Berlin to Munich by Train
Direct high-speed (ICE) service · from €17.99
Route Overview
Travel from Berlin to Munich by ICE high-speed train in as little as 3 hours and 53 minutes. Up to 29 Deutsche Bahn ICE services run daily on Germany's busiest long-distance rail corridor, including 16 ICE Sprinter trains that stop only in Nuremberg.
The journey covers 623 km by rail, using the VDE 8 high-speed line completed in December 2017. This infrastructure project cut travel time from over 6 hours to under 4 hours by routing trains via Erfurt and the Nuremberg-Ingolstadt high-speed section at up to 300 km/h.
Tickets start from €17.99 per person one way in 2nd class (Super Sparpreis, advance booking). Two classes of service are available: 2nd Class with free WiFi and power outlets, and 1st Class with additional legroom, at-seat catering and DB Lounge access.
Train Operator
Deutsche Bahn
ICE (Intercity Express) service. ICE 4 (most common) and ICE Sprinter (fastest, fewer stops) on this route.
Direct high-speed · 300 km/h max
Departure & Arrival Stations
Berlin Hauptbahnhof
- Europaplatz 1, Central Berlin (Mitte district)
- S-Bahn (S3, S5, S7, S9), U-Bahn (U5), Tram (M5, M8, M10), Bus (120, 142, 147, 245, TXL). Nearby: Berlin Sudkreuz (some ICE services), Berlin Ostbahnhof
Munchen Hauptbahnhof
- Bayerstrasse 10a, Central Munich
- S-Bahn (all lines), U-Bahn (U1, U2, U4, U5, U7, U8), Tram (16, 17, 19, 20, 21), Bus. Nearby: Munchen-Pasing (western Munich, some ICE stop here first)
Classes of Service
2nd Class (Standard)
- Free WiFi
- Power outlets at seats
- Fold-down tables
- Children's compartment on some trains
- Bordrestaurant/Bordbistro car
1st Class
- More legroom
- Quieter carriages
- At-seat catering service
- Free newspapers/magazines
- Access to DB Lounges at major stations
- Seat reservation included with Flexpreis
Tickets & Booking Tips
Starting Price
from €17.99 per person, one way in 2nd Class (Standard) class. Prices range from €17.99 (Super Sparpreis, advance) to €100+ (Flexpreis, last-minute).
Book Early
Tickets are available Up to 180 days (approximately 6 months) in advance. Advance bookings typically offer the lowest fares.
Children & Youth
Children aged 6-14 travel free when accompanying a paying adult (must be added at booking).. Standard adult fares apply from age 15.. Children aged 0-5 travel free without a ticket.
Luggage
No formal baggage limits on ICE trains.
Good to Know
Germany's Busiest Rail Corridor
The Berlin-Munich route is Germany's most-travelled long-distance rail corridor. In the 2026 timetable, Deutsche Bahn expanded ICE Sprinter services to 16 per day on this route. Sprinter trains stop only in Nuremberg, completing the journey in under 4 hours.
No Check-in or Passport Required
Unlike cross-border Eurostar services, domestic German ICE trains require no check-in, no security screening and no passport. Simply walk into the station, find your platform on the departure board and board the train before departure.
High-Speed Line: VDE 8
The journey uses the Verkehrsprojekt Deutsche Einheit Nr. 8 (VDE 8) high-speed line, completed in December 2017. This infrastructure project cut the Berlin-Munich travel time from over 6 hours to under 4 hours by routing trains via Erfurt and the Nuremberg-Ingolstadt high-speed section at up to 300 km/h.
BahnCard Discount System
Deutsche Bahn offers BahnCard discount cards: BahnCard 25 gives 25% off all fares, BahnCard 50 gives 50% off Flexpreis fares. These are subscription-based annual cards popular with frequent travellers. Children aged 6-14 travel free when accompanying a paying adult (must be added at booking).
DB Lounges
First-class Flexpreis ticket holders can access DB Lounges at Berlin Hbf and Munchen Hbf, with complimentary WiFi, refreshments including beer and wine, and quiet work areas. Lounges are typically open 07:00-21:00.
Seat Reservation Recommended
Seat reservation is optional on domestic ICE routes (€4.90 in 2nd class, €6.90 in 1st class). However, it is strongly recommended on the Berlin-Munich corridor, especially during weekday mornings and Friday/Sunday evenings when trains fill up quickly. Without a reservation, you may sit in any unreserved seat -- check the LED display above each seat.
Bordrestaurant and Bordbistro
Most ICE trains on this route feature a full Bordrestaurant (sit-down restaurant car) with German specialties, hot meals and beverages. Some trains have a Bordbistro (bar/snack car) instead. In 1st class, a steward takes food and drink orders at your seat.
Bikes on Board
Standard ICE 4 trains have dedicated bicycle spaces (reservation required, limited availability). Older ICE 1 and ICE 2 trains do NOT carry bicycles unless semi-dismantled and placed in a zip-up bike bag. Check the specific train type before booking with a bicycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
The fastest ICE Sprinter trains complete the journey in 3 hours and 53 minutes with one stop in Nuremberg. Standard ICE services take approximately 4 hours and 33 minutes on average.
Advance Super Sparpreis tickets start from €17.99 in 2nd class. Last-minute Flexpreis fares can be €100 or more. Booking 3-6 weeks ahead typically secures the best prices.
Up to 29 trains per day, including 16 ICE Sprinter services (2026 timetable). The first departure is around 05:17 from Munich / 05:42 from Berlin, with the last train at approximately 23:37.
Most trains depart from Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Berlin Hbf), Germany's largest station, located in the city centre. Some services also stop at Berlin Sudkreuz.
Munchen Hauptbahnhof (Munich Hbf) in the city centre. Some trains also stop at Munchen-Pasing in western Munich.
No. This is a domestic German route -- no passport, no check-in and no security screening required. Simply board the train with your ticket.
Yes. Free WiFi is available in both 1st and 2nd class on all ICE trains. WiFi is best for browsing, email and messaging; streaming may be limited in some areas.
Yes. There are no formal baggage limits on ICE trains. Overhead racks accommodate backpack-size items, and floor-standing racks near seats hold larger suitcases. You manage your own luggage.