Bavarian Alps Austria and Germany Road Trip Fussen/Innsbruck/Hallein

It's obvious that you have spent quite a bit of time mapping out your itinerary. Every time I go into such details on a trip, I never seem to execute so many stops and tourist sights.

Your planned trip over the Alpenstrasse Highway on the map looks to be much farther than i would care to go being the road is so curvy--and with the elevation changes. It might require Dramamine to get through it.

We've made much of your itinerary (many times) starting in Munich, down to Andechs (for the beer) and Fussen--to see Neuschwanstein.. Then we do day trips out of Innsbruck--an incredibly beautiful city and place.

We have made a long day trip driving to Zell-am-See and entering the Grossglockner Highway from the north. The south side of the mountain is about as beautiful of a place as I've ever seen. We went west and came back into Innsbruck thru the Brenner Pass.

We like to get up on the mountains and drive from village to village--stopping along the way. Swarovski crystal factory is just about 10 miles, and the ladies enjoy the experience. The Zugspitze is about 50 miles and it would too be a good day trip.

It's a couple of hours up to Salzburg, and it's one of our favorite cities. Everyone you meet is incredibly warm and friendly. The drive back into Munich is easy--about 2 hours by autobahn.

We used to drive as far and fast as we could on our trips. $8.50 per gallon gasoline in Italy has opened our eyes to traveling a little slower--and better.

Day 5 is a lot of driving. If the Großglockner Hochalpenstraße is closed, you could return north thru Osttirol and the Felbertauerntunnel. Another option is to put the car on the train at Mallnitz thru the Tauerntunnel to the Gasteinertal. Last time I did this you had to exit your car and ride in a passenger car (same train).
https://www.felbertauernstrasse.at/en/
https://www.oebb.at/en/regionale-angebote/kaernten/autoschleuse-tauernbahn

Hi,

Is it possible to add a day or two before returning to Salzburg?

Day1) This is a 4:30 drive without stopping. FYI. The German Alpine Road isn't all that IMO. Too many way more scenic drives you could do along your trip. We love Fussen and have stayed twice at the Hotel zum Hechten.

The Zugspitze from Ehrwald, Austria side... we've done this also. A single cable car right to the top. It is closed from April 17 to May 12. 2023. The Nordkettenbahn in Innsbruck is open though.

As for staying in Innsbruck, we have loved our stays outside of Innsbruck in the extremely charming old town of Hall in Tirol at the Gasthof Badl five times. It's a 15 min. drive from Innsbruck. The alpine scenery in this area is amazing.

This is where I ask if you could get another night or two... From Innsbruck, head into Italy (20 min. drive) and head to the Val Gardena. So many amazing Dolomite Passes to drive on your way to Lienz, Austria and the Grossglockner Road. Id stay a night or two along this route. We've stayed a few times in the Dolomites and once in Heiligenblut, Austria at the southern end of the Grossglockner Road. Gorgeous alpine village with views of the Grossglockner. IF the Grossglockner is closed then take the 108 road that parallels it (mentioned in a previous post). My opinion... The Dolomite Passes you'd drive are more spectacular than the Grossglockner (and they're all free to drive). Especially The Gardena Pass. We stayed twice at the Ciasa Montanara in La Villa, Alta Badia. Love love it.

Near Berchtesgaden we stayed 5 times in Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden at the Pension Mayringerlehen. Beautiful! Ramsau itself has one of the most beautiful settings in Bavaria, my opinion. The church and it's setting shouldn't be missed. All 15 min. outside of Berchtesgaden. The Rossfeld Panorama Road is another great alpine drive just above Berchtesgaden.

Hope this helps in some way.

Paul

The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is usually closed from beginning of November to end of April. As you plan to drive in the second week of May it should be open already. Should there be extreme weather conditions, snow chains my be required on the wheels of your car.

Thanks everyone for the excellent comments and suggestions. I've revised my itinerary to incorporate a number of the suggestions and also thanks for the things to be aware of (closures, chains, etc.). Thanks again.