Arriving at FRA, plan to take the train to Munich

the BAHN website is easy to navigate and choose seats. Put the app on your phone too for maps, etc. We buy tickets at our 6mo mark for the best prices and we go FIRST CLASS since the prices are SO good at 6mo. Are you flying into FRA and taking the train to MUC the same day? Why not just fly into MUC? If you are flying into FRA and need a train to MUC the same day, I'd just buy tickets when you arrive because you could have flight delays, unless you can get refundable tickets.

The FRA airport website should tell you if there is a train station there. Check out the FRA airport website - but I'd imagine there is a train station.

seat61.com has GREAT train info - we use this website often.

So does the Rick Steves book - EUROPE THROUGH THE BACK DOOR - the book is fabulous and everyone should read before going to Europe.

Yes, there is a train station there and you can get a high-speed ICE train to Munich. What time is your flight scheduled to arrive? I wouldn't get a Flex ticket - the only one that would potentially work for you is the most expensive one and just about doubles the regular ticket price. But I would book your train ticket as soon as possible, as the longer you wait, the higher the fares will go. Right now they're in the €40-50 range.

Here is a link you can use that will be in English (although the drop-down menu gives the German name, i.e., München). https://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query2.exe/en

ETA: ChinaLake is correct in that you should download the Deutsche Bahn app (called DB Navigator). But before you do that, and before you book your ticket, just set up an account on Bahn.de. It makes it easier to book - and then once you've done that, download the app, and when you log into the app with your account, your tickets will be there (you and your traveling partner must each download it) and you can just show the conductor the QR code.

In the first place, Munich has an airport.

Some airlines, and I suspect you aren't flying one of them (Lufthansa is), have a deal called Rail&Fly, where you can book a train from FRA to Munich just like it is part of your flights. I think the FRA to Munich leg cost about 30€, and it's an open ticket. You can take any train that day, even an ICE, from the Frankfurt airport to Munich, without the SparPreis penalty if your flight is late, and you miss the scheduled flight.

Is there a train station at the Frankfurt airport?

"There are two airports at the Frankfurt airport."

Ops. Obviously a typo. There are two train stations at the airport. The close-in Regionalbahnhof services local trains and the S-Bahn into Frankfurt. The farther out Fernbahnhof services the long distance trains that go all over Germany.

A flex ticket will cost the same as if you buy your ticket after you arrive.

I think you best option would be to buy a discounted Spar-Preis ticket now for the day after you arrive, spend the first night in the local area, and use the Spar-Preis ticket the next day, when you know you can make the specific train.

I might recommend you stay somewhere on the middle Rhein (Bacharach, St Goar) or in the Black Forest (Bad Herrenalb, Gengenbach) the first night.

In the first place, Munich has an airport. Why would anyone in their right mind, who wants to go to Munich, fly into Frankfurt?

There is no reason to accuse him of not being in his right mind, Lee. I would imagine that the OP did it because he got a better rate than he would have flying into Munich. I would certainly do that if it saved me several hundred dollars. The train ticket will only be around €50 so why not? I like train rides and it's a good way to to travel when jet lagged. :)

If you are flying into FRA... Whether your train ticket to Munich is cheap or expensive, it borders slightly on self-abuse. You just took a long overnight flight across several time zones, right? Most people I know aren't eager to pack themselves onto an additional long (3.5 hrs minimum) train journey right after that. Suggest you plan to spend the first day/night in Frankfurt and get your bearings.

If you wish to do this cleverly... It is possible to book a saver fare ticket with DB from FRA airport for Sept. 2 - using the regional train only for the 12-minute ride from FRA > Frankfurt (use your ticket at any hour for this regional train ride) - and with a long layover in Frankfurt so that you can sightsee, relax, get a good night's sleep - and then proceed by high speed train from Frankfurt to Munich early the next morning (8:20 - 12:17; perhaps this works at other hours too, haven't tried.)

One saver fare ticket handles it all. I just tried my little scheme for your date and found a fare of €40. But I'd need to give you some detailed instructions for getting this fare. PM me if you decide this will work for you.

While Bacharach or Gengenbach are nice places for a first night, they aren't on your way to Munich, and I wouldn't recommend them for this reason.

In the first place, Munich has an airport. Why would anyone in their right mind, who wants to go to Munich, fly into Frankfurt?

