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Germany itineraries
A first trip through Germany pairs two very different cities. Berlin is a large, flat capital where most of the sights are about the twentieth century and the Wall. Munich is smaller and more traditional, with palaces, museums and beer gardens, and the Alps within a day trip.
- 2 cities
- 5 and 7 days
Data checked on October 7, 2026
Choose the length of the trip
The route starts in Berlin and ends in Munich, so you never backtrack. Both cities have an international airport, which makes an open-jaw ticket easy: fly into Berlin, fly home from Munich, and the long leg between them is done by train.
Trains between the cities
The ICE trains of Deutsche Bahn run directly between Berlin Hbf and München Hbf, many times a day, and the journey takes around four hours from centre to centre. Seat reservations are optional on ICE trains, though they are worth adding on Fridays, Sundays and holiday periods. Booking a few weeks ahead gives more choice of fares and seats.
| From | To | Fastest direct train | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| BerlinBerlin Hbf | MunichMünchen Hbf | 4 h 06 | Deutsche Bahn (ICE) |
When to go
May, June and September suit both cities, with mild days and long light. Early October is also good, but Munich is busy while Oktoberfest runs, so hotels there need booking early.
Before you go
- Book Berlin and Munich as an open-jaw flight so the train replaces a return trip to the first airport.
- Take a morning train between the cities, so the day is spent in the second city and not on the platform.
- Buy the train ticket in the Deutsche Bahn app and keep it on your phone, and carry a photo ID, which can be asked for on board.
- Both main stations are in the centre and connect to local metro and S-Bahn lines, so you rarely need a taxi from the platform.
Common questions
Is the train better than flying between Berlin and Munich?
For most visitors, yes. The train runs from one city centre to the other, with no airport transfers and no security queues. A flight is shorter in the air but rarely shorter door to door.
Do I need to reserve a seat on the ICE?
No, a ticket is enough to board, and you can sit in any free seat. A reservation guarantees a seat and is worth having on busy days, such as Friday afternoons and Sundays.
Which airports should I use for this route?
Fly into Berlin and out of Munich, or the reverse if the fares are better. Both airports have rail links to their city centres, so the first and last days stay simple.