Munich to Innsbruck:  mainline or scenic route?

You've a choice when travelling between Munich & Innsbruck.  The fast mainline route is scenic enough, but there's an extra-scenic regional route via Garmisch-Partenkirchen which takes a bit longer but is well worth considering.

  Option 1, Munich to Innsbruck via Kufstein - fastest & most comfortable

  Option 2, Munich to Innsbruck via Garmisch-Partenkirchen - the scenic regional route

Route map

Option 1, Munich to Innsbruck via Kufstein in 1h45 - the mainline route

• Every couple of hours, a comfortable express train links Munich Hbf with Innsbruck Hbf in just 1h44.

  This is the fastest & most comfortable option, using the mainline route via Kufstein.  It's scenic enough, as you can see in the route map above with scenic sections marked in green.

  Munich to Innsbruck is 172 km (107 miles) by train on this route.

• Railjet trains (RJ):  Most of these trains are now swish Austrian new-generation railjets with 2nd, 1st & business class, a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  In 1st & business class a steward takes restaurant orders and serves you at your seat.  Most of these trains are on their way to or from Verona & Italy.

  ICE train:  One evening train from Munich and one morning train from Innsbruck is a German ICE4 high-speed train on its way between Innsbruck & Berlin, also with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

  EuroCity train (EC):  One early morning train from Munich and one evening train from Innsbruck (trains 80 & 81) may still be an older Austrian EuroCity train without a restaurant car or WiFi, at least until all the new railjets are delivered and in service.  Check int.bahn.de to see if its shown as EC or RJ.

• Fares start at €19.99 in 2nd class or €29.99 in 1st class.

  These are Sparpreis fares, specified departure only, limited refunds & changes to travel plans.  These fares vary like air fares so book ahead.

  The Flexpreis is around €45 in 2nd class, fixed-price, good for any train, cannot sell out, can be bought on the day.

• Buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  Booking opens up to 6 months ahead.  If you buy one ticket covering several people, only one name is needed to support the ticket.  You print your own ticket (A4 paper, U.S. Letter size is fine) or you can show it on your phone.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

A new generation railjet at Innsbruck Hbf, showing a low-floor section for easy boarding.  Courtesy of @SimplyRailway.

First class, in open saloons.		Business class, in 4-seat compartments.

Restaurant car.		Economy (2nd) class.

Scenery leaving Innsbruck bound for Munich on a sunny morning in February - the mainline route is scenic enough!

Option 2, Munich to Innsbruck via Garmisch in 2h51 - the scenic route

• Fastest isn't always best.  There's a slower but beautifully scenic route between Munich Hbf & Innsbruck Hbf using regional trains through the mountains via Garmisch-Partenkirchen.  There's a departure every hour, a few of these regional trains run Munich-Innsbruck direct, other departures involve a simple change of train at either Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Mittenwald or Seefeld in Tirol.

  There's no catering on these regional trains, so bring your own food and drink.

  Munich to Innsbruck is 160 km or 99 miles via this route.

• The regular fare is €46.90 in 2nd class or €77.40 in 1st class, fixed-price, cannot sell out, can be bought on the day.

  However, int.bahn.de usually offers you a cheaper €35.50 Regio-Ticket Werdenfels plus Innsbruck ticket.  With this, up to 3 children under 15 go free, a real bargain.  This is also fixed-price, cannot sell out, can be bought on the day.

• Check train times & buy tickets at the German Railways website int.bahn.de.

  To get this route, click Stopovers and enter Mittenwald as a stopover, leaving length of stay zero.

  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.  No reservation or advance-purchase is necessary, you sit where you like on regional trains.  I recommend registering when prompted so you can log in & check your bookings or re-print tickets at any time.

• Tip:  Going south, the best views are on the right hand side of the train.  Going North, the best views are on the left hand side.  If you get any good scenery photos, please let me know!

• Tip:  Read about the Mittenwald Railway here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mittenwald_Railway.

The scenic regional route:  A regional train about to leave platform 27 at Munich Hbf for Garmisch & Innsbruck.

2nd class on a Munich-Innsbruck regional train.  Toilets, air-con.  Larger photo.		There's a small 1st class section at one end of these trains.  Larger photo.

Scenery seen from the Munich-Innsbruck train via Garmisch-Partenkirchen.  Courtesy of youtube.com/c/nonstopeurotrip.

More scenery from the Munich-Innsbruck train via Garmisch.  Courtesy of DiscoverByRail.com.

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