Frankfurt to Munich by train

Deutsche Bahn ICE trains connect Frankfurt (Main) Hbf and München Hbf in as little as 3 hours 15 minutes. The route is 304 km, fully direct, and runs frequently throughout the day. For most travellers, a DB ICE is the obvious choice. If cost matters more than time, FlixTrain is the alternative worth checking.

• Route: Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to München Hbf (both city-centre stations)

• Distance: 304 km

• Fastest ICE: around 3 hours 15 minutes; typical range around 3 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 45 minutes

• Daily DB departures: around 30 or more direct ICE trains

• Advance fares: DB Supersparpreis from around €13; Sparpreis from around €17

• From Frankfurt Airport: direct ICE to Munich, typically around 3 hours 18 minutes

Booking tickets

DB has three main fare types on this route.

Supersparpreis is the cheapest option, sometimes from around €13 when booked well in advance. The fare is non-refundable and tied to a specific train, so use it only if your plans are fixed.

Sparpreis starts from around €17 and allows some flexibility for changes. This is the most common advance fare for most leisure trips.

Flexpreis is fully flexible, valid on any same-day ICE, but priced accordingly. Expect to pay €100 or more for 2nd class at short notice.

Prices rise as your travel date approaches. If you know when you are going, booking two to four weeks out typically saves significantly over the walk-up price. Book via the Deutsche Bahn website, the DB Navigator app, or Omio. All return the same DB fares.

First and second class

Second class includes a seat, free WiFi, and a power socket at every seat. First class adds more legroom, a catering service on some trains, and access to DB Lounges at Frankfurt and Munich. First class fares typically run 40 to 60 per cent higher than the equivalent second class fare.

BahnCard discount cards

DB’s BahnCard 25 gives 25 per cent off most fares and costs around €57 per year for 2nd class. It pays for itself if you make more than three or four long-distance DB journeys annually. BahnCard 50 gives 50 per cent off, at a higher annual price.

FlixTrain: the budget option

FlixTrain runs a small number of direct services between Frankfurt and Munich. Journey time is around 4 hours. Advance fares are often much cheaper than DB, frequently from around €10 to €20 on competitive dates, sometimes less.

The catch is flexibility. FlixTrain offers only a handful of departures per day, so your schedule has to fit theirs. Book through the FlixBus website or app.

Rail passes

Interrail and Eurail

Both the Interrail Global Pass and the Eurail Global Pass are valid on DB ICE trains on this route. The Germany One Country Pass works here too.

Do not board an ICE with only your pass. A seat reservation is compulsory for pass holders. Without one, you cannot travel. Reservation fees are typically around €4.50 for 2nd class and around €7.50 for 1st class, though the exact fee can vary. Book the reservation through the Interrail website or Rail Planner app before you travel. DB ticket counters can also add one if places remain.

Reserve early on popular departure dates. Pass-holder allocations on ICE trains are limited and can fill ahead of general capacity.

For more detail, see seat reservations for Interrail.

Deutschland-Ticket

The Deutschland-Ticket costs €63 per month and covers regional trains across Germany: S-Bahn, U-Bahn, RE, and RB services. It does not cover ICE or IC trains. There is no direct regional train between Frankfurt and Munich, so the D-Ticket alone will not get you between the two cities. It is useful for getting around Frankfurt and Munich once you arrive.

The D-Ticket has changed in price since launch. Check the current monthly price before purchasing.

Seat reservations for ticket holders

With a full DB ticket, reservations are optional. You can board any ICE in your class and sit in any unreserved seat. A reservation costs around €4 to €5 and guarantees a specific seat. On busy services (Friday evenings, Sunday afternoons, public holidays) it is worth adding one.

Timetable

DB runs around 30 or more direct ICE departures from Frankfurt Hbf to Munich Hbf throughout the day. First trains leave before 06:00; the last direct service typically runs in the late evening. During the main part of the day, trains run roughly every 30 minutes.

Some ICE services stop at Nuremberg, adding a few minutes to the journey. Check the timetable for your specific departure on the DB website or app, as journey times vary by train.

Stations

Frankfurt (Main) Hbf is Frankfurt’s central station. If you are arriving by air, a separate S-Bahn runs from Frankfurt Airport to Frankfurt Hbf in around 11 minutes. Direct ICE trains also run from Frankfurt Flughafen station to Munich, so you can continue without coming into the city first.

München Hbf is Munich’s main station, close to the city centre. Multiple U-Bahn and S-Bahn lines run from beneath the station. The walk to the central Marienplatz takes around 15 minutes or one U-Bahn stop.

DB Lounges are available at both stations for 1st class pass holders and BahnCard 100 holders.

Children

Children under 15 travel free on most DB long-distance tickets when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Add the child to your booking at the time of purchase: the free ticket must be included in the original order, not added later. Up to five children per adult are covered.

Summary

Ticket type	Typical 2nd class fare	Notes
Supersparpreis	From ~€13	Advance, non-refundable, train-specific
Sparpreis	From ~€17	Advance, some flexibility
Flexpreis	€100+	Fully flexible, any same-day ICE
FlixTrain advance	From ~€10 to €20	~4h journey, fewer departures
Pass reservation (ICE)	~€4.50	Required for Interrail/Eurail/German Rail Pass

Prices vary by date, demand, and booking window. Check live fares on the DB website before you book.