Berlin-Munich-London (5 nights) - is Interrail worth it ?

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Hi!

How would you get to Germany? Plane?

If so, your best option would be to get just a regular advance fare ticket Sparpreis for the train from Berlin to München via our affiliate link [ux]https://rail.shop/bahn[/ux] and to buy a Bayern Ticket Single for the day trip from München to Füssen (for Neuschwanstein castle).
The amount of time is enough for a short visit - of course you could spend more time in each place (especially in Berlin) but I think it is ok for a first time visit. :)


Flo 8)

skywayshighways
Traveller
13 comments

Hi Flo!

Thanks so much for your advice, that's great.

I'm getting to Germany by plane. I researched train options but it was actually cheaper by plane - but hopefully I'll still get to experience a long distance train between Berlin and Munich (or vice versa)

If you have any other suggestions please let me know! Thanks :)

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

OK...so if you would travel from Berlin to München using a long distance train (which will most likely be an ICE), it can be a good idea to get on the train one stop before Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Hbf, the central station); this would either be Berlin Spandau or Berlin Gesundbrunnen. Most people heading south are going to join the train at Hbf, so it will be easier to find a good seat if you enter one stop earlier. Of course this only makes sense if you still have a valid ticket for Berlin urban transport and if your accomodation is not too far away from these two stations. But dont worry, unless you are travelling on Friday/Sunday afternoon you will find a seat also if you join the train at Hbf. ;)

You could also check for 1st class advance fares - often these are not much more expensive than a ticket for 2nd class, depending on the connection you choose.

skywayshighways
Traveller
13 comments

That's great insider advice, thanks so much Flo. I'll be sure to remember that when I travel from Berlin!

Do you know what the public transport systems are like in and around Munich?

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

You're welcome. However I just thought about that you might get on the train at Hbf anyway since the station building itself is really worth seeing...if you get a ticket for public transportation in Berlin you should also think about taking bus 100 (double decker bus) for a free tour along many of the important sights of the city as well as travelling along the Stadtbahn with the S-Bahn (suburban rail) from Ostbahnhof to Zoologischer Garten, which will also take you along many of the sights of the city.

Public transport in Munich is very good as well! Keep in mind that if you purchase Bayern Ticket Single for your trip to Füssen/Neuschwanstein that it also includes public transport in Munich so you wont need an extra ticket for buses/trams/metro that day and should also be valid for the bus from Füssen station to Neuschwanstein. It is available online at our affiliate link of Deutsche Bahn at [ux]https://rail.shop/bahn[/ux] (enter München to Füssen and a return trip, then you have to select a departure from Munich (after 0900 on weekdays) and a return from Füssen to be able to buy it) or at ticket machines for instance at Munich Hbf (central station) or other S-Bahn stations.

skywayshighways
Traveller
13 comments

Thanks Flo! Great advice that I will certainly be taking up.

So I've booked my tickets to Germany now (woopwoop!) - the plans have changed a bit and now I am actually going from London to Munich, to Berlin, then back to London. The journeys to and from London will be by plane. Spending 2 nights and a full day in Munich, and 3 nights in Berlin. I'm taking an overnight train from Munich to Berlin.

Now I'm just deciding on whether it is worth me buying an Interrail one country pass for my Germany trip. As mentioned previously, I'll be taking an overnight train from Munich to Berlin, and also factoring local travel within Munich and Berlin for my 6 nights in total.

Do you think it is worth me buying a one country Interrail pass for my Germany trip? I qualify for a youth pass.

Thanks for any help!

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

InterRail OC Germany Youth 3 Days: 147€ [u]https://rail.cc/en/interrail-pass-germany[/u]
Munich - Berlin night train reservation: from 17,50€ [u]https://rail.cc/en/interrail-night-train/munich-berlin-cnl1246/29[/u]
Since you need only one travel day for the München - Berlin overnight trip (using the 1900 rule for night trains) you can spend the two remaining days on day trips around München/Berlin as well as for rides on S-Bahn services within the city (not U-Bahn, bus or tram); in both cities S-Bahn (suburban rail) services are quite handy to explore the city, similar to U-Bahn (underground).

If you go with single tickets instead, you will need:
Bayern Ticket single for day trip to Füssen/Neuschwanstein: 23€
München - Berlin night train: price depends on how much in advanc you book as well as on the day of the week, check on [u]https://rail.shop/bahn;[/u] fares for 16th October start at 81€.
Day passes for local transport including S-Bahn, U-Bahn, bus and tram cost around 6-7€

skywayshighways
Traveller
13 comments

Thanks again Flo! You're so kind :)

I did a similar breakdown yesterday and figured out that it's cheaper for me to buy single tickets rather than the Interrail pass. Also the Berlin WelcomeCard seems very good value for money if I can get one which covers a 72 hour trip as well as entry to museums.

So, I think I will be going for the single tickets! I will buy the overnight Munich to Berlin ticket through railcc of course.

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Yeah, I also think that you will be better off using a single ticket for the night train plus day passes for public transport. For a good night's sleep I recommend to book at least a couchette; I recommend to book your ticket to the last stop in Berlin, Lichtenberg, that would give you an extra half hour to get up in the morning...you could then of course get off the train at another station as well, depending on where your accomodation will be - the ticket price will remain the same. Similarly, you could also book the ticket from München Ostbahnhof, which would get you another extra half hour on board the train. Thanks for supporting! :)

skywayshighways
Traveller
13 comments

Thanks flo! :)

One last question. I'm a solo traveller, looking for a cheap deal but also a bit of comfort on the way hey! Do you know whether I can book a single bed in an economy double cabin sleeper - and the other bed in the cabin will not be taken?

I hope this makes sense....

skywayshighways
Traveller
13 comments

Oops, sorry that wasn't clear at all - I'm referring to the City Night Line from Munich to Berlin. Thanks!

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

If you want a cabin for single occupancy you will have to book a Single. If you book a single bed in a Double cabin, the other bed may be sold to another (female) traveller with whom you would then have to share the cabin.

BTW, wait with booking until tomorrow, there will be a new contingent of cheap offers for CNL trains made available, maybe you are lucky and this also affects your train on the day you want to travel.

skywayshighways
Traveller
13 comments

Ohh thanks for sharing that! I will wait until tomorrow then. :)

I don't mind sharing with another traveller as long as they are also female. I just saw a video of a sleeper cabin with the windows and thought, that is totally worth the extra expense!

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

Was it this video? [u]http://vimeo.com/81756197[/u]

The thing is...normally, the München - Berlin night train has two double deck sleepers, one of them offering Deluxe cabins on the upper floor. The other one has Economy cabins on both floors. When booking online you have no influence whether you will be booked in a upper or lower floor cabin unfortunately - the only way to be sure to get an upper floor cabin would be to get a Deluxe cabin.
On top of this mess, DB is about to withdraw all double decker sleepers by the timetable change in December the latest but there have been already frequent reports that trains which still should convey double decker sleepers are already equipped with the standard single deck sleepers.
While the booking system still suggests that there are double deckers available on this particular night train (you can tell that since there are no 3bed cabins available which are only offered on single deck sleepers) there is still a chance that a regular sleeper runs as replacement.

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

I just checked...Berlin - München in the reclining seats is already available for 39€ (the cheapest fare that has been announced) so you could already book if you want.

skywayshighways
Traveller
13 comments

Ah, wonderful! It's a direct train too. Thanks so so much Flo, you have saved me quite a bit of money...!

Flo
Traveller
10724 comments

I hope you'll have a nice trip! :)

skywayshighways
Traveller
13 comments

Thank you - I'm very excited! It's all booked now. I can't thank you enough :)