Munich to Vienna by Train
Direct high-speed / inter-city (Railjet / ICE / WESTbahn) service · from €26
Route Overview
Travel from Munich to Vienna by train in as little as 3 hours and 56 minutes. This cross-border route is served by three operators: ÖBB Railjet, Deutsche Bahn (ICE/EC), and private operator WESTbahn. Direct services run every 1-2 hours from early morning to evening.
All trains pass through Salzburg, approximately the halfway point, making it possible to break your journey for a stopover. The route continues via Linz and St. Pölten before reaching Vienna. ÖBB and DB trains arrive at Wien Hauptbahnhof; WESTbahn trains arrive at Wien Westbahnhof.
Tickets start from €26 per person one way when booked in advance. Last-minute purchases can cost up to €105. All three operators offer free WiFi and power outlets. Seat reservations cost €3-3.50 on ÖBB/DB trains; WESTbahn includes free seat reservation with every ticket.
Train Operator
ÖBB Railjet
Austria's flagship high-speed train, 230 km/h. Three classes: Economy, First, Business. Restaurant car with at-seat service in premium classes.
Direct high-speed · 230 km/h max
Departure & Arrival Stations
München Hauptbahnhof
- Bayerstrasse 10a, Central Munich
- U-Bahn, S-Bahn, tram, bus. S1/S8 from Munich Airport (~40 min, €14.80)
Wien Hauptbahnhof
- Central Vienna
- U-Bahn U1 (Südtiroler Platz-Hauptbahnhof), tram. Vienna Airport via Railjet (~15 min). Note: WESTbahn trains arrive at Wien Westbahnhof (U3, U6) instead.
Classes of Service
Economy / 2nd Class
- Free WiFi
- Power outlets at seats
- Railjet Economy: open salon seating
- DB 2nd Class: open salon with fold-down tables
- WESTbahn: self-service bistro, seat reservation included
1st Class / First
- Wider seats with more legroom
- Railjet First: at-seat food service from restaurant car
- DB 1st Class: at-seat catering, DB Lounge access (with BahnCard)
- Free WiFi and power outlets
Business Class (Railjet only)
- 16 leather cradle seats in semi-compartments
- At-seat food and drink service from restaurant car menu
- Maximum space and privacy
- Free WiFi and power outlets
- Exclusive to ÖBB Railjet
Tickets & Booking Tips
Starting Price
from €26 per person, one way in Economy / 2nd Class class. Advance tickets from €26. Last-minute purchases up to €105. Seat reservation €3-3.50 on ÖBB/DB, free on WESTbahn..
Book Early
Tickets are available Several months in advance (varies by operator). Advance bookings typically offer the lowest fares.
Children & Youth
ÖBB: children 6-14 free with paying adult. DB: children 6-14 free with paying adult (must be added at booking).. Standard adult fares apply from age 15.. Children under 6 travel free without a ticket (ÖBB rules). DB: children 0-5 free.
Luggage
No formal baggage limits on Railjet, ICE, and WESTbahn trains.
Good to Know
Three Operators to Choose From
This route is served by ÖBB Railjet, Deutsche Bahn (ICE/EC), and private operator WESTbahn. All offer free Wi-Fi and power sockets. DB and ÖBB trains have restaurant cars; WESTbahn has a self-service bistro.
WESTbahn Departs from a Different Station
ÖBB and DB trains use Wien Hauptbahnhof in Vienna. WESTbahn trains depart from Wien Westbahnhof instead. Check your ticket carefully. Westbahnhof is on U-Bahn lines U3 and U6.
Via Salzburg
All Munich-Vienna trains pass through Salzburg, which is approximately the halfway point. This makes it possible to break your journey for a stopover in this historic city at no additional ticket cost on flexible fares.
Schengen Area — No Border Checks
Germany and Austria are in the Schengen Area. There are no passport controls at the border. Carry valid photo ID as random onboard checks may occur.
Seat Reservation Recommended
Seat reservations are optional but recommended, especially in summer and around Austrian holidays. Reservations cost €3-3.50 on ÖBB/DB trains. WESTbahn includes free seat reservation with every ticket.
Book Early for Best Fares
Advance tickets start from €26 one-way. Last-minute purchases can cost up to €105. All three operators release tickets several months in advance. Compare prices across operators as they can differ significantly for the same departure time.
Night Train Option
ÖBB Nightjet operates a night train between Munich and Vienna with seat, couchette, and sleeper compartment options. The night train continues to Budapest, making it possible to wake up in the Hungarian capital.
Continue to Budapest
Many Railjet services from Munich continue directly to Budapest without requiring a change in Vienna. The Munich-Budapest journey takes approximately 6-7 hours total via Vienna.
Frequently Asked Questions
The fastest direct trains take approximately 3 hours 56 minutes. Average journey time is around 4 hours 10 minutes. Some services may require one change at Salzburg, adding approximately 30 minutes.
Approximately 14 trains per day serve this route across three operators (ÖBB Railjet, DB ICE/EC, and WESTbahn). Direct services run every 1-2 hours from early morning to evening.
Advance fares start from approximately €26 one-way when booked early. Prices increase closer to departure, reaching up to €105 for last-minute flexible tickets.
ÖBB Railjet and DB ICE/EC depart from Wien Hauptbahnhof and offer similar comfort with restaurant cars and 3 classes. WESTbahn is a private operator departing from Wien Westbahnhof with a self-service bistro and free seat reservation included in every ticket.
Most trains depart from München Hauptbahnhof (Munich main station) and arrive at Wien Hauptbahnhof (Vienna main station). Exception: WESTbahn trains arrive at Wien Westbahnhof. Both Vienna stations are well-connected by U-Bahn.
Germany and Austria are in the Schengen Area. No passport controls at the border. Carry valid photo ID for potential onboard checks.
Yes. All Munich-Vienna trains stop at Salzburg Hbf, approximately halfway through the journey. On flexible tickets, you can break your journey. On advance-purchase tickets, check the conditions as they may be tied to a specific train.
Yes. Several ÖBB Railjet services continue from Munich through Vienna to Budapest without requiring a change. The total journey from Munich to Budapest takes approximately 6-7 hours.