Frankfurt to Munich by Train
Direct high-speed (ICE) service · from €17.99
Route Overview
Travel from Frankfurt to Munich by ICE high-speed train in as little as 3 hours and 15 minutes. Up to 30 Deutsche Bahn ICE services run daily between Germany's financial hub and Bavaria's capital, with trains following two distinct routes through the country.
The western route via Mannheim, Stuttgart and Ulm uses multiple high-speed lines including the Wendlingen-Ulm section opened in December 2022, and is typically faster. The eastern route via Wurzburg or Nuremberg and Augsburg takes slightly longer but may be more convenient for passengers continuing to Austria or Salzburg.
Tickets start from €17.99 per person one way in 2nd class (Super Sparpreis, advance booking). Frankfurt Airport has its own long-distance ICE station (Fernbahnhof), allowing travellers arriving by air to board the ICE directly without travelling into the city centre.
Train Operator
Deutsche Bahn
ICE (Intercity Express) service. ICE 3 (via Mannheim-Stuttgart high-speed line) and ICE 4 on this route.
Direct high-speed · 300 km/h max
Departure & Arrival Stations
Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof
- Am Hauptbahnhof, Central Frankfurt (Bahnhofsviertel)
- S-Bahn (S1-S6, S8, S9), U-Bahn (U4, U5), Tram (11, 12, 16, 17, 21), Bus. Nearby: Frankfurt Flughafen Fernbahnhof (Frankfurt Airport long-distance station)
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)
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 €80+ (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). Applies to all fare types including Super Sparpreis.. 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
Two Routes, One Destination
ICE trains from Frankfurt to Munich follow two distinct paths. The western route via Mannheim, Stuttgart and Ulm uses multiple high-speed lines and is typically faster (from 3h 15min). The eastern route via Wurzburg or Nuremberg and Augsburg takes slightly longer but may be more convenient for passengers continuing south to Austria or east to Salzburg.
Frankfurt Airport Station
Frankfurt Airport has its own long-distance ICE station (Frankfurt Flughafen Fernbahnhof), served by many Frankfurt-Munich trains. Travellers arriving by air can board the ICE directly at the airport without travelling into the city centre first.
Wendlingen-Ulm High-Speed Line
Since December 2022, ICE trains on the western route use the new Wendlingen-Ulm high-speed line, reducing journey times on the Stuttgart-Munich leg. This is one of Germany's newest high-speed infrastructure projects.
Children Travel Free
On Deutsche Bahn, children aged 0-5 always travel free without a ticket. Children aged 6-14 travel free when accompanying a paying adult -- they must be added to the booking at the time of purchase. This applies to all fare types including Super Sparpreis.
Fare Types Explained
Deutsche Bahn offers three main fare types: Super Sparpreis (cheapest, train-specific, no changes/refunds), Sparpreis (slightly more, €10 cancellation fee, train-specific), and Flexpreis (most expensive, valid on any train same day, fully refundable). All fares are available in both 1st and 2nd class.
Dogs Welcome
Dogs are permitted on all ICE trains. Small dogs in a carrier travel free. Larger dogs require a child's fare ticket and must wear a muzzle and remain on a leash throughout the journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
The fastest ICE services take 3 hours and 15 minutes. The average journey time is approximately 3 hours and 37 minutes, depending on the route and number of stops.
Super Sparpreis tickets start from €17.99 in 2nd class when booked in advance. Last-minute flexible fares can cost €80 or more.
Up to 30 trains per day on this popular route. Direct services run throughout the day from early morning to late evening.
Yes. Frankfurt Airport has a dedicated long-distance ICE station (Fernbahnhof). Many Frankfurt-Munich ICE trains stop here, so you can board directly at the airport.
Seat reservation is optional on domestic German ICE routes. It costs €4.90 in 2nd class and is recommended on busy routes, especially during morning and evening peak hours.
Yes. Most ICE trains have a Bordrestaurant or Bordbistro serving hot meals, snacks and beverages. In 1st class, a steward can take your order at your seat.