Munich to Innsbruck: Train, Bus, Car and Day Trips

Every Way Compared

The table compares the four ways from Munich to Innsbruck by where they leave from, where they arrive and who each one suits. Rail details come from the Tyrol tourist board and the operators' route pages.

Why the Train Usually Wins

The direct train arrives in the middle of town. From Innsbruck main station the Hofburg is 15 minutes on foot, and the Golden Roof is a 3-minute walk beyond it. No transfer, no parking, no border toll to sort out. Railjet trains carry Economy, First Class and Business Class with WiFi, a restaurant car and bike spaces.

The bus is the fallback when trains are full or you have booked a cheap seat early. The car makes sense only if you plan stops in the mountains on the way.

Direct Trains

There are 8 direct train connections from Munich to Innsbruck each day. They run via the Inn valley and arrive at Innsbruck main station without a change. Cheap fares are usually released at least two weeks before departure, and timetables open around 12 weeks ahead, so book once your dates are fixed.

Check the timetable for the train you want on the day, since direct services are spread across the day rather than every hour.

Tickets That Do Not Reach Innsbruck

The Bayern Ticket is not valid to Innsbruck. It stops at Kufstein or Mittenwald, at the Austrian border. On the scenic line the Werdenfels plus Innsbruck regional ticket covers the whole way on regional trains for one day, and extra adults travel on the same ticket.

Standard EuroCity tickets cost more, and the Europa Sparpreis offers must be bought in advance.

The Mittenwald Line

The Werdenfels route leaves Munich south past Starnberger See, runs through Garmisch-Partenkirchen with views of the Zugspitze, crosses into Austria at Mittenwald and climbs over the Seefeld plateau before dropping into Innsbruck. It usually needs a change of trains and takes longer than the direct line.

Pick it when the ride is part of the trip, and sit on the side facing the mountains. Pick the direct train when you want the most hours in Innsbruck.

Direct Line or Scenic Line

The table weighs the two rail routes against each other, using the Tyrol tourist board and the route descriptions.

Stops and On Board

In Munich the bus calls at the central bus station (ZOB), Fröttmaning and Munich East Messestadt Ost. In Innsbruck it stops at Südbahnstraße and Olympiaworld, a short walk from the main station. On board you get free WiFi, power outlets, toilets and one carry-on plus one checked bag. Digital tickets work from your phone, and booking early saves money.

The bus shares the motorway with the cars, so winter snow and weekend traffic decide the arrival time more than the timetable does.

Two Routes

The motorway follows the Inn valley via Kufstein and is the quicker drive. The road via Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Mittenwald is the scenic one, and in winter it may need snow chains. Before you cross the border, check what Austrian motorways require from foreign cars, since the German side gives no reminder.

In Innsbruck, park once and walk. The Old Town is compact, and the Bergisel car park charges EUR 4.00 for 90 minutes or EUR 21.00 for the day if you visit the ski jump.

Munich Airport or Innsbruck Airport

The table compares the two airports for a trip to Innsbruck, using the Tyrol tourist board and the Innsbruck airport bus details.

Plan the First Evening

A landing in Munich after midday leaves little of the day in Innsbruck. Arrive, check in and keep the sights for the morning. Bus line F links the main station and city centre with Innsbruck airport in around 20 minutes, which helps for the flight home if you fly out of Innsbruck instead.

A Day Plan From the Station

The plan assumes an early direct train and a return in the evening. Tour times and prices come from the tour listings.

Other Afternoons

On a cloudy day swap the mountain for Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens. The Swarovski Crystal Worlds Ticket and Shuttle from Innsbruck costs $38 per person and is rated 4.6 from 837 reviews. With a second day, the Innsbruck Card bundles entry to 22 museums and attractions, one ascent and descent to the Top of Innsbruck, public transport and the Wattens shuttle.

From the top station the Karwendelblick viewpoint looks over Austria's largest nature park. That view is the reason most day-trippers come.

The Short List

The Old Town holds the Golden Roof and the Hofburg, 3 minutes apart. The Nordkette rises straight above the city, with the Top of Innsbruck restaurant at 2,256 m. The Bergisel ski jump and the Hofburg are both in the Innsbruck Card's list of 22 museums and attractions, as is Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens.

For a guided start, the Per Pedes Welcome Tour of Innsbruck Old Town covers the lanes in 1 hour. To stay beyond a day, the Small-Group Neuschwanstein Day Trip from Innsbruck runs 6-8 hours at $238.71 per person, and Tandem Paragliding in the Stubai Valley is $142.09 plus the cable car ride up, €15, paid on site.