Train or drive from Munich to Salzburg

You don't need the car for this.
Answers that will be a big help:
1) What time is your flight out of Munich airport?
2) What time do you plan to leave Salzburg for the airport?

You could drive to Salzburg, returning the car in Freilassing, Germany, just outside Salzburg and stay in Salzburg and then train to Munich for your last 2 nights.

It depends on what you want to do in the area. If you just want to see Salzburg, the city, and nothing else, I'd return the car and take the train.

If you plan to visit the Eagle's Nest, or anything in the Berchtesgaden area - which I highly recommend if you have the time - then a car makes your life a million times easier.

If you're worried about traffic, check Google Maps traffic on whatever day of the week you'll be driving during those times for a bit, and you'll get a good sense of what traffic looks like.

Thanks for the advice. We will not have time to see anything outside of the city of Salzburg. Our flight out of Munich is at 17:30 on Friday. It seems there are frequent trains, and would save the stress of driving.

Debbie,

I'd recommend train, as it will be much easier and more relaxing (and city-to-city, there's no need for a car).

Upon leaving Salzburg, we would need to head directly to the Munich airport

If you don't need the car in Salzburg (prohibitive parking fees) train will be cheaper and much more comfortable. From Salzburg, take a Meridian *) to Munich East (München Ost) and transfer there to S8 for the airport; no need to go to the main station. The "Bayern Ticket", valid on the Meridian, is €28 for two. You can buy it from any ticket machine (ÖBB or DB) at Salzburg Hbf (2 € service charge at the DB counter).

*)
Salzburg Hbf dep 12:15 track 5C-F train M 79426
München Ost arr 13:56 track 6
München Ost dep 14:04 track 5 (same platform) train S 8

München Flughafen Terminal arr 14:35

Border control is pretty tight between germany and austria at the moment due the flood of refugees. If you want to cross borders on a busy day, prepare for wait times. That being said I recommend the train. The train out of Munich to the airport has some delays at the moment, because they do building works. Check the airport or train web page for details.

We will be in Munich for two days

With the car? In central Munich? You're brave, and must have an excellent sense of direction.

It is my experience, and I drive all over good sized chunks of Germany frequently, including many trips to Bavaria and specifically Munich, that driving in Munich is a lot harder than it has any reason to be. And traffic is much busier than it has any business being, and parking is a nightmare.

As I said, I drive all over the country and all over the Bavarian State, and nowhere in Germany is it that bad. Even though I can get all over Munich by tram and U/S Bahn I can get terribly turned around in Munich. Then there are the autobahns. You'd think there would be a vague approximation of a circle around the city? No way, it is an extraordinary shape.

When I drive I stay a few km east of the city and use the S-Bahn to get me where I'm going - simples

Is the corridor between Munich and Salzburg still restricted. I haven't seen anything here in the UK about the "stream of refugees" for several months.....

During the height of the refugee crisis, the Bahn website showed the restrictions for the Munich-Salzburg corridor. For instance, long distance trains (EC, RJ) were not running from Salzburg to Munich and regional trains were starting in Freilassing, across the river from Salzburg, and you had to find your own way over the border to Freilassing. I don't see the Bahn showing any restrictions today.

I wouldn't keep the car in Munich and fight the traffic and parking there. For two people, the trip between Munich and Salzburg on regional train, including the S-Bahn to the airport, will cost only 28€ each way with a Bayern-Ticket. That's 56€ for the round trip. Gas will cost you 25€; where are you going to rent a car for 2 days for 30€?

You'll have an eight minute, one platform change at München Ost, but no problem, if you miss it, there is another S8 in twenty minutes.

Hi,

Take the train crossing that Munich-Salzburg corridor...no problems at all in May and June, totally normal, (I crossed that border four times this time), except in contrast to previous years the presence of more security personnel (DB and ÕBB or police) patrolling Salzburg Hbf after 1800.

We just took the train a couple weeks ago. The is no security or at least no visible security. It was easy and Salzburg itself is best on foot.

If you do take the train, consider off peak regional Bayern tickets 23 E for one, plus 5 E for each additional person. It's a savings for two and a steal for four. It takes 30 minutes longer than direct trains.

It takes 30 minutes longer than direct trains.

"Direct" means no changes. All the trains, RJ, EC, and Meridian (regional) are all direct trains. If you mean non-stop, then the RailJet (RJ) is usually non-stop, because it is an Austrian train and should not be carrying passengers between German station (although that is not always true). The RailJet takes about 22 minutes less than the Meridian trains but the EC is only 10 minutes faster.

And for Salzburg to Munich airport, the RailJet actually takes longer, because the fastest way is to go to München Ost and take the S8 from there, but the RailJet doesn't stop at Ost. It only goes to the Hbf and then the trip to the airport from there takes longer.