I am arriving at MUC on 10/13 at 6:30 am from the USA. After arrival on that day, I will be travelling via train from the airport to Nuremberg. I have not booked my train yet because I was unsure how long it will take to go through the immigration/customs process. I've checked flight history and 95% of the time the flight is on time or at the most, 25 minutes late. I would prefer to take a fast train, and am afraid if I wait until I arrive at the airport to purchase the ticket that it will be very expensive. So, my questions are: How long does it take to clear immigration/customs? Will the cost of the train ticket be significantly higher if I wait and purchase it once the plane has arrived? If I buy my ticket now, what time would be a "safe" time to book it? Thanks for your help!!
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
I looked on the DB website: https://www.bahn.com/en/view/index.shtml
"München Flughafen Terminal" to "Nürnberg Hbf", requires 2 trains, an S-Bahn (commuter/suburban train) into Munich ("München Hbf"), and then an ICE (high speed train) to Nürnberg, total about 2-2½ hours.
There is a departure every 30 minutes.
Tickets for 13th October are currently going for € 35.90.
Tickets for the next few trains (i.e. the price you pay if you turn up and buy a ticket for the next train) are in the range € 45.90 to € 51.90, with one train sold out in 2nd class.
On that basis, I would just pay on the day. It's your choice, the alternative is the 08:23 departure, or 08:51, which should give you enough time.
Do you want to gamble, or play safe and pay 30-50% more?
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
Just do it with a Bayern-Ticket. €25 (no matter when purchased) for a single traveler. It will cover the entire trip, S-Bahn and regional trains. Buy it at the airport; leave on the next RE from the Hbf. Faster than allowing a big time buffer.
Posted by
Lake Forest, CA, USA
1633 posts
And, you never know how long passport control can take. Since the Munich airport is small and the queues can be long (depending on how many large planes have landed with lots of passengers), passport control can take awhile. The above posters have great strategies on how to handle the trains. Have fun on your trip!
Posted by
Germany
268 posts
Let me throw in Rail&Fly tickets. If booked with Lufthansa, this costs 34 Euros per person for a single trip from the arrival airport to any German train station, on the arrival day and the day after. This includes the use of high-speed trains. 34 Euros is the price if booked in Germany; I suspect the price is similar if you book in the US Many other airlines offer these tickets, though the price may differ.
Posted by
Augsburg, Bavaria
2326 posts
"34 Euros is the price if booked in Germany; "
Please note: that does not mean that you can book a R&F ticket after your arrival in Germany. You have to buy it from your airline in advance. It's not available from Deutsche Bahn.