Hi, I am looking at flying into Frankfurt and taking the train to Munich. Online thru Bahn, I can purchase four tickets at a savings fare for 129 euros and the standard fare is 292 euros for four tickets. A couple of questions: 1) Is the savings fare available at the train station or is the savings fare only available online and in advance? 2) Also, this train is out of the airport, if my flight arrives at 7:40am and the train leaves 9:20am, is this enough time? I am single traveler with no checked luggage. Any other helpful tips would be great. Thanks for your time!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
IF your flight arrives on time, that should be plenty of time. >>If<< it arrives on time. The Sparpreis (Savings price) fares must be purchased at least 3 days ahead and most likely they will be sold out earlier. They are date and train specific and non-refundable as of the travel day, so if your flight were to arrive 1-1/2 hrs late, you lose the ticket. . . . ¶ If you are a single traveler, how come you need four tickets? . . . . ¶ For other options, see www.germantravel-info.com/FRA2Mun.htm. With a Bayern-Ticket, it will take 6 hrs to Munich, but you could leave immediately, and there would be no risk.
Posted by
OP
Hudson, Wi
7 posts
Well, I am meeting three friends at the Frankfurt airport. Their flight gets in a good hour before mine, so I figured they would have more time to get off the plane and what not (assuming their flight arrives on time). I just said single since its myself coming off the plane and one person usually can move faster than four. Any idea what typical fare from Frankfurt to Munich is when bought at the airport?
Posted by
Lawrenceville, Georgia
693 posts
Can you not fly straight into Munich and let your friends meet you in Munich?
Posted by
OP
Hudson, Wi
7 posts
No, I can not.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
Frequent Flyer miles are often available only to Frankfurt, not to Munich.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
Standard fare prices shown on the Bahn website are the same as those at a ticket counter. If you purchase your tickets at the time at FRA, it will cost you €91 ($117) per person by ICE to Munich. If you settle for slightly slower IC or EC, it will cost €73 ($94) per person. If you use an RMV (Frankfurt metro) Preisstufe 5 Gruppentageskarte (day ticket to Kahl am Main in Bayern for up to 5 people) for €23,60 and a €28 Bayern-Ticket, it will cover all of your travel for all of you to Munich for €51,60 (less than €13, $16.75 pP).
Posted by
Texan in CA
4415 posts
Depending on what your plans are, you can either wait and purchase tickets for a later train and have lunch with your friends in Frankfurt - get your 'land legs' under you, so to speak, or do as Lee suggests...his way saves € for beer LOL! Plus, you get a chance to ride/sleep on the train (don't miss your stops!) and get caught up with your friends. IF you buy your 'fast' tickets early, there are many trains to choose from - Personally, I'm not comfortable with your idea for the 9:20am train...You might make it with time to spare; you might have to wait 25mins on the plane for someone to show up with the ramp stairs or jetway...and how far back on the airplane are you? When you're in a hurry, it takes forever for the people in front of you to get up and out...I'd much rather have to wait around in the FRA airport or train station an extra hour chatting with friends as opposed to frantically racing through the building trying to make a train.
Posted by
OP
Hudson, Wi
7 posts
Saving money for beer is the idea :) Lee, what is Preisstufe 5 Gruppentageskarte ? Is that the type of ticket to look for? I am assuming its pretty easy from the airport, hop on a train after purchasing the ticket and go? Or will I have to change trains at the Main station? Thanks for the help!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
Tageskarte is a day ticket, which gives you unlimited rides within one day. Gruppen means "group" for 2-5 people. Preisstufe 5 means "price level 5". Day tickets are graduate in price, depending on how far you are going. FRA to Kahl is a price level 5 ticket. A Preisstufe 5 Gruppentageskarte is how it will be shown on the ticket automat. . . . . ¶ Frankfurt(Main) is kind of the hub for train travel in the area. Most regional trains terminate there; the RE from Frankfurt to Würzburg starts there. The S-Bahn from Frankfurt airport goes through there on it's way to Hanau/Offenbach.
Posted by
Paradise
7072 posts
Conrad: It could be that advance sale tickets wouldn't be usable if one or more of your flights was significantly delayed. It happens. You might want to go with Lee's suggested Bayern Ticket plan which can be bought there once you're all assembled. Are you arriving on a Saturday or Sunday? If so, you can all travel on the regional trains to Munich for 37 Euros total with a "Happy weekend ticket" daypass good for all of Germany. Alternatively: Hang out in Frankfurt on Day 1 and then travel together on Day 2 on the advance-purchase tickets to Munich. Frankfurt has an interesting spot or two to spend your first day.