienna. Three categories are available: a seating carriage, a couchette car, and a sleeper cabin.
Couchette and sleeper reservations include a light breakfast. Some newer Nightjet trains have en-suite shower and toilet in their premium sleeper cabins; older stock uses shared facilities. A reservation is required on all Nightjet journeys regardless of whether you hold a pass or a full ticket. Do not board Nightjet with only a pass. You also need a separate reservation for your seat, couchette, or sleeper, and it is worth booking that at the same time as you book the trip, not on the day. Book at nightjet.com or oebb.at.
Train companies and services
ÖBB Railjet
ÖBB Railjet runs the main direct daytime services between Munich and Vienna. Trains reach up to 230 km/h and the fastest make the trip in around 4 hours. Services that call at Salzburg and Linz take around 30 minutes longer.
Three classes:
- Economy Class: 2+2 seating, folding tables, footrests, power outlets, free Wi-Fi
- 1st Class: 2+1 seating, more space, seat-ordering option from the restaurant car
- Business Class: premium seats, upgraded service
All Railjet trains have a restaurant car and a snack trolley that passes through the carriages.
Seat reservations are optional on Railjet for most of the year but worth booking for busy departures, particularly at weekends and during the summer. Book at oebb.at or bahn.com.
ÖBB Railjet Xpress from Munich to Vienna
The Railjet Xpress (RJX) is the fastest option. It runs directly between Munich Hauptbahnhof and Wien Hauptbahnhof with no intermediate stops, completing the journey in around 4 hours. The same stock as standard Railjet is used, so the same three classes apply. When you search on ÖBB or DB, look for RJX-coded services if journey time matters most.
Reservations are optional but worth grabbing if you are travelling on a Friday or around a public holiday.
Deutsche Bahn: ICE and EC trains
Deutsche Bahn runs both ICE (InterCity Express) and EC (EuroCity) trains on this corridor alongside ÖBB. ICE trains are high-speed; EC trains are slightly slower but still comfortable for this route. Both have free Wi-Fi, power outlets at every seat, and a dining car. Book at bahn.com, where you can compare DB and ÖBB departures on the same day. On many journeys the same train carries tickets from both operators.
WESTbahn
Two things to know about WESTbahn before you book. First: WESTbahn arrives at Wien Westbahnhof, not Wien Hauptbahnhof. The two stations are about 4 km apart in different parts of the city. Second: WESTbahn advance fares are often competitive, and the trains themselves are good.
WESTbahn uses modern double-decker trains (Stadler KISS fleet) with free Wi-Fi, power outlets at every seat, and a WestCafé on board for hot drinks, cold drinks, and snacks.
WestSuperpreis is WESTbahn’s advance fare, available 90 days before departure. It is train-specific but not tied to a named passenger, so anyone in your group can use it. WestSuperpreis tickets can be cancelled up to 1 day before travel for 25% of the fare (minimum €4.99). Book at westbahn.at.
Nightjet overnight trains
Nightjet departs in the early evening and arrives in Vienna before breakfast. It is slower than the daytime trains but you skip a hotel night. Three categories:
- Seating carriage: reclining seats, cheapest option
- Couchette: shared compartments (typically 6 berths), breakfast included in the reservation fee
- Sleeper cabin: private or semi-private cabins, breakfast included, some newer trains have en-suite facilities
Fares vary by category and booking date. Reservation is always required. Pass holders pay the reservation fee separately. Book at nightjet.com or oebb.at.
Where to buy tickets
Book directly through the operators’ own sites:
- oebb.at: Railjet, Nightjet, and EC services
- bahn.com: DB ICE and EC services; also sells ÖBB tickets on this corridor
- westbahn.at: WESTbahn only; WestSuperpreis advance fares are only available direct, not through resellers
- nightjet.com: Nightjet booking, including Interrail and Eurail pass-holder reservations
ÖBB and DB both open booking up to 6 months ahead. WESTbahn WestSuperpreis fares go on sale 90 days before departure.
Ticket offices
München Hauptbahnhof has a full-service ticket counter with multilingual staff, useful if you have a complex itinerary. For straightforward trips, online booking is faster and sometimes cheaper.
Booking platforms
Trainline, RailEurope, and Omio all sell tickets for this route and can be useful for comparing options across operators in one search. They sometimes add a booking fee. If you know which operator you want, booking directly through ÖBB or DB costs less.
