A standard one-way train ticket from Munich to Salzburg often costs over €30. The Bayern Ticket costs €34 for the entire day.
If you are planning to leave Munich for even a single-day trip, buying standard point-to-point tickets is likely a mistake. Whether you are a solo traveler or a group of five, the Bayern Ticket (Bavaria Ticket) remains the most cost-effective way to unlock the region.
It covers virtually all regional transport, allowing you to hop from Neuschwanstein to the Alps without worrying about zones or schedules. However, there are strict rules you must follow to avoid fines. Here is everything you need to know to use it correctly.
Table of Contents
The Fundamentals: Price, Validity, and Key Differences
Bayern Ticket Price Structure
These are the prices for the Bayern Ticket as of 2025:
| Ticket Variations | 1 Person | 2 People | 3 People | 4 People | 5 People |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bayern-Ticket 2nd Class | 34,00 € | 44,00 € | 54,00 € | 64,00 € | 74,00 € |
| Bayern-Ticket 1st Class | 46,50 € | 68,50 € | 90,50 € | 112,50 € | 134,50 € |
| Bayern-Ticket Night 2nd Class | 32,00 € | 39,00 € | 46,00 € | 53,00 € | 60,00 € |
| Bayern-Ticket Night 1st Class | 43,50 € | 61,50 € | 79,50 € | 97,50 € | 115,50 € |
Is the Bayern Ticket Worth it for Solo Travelers?
Depending on your travel style, the Bayern Ticket can be quite valuable. Travelers who plan and book rail travel ahead of time will likely save more money without the special ticket. For solo travelers looking to keep plans more fluid, the Bayern Ticket can support that.
But as always, the specific travel scenario — that is, how much you plan to travel — is a key piece of whether that Bayern Ticket is worth it. For example, a single one-way ticket from Munich to Salzburg is often more than 30€. The Bayern Ticket is 34€ (2025 price) for the whole day. Even for a solo traveler, a simple round trip to Salzburg saves you more than 50%.
Bayern Ticket Second Class vs First Class
For regional local travel in Germany, there’s only a minor difference between first and second class. While the faster long-distance trains like the ICE have plush first-class cars with extra amenities, the first-class section of regional trains is similar to second class. Local trains like the U-Bahn and S-Bahn rarely offer a meaningful difference between classes.
The benefits of splurging for first class with the Bayern Ticket are that it likely ensures a quieter ride in a less crowded car.
Bayern Ticket Validity Times: When Can You Travel?
One key component of the Bayern Ticket is that travel is limited to a specific window. Holders of the ticket can use as much local transit as they wish in a single day on weekdays from 9 am until 3 am the following day and on weekends and holidays from midnight until 3 am the following day.
For those traveling in the evening, there’s the Bayern Ticket Nacht. On Sundays through Thursdays, the ticket is valid from 6 pm until 6 am the following day. On Fridays, Saturdays, and holidays, it’s valid from 6 pm until 7 am the following day.
Comparison: Bayern Ticket vs. Deutschland Ticket (D-Ticket)
When compared to the Deutschland Ticket, the value of the Bayern Ticket comes into question. But there are a few scenarios where the Bayern Ticket is definitely the winner.
- If you’re only spending a few days in Bavaria but want to take a longer day trip, splurging on the D-Ticket may not make sense.
- If you’re traveling in a large group, it may not make sense for every person to purchase the D-Ticket when the Bayern Ticket can accommodate up to five people.
- If you’re worried about having to cancel the Deutschland Ticket, the Bayern Ticket can offer some peace of mind.
How to Buy and Use the Bayern Ticket
In principle, buying and using the Bayern Ticket is largely the same as any ticket for regional travel in Germany. However, there are a few nuances.
How to Buy the Bayern Ticket
There are three ways to buy a Bayern Ticket: online, from a ticket machine, or at a ticket office.
Tickets can be purchased online from Deutsche Bahn or from regional Bavarian rail companies like Bayerische Regiobahn (BRB) or Münchner Verkehrsgesellschaft (MVG).
Alternatively, tickets can be purchased from one of the ticket machines at train stations.
For tickets purchased in person at a ticket office, there is a €2 surcharge.
Usage and Rules: Must-Know Information
- Fines: Avoid fines by having a valid ticket. Part of a valid ticket is ensuring that the names of all passengers are on the ticket. For tickets purchased at a machine, handwrite the names on the back of the ticket. Online tickets require names to be provided at the time of purchase. DB requires names on the tickets to cut down on sharing or reselling.
Add names immediately upon purchase so you don’t forget. If a conductor checks your ticket and the names are blank, they may technically consider it invalid, even if you offer to write them in right there.
