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Train to Munich from Nurenberg

We have a flight ftom Munich to Seatac on Sept. 22, 2026 at 3:35 p.m. We have booked a train same day, from Nurenberg HBF to Munich HBF on Ice 523 at 9:05 a.m. Is this route reliable? Any construction or schedule changes occurring presently?
Thank you, Julie

Posted by
3 posts

Thank you, appreciate the correction needed of city.
Sleeping with no a/c is exhausting.
We have had 3 train schedules with last minute changes that are frustrating i.e. construction, cancelled routes, temporary busses to another connection.
Love the country of Germany & so many kind people have helped us navigate the train issues.

Posted by
19529 posts

I traveled Nuremberg to Munich for a same day flight two years ago.

Having traveled quite a bit with DB in the past few years, I'm sorry to say I wouldn't trust it to be on time.

Just in the past few days, your train's been late more than it has been on time:

https://www.zugfinder.net/en/train-ICE_523

And some not just a few minutes.

And don't forget from Munich you still have to take another train to the airport.

My flight was intra-Europe so if I missed it I could get a later one. How much would it cost to buy a new ticket to Seattle?

Posted by
2726 posts

There's a direct regional train via Regensburg, dep. 9:12, arr. MUC 11:41. Not much slower than the ICE connection through Munich Hbf and cheaper (if you have a Deutschlandticket, it's good for that train).

Posted by
222 posts

Tbh. I would try for a train that allows for a two hour delay without missing the flight. Unless something really serious happens (suicide by your train), a train with no change should be fairly safe to stay within that timeframe even for some medium irritation, like teenagers running around in the tracks (happens more often than one should think or hope) forcing the train to run slow or the train temporarily breaking down.

Posted by
1269 posts

I know you asked about train schedules. I have found over 40+ years of travel out of Europe by air that the best stress relief is to book an airport hotel. No morning trains or connecting flights. On more than one occasion I made it home to the US as planned while a colleague missed the ride due to either train or airline connections. Airport hotels are generally expensive and boring; but so relaxing.

Posted by
1494 posts

I would go with Fritz's input and take the direct train 9:11-11:41. It derisks the trip
by not going into Munich Hbf; the Hbf is under construction and there are higher
risks of trains being rerouted, potentially even around the Hbf. Your transfer is
on a different level of the station than the arrival train so more risk for getting
turned around and you have to lug your bags also.

There is also an 8:07 direct train that arrives at MUC at 10:41. That would give you
a buffer of ~2 hours for delays to still get to the airport about 3 hours before your
flight.

But as noted, if you want total peace of mind, go the night before. The Munich
Airport Hilton is right next to Terminal 2 and the Novatel is one subway stop away.
I also see a new Ibis Styles in the same area, that is likely to be a cost-attractive
option. Or stay in Freising or Hallbergmoos.