Germany/Austria itinary

"Garmisch(Zugspitze)" is much more accessible from Munich than Salzburg. Also, be ready to change your schedule based on the weather, the first clear day you get in Munich should be the day you attempt to visit the Zugspitze.

You have 7 nights listed, were you looking for ideas for the other 2 nights? If so then I would suggest a second night in Rothenburg and a 4th night in Munich. That way you are not rushed in Rothenburg and Munich has enough to occupy 4 nights (especially if you use it as a base for day trips).

DJ

Hi Marianne,

The Zugspitze and Garmisch aren't really day trips from Salzburg. Close to 3 hours drive in each direction. It gets dark earlier in October than in summer.

Start with your Munich nights, as a car is not needed here, plus a weekly rate should be cheaper:
Munich - 2 nights
Salzburg/Berchtesgaden - 3 nights
Garmisch - 2 nights
Rothenburg - 1 night
Frankfurt - 1 night

Paul

Ok, here is.
First week of October, 8 nights
Fly into Munich, drive straight to Salzburg
3nights in Salzburg with day trips ( suggestions?)
1night in Garmisch(Zugspitze)
3 nights in Munich
1 night in rothenburg
Fly home from Franfurt.
Any changes or suggestions?

Problems...

1) That Munich airport to Salzburg drive is going to be absolute hell after an overseas flight. Traffic on the Munich ring is always heavy, but the stretch of the A8 Autobahn between Munich and Salzburg is consistently one of the most Stau-prone in the entire German road network. Even worse, it's far more narrow with little shoulder, compared to other roads. Driving this jet-lagged is about as unsafe as you can get. No matter how alert you think you feel, we know from studies on airline pilots that after a long overseas flight, your reaction time will be no better than that of a drunk. Consider taking the Railjet instead.

2) Three nights in Salzburg sounds like too much. I think it's worth a full day, maybe a day and half at the most. The Altstadt of the city is pretty small and doesn't take long to explore.

3) Only a single night in GaP coming from Salzburg doesn't give you much of a chance to ascend the Zugspitze in good weather. If the clouds move in (which they often do, unpredictably), Zugspitze is not worth it. If this is your primary reason for visiting GaP, either budget more time or don't bother.

4) A rental car is an expensive nuisance in Munich. Most German cities are easy to drive and have ample parking near their historic cores. Munich is a big exception. If your hotel does not provide parking (only a few of the expensive ones do), your car will likely sit in a costly garage, possibly quite a distance from your hotel.

5) I find Rothenburg odT gets far more attention than it deserves. It is pretty, but not nearly as unique as advertised (unless you can't get enough trinket shops) . But it's along your route from Munich to Frankfurt, so why not? Also consider giving Dinkelsbühl and Nördlingen a look, though.

Staying in Salzburg to daytrip to those places is like staying in New York City so you can visit Boston.

If you are DOD consider staying at the Edelweiss (military recreation facility) in Garmisch. It is a great resort facility and convenient for some of those sights.

I will not be driving, my husband will and he will already be in Germany.
If I stay only 2 nights in Salsburg and add 1 night to Garmisch ( 2 nights), do you have any suggestions about the Garmisch area?
Where can we expolore? Thanks for your help

OK, that makes a big difference. You'll be able to sit back and enjoy one of the most scenic stretches of the entire German Autobahn network- just don't expect to get there too quickly.

Yes, add an extra day to GaP. With that time, you could consider a hike, a visit to Oberamergau, Mittenwald, Neuschwanstein, or Linderhof. Or, just walk around GaP, which is a very nice town.

I've never stayed at Edelweiss, but unless I was a private in the US military or attending a conference that someone else paid for, it would be my last choice of lodgings in GaP. It's on the far outskirts of the town and surrounded by a wall that makes it look like a prison. And unless you're among the lower enlisted, it isn't particularly cheap. You can easily find similarly priced or cheaper rooms closer to the center.

Thanks Tom, one more question. I was going to visit the neuschwanstein castle from Munich, as we did that once before. Am I closer from gaP so we can visit it from there instead of Munich?

Hi,

You are much closer to Neuschwanstein (an hour) from Garmisch. Ludwig's amazing interior of Linderhof palace is between GP and Neuschwanstein.

Paul

Thanks Guys, great advice.
So what are some daytrips from Munich. I will go to the castle fromGaP.We will have 3 nights there and there is a lot to see in Munich, but a daytrip would be nice , mayb, part of the Black Forrest?. Not sure

The Black Forest is too far away for a daytrip. And although the mountains are pretty, they're nothing compared to the Alps you will have already seen around Salzburg and GaP.

Possible daytrips from GaP: Mittenwald, Neuschwanstein (as noted), Oberammergau, Linderhof, Chiemsee, Rosenheim, Lindau and the Bodensee, Memmingen, Innsbruck.

Oops, wait you asked about daytrips from Munich. How about Therme Erding? Dachau. Passau. Burghausen. Landshut.