Nuremberg to Munich

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 4 min read

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Nuremberg and Munich are both Bavarian cities — though few who know them well would say they have much else in common. The journey between them is just under 170 km, and the ICE covers it in around one hour, making this one of the fastest and most frequent intercity rail hops in Germany. If you are visiting both cities on a Bavarian trip, getting between them is the least of your logistical concerns.

The train: ICE in about 1 hour

DB's ICE services run from Nuremberg Hauptbahnhof to Munich Hauptbahnhof in around 58 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes — trains departing regularly, often several times per hour at peak times. The route runs on the high-speed line completed in 2006, which transformed a journey that once took nearly two hours into one of Germany's most efficient city hops.

Both stations are central and well-connected to urban transit. Nuremberg Hbf sits at the edge of the old town, close to the city's medieval walls and the Kaiserburg castle. Munich Hbf is a major European rail hub with connections to destinations across Bavaria and beyond.

Advance Sparpreis fares on this short route can be very affordable indeed. No seat reservation is required on German domestic ICE services, though on busy services — particularly during Oktoberfest season, the Christmas market period (both cities have famous ones), and summer weekends — reserving a seat for a small fee is worthwhile. Interrail and Eurail passes are valid without any supplement. See our Germany by train guide for booking tips.

The coach: notably slower

FlixBus and other coach operators run services between Nuremberg and Munich, with journey times of roughly 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes — more than twice the train, even without traffic. Coach fares booked well ahead can be cheaper, but the time cost is significant given how fast and frequent the ICE is. The coach makes most sense for travellers on very tight budgets who have time flexibility. See our FlixBus guide for what to expect.

Driving

The motorway route via the A9 autobahn is roughly 165–170 km. In clear conditions, the drive takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes. The A9 between Nuremberg and Munich is generally well-maintained, though the Munich ring road approach and the Nuremberg urban area can both delay you at peak hours. Parking in central Munich is notoriously difficult and expensive.

Driving makes sense if you need a car at your destination for onwards travel in Bavaria — perhaps towards Berchtesgaden, the Alps, or Lake Starnberg. For a simple city-to-city trip, the train is faster door-to-door.

No meaningful flight option

There is no scheduled domestic flight between Nuremberg and Munich, and none is needed — the ICE covers the route in an hour. Munich Airport (MUC) is linked to Nuremberg by train via Munich Hbf, but there is no point flying when the direct rail journey takes one hour city centre to city centre.

What to allow time for in Nuremberg

Nuremberg is a city that rewards a proper visit rather than a hasty transit. The medieval centre, enclosed within 5 km of well-preserved walls, contains the Imperial Castle (Kaiserburg), the magnificent Germanisches Nationalmuseum (the largest museum of German culture in the world), and the Hauptmarkt square where Germany's most famous Christmas market fills the city from late November through Christmas Eve. The city also has an important and sobering relationship with Nazi-era history — the Nazi Party Rally Grounds (Reichsparteitagsgelände) and the Palace of Justice where the Nuremberg Trials were held are both accessible by tram or on foot.

Which should you choose?

The ICE train is the right answer for almost every traveller: one hour, frequent departures, both stations central, and fares that are competitive even on flexible tickets given the short distance. Use the coach only if you have time to spare and a strong preference for the lowest possible cost. Drive only if you need a car in Munich or the Alps beyond. For connecting to other Bavarian destinations from Munich, see our guide to high-speed trains in Europe.

Practical tips

• Nuremberg is also an easy day trip from Munich: the one-hour train means you can arrive after breakfast and be back in Munich for dinner.
• During the Nuremberg Christmas market (late November to Christmas Eve), trains fill up with day-trippers from Munich — book an advance ticket and reserve a seat if travelling at that time.
• Munich Hbf is a major hub: from there you can connect directly to Salzburg, Innsbruck, Zurich, Vienna and beyond. If Nuremberg is an en-route stop, check whether a through-ticket or pass covers the whole journey.
• Nuremberg Airport (NUE) has regional rail connections to Nuremberg Hbf (S2 S-Bahn, about 12 minutes) — convenient if you are combining an international flight with an onwards Munich leg.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the ICE take from Nuremberg to Munich?

About 58 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes on the fastest services. Trains run very frequently — several times per hour at peak times.

Is a seat reservation required on the Nuremberg–Munich ICE?

No. German domestic ICE services do not require compulsory reservations. A small optional fee lets you reserve a specific seat, which is worthwhile during peak periods like Oktoberfest or the Christmas market season.

How far is it from Nuremberg to Munich?

About 165–170 km by road. The direct high-speed rail line is slightly shorter and takes around one hour.

Is there a bus from Nuremberg to Munich?

Yes. FlixBus and other operators run coaches taking around 2–2.5 hours, at lower fares than the ICE if booked well ahead. However, the ICE is so fast and frequent that the coach's time penalty is hard to justify unless cost is critical.