Regensburg to Salzburg train

Lying in the southwest of Germany along the Danube River, Regensburg is one of the most picturesque cities in the country, thanks to its well-preserved medieval city center. Regensburg is also one of the oldest towns in Germany, founded by the Romans in 179 AD.

To experience the city's ancient history, place the Old Town at the top of your itinerary. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to over 1,000 monuments and relics dating to the Roman Empire, each surprisingly well-preserved. In the Middle Ages, the Old Town was a fast-growing merchant city that often received goods from China and India, and this transcontinental exchange influenced Regensburg’s culture and architecture.

In contrast to the city's extensive history, Regensburg also has a large student population. The students give the town a modern, laid-back feel, and the many contemporary bars, restaurants, cafes, and shops cater to this younger crowd and visitors alike.

Regensburg is also renowned for its coffee. Coffee-lovers will struggle to walk through the streets without landing in one of the many cafes, each offering a beverage as exciting as the last. Bring a spare bag to take home as much of the hand-crafted German coffee you can carry.

Regensburg is located close to Munich and Nuremberg's international airports. The central train station is also well-connected to the rest of the country and parts of Europe via ICE, IC, and EC trains. Bus carriers including FlixBus and Sindbad operate affordable ground travel to destinations like Prague, Krakow, and Vienna.

Salzburg is located in the north of Austria and might be best known for its stunning landscapes and locations featured in The Sound of Music. Don't worry, there are plenty of organized tours to see the Von Trapps' house, the hills where Maria sings, and more of the film's iconic settings. This cultural and historic city offers many more activities set against the stunning backdrop of churches and castles.

Salzburg Old Town, or Altstadt, is one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites, and it is easy to see why. The beautiful Baroque-style architecture and churches are straight out of a fairytale, while the looming Hohensalzburg Castle and attached museum serve as a reminder of Salzburg's decadent past.

Salzburg was a musically famous city even before The Sound of Music, as it’s known for being the birthplace of Mozart. Music lovers can visit his residence and the locations associated with Mozart's life in Salzburg. In winter, be sure to stay for one of Salzburg's famous Christmas markets. The Christkindlmarkt tradition dates back to the 15-century, with hundreds of stalls offering the finest mulled wine, handmade crafts, and delicious Christmas treats.

Salzburg is well-connected to much of Europe by ground and air travel. Popular train routes to Salzburg travel from Vienna, Berlin, and Cologne. FlixBus provides the most bus routes to Salzburg, with several smaller carriers also serving several routes to cities in Switzerland and beyond. Salzburg Airport provides an alternative way to reach Salzburg, located just 4 kilometers from the city center.