Day trip from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden

"I know the last bus from Berchtesgaden back to Salzburg is at 7:15pm".

The last bus from Berchtesgaden to Salzburg is 6:15 PM!

The first bus leaves Salzburg at 6:35 AM.

Is it doable, yes. Are you pushing it, yes.

Just going to the Eagles Nest is not enough. A visit to the Dokumentation center at the base of the mountain would vastly enhance your visit.

Just going to St. Bartholomä is not enough. The Obersee, at the end of the lake is worth visiting.

The town of Berchtesgaden (up the hill from the Hbf) is worth a visit.

A RVO (Regionalverkehr Oberbayern) Tagesticket (day pass) for 9,50€/person will cover your round trip from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden and almost all bus transport in Berchtesgaden, but, as you pointed out, you will have to leave Berchtesgaden at 18:15. For 2,50€ more, a BGL Tagesticket, Bus & Bahn, for 12€, will allow you to take the early bus to Berchtesgaden and come back on the train as late as 10 PM, in addition to use of the buses in Berchtesgaden.

Good to know! Thanks for the helpful info Lee. Much appreciated.

In 2002, we spent 3 nights in Berchtesgaden near the Hbf. The first morning, on the advice of our host, we went by bus to Wimbachbrücke, where we went up to the Wimbachklamm, a deep gorge carved by glacial water - cool and misty on a hot day. We came back to the bridge, had lunch, then returned to the Hbf, from which we took a bus to Königssee. We took the boat up to St. Bartholomä. Then we went up to the end of the lake and hiked over to the Obersee, and then took the boat back to Schönau and the bus to Berchtesgaden. We had dinner in Berchtesgaden. The second day we went by bus to Obersalzberg and took the special bus up to the Eagles Nest. We hiked around a little at the Eagles Nest, took pictures at the cross on the summit, had lunch at the Nest, then went back to Obersalzburg. We spent the rest of the day at the Dok Center, seeing the exhibits and touring the bunkers under Obersalzburg.

At St. Bartholomä on Königssee, the line waiting for the boat back to Schönau was long, but there was no line for the boat to the Obersee. At Obersee, there was no line for the boat back. When we got to St. Barts, there was still a long line for the boat back. We probably didn't spend much more time (and a lot less in line) by going up to Obersee rather than waiting for the boat back to Schönau.

The tour through the Dok Center in Obersalzberg was really worthwhile. It had a lot of historical information about the rise of the Nazis in Germany in the 30s.

In short, it would be worth spending a night and two days in Berchtesgaden. In fact, I saw everything I wanted to see in Salzburg in a day. Better, make Berchtesgaden your base and make a day trip to Salzburg.

Don't underestimate the amount of time you will want to spend at the top of the mountain.

You pile onto the special bus that goes up the mountain road - these buses can be quite full, and the bus goes pretty close to the edge (beautiful but high), so if heights is a problem don't sit next to the window - and then go up the special elevator which is like something from Get Smart.

I find that the history up there is quite palpable and emotive, and took quite a long time in the building.

Then outside for more history, and then walking up there is a whole lot of fun. Bigger than it looks, some rocks to clamber over but beautiful views and if you get a few metres away from the tourist route it can be quite quiet and peaceful.

I really loved it up there.

It will again take you some amount of time to get down to the bus and then back down to the Dokumentation centre before you look for your transportation back, so allow enough time for less stress.

Lee - I only wish I had more time to explore & stay outside the Salzburg area. I have 2 full days there and want to make the most of it. One day in Salzburg and one day outside of Salzburg. If seeing the Eagle's Nest & Doc Center, visiting Berchtesgaden and sailing on Lake Konigssee is too tightly packed for one day, then I will skip the lake. I would much rather spend time visiting the Documentation Center and walking a bit on the mountain if weather allows. I will take a stroll around Berchtesgaden afterwards and enjoy, instead of rushing myself.

Nigel - Thanks for the bus tip. Years ago, I took a tourist bus up to Victoria Peak in Hong Kong and we were about one foot from the edge, going quickly up that twisty road! I've never forgotten it. History is an important part of all my visits to Europe. And I've been reading up on the rise of the Third Reich, so I am looking forward to the visit.

Thanks to you both for your helpful insights.

This kind of detailed information is hard to find in a guide book. Thanks.