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Overview: car trip from Zurich to Munich
When mapping out your European vacation, adding a road trip from Zurich to Munich is an excellent way to see the beauty of the northern Alpine region. Zurich and Munich both sit right on the edge of the Alps, with vast stretches of farmland, large lakes, and rolling hills. They have a shared identity through the German language, food, and the Alpine lifestyle, but have their unique qualities as well.
This transfer requires 3.5 hours of driving, making it the perfect distance for one of two stops to castles that inspire fairytales and UNESCO-recognized cities frozen in time, such as St. Gallen. Their old-world charm makes for an interesting contrast when you arrive in Munich, a city known for its modern style.
About Munich
After exchanging your Swiss Francs for euros, it’s time to go to Germany! Learning the context surrounding Bavaria before you make your Zurich to Munich transfer will help you get the most out of your vacation.
### Munich is distinctly Bavarian
In southern Germany, the Free State of Bavaria has a distinct identity from the rest of the German-speaking regions in Europe. Their accent is usually the first hint that someone is from Bavaria, as well as their tendency to be Catholic, unlike the rest of Germany’s Protestant (specifically, Lutheran) religious leanings. Munich is the capital of Bavaria and was founded by monks in the 8th century, giving it the name Munchen, or “to the monks.” It moved in and out of broader European empires for centuries but still retains its distinct Bavarian identity.
### Munich is for makers
Munich is a hub for scientific and technological innovation. Famous brands and products like BMW, the MP3 player, modeling clay, and self-driving cars all got their start in Munich. Bavaria also boasts a long-held tradition of brewing beers that are exported all over the world for their rich, bodied flavor. There are 60 beer gardens in Munich for you to kick back and sample local brews. Some beers may even be as local as your own street, as Munich has 6 major breweries.
### Munich is modern
Much of Munich was leveled during WWII and as a result, the Munich of today looks much more modern that other cities in Switzerland and Germany. The original city layout was preserved as much as possible while still accommodating modern traffic patterns. Today it is home to 6 million people and is one of the most upscale areas in Germany to live and work.
From Zurich to Munich: travel tips
Before putting the final details on your Zurich to Munich transfer, do these three things!
Purchase tickets for Munich’s attractions now
If any of Munich’s popular attractions are on your list of must-sees, pre-order your tickets. This ensures you won’t be waiting in line during your valuable vacation time!
### Double-check your Oktoberfest dates
Although the name suggests otherwise, Oktoberfest occurs mostly in September. Weekends bring crowds and surges in hotel prices, so if you can make your visit on a weekday, go for it!
### Plan for Sunday slowdowns
Switzerland and Germany both have labor protections for retail workers on Sundays. If your Zurich to Munich transfer is scheduled for a Sunday, expect most grocery stores, malls, and retail shops to be closed. However, restaurants, cafes, and bars are usually open on Sundays.
How to get from Zurich to Munich
The route from Zurich to Munich is well traveled and you have plenty of options from which to choose. The hardest part is deciding which mode of transportation fits your schedule and expectations the best! We’ve laid out below the best direct travel options and their prices.
### Private drivers from Zurich to Munich
Driving is the fastest way to travel from Zurich to Munich and has the added benefit of being able to customize your journey. Leave on your own schedule and skip the logistics of finding a taxi or bus to the train station. The drive takes 3.5 hours and Daytrip is the simplest way to plan out both your transfer and any planned stops along the route.
Your Daytrip driver will escort you from your address in Zurich across the plains of southern Germany to Munich. Along the way, you have the opportunity to visit lakeside towns with colorful buildings, such as Lindau Island and Landsberg am Lech. These spots are perfect for vacation photos before picking out a restaurant for lunch.
After a day of sightseeing and traveling, you’ll be glad to get right to your address in Munich without needing to first learn the S-bahn and U-bahn systems or haul luggage all over the city. Daytrip makes traveling easy, starting at just $108 (€100) per seat.
### Buses from Zurich to Munich
Flixbus operates more than 10 direct buses per day between Zurich and Munich. The journey lasts from 4 to 5.5 hours, and tickets are between $23 to $45 (€21-€42). Tickets need to be bought ahead of time online and include one piece of luggage.
### Trains from Zurich to Munich
SBB is Switzerland’s national rail service. They have direct high-speed trains every day from Zurich to Munich. Trains leave every 2 hours from 7:33 AM to 7:33 PM, and the trip takes 3 hours and 31 minutes. Tickets start at $88 (€81), and there are no night train options, given the short travel distance.
### Flights from Zurich to Munich
SWISS and Lufthansa operate daily nonstop flights from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Munich International Airport (MUC). If you purchase your tickets at least a month ahead of time, economy class tickets are as low as $224 (€207).
Flight time is 55 minutes, but when you add up the time spent in security and the transportation to and from the city centers, this journey takes 4 to 5 hours.
