We will be traveling by train from Salzburg to Munich as a group of 4. Everything I read says the Bayern Ticket is the most economical way to go. Can this ticket be purchased in Salzburg on the day of travel? Or would it be better to order online from home?
Thank you!
Yes, buy it at the Salzburg train station
Yes, Salzburg is a joint DB (German Railways) and ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) station. That is why DB tickets are valid to Salzburg. Yes, I know Salzburg is in Austria (only just), but railway companies did not build their lines just as far as borders, they built them from city to city. You can buy both DB and ÖBB tickets in Salzburg, both DB and ÖBB ticket machines are available.
Note: Bayern tickets cost more if bought from a manned ticket counter.
Note 2: Bayern tickets are only valid on local trains, NOT IC, ICE etc. Using a Bayern ticket you are restricted to the slower stopping trains.
But look for the DB machines to get a Bayern ticket -- they are a different color and are clearly marked. Easy to do, but make sure you understand the timing rules (not during morning commute hours during the week) and don't get on the slightly-faster IC/ ICE trains.
DB has a great app that you can use to purchase tickets. I did this on my last trip and it worked well. No messing with a machine at the station (could be a long line). I just bought my Bayern Ticket from the comfort of my hotel before I left for the day.
DJ
Thank you for the speedy replies. This forum is such a help!
DJ, are you referring to DB Navigator? Or is there another app? Do you then print something or is the ticket on your phone? Thanks
In 2007 I had a few minutes as I changed trains in Neumarkt-Kallheim, Austria, some distance from the German/Austrian border. With nothing else to do, I explored the Austrian Rail automat there and was surprised to find it sold Bayern-Tickets.
Prior to 2012, I knew that there were some German Rail (Bahn) automats in the Salzburg station, on the platforms, and they, of course, would sell Bayern-Tickets. When I was there, in Salzburg, in 2012, I checked out the Austrian Rail automats in the Salzburg station, and I was surprised to find that they, too, sold Bayern-Tickets.
So, I think you will not have a problem waiting until you are in Salzburg to buy the Bayern-Ticket. If you do decide to buy it in advance, you should know that those tickets are non-exchangeable and come with the validity date printed on them, so make sure that's the date you want.
Regional trains from Salzburg to Munich are indeed a little slower, but it usually amounts to about a half hour difference. Once you get to Munich, a Bayern-Ticket can be used for any local transport in the MVV that day, so if your hotel is not right at the Hauptbahnhof or Ostbahnhof, you can use the Bayern-Ticket for the U-Bahn, streetcars, or buses to get to your hotel.
To complete the set of the multiple different types of trains on that line, Bayern Tickets CANNOT be used on RailJet (Austrian international express trains) but can be on Meridian trains. On that line limited-stop Meridian and DB Regional Express trains are not significantly faster than the alleged high-speed ones.
Yes, its the DB Navigator App:
http://www.bahn.de/p/view/buchung/mobil/db-navigator.shtml
You have to set up an account with an email address but the set up is easy, free and I've never received any spam email from DB.
You have the option to print tickets and/or use your phone.
DJ
"On that line limited-stop Meridian and DB Regional Express trains are not significantly faster than the alleged high-speed ones."
They are not faster from Salzburg to Munich, but they aren't much slower either (20-35 min), and they can be a lot less expensive. For four people, the lowest Savings Fare (requires non-refundable advance purchase) is 76€ for an EC or RailJet, while a Bayern-Ticket for four is 38€ and can be purchased right up to travel time.
What's more, the Bayern-Ticket can be used when you get to Munich for any conveyance of the MVV, so you can use MVV transport to get to your hotel or for sightseeing after you check in.
Thank you! One more question crossed off my list.
