Munich to Salzberg train

You have a lot of choices here. RailJet 1st cl, RailJet 2nd cl, Bahn express (EC/IC) 1st cl, Bahn express 2nd cl, regional 1st cl, regional 2nd cl (with or without a Bayern-Ticket). You also didn't say if those are four adults, or a family of four with children (how many under 15?).

Looks like you have already decided on the EC. Those are pretty nice trains. I would think 2nd class would be enough. But if you purchase the tickets from the Bahn far enough in advance (3-92 days) you could get a Savings Fare of in 1st class for only 59€, 10€ more total, for all four, than in 2nd class. 2,50€ per person might be worth it for a little more space.

Note that that is the fare for four adults. If any of the travelers are your children under 15, they would be free if included on the ticket. Also, a "family reservation" (up to 2 adults, up to 3 children) is 9€.

Thanks Lee. Yes, the fare I saw was 49 Euro for 2nd class and 59 euro for 1st class. My family is me and my wife, my 16 yr old daughter and my mother-in-law (65 yrs old).

I agree for 10 Euro 1st class would be better. What is your thoughts on reserving seats for an additional 18 Euro?

thanks,
David

When a train is likely to be SRO, the Bahn will say "Reservation recommended". They don't say it here. Also, the train starts at Munich Hbf. I have never seen a train where all, or even most, seats are reserved. If you get to the train early, you can probably find unreserved seats to sit in. But, finding four seat together might be more difficult. If you want to reserve, you might be able to guarantee two seats facing two seats with a table between in an open coach or a 1st class compartment with only 4 seats. 2nd class could also be 2 facing 2 with a table, but the compartments are for six people, so you could have company.

I think I would first try 2 facing 2 with a table in 2nd class, only using 1st class if you had to to find seats together.

Oh. BTW, it's Salzburg, with a U. There really are places called Salzberg; that's not where you want to go.

I would suggest the Bayern Ticket, which will get all four of you to Salzburg for 35 Euro total (not per person).

This thread would be helpful to read:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187309-i118-k6313989-Bayern_Ticket_Munich_to_Salzburg-Munich_Upper_Bavaria_Bavaria.html

236 Euro vs. 35 Euro; seems like a no-brainer for such a short ride...

Bayern (Bavaria) Ticket!

[Lee, I've sent Frank AND the paramedics over to check on you ;-) I know you latched onto his wanting the 8:18 train, but still...you've worried me! ]

David, I don't know if this is a day trip, or a one-way trip, but this Regional Ticket allows you to travel limited train trips (read the provisions and limitations). Great for day trips! You have to start travel after 9:00, but you probably won't hear a lot of complaining about that LOL! And who doesn't like €35? Been there, done that several times, no qualms about doing it in the future...and you simply have to buy them from the ticket machines (easy) upon your arrival OR departure in Munich. No need to commit yourself to a particular time or date (of course, DO notice when the trains run).

Thanks to all for the info. This is very helpful.

"236 Euro vs. 35 Euro; seems like a no-brainer for such a short ride."

236€ vs 35€ would be a no-brainer, BUT, it's 49€ vs 35€!!! Munich to Salzburg is considered a short trip (less than 250 km) for the Savings Fare; the fare starts at 19€ for the first person, 10€ for each additional person, 49€ for all four on an express EuroCity train. All four in 1st class is 59€, only 10€ more for all four.

With the EuroCity train, they can get to Salzburg at 10:00. The first regional train after 9 AM, an "M" (Meridian), doesn't get to Salzburg until 7 minutes before noon, almost 2 hours later.

The earlier Meridian leaves the Hbf at 8:54 and gets to München Ost just after 9 AM. If they were staying near München Ost (there is a Marriott Courtyard just down the street), they could walk to Ost and take the 9:04 M, use the Bayern-Ticket, and get to Salzburg just before 11 AM. If they weren't near Ost, four single trip tickets in the inner zone would cost them 10,40€ more.

So, for 45,40€ they would get to Salzburg at 10:55 with no possibility of reserved seats. For 49€ they'd get to Salzburg earlier and could reserve seats if they wanted to.

I think that is the no-brainer. But, they do have to commit to the 8:18 train since the Savings Fare tickets are train-specific.

Note: David only asked about a ticket to Salzburg, so I assume it is a one-way ticket. If he were making a round-trip in one day, the Bayern-Ticket and regional trains (still only 35€) would start to look better.