How far in advance to book train tickets Munich to Salzburg?

It is not necessary to buy train tickets in advance. If you were to go to the station right now, you would be able to buy a ticket and be on the next train. Tickets are for a route, and never sell out. Of course it is possible that more people board a train then there are seats, and then some people stand, just like on a subway.

Buying your ticket in advance however does give discounts. And reserving a seat in addition to your ticket (only possible on some trains) guarantees you a seat.

You have three options: (1) local transport (BRB): hourly, usable with Bayernticket after 9am (or anytime on weekends; €32/1, 42/2); no advance booking, no seat reservation; (2) ÖBB RailJet: hourly; walkup fare approx. €58 pp, advance booking approx. €30 pp, seat reservation for a fee; compare fares on bahn.de and Oebb.at. (3) WestBahn: five trains per day; walkup fare approx. €50 pp including seat reservation; if booked in advance from approx. €20 pp.

The easiest way to buy option (1) is at a ticket machine or via the DB Navigator, (2) via the DB Navigator (no saver fares at ticket machines!) or oebb.at, (3) at westbahn.at.

Thank you, both. That’s very helpful information, appreciate it.

sla019, I hope I can say something nice without people taking offense or making comparisons. First, I have noticed on a few responses that you take the time to do the research for a complete answer. I know the work involved in that and a simple thank you while it is the best that can be done, doest pay the bill. You also took the time on your profile to put just enough information for context. It adds a bit of confidence in validity of the answers. All very much appreciated. Much obliged.

Mr. E: Too flattering ;) Now, I get lost in Mannhattan about twice a year (when I visit my “American” daughter), and there's usually a friendly, often female soul on hand to help me out. So answering a few questions on this forum here is just a way of “paying back”, not wanting to compete with the bigger travel experts here either ;)

Somehow I suspected something like that.

David, you may already know this, but if you use the Bayern ticket to visit Salsburg and return, you are also entitled to use it for public transportation that day. You cannot do this for Salzburg, since it is in Austria, but when you return to Munich, you can use it the rest of the day on any public transportation in the city.

After that glowing complement, with which I agree, by Mr. Ë, I'm hesitant to mention this, but there was a minor error in SLA's post (or maybe it was a typo). The RJX is bi-hourly and leaves the Hbf at just before half past the odd hours (e.g., 9:28, 11:27, 13:28, etc.). It should also be noted that the RJ does not stop anywhere else in Bavaria, like Ost Bahnhof, but goes non-stop to Salzburg.

It should also be noted that there are several EC/IC connections to Salzburg (or Berchtesgaden) at random times during the day. These trains can have Saver Fares and stop at Ost Bahnhof, more convenient for connections from the airport.

Finally, the BRB at 8:56 is too early for the weekday Bayern-Ticket to be valid, but, you can purchase an MVV central zone ticket for €4,10 for travel by U/S-Bahn or any regional train, including the BRB, from the Hbf to the OstBf. The 8:56 BRB leaves Ost at 9:04; the Bayern-Ticket is valid from there.

The RJX is bi-hourly

@Lee
You're right - instead of “RailJet” I should perhaps have written that there is an hourly connection with varying types of long-distance trains (RJ, RJX, EC; alternating between minutes 16 and 28, plus or minus 1-2 minutes). But that seemed a little too pedantic to me, especially as the details can easily be determined by looking at the timetable. Thanks for the clarification.

Am I correct in thinking that you can use the D-Ticket from Munich to Salzburg? At €58 that seems to be a cost-effective choice, especially for someone who is going to spend time in Munich.

At least, that's my rational: S-Bahn MUC to downtown, three days in Munich, then head to the Alps, Salzburg. But it is also entire possible that I'm wrong!

Am I correct in thinking that you can use the D-Ticket from Munich to Salzburg?

Yes, as far as Salzburg Hbf (which is, for historical reasons, partly a DB station) but not for urban transport within Salzburg.

And of course the DT is also valid for the trip with the S-Bahn from MUC to the city center and any U-Bahn, S-Bahn, tram or bus ride within Munich .