Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Munich airport to Salzburg - how do I do it?

Munich airport to Salzburg - how do I do it?

Old Feb 18th, 2011, 07:31 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Munich airport to Salzburg - how do I do it?

We are flying into Munich and want to go directly, by train, to Salzburg. Can we do this from the airport or do we have to go to another station and then transfer? Looking on the BAHN site there are so many different options for the MUC airport. I don't understand a word of German so I am getting confused.
We will be renting a car in Salzburg and I don't see an option for car rental at the train station. It's always at the airport. Can I get a train from MUC directly to SZG or is that yet another change? Thanks for the input.
Mimmel is offline  
Old Feb 18th, 2011, 07:51 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You can go from the airport to Salzburg with 1 change of trains either in Munich main station or at Munich Ost. I prefer going into the main station so I can pick up snacks for the train. If you will be leaving the airport after 9:00 AM, you can purchase a Bayern ticket (good for up to 5 people) 2nd class for 29€ from the machine at the train station in the airport. There is an information desk there. Maybe you can get a print-out of your trains and track numbers. If you go direct into the main station, there is an information desk right in front of the tracks. They will tell you the track number to Salzburg.
scatcat is offline  
Old Feb 18th, 2011, 09:48 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 8,247
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Technically, scatcat is correct.
But: At Munich main station, it is a looong way from the subterranean S-Bahn stop to the tracks for the train to Salzburg, as the latter does not leave from the main hall but from platforms outside the main hall.
At Munich East/Ost it's easier and much shorter.
You can get food/snacks at Munich Ost as well, or already at the airport's supermarket.

To find the proper connection at bahn.de, type "Munich airport" as your starting point. The first option given "Munich Airport T" is the right one for the train station at the terminals. In your itinerary, the system will translate that to "München Flughafen Terminal".
Of the many options for Salzburg, you want "Salzburg Hbf".

The aforementioned Bayern Ticket is only good for regional trains (in addition to the restriction to travel only after 9am on working days). Regional trains are identified by the abbreviation "RE" or "RB" or "S" on your connection. Long-distance trains like "ICE" , "IC" or "EC" are off-limits with the Bayern ticket.

So when you check connections at bahn.de, you want to un-check "Prefer fast connections" and check "Local transport".
Also give the correct number of passengers already when searching for connections, so the system can give you the correct fares. Which is €29 for up to 5 people, or €21 if you travel on your own.

You can purchase and print the Bayern Ticket online so you don't have to care about the vending machines or lines at the staffed desk.
While you purchase the Bayern Ticket for a certain connection, it is not restricted to that one. It's a day pass for almost any kind of public transport and regional trains in the state. So if for whatever reason you miss your planned connection, you simply take the next regional train one hr later.

Can't help with the rental cars - never rented from Salzburg so far.
Cowboy1968 is offline  
Old Feb 18th, 2011, 10:13 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,969
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
At Bahn site, if you pull down language selection at the top of the page and select UK or USA, you get pages in English.

reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en
greg is offline  
Old Feb 19th, 2011, 03:29 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,899
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you are picking up a car in Salzburg why not do so at Munich Airport instead and drive? It takes under 2 hours with normal conditions.

Another option if budget is not a big issue is to use the door to door service of Salzburger Meitwagen. I have done so on several occasions when traveling with my mom where train changes with luggage are a bit of a challenge.

http://www.mietwagenservice.at/index_e.php
kfusto is offline  
Old Feb 19th, 2011, 10:54 AM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Great tips. Thanks to everyone.

Renting in Munich is not a good option for us because I will be returning the car in Salzburg. Most rental agencies say that this "is not possible". We fly in on a Friday (at 10AM) but don't really need the car until Sat AM so I thought it was better to get the hassle of renting out of the way early and get an early start on Sat. We do have luggage so a shorter walk is better that a looong one, esp if there are stairs. There ar rental agencies in Salzburg but they aren't open when we need them or be or they don't have the cars because all the cars choices come up at SZG, at least for the size we need.

I had found the English version at BAHN but the station choices come up in German. Only 2 (of the 4) of us will be at MUC. I prefer to print the ticket online & it's nice to know I can do that.

What do I look for at MUC to find the connection to Munich Ost? Salzburg Hbf is the main train station - right? Do I go to the airport (SZG) from there or is there a train directly there from Mnich Ost?

I like the idea of Salzburger Meitwagen but unless I book the trip the web site doesn't give any prices. I don't mind spending more for the convenience of going directly there but that depends on how much more. Is it really expensive?
Thanks again for all the help! I don't know how I would ever plan a trip without you guys.
Mimmel is offline  
Old Feb 19th, 2011, 01:25 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 9,017
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
>What do I look for at MUC to find the connection to Munich Ost?
The S-Bahn train station at area Z and any S8 train ( to Herrsching or Weßling)
>Salzburg Hbf is the main train station
right
>Do I go to the airport (SZG) from there
Yes, bus #2
logos999 is offline  
Old Feb 19th, 2011, 01:35 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 9,017
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You could also rent or drop off a car in Freilassing/Bavaria, The train from the station to Salzburg HBF takes 8 to 10min. This may avoid cross border rentals.
logos999 is offline  
Old Feb 20th, 2011, 10:41 AM
  #9  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Logos999 - that sounds like a great idea. I am going to research it right now!
Mimmel is offline  
Old Feb 21st, 2011, 01:39 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,899
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Salzburger Meitwagen is the same price if you wait til you arrive as it is if you pre book online. The shared rides are the least expensive option.
kfusto is offline  
Old Feb 21st, 2011, 03:57 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 9,017
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Mietwagen
logos999 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Elainetan
Europe
5
Apr 17th, 2013 03:29 AM
Mimmel
Europe
7
Nov 13th, 2010 08:56 AM
skyrunner
Europe
6
Jul 5th, 2008 03:41 AM
mileagemaven
Europe
8
Jul 5th, 2008 03:37 AM
kellymp
Europe
7
May 3rd, 2007 06:15 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -