Munich Hbf–Garmisch-Partenkirchen railway, railway line in Germany
The Munich Hbf–Garmisch-Partenkirchen railway is a train line roughly 101 kilometers long that runs from Bavaria's capital south into the alpine region. It passes through three districts and stops at five major stations including Starnberg and Murnau, with smaller stops at towns and villages along the way.
The line opened on May 21, 1854 and is one of Germany's oldest railway routes. It was electrified in the 1920s, which made trains faster and more reliable, and was upgraded again in 1936 before the Winter Olympics.
The railway connects Munich with the alpine region and shapes how the mountain towns see themselves as destinations for visitors and commuters. The line has become part of the local rhythm, marking winter holidays, hiking season, and the flow of daily travel.
Electric trains travel at speeds up to 140 kilometers per hour using overhead wires for power, making the journey comfortable and efficient. The ride from Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen takes roughly two hours and offers views of farmland, forests, and mountain scenery throughout.
A notable feature is the separate Zugspitze railway station in Garmisch, operating since 1929, which runs a narrow-gauge cog railway to Germany's highest mountain. This historic mountain railway shares the site and takes visitors on a scenic climb with changing views at every turn.
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