Trains in Germany…what are the options

Just use DBahn, online or the app to pick your route based on the day and your preferences. You will get to Bamberg just fine.

People are frustrated with German trains, traveling within Germany several trips in the last couple years, it seemed as though you just assumed that the train would be late. However, I always got to where I was going, for the most part about the time I planned.

You likely want to use some ICE trains on that route, if so, and your date is set, book early for savings.

I also travelled by train in Germany recently and was expecting problems given the warnings here, but although 2 of my 3 trains were delayed, they made up the time on the journey and I was impressed that we got to my destination on time after all. My impression was that plenty of problems do occur, but that DB is doing its best to mitigate them.

In Germany now... no trouble with trains so far.

Yes, many trains are delayed. On the other hand, there are so many of them that you can simply take the next one and still get to your destination. Download the DB Navigator app, where you will find all the necessary information.

For the Salzburg-Bamberg connection, you can't really avoid Munich and changing trains there (theoretically you could, but it would be very time-consuming). I often change trains in Munich and don't find it a problem. The slower trains terminate outside the main hall (tracks 5-10), so you have to walk 7-10 minutes to your next train departing from the main hall. The faster trains terminate in the main hall, and the distance to the next train is only a few meters.

In DB Navigator, you can see that there are some connections that run directly from Munich to Bamberg; for others, you have to change trains again in Nuremberg. Once your schedule is set, book a saver fare ticket early. Although it is tied to a specific train, it is much cheaper than a standard ticket.

I assume you have other train journeys within Germany as well since your tour ends in Frankfurt. For ticketing tips it would be best to list the other journeys too.

As for trains running on time... the fast trains (ICE, IC, etc.) tend to run late - only about half of them are on time. The slower regional trains (RE, RB, BRB, etc.) are on time around 90% of the time. You can define which train types you use by clicking on "mode of transport. " Choose "local transport only" = regional trains only. "Long-distance travel only" = the fast long-distance trains.

The day of the week and time of day that you travel can make a big difference too.

As a rule, the fewer the connections, the greater your chances of arriving on schedule.

You could travel using regional trains and use a Bayern Ticket, but it does require at least 2 changes and takes about 2 hours longer than using ICE trains with only one connection in Munich. On the other hand, there are a few itineraries with regional trains that avoid Munich, changing at Landshut and Nuremberg.