Easy Travel Guide From Frankfurt To Munich, Germany

Berlin isn’t the only place in Germany you should explore. Once you’re in the country, you should take a road trip to see more of what Germany has to offer. There are beautiful cathedrals, museums, and architecture spread throughout the country that will let you immerse in its culture and wonder.

Two places that are popular with the tourists are Frankfurt and Munich. This guide will help you get to Munich from Frankfurt in such an easy way. We’ll also show you the ways to get there, where to buy the tickets, and what things to note so that traveling in Germany won’t become daunting at all. 

How Far Is It From Frankfurt To Munich?

The distance from Frankfurt to Munich is about 240 miles. This is not too long that it would take half a day for you to get there, but it’s also not too short for a quick bike ride. While there are many ways to get to Munich from Frankfurt. But, many prefer to drive since it’s cheaper, more convenient, and the scenery along the way it’s just stunning. However, a train ride or a flight is possible if you’re in search of an alternative.

4 Ways On How To Get From Frankfurt to Munich 

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Despite the short distance from Frankfurt to Munich, you can still board a plane from Frankfurt International Airport to Munich Airport. There are non-stop flights daily flying back and forth between the two cities. Airlines such as Lufthansa, United Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Air Canada carry passengers to and fro from Frankfurt and Munich frequently.

How long is the plane ride from Frankfurt to Munich?

The plane ride takes less than an hour to get to Munich if you’re coming from Frankfurt. An estimated travel time of 56 minutes is allotted.

How much are the plane tickets?

A round trip ticket can cost you around $150. However, if you book your flights months ahead of time, you might get affordable ones. So it’s best to book in advance with a travel agency or online if that’s convenient for you.

Recommended Time To Travel

We would recommend getting early morning flights since this gives you a chance to arrive at your destination early in the morning as well and gives you ample time to explore the city. This also eliminates the risk of delayed flights. 

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Driving is possible but if you don’t want to take your car or rent one, you may commute by taking the bus. All you need is to catch a bus from Frankfurt Central Station to Munich Central Station or also known as the ZOB Munich.

How long is the bus ride from Frankfurt to Munich?

The bus ride can take 5 to 6 hours. The bus liners are quite comfortable as they provide comfortable seats and other amenities such as wifi, toilets, air-conditioning, and electrical outlets to charge your devices while you’re on the road.

How much are the bus tickets?

Bus tickets can cost $14 to $18. You may visit the ZOB Munich website to book your tickets or you can also visit the Flixbus website for more information.

Recommended Time To Travel

It is best to travel in the morning to avoid traffic. This will also allow you to get the most out of your day when you arrive. You may also take a late-night trip so you can sleep throughout the ride and wake upon your arrival in the morning. The earliest bus you may take is at midnight and the late evening bus available would be at 11 pm. 

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Aside from taking the bus, you may also travel by using the Frankfurt to Munich train. The railway system in Germany is very dependable, can reach every city, and it’s easy to use. Tourists also take the train since the scenery is also worth checking out.

The German National Railway System is known as Deutsche Bahn. You will come across signs with the name DB in red and white when you’re there.

How long is the train ride from Frankfurt to Munich?

The estimated time of travel using the Frankfurt to Munich train when you take the DB depends on what kind of train you’re going to ride. 

The fastest way to get to your destination is to take the German High-Speed Train or also known as the Intercity Express. Though the abbreviation for it is ICE, it is not pronounced as ice. This train can go up to 300 km per hour. From Frankfurt to Munich, it will take you only 3 hours and 13 minutes.

The regular train is known as the German Regional Train and is also known as the Regionalbahn or Regional-Express. This is cheaper than the ICE and will have more stops than the German High-Speed Train. The Regional Train is what you take when you also want to go to smaller towns. It will take you 3 hours and 40 minutes to get to Munich.

You may also take the German Night Train if you want to save a night from booking a hotel. These trains have beds, private showers, and toilets available for use. The travel time is usually early in the evening so that you can arrive by morning. Though this is not usually for a short trip from Frankfurt to Munich, you can take this if you’re traveling to other far off states in Germany.

How much is the train ticket?

Train tickets will cost around $120. However, do note that you might get discounts once you book your tickets in advance. 

For tickets, you may visit the DB website for online booking. You may also use the ticket vending machines situated at every train station. The machines accept credit cards and cash. It is also available in English and other languages.

You may also purchase tickets from a counter which is located inside the station. Look for a sign that says DB Reisezentrum to get help from an agent on how to purchase tickets, inquire about timetables, and other concerns.

Recommended Time To Travel

There are timetables where you can choose when to board your train. But again, we recommend getting a time slot that’s early so you won’t have to face the crowd of people that arrive later on in the day. 

Note: The Frankfurt Central Train Station is located at Im Hauptbahnhof 60329 Frankfurt. This is where you will depart to Munich. However, if you just arrived from the airport and wish to go to Munich, you can take the train from Frankfurt Airport Flughafen so there’s no need for you to go to the Central Train Station. This will save you time.

The Munich Rail station is known as München Hauptbahnhof. It is recommended to be familiar with this so you know that you have arrived.

It is also important to check which platform you’re assigned to once you book your ticket. Trains to Munich are usually assigned on platforms 5 or 7. But this might change sometimes so it’s best to double-check before heading to a platform.

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Driving your car from Frankfurt to Munich is considered the easiest way to travel. Not only is it affordable, but you control your own time and have your own space. You may also rent a car if you do not want to take yours or if you don’t have one. Rental cars like Sixt and Europcar rental are available at Frankfurt Airport.

How long is the drive from Frankfurt to Munich?

To get to Munich, just take the Autobahn A 3 and then E 45. The Autobahn is Germany’s version of a highway system. It will take you about 4 hours to reach Munich if the traffic is smooth.

Recommended Time To Travel

Avoid the rush hours in Germany which occur from 7 to 9 am and 4 to 7 pm. You may leave before those hours or you can leave afterward. 

Things To Take Note While Traveling

• If you’re a tourist, remember to bring your passport with you at all times. Ticket counters or online transactions might require you to input a few identification details and you need to have your passport in hand to fill those up.

• Be early! Just because your flight leaves at 9 am doesn’t mean you can be there by 8:30 am. Be mindful of the check-in gates’ closing time and allot a few hours before your flight to get settled inside the airport.

• Keep your tickets or boarding passes with you always. Do not throw them upon entering your transportation. Attendants might check on your ticket in the middle of the trip and you’ll want to show them proof that you booked your ticket.

• If you’re driving to Munich, please note that the legal driving age is 18 years old. But if you’re renting a car, the age requirement is over 21 years old. 

• When you’re at the station or airport, be aware of your surroundings. Read the signs to check your boarding gate or platform number. If a platform or exit changes, they’ll be announcing it on the speakers and display the changes on the boards. So check the details shown from time to time.

• When taking the train from Frankfurt to Munich, you do not need to book a reservation for your luggage. You also do not need to weigh them. You may bring them with you and stow them under your seat or on the luggage racks above. For larger suitcases, there are sections in the train near the doors or where you can secure them. The same applies to the trains you boarded at Munich Rail Station if you’re heading back. For more detailed information on your luggage when boarding the train, you may visit this link here.

• Always book your tickets in advance. Not only does this guarantee you a seat but you also might get discounts, especially when you decide on taking the train from Frankfurt to Munich. The same applies when renting a car. Book your rentals at least 2 weeks in advance.

Are you ready for your trip to Munich? With this guide, you’ll know what to do and how to get there without any problems along the way.