Hello, We will be in Europe for 18 days this July. One part of the trip that I was looking at booking via train is Munich to Freiburg. In searching options, I am also running across a very inexpensive bus option for 15 euros per person. I am a bit baffled because both the bus and train are showing about 4 hours and I would think the bus would be slower? And, I am reading that the bus route is quite scenic and is along/near Lake Konstanz/Bodensee. Does anyone have experience in this route and pros/cons of the bus vs. the train? We are quite certain we do not want to consider a car, we will have one earlier in the trip and will use it to explore the Romantic Road, Fussen, and the Zugspitze areas. Thank you!
Angie
Posted by
Texan in CA
4414 posts
I'd pick the non-stop bus. Did you 'expand' the intermediate stops for the trains? Tons of stops! Did you notice the Munich bus station for this route - located on the 'back side' (to my way of thinking) of the Munich Hbf? Come back and post on how this worked for you!
Posted by
Green Bay
21108 posts
It does not surprise me that the travel times are the same. Trains on that route are not that fast, and 2 changes have to be made, and the route through Stuttgart and Karlsruhe is circuitous. A direct bus using Autobahn with minimal stops would be competetive timewise.
Posted by
Paradise
7022 posts
If you're interested in the Bodensee area, why not stop over? You can get a DIRECT local train from Munich to Lindau (less than 3 hours by RE or ALX train, only 26€ for two using the Bayern Ticket daypass. Lindau is spectacular. Lindau isn't far from Singen - it involves a mostly scenic train/bus ride alongside the lake and takes about 1:20 by direct train. You can probably pick up your bus to Freiburg in Singen if you're talking about the Deinbus outfit. Or take the train to Freiburg via Singen. It's more than 2 hours from there to Freiburg, but the route through the Black Forest is quite scenic. The whole train trip from Lindau to Freiburg could be done by cheap daypass as well. Get the "Baden-Württemberg Ticket" - also 26€.
Posted by
Stuttgart, Germany
3050 posts
I agree that bus is probably the easier option. Training to the Black Forest can be a PITA. Russ' suggestion is great too. If you have the time, you won't regret spending a night in Lindau!
Posted by
OP
Eau Claire, WI, United States
53 posts
Thank you for the feedback and thoughts so far. I will look into a day in Lindau-if possible. I would love it. We would have to cut a day from either Munich or Freiburg. But, I will see what we can manage!
Posted by
Stuttgart, Germany
3050 posts
How much time do you have planned in Munich or Freiburg? Freiburg is lovely but doesn't require more than one full day unless you plan to do a lot of hiking/sightseeing in the Black Forest nearby. Munich is great, but much easier to see the city quickly than most other large European cities.
Posted by
OP
Eau Claire, WI, United States
53 posts
Thanks for all the advice everyone! We only have one day/night in Munich and 1.5 days/2 nights in Freiburg. We would probably have cut from the Freiburg portion of the trip for Lindau, but we are visiting my Great Aunt and Cousin who I rarely see due to the distance in Freiburg. So, for this trip, we booked the bus and we keep using the refrain that Rick Steves suggests in his books, "Assume we'll be back." And, when we are, Lindau will be on the list. Also, we do have a 3 day car rental from Wurzburg with a night in Rotenburg ob der Tauber and a night in Fussen before returning the car in Munich. We are thinking we MAY be able to sneak a visit to the Lindau area in those driving days. Or, perhaps that is too much to hope for fitting in? We want to see Neuschwanstein and Hohenscwangau. I have interest in die Zugspitze and Oberamgau, too. I guess we'll see what we can fit in! Thank you again for the assistance!