Money-saving tips
Early booking discounts
ÖBB Sparschiene fares are the cheapest advance option on this corridor. They are train-specific, non-refundable beyond the 3-hour cancellation window, and priced dynamically, so the lowest fares sell out first. Booking 4 to 6 weeks ahead is usually a reasonable balance between price and flexibility.
WESTbahn WestSuperpreis fares work the same way: availability opens 90 days out and the cheapest tickets go quickly.
Summer trains fill up fast. If you are travelling in July or August, book earlier than you might for a spring trip.
One useful ÖBB rule: adults booking a Sparschiene ticket can bring up to 4 children under 15 at no extra cost. Good to know for family travel.
Discount cards
The ÖBB Vorteilscard gives 50% off standard tickets for a year. Five versions:
| Card | Annual cost | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Classic | €73 | All adults |
| Comfort | €89 (€79 on renewal) | Adults who want discounted seat reservations too |
| Youth (under 26) | €21 | Travellers under 26 |
| Senior (65 and over) | €31 | Travellers aged 65 and over |
| Family | €21 | Families; up to 4 children under 15 travel free |
Cards are valid for 12 months. The Comfort card includes the ÖBB Reservierungsvorteil, which reduces seat reservation fees to €20.90 per journey (€25.90 without the card). If you regularly need reservations across multiple trips a year, the Comfort card covers its cost fairly quickly. Buy at oebb.at.
Interrail and Eurail passes
Interrail and Eurail Global Passes are valid on all three operators. Reservation rules vary:
| Service | Reservation | Pass-holder fee |
|---|---|---|
| ÖBB Railjet (all classes) | Recommended, not compulsory for most of the year | €3 per journey (2nd or 1st class); Business Class upgrade €15 extra |
| WESTbahn Standard Class | Optional | €1.90 to €4.90 per journey |
| WESTbahn 1st class | Compulsory | Included in 1st class reservation fee |
| Nightjet (all categories) | Always required | Fee varies by category; breakfast included in couchette and sleeper reservation fee |
The Railjet reservation is worth booking even when optional, particularly on Friday departures and in summer. Nightjet couchettes and sleeper cabins can sell out before seats on busy nights, so book the overnight early if your dates are set.
Book Nightjet reservations at nightjet.com. For Railjet, use the Interrail app, oebb.at, or bahn.com.
Train times and routes
Route options
The main corridor runs Munich Hbf to Wien Hbf via Rosenheim, Salzburg, Linz, and St Polten, covering approximately 380 km.
| Route type | Notable stops | Approximate journey time |
|---|---|---|
| Direct (Railjet Xpress) | None | Around 4 hours |
| Standard direct | Salzburg | Around 4 hours 30 minutes |
| With multiple stops | Salzburg, Linz, St Polten | 5 to 6 hours |
These are ranges, not guarantees. Journey times vary by specific service, so check the exact departure when you book.
Daily schedule
Railjet and ICE trains run at roughly 2-hour intervals, with the first departure from Munich around 06:00 and the last Railjet service around 17:30. WESTbahn adds further daytime options.
Timetables change seasonally. Check ÖBB or DB for the current schedule before you travel.
Journey details
München Hauptbahnhof is central, with U-Bahn, S-Bahn, tram, and bus connections covering the whole city. Wien Hauptbahnhof is in the 10th district with U-Bahn lines D and 1 running into the city centre.
WESTbahn passengers arrive at Wien Westbahnhof (15th district), served by U3 and U6. It is a practical station with good onward connections, but it is in a different part of the city from Wien Hauptbahnhof. Check which one is closer to where you are staying before you choose an operator.
Onboard experience
ÖBB Railjet and DB ICE/EC trains have a restaurant car serving hot meals, snacks, and drinks. A snack trolley also circulates through the carriages. In 1st class on Railjet, you can order to your seat.
WESTbahn has a WestCafé: a self-service counter with hot drinks, cold drinks, and sandwiches. Not a full restaurant car, but more than adequate for a 4-hour journey.
All services on this route have free Wi-Fi and power outlets at every seat in both Economy/Standard Class and 1st class.
Scenery along the route
The section between Munich and Salzburg runs through Bavarian and pre-Alpine countryside. The best window-watching comes between Salzburg and Linz, where the route passes through Alpine foothills and briefly follows the Danube valley. The approach into Vienna is through the city’s outer districts.
