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Salzburg to Berlin, Train or AirBerlin

I'm trying to decide whether to book a train ticket or airfare from Salzburg to Berlin. The date is Friday, June 23, 2017.

The best rail fare I found is 67.9E pp departing at 09:00 arriving 17:33, with a stop in Munich. The duration of the train ride is 8 hours 33 min, but then I must add travel to and from the train stations and wait time for the train, so I'm guessing almost 10 hours. While I do enjoy traveling by train in Europe 8:33 seems like a really long train ride.

Air Berlin departs Salzburg at 10:40am arrives in Berlin at 11:55am. Cost is 129.67E pp. I'm sure with airport transfers and wait time at the airport this could be 4.5 hours or more. But I imagine I would get to my hotel in Berlin by 1:30pm and have the afternoon to enjoy Berlin rather than sitting on a train. I have never been to Berlin before and have 3 more days after this to see Berlin.

If anyone has done this trip by train or plane please advise which might be best. Thank you!

Posted by
1875 posts

It depends what is most important to you: a cheap trip or efficient spending of your time.

The cheapest way to go is by bus (Flixbus): €33, 10 hours ride.

The fastest way is by plane. I guess the airport transfers are less than an hour, depending where your hotels are.
Anyway, check for the cheapest airfare: https://www.kayak.com/flights/SZG-BER/2017-06-23?fs=stops=0

Posted by
14482 posts

Hi,

Getting to Berlin you do have the option of the EN night train. Take the train Salzburg to Linz. Take the Linz-Hannover EN night train. You'll arrive in Hannover Hbf a bit after 0600.hrs Take the ICE to Berlin Hbf. Take the night train option, you squeeze out another day.

Posted by
4684 posts

I would fly. I don't think the rail journey is hugely scenic and eight and a half hours is very long.

Salzburg Airport is very close to the city as well so transport won't take very long.

Posted by
11294 posts

I had a similar choice of train or plane when going from Vienna to Berlin. I chose to fly with Air Berlin, and am glad I did. My only regret was not booking the ticket sooner. When I started looking, it was about €40; by the time I actually booked, it had gone up to €100.