Please sign in to post.

Austria/ Germany Large family group

Hello,
I am traveling with a large group- 6 adults and 6 kids ranging in age from 2-11. We are going to be traveling from London and have kicked the idea around of going to see some pretty Alpine scenery. We have already been to the Matterhorn and around Mt Pilatus area, Lucerne. We will have been in England for 2+ weeks at this point and don't want to spend a ton of time traveling, want the option to be pretty low key but with access to some things to do if some members of our party choose to do so.

I was entertaining the idea of visiting Berchtesgaden. We #1 don't have a lot of time, there or until I am aware I am planning on he later side especially for a large group, and we have about 5 days in mid-June. Things I could see members of our party wanting to do would be the ice caves, salt mine, Jennerbahn, Salzburg day trip, and eagles nest.

I would love to avoid renting cars and dealing with the hassle of multiple cars and car seats for the little children. We would need 3 car seats. However I also don't want to be in a pinch and not get where we need to go.

Additionally we must fly out of Heathrow and it appears flights are limited. Should we pivot locations and do somewhere near Vienna? Is it better to fly into Munich? I love a scenic train ride and I read the one from Munich to Salzburg is lovely. Should we fly into munich, take the train into salzburg and pick up the rental car there?

I am seeing that rentals and hotels in Berchtesgaden offer a free bus pass, I was hoping someone might have first hand experience on using it and if it would meet our needs.

If you've hung with me thus far, thank you. Please forgive me for any travel faux pas I am a mom of little kids and my brain only works about 50% of the time :-)

Posted by
5388 posts

I would recommend a stay in St. Gilgen instead. The Wolfgangsee has something for everyone. No need for a rental car at all as everything is accessible by bus and by foot.

Posted by
464 posts

We also had family group last summer of 6 adults, 5 kids…6-12 yrs old. They loved Salzburg…we were only there 2 nights at end of a Med trip. Could have stayed longer than one full day. Sound of Music tour a high light….they loved the movie prior to visit. Had no time left to visit fortress high above city. Sad about that. Only used trains and a bus or two. Flew home out of Munich….which they enjoyed also….had a day there. Not sure if this helps?

Posted by
2408 posts

Salzburg area. Look to stay in vacation apartments ( ferienwohung ). you probably need 3. Young kids would most likely be free, older kids at 50% off.

Posted by
2908 posts

I have to agree with Emily. St. Gilgen sounds ideal for a base. Spending a day or long afternoon on a lakeship on the Wolfgangsee (right from St. Gilgen) you can visit the towns around the lake, such as Strobl and St. Wolfgang. You’ll find cable car and lifts. Salzburg is easy from here. Plus you can get to Hallstatt, Werfen (Hohenwerfen Fortress and Ice Cave) and Hallein for the Salt Mine.

I’d fly into and out of Munich. Unless there are flights from London to Salzburg??