- What you CAN’T use it for: The Bayern Ticket is not valid on ICE and IC trains. It is only valid on regional transit: RE, RB, S-Bahn, U-Bahn, trams, and almost all scheduled buses. The ticket is also valid on select routes between Bavaria and Austria.
Special Passenger Rules
For families, the ticket can offer extra value. While children under 6 are always free, the Bayern Ticket includes up to three children ages 6-14 for free.
Dogs can also be included for free, depending on the size. Small dogs that fit in a carrier are included free of charge. Larger dogs count as a person and are ticketed as such. For example, if you and your large dog are travelling, you’ll need the Bayern Ticket for two people. Simply write “Hund,” German for dog, as the second passenger on the ticket.
Best Day Trips from Munich
Now that you’ve got the Bayern Ticket in hand, explore Bavaria with some great day trips from Munich!
The Iconic Trip: Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle is the classic must-see travel destination in all of Bavaria (and maybe all of Germany!). But getting there with public transit is not the most direct. Using the Bayern Ticket to reach Neuschwanstein, simply take a local train to Füssen, then hop on one of the buses heading to “Hohenschwangau Neuschwanstein Castles, Schwangau.”
The International Destination: Salzburg, Austria
One of the sweet spots of the Bayern Ticket is that, although it doesn’t allow for travel in a foreign country, it allows for travel to nearby Austrian destinations: Salzburg Hauptbahnhof and Kufstein.
With the ticket, you can easily take a day trip from Munich or elsewhere in Bavaria to Salzburg to indulge in the City of Music. Tour the city’s historic old city or reenact scenes from The Sound of Music.
The Top of Germany: Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the Zugspitze
Visiting Germany’s highest peak, the Zugspitze, is a highlight of any trip to Bavaria. The Bayern Ticket gets you from Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen on the regional train (operated by DB) in about 90 minutes.
Once you arrive in Garmisch, things get a little tricky, so here is the rule:
- The Validity: The Bayern Ticket is valid on the Zugspitze cogwheel train (Bayerische Zugspitzbahn), but only for the “Talstrecke” (Valley Line) between Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Grainau.
- The Limit: The ticket does not cover the actual ascent up the mountain. It is not valid for the cogwheel train section from Grainau to the glacier, nor for the Eibsee-Seilbahn cable car to the summit.
- The Secret Discount: Do not hide your Bayern Ticket! When you buy your mountain railway ticket at the Zugspitze ticket office (either at the Garmisch station or at Eibsee), show them your valid Bayern Ticket. This usually entitles you to a discount (often 10-25%, depending on the season) on the mountain ticket price.
The Local Favorite: Tegernsee
If you want to experience a lake day like a true Municher, head to Tegernsee. The town offers a famous brewery (Bräustüberl Tegernsee), hiking trails, and lake cruises.
Important Note on Trains: This route is not operated by the red Deutsche Bahn trains you might expect. It is operated by the Bayerische Regiobahn (BRB). These trains are blue and white, but rest assured: the Bayern Ticket is fully valid on them. Simply board the train in Munich and enjoy the ride into the Alps.
Quick Tips and FAQs
Can I use the Bayern Ticket from the S-Bahn at the Munich Airport?
Yes, provided you are traveling within the valid hours.
The ticket isn’t valid, however, for the Lufthansa Airport Buses.
Is the Bayern Ticket valid on all buses in Bavaria?
No, there are a limited number of exceptions. While these instances are rare or for private buses, it’s important to check Deutsche Bahn’s website for the latest list of buses not covered by the ticket.
What’s the best time to travel with the Bayern Ticket?
The best strategy is to be at the platform ready to board exactly when the validity window opens (9:00 AM on weekdays, or earlier on weekends). But don’t board a train scheduled for 8:58 AM on a weekday. Conductors are strict, and the ticket is technically invalid until the clock strikes 9:00 AM.
How can I be sure that the train or route I want to take is covered by the Bayern Ticket?
First, ensure that any travel routes are limited to RE, RB, S-Bahn, U-Bahn, and tram services. For bus travel, check Deutsche Bahn’s website for the latest list of buses not covered by the ticket.
You can also check using Deutsche Bahn’s app. Ensure that “Show Fastest Connections” is not selected, so that ICE/IC trains are excluded from the search. If you accidentally board one of those long-distance trains, you will be treated as if you are riding without a valid ticket and will be fined significantly.
The Verdict: Is the Bayern Ticket Worth It?
Whether you are heading deep into the Alps for a hike or just hopping over to Salzburg for a coffee, the Bayern Ticket remains one of the best deals in European travel. It does require a little more flexibility than the high-speed ICE trains, but for the price, it is unbeatable.
Have you used the Bayern Ticket to explore a hidden corner of Bavaria? Let me know in the comments if the savings are worth the slower travel times!
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All photos and opinions are my own.
