Munich, Würzburg and Berlin: How to Travel Between Them

The short answer

Take the train. Munich to Würzburg to Berlin (or the reverse) is a one-way line across Germany with no backtracking. The fast ICE services run between all three cities. Count on roughly two hours between Munich and Würzburg, and roughly four hours on each of the longer legs to Berlin. Treat those as rough guides and check the current timetable.

Fly only if you are doing Munich and Berlin alone and want to save a few hours. Once you add airport transfers and security, the gap to the train narrows a lot. If you want Würzburg too, the train wins.

Who this is for

This is for first-time visitors planning a two-week trip or a long week that takes in Bavaria, Franconia and the capital. If you have only a few days, drop one city rather than spend half your trip on trains. For general rail and money basics, read our Germany travel tips for first-time visitors.

The three legs compared

Munich to Würzburg

The ICE usually runs north through Nuremberg, and many services are direct. The journey is short enough for a day trip, but you would spend much of the day on a train. Better to stay a night. Nuremberg is the natural change point if you need one, and our Nuremberg guide covers what to do if you want to break the journey there.

Würzburg to Berlin

This is a long ride north-east, with some direct trains and some that need a change. Check the connection on the booking page before you buy, because a tight change with luggage is the main thing that goes wrong. Leave a margin, especially if a later onward booking depends on it.

Munich to Berlin directly

This is the fastest single leg for the two big cities, at around four hours on the quickest ICE. It runs through Nuremberg and Thuringia. It is a good option if you decide to skip Würzburg, but a lot of Franconia then passes by the window.

Other options

• Flying: about an hour and a quarter in the air, but add the airport trips at both ends and early check-in.
• Long-distance bus: usually cheaper, but clearly slower, and traffic can stretch it further.
• Driving: over six hours between Munich and Berlin without traffic. Worth it only if you want the freedom of a car in between. In Munich and Berlin a car is more trouble than help.

A sensible order

1. Munich first: two days is enough for the old town and a day out. See Munich in 2 days.
2. Würzburg in the middle: one night, with an afternoon and evening in the old town. Our Würzburg guide has the sights.
3. Berlin last: three days is a fair minimum. See Berlin in 3 days.

You can run it in the opposite direction with no loss. Choose by flights: arrive where the cheaper international flight lands and leave from the other end.

Helios tours at each stop

Helios tours here are round trips from each city, not transfers between them. You still need your own train for each leg. Fit them around your travel days.

• Munich: the Neuschwanstein and Linderhof day trip is a shared small-group coach tour of up to 15 guests. It leaves Karlsplatz at 08:30 and lasts about 11 hours, so do not book a train out of Munich the same evening. Castle entry tickets are an optional add-on when you book, and lunch is not included. See also our Neuschwanstein visit guide.
• Würzburg: the old town walk with wine on the Old Main Bridge takes about two hours and is a shared small group of up to eight guests. It covers the cathedral, the Falkenhaus and the Lusamgärtchen, then three 0.1-litre Franconian wines on the bridge. It suits an arrival-day afternoon.
• Berlin: the Sachsenhausen Memorial guided visit is a shared small group of up to 15 guests. It meets at Friedrichstraße station at 10:00 and lasts about six hours. Your public transport ticket is not included. It is a heavy day, so do not pack it behind a long train ride. Read our respectful guide to the memorial sites first.

What to check on official sites before you go

We do not print schedules because they change. Check these yourself:

• Deutsche Bahn timetables for your exact date: journey time, whether the train is direct, and any engineering works or strikes.
• Seat reservations: useful on busy days, and check whether your ticket allows changes.
• Regional passes: a Deutschlandticket-style pass generally covers regional trains, not fast ICE services. Confirm what yours covers.
• Berlin transport zones for the Sachsenhausen day, and the memorial's own visitor information.
• Castle tickets and opening days on the official castle booking site if you add them.
• Entry rules: passport and visa requirements for your nationality, from the German government's official pages.

FAQ

Is it worth stopping in Würzburg between Munich and Berlin?

Yes, if you can spare a night. It breaks the journey and gives you a compact old town, the river and Franconian wine. If you only have a day, Würzburg is probably the city to cut.

Is it better to fly or take the train from Munich to Berlin?

The train is usually the easier choice once you count airport time, and it is the only practical way to include Würzburg. Flying makes sense mainly if you are pressed for time and travelling light.

Can I do Würzburg as a day trip from Munich?

It is possible, but you spend a large part of the day travelling. An overnight stay lets you see the old town in the evening light and take the walk at an easy pace.

Do Helios tours link the three cities?

No. Each Helios tour here starts and ends in the same city. Book your own trains between Munich, Würzburg and Berlin.