Rail between Munich and Vienna: scenery?

For the Salzburg to Vienna portion of the trip, the first 30 minutes or so are pretty and I'd recommend the right side of the train. After that, the scenery becomes boring as the tracks are often below ground level. For the Munich to Salzburg portion, it has been a while since I have done that trip, but I remember the most interesting part being the Chiemsee, which is on the left.

If you do the math you’ll find out that you are insanely smart to take the train if you are staying in central Munich and Vienna.

Munich to Salzburg has some cute hamlets and some Alp/mountain scenery. I wasn't wowed but it was a pleasant trip and of course the train seats are very nice.

But do build flexibility into your schedule as most German trains nowadays are delayed.

I've decided to sit in a train for four hours transiting between Munich and Vienna as opposed to taking a 40-minute flight.

To that 40 minute flight, add 40 minute train to Munich airport, 2 hours to check in, go through security and waiting to board, 20 minutes to deplane and get luggage, and 20 minute train into Vienna, and voila, 4 hours later you made it to Vienna.

To that 40 minute flight, add 40 minute train to Munich airport, 2
hours to check in, go through security and waiting to board, 20
minutes to deplane and get luggage, and 20 minute train into Vienna,
and voila, 4 hours later you made it to Vienna.

Also add the fact that it is a 1 hour flight and not 40 minutes.

So in the end, you have made the sensible decision.

I've taken the Vienna to Munich route by train. The scenery is pleasant--rural for the most part with a distant view of the alps to the south.
I like to take food for a train picnic on board and enjoy a relaxing ride. Much more pleasant than airports and planes.

Sounds like I made the right choice, then (a rare enough occurrence).

Thanks, everyone, and congrats on 5k Emily!

-- Mike Beebe

I've decided to sit in a train for four hours transiting between
Munich and Vienna as opposed to taking a 40-minute flight.

Why do people continue to make the same mistake, comparing flight time between out-of-town airports to the time for a train that goes downtown to downtown. That is, or course, unless you are one of the few people who spends their time vacation time at airports instead of in towns and don't have to spend time getting between the town and the airport.

The rule of thumb is that if it take 6 hours by train it's probably faster to go by train.

most German trains nowadays are delayed

Maybe it just seems like it.

For my last two trips to Germany, admittedly before Covid, I was on 51 train connections, 48 regional and 3 long distance trains (2x ICE, 1x EC). As far as I can remember, except for one exception, all of the regional trains were on time, or at least not noticeably late. The EC and one of the ICEs were delayed by about ½ hr each. Both had started in the north of Germany and had been traveling for 4 -5 hours before I boarded in FRA Fernbahnhof and Bingen Hbf. The other ICE was slightly late because it waited for my late ICE in Mannheim, and one regional train was delayed because snow in Berchtesgaden took out the power and we had to be bused to a station with power. But I think we arrived in Freilassing on schedule.

Why do people continue to make the same mistake, comparing flight time
between out-of-town airports to the time for a train that goes
downtown to downtown.

I'm wondering the same. I once had to very calmly explain to an american woman that a 1 hour flight does not mean 1 hour travel time.

One more hint: Shortly before the train arrives in Salzburg main station it crosses the Salzach river. For a few seconds you will have a beautiful view of Salzburg and Hohensalzburg Fortress (on the right in the direction of travel).