ICE Sprinter: Berlin to Munich in 3 Hours 15 Minutes
Deutsche Bahn has introduced a new ICE Sprinter timetable on the Berlin–Munich corridor, shaving travel time down to 3 hours 15 minutes on select departures. This makes the train a genuine competitor to flying on one of Germany’s busiest routes.
How the ICE Sprinter Works
The Sprinter designation means fewer stops. Unlike standard ICE services that call at Erfurt and Nuremberg, the new Sprinter trains stop at only one intermediate station (Nuremberg Hbf) before reaching Munich.
- Train type: ICE 4 (high-speed, double-deck)
- Top speed: 300 km/h
- Route: Berlin Hbf → Nuremberg Hbf → Munich Hbf
Schedule (Selected Departures)
| Departs Berlin | Arrives Munich | Journey Time |
|---|---|---|
| 06:02 | 09:17 | 3h 15min |
| 09:02 | 12:17 | 3h 15min |
| 14:02 | 17:17 | 3h 15min |
| 17:02 | 20:17 | 3h 15min |
Return services from Munich depart at 07:43, 11:43, 15:43, and 18:43.
Ticket Prices
- Sparpreis (advance purchase): from €29.90 in 2nd class
- Sparpreis Aktion (sale fares): from €19.90 when booked well in advance
- Flexpreis (fully flexible): from €139 in 2nd class
- BahnCard 25 discount applies to all fares — reduces Flexpreis to ~€104
Tips for Getting the Best Fare
- Book at least 6–8 weeks ahead for the lowest Sparpreis fares
- Travel Tuesday to Thursday for cheaper flexible tickets
- Use the DB Navigator app — app-exclusive deals appear regularly
- If you hold a Deutschlandticket, consider buying just an ICE supplement (Aufpreis) where available on certain routes
Berlin–Munich by Train vs. Flight
At 3h15min door-to-door from city centre to city centre, the ICE Sprinter is faster than flying when you factor in airport check-in and transit times. The train also deposits you at Munich Hbf in the city centre, not at the airport 40 minutes outside town.