Are you kidding that you don’t understand? Perhaps the airfare was much cheaper to FRA. Personally, I do whatever I can to fly nonstop to European cities from JFK and my airline miles are with Delta. Delta does not go to MUC; so I would fly to FRA and take the ICE train to Munich. It’s simple to do as the train station is at FRA.

What are our best options? Is it better to buy flex tickets in case of flight delays, or wait until we arrive and buy tickets then? Have to admit I am little intimidated re negotiating the banhof, buying tickets and finding the right train.

There is nothing to be intimidated about taking the train. Download the DB app. About four months prior to your flight, buy a train ticket as that is when the prices will be the least expensive. What I do is buy the least expensive ticket that is at least 4 hours after my arrival to allow for delays. If you want to spend more money, you can buy a ticket that is the most flexible.

Hello CStanley,
Your plan to fly into FRA and train to Munich is very reasonable. My husband and I are doing exactly the same thing the week after you. There are no direct flights to Munich from our home airport, Seattle, and we much prefer a train connection over a second flight.

You’ve gotten some good advice on tickets and strategies.

One possible seamless option could be Deutsche Bahn’s Rail & Fly. If your airline participates, this could be your very best option for a flexible and discounted flat fare (30€ 2nd class/60€ 1st class).

Participating Airlines
https://assets.static-bahn.de/dam/jcr:c52feb41-d8b0-4ac4-bb1c-8ed723f11b4b/202301_Rail&Fly%20Airline%20Partner.pdf

General info on Rail & Fly
https://www.bahn.de/service/buchung/bahn_und_flug/rail-and-fly-english

We’ve done this once before and the open ticket was seamless. Please PM me if you have any questions at all about how this works.

Hi,

No problem flying into FRA, then taking the ICE 2 hours afterwards or so to Munich....easily done. I've done likewise arriving from SFO to FRA, then taking the ICE to Berlin or to Munich, but relaxed at first a couple of hours at Frankfurt Hbf.

However , I would suggest doing this 1st class. That stretch Frankfurt Hbf to Munich Hbf is always crowded on the ICE. Getting a seat reservation only solves part of the problem.

Lee says, “ There are two airports at the Frankfurt airport (I thought everyone knew that).”

Two airports at the Frankfurt airport? I believe that is news to many of us. I guess we are all clueless.

Oh—-I guess he meant to say “two train stations” at the airport. But why would “everyone” know that? Especially people who have never been to Germany.

Hi CStanley,

It doesn't matter why you are flying into Frankfurt and taking a train to Munich. Please ignore the rude comments by a couple other posters.

My husband and I often take multi-hour train/boat rides after an overnight flight. We see sights we wouldn't have seen taking another flight and it is a relaxing way to spend the time before we can check into our lodging. During our trip earlier this year we even got off one train, got a locker for our luggage and went to a restaurant to eat before boarding another train. We have never purchased first class tickets and travel using only regional trains. We have rarely not found a seat and then only traveling during busy morning and afternoon times.

We are traveling to Germany in October and plan to purchase the 49 Euro monthly ticket. There is much information out there about how this works. It won't go into it here.

It is a bit intimidating to negotiate the bahnhofs the first time. My experience over multiple trips to Germany is the signage is very good. And don't be afraid to ask questions. The ticket machines have an option for instructions in English. The customer service desk staff have always been helpful. Not every bahnhof is staffed but Frankfurt and Munich bahnhofs should be. There will be screens which will direct you to the correct platform. The Deutsche Bahn app can become your new best friend if you plan to travel by train frequently. If you find the trains you would like to take you can print out the possibilities or make a note of them. I do this sometimes. It helps calm the frenzy of thinking it through on the fly.

I wish you the best of luck in your travels and happy planning.

Traveler Girl

No problem flying into FRA, then taking the ICE 2 hours afterwards or
so to Munich

You would be right, if it were 2 hours. But the shortest trip from FRA to Munich Hbf is over 3 hours, some almost 3½ hrs.

Not 2 hours re: ride duration, that's immaterial, but two hours or so after landing at FRA, then wait 2 hours or a bit more for an ICE ride lasting 3-4 hours or so...that's easily done....have done exactly that a few times after arriving at FRA.

Myself, I'd catch a flight to Munich. It's around $115 and faster. But you can take the train, but as mentioned I'd suggest 1st Class so you can rest. It's entirely possible the ICE will cost more than a connecting flight.

If you really need to save money, and you'll be using public transportation in Germany for the rest of your stay, consider the 49 Euro ticket, which will allow you to use trains, subways, trolleys, and buses for the flat fee.