This is a pleasant journey but not a dramatic mountain railway. Take a daytime service if the scenery matters.
Luggage and accessibility
Hand luggage travels free in overhead racks or under seats. Overhead racks are a standard size, so very large cases may be better stowed in the luggage area at the end of the car. No strict size rules on ÖBB or WESTbahn, but bring something manageable.
Small pets in a closed transport box travel free. Larger dogs need a ticket. Assistance dogs travel free on all services.
Bicycle spaces are available on many trains. Reservations are required for overnight services and recommended on busy daytime trips.
Both München Hauptbahnhof and Wien Hauptbahnhof have step-free access, lifts, and platform assistance. Contact the operator in advance if you need mobility assistance.
Ticket changes and refunds
Refund rules come down to the fare type, not just the operator.
ÖBB Sparschiene tickets are non-refundable. The one exception is a free cancellation within 3 hours of booking, as long as travel is at least 1 day away. After that window closes, there is no refund.
Flexible fares cost more but come with better cancellation terms. The exact fees depend on when you cancel relative to travel and which fare tier you bought. Check the conditions at the time of booking, as they can vary.
WESTbahn WestSuperpreis: cancel up to 1 day before travel for 25% of the fare (minimum €4.99).
Sparschiene tickets cannot be exchanged for a different departure. If plans change after the 3-hour window, you cancel and rebook.
Summary
Quick overview of train services
| Service | Journey time | Classes | Key note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ÖBB Railjet Xpress | Around 4 hours | Economy, 1st, Business | Fastest, arrives Wien Hauptbahnhof |
| ÖBB Railjet (standard) | Around 4h 30m to 5h | Economy, 1st, Business | Stops at Salzburg or Linz, arrives Wien Hauptbahnhof |
| DB ICE / EC | Around 4 to 5 hours | 2nd, 1st | Book at bahn.com |
| WESTbahn | Around 4 to 5 hours | Standard, 1st | Arrives Wien Westbahnhof, not Wien Hauptbahnhof |
| Nightjet | Overnight | Seat, couchette, sleeper | Reservation always required; breakfast included in couchette/sleeper fee |
Key travel details
- Boarding: No check-in. Have your ticket or pass ready for the conductor.
- Luggage: Hand luggage is free. Bikes need a reservation.
- Reservations: Optional on Railjet and ICE for most of the year; always required on Nightjet.
- Stations: ÖBB and DB arrive at Wien Hauptbahnhof. WESTbahn arrives at Wien Westbahnhof. Check your station before you book.
If your travel dates are fixed, book early and compare ÖBB, DB, and WESTbahn separately. Fares on the same day can differ meaningfully between operators.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Munich to Vienna train journey take?
Direct trains take between 4 and 6 hours depending on the service. The ÖBB Railjet Xpress, the fastest option, completes the journey in around 4 hours. Services that stop at Salzburg or Linz take a little longer.
How much does a Munich to Vienna train ticket cost?
Advance fares with ÖBB Sparschiene pricing can start from around €19.99, though prices vary by departure and how early you book. Flexible fares bought close to travel cost considerably more. Check current fares at oebb.at or bahn.com.
Which train operators run between Munich and Vienna?
Three operators run direct services: ÖBB with its Railjet trains (up to 230 km/h, three classes including Business Class), Deutsche Bahn with ICE and EC trains (high-speed and comfortable, book at bahn.com), and WESTbahn (double-decker trains, advance fares via westbahn.at, arrives at Wien Westbahnhof rather than Wien Hauptbahnhof). ÖBB also operates the Nightjet overnight service on this route.
Is there a direct train from Munich to Vienna?
Yes. Direct trains run throughout the day between Munich Hauptbahnhof and Wien Hauptbahnhof, operated by ÖBB Railjet, DB ICE, and DB EC services. WESTbahn also runs direct trains but they arrive at Wien Westbahnhof, not Wien Hauptbahnhof.
What is the cheapest way to travel between Munich and Vienna?
The bus is typically the cheapest option overall, but with ÖBB Sparschiene advance fares starting from around €19.99, the train can be competitive when you book ahead. The bus takes considerably longer than the train. For the cheapest train fares, book ÖBB Sparschiene tickets as early as possible at oebb.at.