Things to do when you get to Munich
Although Oktoberfest is the most popular annual event, Munich has so much more to offer visitors year-round. Visit world-class museums and enjoy family-friendly activities no matter what time of year you travel from Zurich to Munich. If you are visiting during weekends in the summer or around Oktoberfest, check online about pre-ordering tickets for tours that are a must on your itinerary!
### The BMW Museum and BMW World
Are you a total gearhead? Tour the BMW Museum and BMW World! See the birth and evolution of BMW into a world-renowned brand at the BMW Museum, then head over to BMW World to see the latest models from BMW, Rolls-Royce, and MINI.
### FC Bayern’s Allianz Arena
Come see the home of FC Bayern, Germany’s most successful football (soccer) club in sports history. The Allianz Arena tour takes you through the team’s rise to fame and the building of the arena for the 2006 World Cup.
### The Deutsches Museum Munich
Easily one of the largest science museums in the world, the Deutsches Museum in Munich has something for everyone. Journey through the evolution of aviation, human health, math, chemistry, space exploration, IT, and more! This family-friendly museum has hours of entertainment value and makes for a great rainy day activity. You may even have to come back a second day to see all of the exhibits.
### The Englischer Garten (English Garden)
Munich may be known for its highly technical industries and modern infrastructure, but it also has one of the largest urban parks in the world. The Englischer Garten has over 900 acres of scenic walking paths, streams and lakes, beer gardens, playgrounds, and sports fields. It is even larger than New York City’s Central Park!
Bring your bathing suit and surf on the Eisbachwelle (a man-made river wave), go rafting, or sunbathe along the river banks. After such an exciting day, take a break and savor one of Munich’s many locally brewed beers at the Chinese Tower beer garden.
When is the best time to visit Munich
Bavaria looks its best in the autumn. The night air is crisp, leaves are turning warm, vibrant shades, and everyone looks forward to Oktoberfest. Munich hosts the largest Oktoberfest in the world and for three weeks the entire city bursts into celebration as visitors stream in from around the world. If you’re going to make a trip from Zurich to Munich, this is the perfect time.
Oktoberfest is the Bavarian celebration of the harvest season with traditional food, folk music, and free-flowing beer. Participants dress up in a traditional dirndl or lederhosen and fuel their folk dancing with plenty of local beer.
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Verified reviews from 1,154 travelers who booked this route
Dec 23, 2024
"I personally loved the services provided by Daytrip. It was extremely convenient, from booking to the actual travel experience. I was initially concerned about using the train because I was traveling with an elderly family member, but the private car rental with a driver made it so much easier—especially with all the luggage we had.
Mihai was wonderful! He was knowledgeable, quick to solve any issues, and communicated in English very well. He drove smoothly and safely, which made the journey even more enjoyable.
Overall, we had a fantastic trip. We’ll definitely book with Daytrip and Mihai again in the future!"
Nutthida T.
United Kingdom
Aug 7, 2024
"Khatib was the best. He went above and beyond - he stepped up talking to people in German as he knows we dont speak German when we encounter an issue where to be dropped off ti get our car rental. It might be the most common thing to do but we appreciated him as he never left us and drop us off where the plan was - he made sure we are ok and being taken cared of before he left.
"
Bonita N.
United States
Jun 28, 2024
"Igor is the driver with all the positive attributes.Courteous,helpfull,knowledgeable,patien and most important,very careful.He makes our trip most memorable and joyful!
"
Bee See L.
Singapore
Dec 31, 2023
"The trip was nice. He was timely and we arrived at our desired location on time as well. He made several recommendations to our journey and the locations were certainly very nice. Overall, he was very professional, helpful and certainly flexible. I would recommend Darko to other travellers as well. "
Patrick E.
Malaysia
Dec 9, 2023
"Our trip was at short notice but we certainly appreciated the ease of booking and the quick confirmation once a driver was found. Your communication is fantastic. Our driver was prompt, courteous and very helpful and made the experience a pleasure.
Thanks for being there for travellers like us! We love your service."
Greg W.
Australia
Jun 26, 2023
"Catuna was a very kind person, timely on picking us up in Zurich, waiting for us while we toured Neuschwanstein Castle, and even gave us some tips on where to eat near our hotel in Munich. No complaints, great person for your company!"
Dominique B.
United States
Oct 15, 2022
"Tomas and Lucian are good drivers. They made sure that we are enjoying our stay and travel. I can recommend both next time."
Mary F.
United States
Oct 15, 2022
"Tomas and Lucian are good drivers. They made sure that we are enjoying our stay and travel. I can recommend both next time."
Mary F.
United States
Oct 3, 2022
"The trip could not have been better. We had an early pickup so Martin said he would be quiet and we could catch a nap. He found a good place to stop mid-trip for coffee and a toilet. He helped with luggage on both sides of the trip, arrived early for the pickup, and dropped us off directly in front of our new hotel. Martin's driving was safe and quick. His service could not have been better."
Jack B.
