travel from Munich to Berlin

In Berlin both Tegel an Schönefeld airports are very well connected to the downtown by rail and bus. In Munich it's around a 30-40mins S-Bahn (rail) ride from the airport to the city center. I'd definitely fly!!

"I'm debating a 9 hour train ride (correct me if I'm wrong) or a 1 hour flight."

You're wrong.

There are hourly train connections from Munich to Berlin in under 6 hours, approximately one other connection per hour in just over 6 hours.

There are far fewer flights than trains. With transportation from Munich to the airport (40 min), getting from the S-Bahn station to checkin, preboard time (check in, security, boarding), flight time, deplaning and getting to ground transportation, bus to downtown Berlin (20 min), you are looking at almost as long, 4-5 hours, and far more hassle.

I would take the train. My rule is: If the train journey is 6 hours or less-ride the rails. Over 6 hours I take a flight.

Also, when figuring the cost of flying vs rail, make sure you take into account all of the costs.

For instance, on top of the "fare" shown on the Air Berlin website, there are taxes and fees (€10) and a fuel surcharge (€28). Add the cost of getting from downtown to MUC (€8,80) and the bus from Tegel (€2,50), the non-fare costs alone come to €39 ($61).

The lowest "fare" I could find for Air Berlin in June was €11. That fare was on 5 flights out of over 200. With all the extras, that came to $78, and it was non-refundable. There were more fares at €20 ($93), and even some at €129 ($262).

On the rail side, the non-refundable, advance purchase, Dauer-Spezial fare, in June was as low as €39 ($61). There were a lot at €49; rarely was the fare over €59 ($92).

The full refundable fares were, on the train, €109 ($170) and flying, €209 ($326).

Last summer, we drove the autobahn from Leipzig to Munich twice and that was two times too many. It was long, boring as far as sights, and a very fast highway. At times, it was stressful as there was heavy traffic and fast travelling cars. It seemed to just take forever and we are well seasoned German drivers. We need to do the same route again this year, however, we will be flying. I realize you are talking Berlin, which would make the trip all that much longer as it is further north...by about two hours. This year we have a flight with Lufthansa for from Leipzig to Munich for $60.US and one hour. I just checked and Lufthansa also has a one way between Berlin and Munich for $63 and one hour and 10 minutes. I would not drive unless you plan to stop somewhere along the way, i.e. Nuremburg. If you are trying to just get from point A to point B...fly.

Hi,

I will be traveling from Munich to Berlin with 4 children...I also debated between the train and a plane...and I decided to fly with Air Berlin. I booked the flight on-line for $300 Canadian for all 5 of us. In munich, there is a direct train from the downtown core (Marienplatz) to the airport terminal and in Berlin, the conection into the city is very quick by bus or train (20 min)...the train is VERY long...fly if you can...

Good luck