Innsbruck as base

Innsbruck is worth some time in itself (Hofburg, Ambras, hiking around). It is a good base for Garmisch (one hour by car), Oberammergau (a little more), Hall, Rattenberg (nice place if a bit touristy). Neuschwanstein is possible if a bit too far, Salzburg possible but maybe a bit too distant, Munich very much possible but maybe better by train. Brixen, Bolzano, Ortisei in Italy possible (not all three at the same time) but a bit on the expensive side due to highway tolls.

Hi,

As a couple who have stayed 18 nights in the area, I'll go out on a limb and say 5 nights is worthwhile.

Paul

Thanks everyone. Any suggestions as to a rental car? We plan on picking up in Salzburg and dropoff in Innsbruck after 2 weeks.
Plan 3 nights in Fussen as well. Type of car recommended due to mountains?
I am looking on Kayak and other websites for comparison. Thanks very much.

If you're in the U.S., we use www.gemut.com for our rental cars.

I wouldn't worry about which car. We've driven the Grossglockner and over a dozen other high alpine passes with a compact car with a 1.4 liter engine and manual transmission.

Check the difference in picking up and dropping off in Germany vs. Austria. Should be cheaper. You could pick up just outside Salzburg in Freilassing, Germany and drop off in Garmisch, about an hour from both Innsbruck and Fuessen.

We stayed twice (5 nights total) in Fuessen at the Hotel zum Hechten.

www.hotel-Hechten.com

By Innsbruck we've stayed 5 times (18 nights total) at the Gasthof Badl in nearby Hall in Tirol.

www.badl.at

IF you get the car in Germany, make sure to buy the Austrian Vignette, or toll sticker, for the car windshield, which allows you to use the highways in Austria. Cost is 9 Euro for a sticker good for 10 consecutive days. For a longer stay, simply buy another on the 10th day or buy the 2 month version for 20 something Euro. Buy it at gas stations in Austria or in Germany, anywhere near the Austrian border. Driving on a highway in Austria without it, expect a large fine. There's no similar highway sticker for Germany or even Italy. Italy has toll collection booths. Germany has none.

Paul

As a couple, we have been there 7 to 14 days every year for the last 26 year and we go back this year.

If you drive from Innsbruck to Garmisch through Zirl and Seefeld, pay attention to a short (2 kms.) but extremely steep stretch. Going up is not difficult to drive unless you are blocked behind a slow vehicle, keep a low gear; going down direction Innsbruck it is difficult not to overheat a bit your brakes.

I think it would be better to stay in a town like Seefeld instead of Innsbruck. They are close together and you could easily visit Innsbruck as a day trip. Seefeld, nestled in the mountains, has so much to do in the immediate area that you will not be bored.

If you stay in Innsbruck (or Hall), you can go down the Inn to Brannenburg, Germany, and take the rack railway to the top of the Wendelstein. It's only 6000', but stands out from the surrounding terrain. From the top, you can look down almost a mile into the town of Bayrischzell, at the foot of the mountain.

Any thoughts on staying in Fussen versus Schwangau for castle viewing and lake touring. Thank you all for the helpful comments.

If I remember, the hillside is in the way of viewing Neuschwanstein from Füssen. You would certainly have a more direct view from Schwangau, but the village of Hohenschwangau is directly below the castle.

I'm sure there are more restaurants in Füssen.

Sure. There are endless hiking trails around Innsbruck. You can do the Glungezer/Patscherkofel area, or Nochspitz/Axamer Lizum area on the south side of Innsbruck or head into the Stubaital. All within 30min drive and plenty of Hütten everywhere.

Take a day trip to South Tirol - sunnier and, imho, food is similar but slightly different, good wine. More stable hiking weather too. Brixen is about a 75min drive from Innsbruck. So you could visit Brixen, Sterzing, or Bozen, plenty of hiking and Alms and Hütte to visit. Perhaps if the weather in North Tirol is looking iffy (as it often is for hiking), go there for some hiking.