United States
Sep 16, 2022
"Rezgar is very pleasant and warm. He was patient in answering my questions and enquired about my needing a stop or toilet break. He offered water bottle and charger in the car. He has vast knowledge about the geographic areas , that we passed through. He offered me coffee and Croissant showing his awareness that I just had a long flight from Asia to Europe . Rezgar is a great addition to your growing team at Day Trip. I would engage Daytrip again.
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Sirish K.
Singapore
Sep 9, 2022
"It was a great trip. Our driver was punctual and very helpful. The side trip to the bmw was an absolute plus. He called the museum for us and inquired about tickets. Overall we were glad we took that trip with you!"
Marie B.
Philippines
Aug 11, 2022
"Everything is great. I rate you 5 stars and I already recommended you to a friend and they have booked 👌🏼
"
Saad A.
Qatar
Jul 11, 2022
"Mito was fantastic, we greatly appreciated his kindness, and was also very helpful and .
knowledgeable on the area. Thank you for returning my water bottle Mito, if we are back in the area we will reach out again. Five Starts without question. Shelly"
shelly Z.
United States
Apr 5, 2022
"Bogdan, or as we called him Bobby, was excellent. He was by far our favorite driver that we had from DayTrip.
Thank you,
Gwen"
Gwen L.
United States
Oct 26, 2021
"We had a very good experience. Michael was friendly and very responsible. We are happy to recommend him and your company for this type of trips.
Thank you
Lavinia"
Lavinia C.
Puerto Rico
Dec 31, 2019
"Great day with a very competent driver. We felt very safe with him.
He was helpful and talked about things of interest.
Thank you! 5 out of 5."
Elaine V.
New Zealand
Sep 11, 2019
"Our trip with Peter from Zurich to Munich was great! He was on time, polite, friendly, and very helpful. He had a nice and clean car. Drove very well. We enjoyed being able to enjoy the drive and countryside on our holiday. "
Jennifer S.
United States
Sep 10, 2019
"Your driver was fantastic. He was professional, courteous, helpful. kind, and friendly. I would absolutely recommend him to any and all of your customers.
Regards,
Glenn"
Glenn H.
United States
Sep 5, 2019
"
We had a wonderful trip with Kai from Zurich to Munich.
He was gracious, and considerate. Plus he gave us lots of knowledge about the area we were passing through.
A wonderful driver - we felt complete safe with him driving us on this 4 hour trip.
"
Harriet M.
Apr 11, 2019
"Our trip with Ondrej was great! We was on time, flexible and made sure we got into our hotel ok when he dropped us off in Munich. He had waters in his car for us, Kleenex and overall seemed very prepared! We would definitely use daytrip services again and recommend you to a friend!"
Jessica M.
United States
Questions & Answers about Traveling from Zurich to Munich
Yes. Oktoberfest has many food and beer stalls that only accept cash. In the city center, you’ll find many smaller shops that also do not accept credit or debit cards. Germany uses the euro, so before leaving Zurich, get your cash exchanged.
For a no-fuss transfer, hire a private driver. Get picked up right from your address in Zurich and go directly to your accommodation in Munich without needing to purchase multiple tickets, find taxis, or navigate unfamiliar streets. Daytrip makes organizing your transfer a breeze with our online booking system.
Yes, but the castles and mountains will whizz right by your window! If you want scenic landscapes for vacation photos, hire a private driver to customize your journey and allow for stops along the way. Daytrip has plenty of hand-selected stops for that idyllic Alpine backdrop.
Yes, children are welcome at Oktoberfest, and plenty of families will be at the events alongside you! On the busiest days, you may need to leave your stroller in the luggage area for $3.25 (€3). Come with a back-up plan to carry your child if your stroller won’t be allowed in.
Three to four days should be enough to see everything on your bucket list. For any must-do activities that require tickets, we recommend purchasing in advance to avoid waiting outside in long lines. Munich is a major city, and you’ll find activities for the whole family.
If speed is your highest concern, a door-to-door transfer with a private driver is your best bet. This takes the guesswork out of finding train platforms, hiring taxis, and maneuvering through foreign public transit once you arrive in Munich. The drive takes 3 hours and 30 minutes.
Visit these sights on the way
St. Gallen
Its UNESCO listed Abbey houses over 170,000 documents, and a rococo interior that rivals the beauty of the medieval old town. The Beauty of Books
Lindau Island
At just 0.68 square kilometres, Lindau Island is perfect for exploring on foot while you discover the endless amounts of history lining its narrow streets. Alpine Island
Memmingen
Dating back to the Roman Empire, this historic and cozy town remains one of the best-preserved areas in southern Germany. Southern Charm
Neuschwanstein Castle in Fussen
Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria is everyone’s fantasy castle. It’s the fairytale image that springs to mind at the mention of the word ‘castle’. Disney without the mouse
Landsberg am Lech
Twelfth Century Bavarian ruler Henry the Lion put his paw down at the spot where the fast-flowing River Lech could be forded and Landsberg sprang up A charming historic river town
Dachau Memorial
In its ravenous twelve year existence, Germany's first concentration camp swallowed over 200,000 people from all over Europe. The Model for Nazi Concentration Camps
