Overview
The RE 70 is the kind of train that quietly does something rather special: it takes you from the heart of Bavaria's capital and delivers you, without fuss or changes, to the shore of the Bodensee. No high-speed theatrics, no premium branding — just a Regional-Express service that happens to run through some of southern Germany's most varied countryside on its way to Lindau.
This is a journey that rewards patience. München falls away into Oberbayern, the land begins to roll and rise towards Allgäu, and then, somewhere towards the end, the water appears. For a regional train, that is a genuinely satisfying arc to travel.
It is not a scenic railway in the marketed, tourist-brochure sense — it is a working regional link, part of the everyday network run by DB Regio within the Munich and Bodensee-Oberschwaben transport associations. That is precisely its appeal: real trains, real timetables, real Bavarian and Allgäu life passing the window, at a fraction of the fuss of an intercity showcase route.
Key facts
| From | München |
|---|---|
| To | Lindau |
| Operator | Deutsche Bahn AG |
The route: München to Lindau
The RE 70 connects München with Lindau, on the Bodensee, running out through Oberbayern and into the Allgäu before reaching the lake itself. It is one continuous regional service rather than a patchwork of connections, which makes it a straightforward and low-stress way to cover this corridor.
The landscape changes character steadily rather than dramatically. Out of München the scenery is fairly gentle and suburban at first, opening into the broader Bavarian countryside, then into the more undulating, pastoral terrain associated with the Allgäu as the train pushes further south-west. The approach to Lindau brings the payoff: the Bodensee opens up, and the sense of arrival at a genuine lakeside town is hard to miss.
As a journey, it feels unhurried and grounded — this is a train for people who like to watch a region change outside the window in real time, rather than one built for speed.
Timetable and how to book
Services on the RE 70 vary by season, and as with any regional service, frequency and exact departure times should always be checked directly with Deutsche Bahn AG before travelling. Do not rely on assumptions carried over from a previous visit — regional timetables are periodically revised.
Booking is straightforward through the usual Deutsche Bahn channels, and because this is a Regional-Express service operating within the Munich transport association and the Bodensee-Oberschwaben Verkehrsverbund, tickets are generally structured around these regional fare systems rather than long-distance pricing. Again, check current details with the operator rather than guessing.
Fares and classes
As a Regional-Express service, the RE 70 typically offers a simpler split between standard and first class than you would find on a long-distance ICE service. First class, where available, generally means a quieter, less crowded carriage with a bit more space and a calmer atmosphere for the journey — useful if you want to spread out with a book or laptop as the countryside changes outside.
Standard class is perfectly comfortable for this kind of journey and is where most passengers, including locals travelling shorter regional hops, will be seated. Neither class should be thought of as luxurious — this is a practical regional train, not a premium tourist service — but the physical experience of more room and less bustle in first class is the main distinction worth knowing about.
For actual fare levels, always check with Deutsche Bahn AG directly, since regional pricing structures and any applicable regional tickets can change and are tied to the transport associations the route passes through.
Which side to sit for the views
On a journey like this, the best approach is simply to prioritise a window seat rather than fixate on a specific side, since the most memorable scenery — the shift from Bavarian lowland to Allgäu hills to the Bodensee shoreline — reveals itself gradually across the whole journey rather than on one side only.
That said, as you approach Lindau and the lake comes into view, it is worth having settled into a window seat well before arrival, so you are not scrambling for a glimpse as the train pulls in. Early boarding, where seating is unreserved or flexible, is the simplest way to secure this.
Onboard experience
Expect the standard, functional comfort of a modern Regional-Express: panoramic-style windows that make the most of the changing landscape, comfortable if unglamorous seating, and the general calm of a train that is used by a mix of commuters, regional travellers and the occasional visitor heading to the Bodensee.
Catering, where offered, should be treated as a regional-service basic rather than a dining event — check with Deutsche Bahn for what is currently available on board, since this can vary. The real draw here is the view and the steady rhythm of the journey rather than any onboard extras.
Best time of year to travel
This route changes mood with the seasons in a way that is worth planning around. Summer brings long daylight hours that let you watch the full transition from Bavarian countryside to Allgäu hills to the Bodensee shoreline in bright conditions, and Lindau itself is at its most inviting as a lakeside destination.
Winter offers a quieter, starker version of the same landscape, with the Allgäu hills often carrying snow — atmospheric, if you are dressed for a cooler arrival at the lake. Spring and autumn sit between the two, generally offering fewer crowds and a gentler, more contemplative version of the journey. Whichever season you choose, checking seasonal timetable variations with Deutsche Bahn beforehand is sensible, since services do vary through the year.
Onward connections from Lindau
Lindau, sitting on the Bodensee, functions as a natural regional hub, and travellers arriving on the RE 70 will generally find onward connections into the wider Bodensee region and beyond. As with the RE 70 itself, exact onward services, timings and connections should be checked with Deutsche Bahn AG or the relevant regional transport association, the Bodensee-Oberschwaben Verkehrsverbund, at the time of travel.
For those wanting a different pace, Lindau is also a reasonable base from which to explore the lake itself, with the town's setting making it a satisfying end point in its own right rather than simply a interchange to rush through.
A little context
The RE 70 belongs to the long tradition of German regional rail links stitching together major cities and smaller lakeside or provincial towns, a role that regional services between Bavaria and the Bodensee have played across different eras of the country's rail network. It represents the ordinary, unglamorous backbone of German regional travel — the trains that keep smaller towns connected to major hubs like München — rather than a flagship or heritage route.
Operated today by DB Regio under Deutsche Bahn AG, and threaded through both the Munich transport association and the Bodensee-Oberschwaben Verkehrsverbund, the service reflects how regional rail in this part of Germany has been organised around cooperative transport networks rather than single standalone lines.
Common questions
- Does the RE 70 run directly between München and Lindau without changing trains?
- Yes, it operates as a through Regional-Express service between the two, though it's always worth confirming the specific service pattern with Deutsche Bahn AG, as regional timetables can vary.
- Do I need to reserve a seat on the RE 70?
- Regional-Express services like this typically don't require the same reservation approach as long-distance trains, but you should check current booking and seating policy with Deutsche Bahn AG before travelling.
- Which side of the train has the best views of the Bodensee?
- There's no need to fixate on one side for the whole journey, since the scenery changes throughout, but make sure you're settled by a window seat well before the approach to Lindau so you don't miss the lake coming into view.
- Is first class worth it on this route?
- It generally offers more space and a quieter carriage rather than added luxury, since this is a regional rather than premium long-distance service. Whether that's worth it depends on your priorities — check current class options and fares with Deutsche Bahn AG.
- What's the best season to travel on the RE 70?
- Summer gives long daylight and a bright lakeside arrival, winter offers a quieter, snow-touched Allgäu landscape, and spring/autumn tend to be calmer with fewer crowds. Check seasonal timetable changes with Deutsche Bahn AG before you travel.
On the map
Sources & method
- OpenStreetMap route=train (ODbL) — route
See our methodology for how Head Your Way sources and reviews travel data.