Hello everyone. My husband and I are traveling to Munich this fall and want to take a day trip to Salzburg. Any suggestions or recommendations on mode of transportation. I am not sure if renting a car would be best, as we can take our time and stop for side attractions and view. Any suggestions on car rentals in Munich?
Thanks everyone
I normally don't firmly recommend for or against a method of transportation, but this is a frequently proposed daytrip in which one option clearly wins, hands down: rail. Munich is the absolute worst city in Germany for driving, and the main Autobahn route (A8), although extremely scenic, is also extremely Stau-prone. Save yourself the considerable hassel of driving, and just take one of the hourly trains that run between the cities.
The easiest way from Munich to Salzburg is by train. I would think it's about 2 hours each way.
If you have time to take a few days, by all means rent a car to go to Salzburg--then drop south into Tirol to see the Austrian Alps. It's a perfect route to take a big circle trip through Innsbruck and around to Fuessen before going back into Munich. Tirol is one of our favorite regions to ramble from village to village.
We usually shop at Hertz and AutoEurope.com for rental cars--preferring city locations to the taxes and other charges piled on airport rentals.
The region is easily traveled by automobile and the roads are good. You just have to remember to stop on the Austrian border to purchase a vingette (toll) card.
We did this exact trip by car. We had no issues picking up the car and dropping it off in Munich. We especially wanted a car because we wanted to do a little side trip to Eagles Nest/Berchtesgaden. We then went on to Hallstatt and spent a few days in that beautiful region. At no time did we have an issue driving in Munich, Salzburg or any of the highways. The second time we went to Munich we also had a car. We loved visiting the outlaying villages and it got us quickly to BMW World. We went to Dachau as well and I know the train went there but we ended up taking our car. Its really what you feel comfortable with and what you all want to see. If you just want direct from Munich to Salzburg then I would do the train. But parking was actually pretty easy in both cities as well.
I'd also recommend travelling by one of the frequent trains, as that's a much more efficient use of time especially for a day trip. You can still enjoy the scenery by train, and that will give you the most time to see Salzburg.
Another point to keep in mind is that for driving in Austria, each driver listed on the rental form will require an International Driver's Permit - http://www.austria.info/us/basic-facts/getting-there-around/austria-by-car/driving-regulations-in-austria
If renting the car in Munich, you'll also have to ensure that the vehicle is equipped with the Austrian Highway Tax Vignette (depending on which roads you take). There are hefty fines if you're caught without it, and the fines will be collected on the spot!
For a day trip take the two hour train ride and have breakfast on the train for an early start. When tired, head back to the train station.
The easiest way from Munich to Salzburg is by train. I would think
it's about 2 hours each way.
Actually, the slowest train connection from Munich Hbf is 1h46m by regional train, and with the regional train you can use a Bayern-Ticket which would cost 31€ for a round trip (which the OP wants to do), far less than renting a car for the day. For a little more cost, the trip by RailJet takes only 1h28m. According to ViaMichelin, the trip by car on a good day would take 1h46m, same as the slowest train. So, for what the OP wants to do, a day trip, the train is the best way, hands down.
Although I wouldn't recommend trying to go to Berchtesgaden on a day trip to Salzburg, there are a multitude of inexpensive ways to get to Berchtesgaden from Salzburg. Ask me.
According to ViaMichelin, the trip by car on a good day would take 1h46m
Well, according to ViaMichelin, i.e., a soewhat optimistic computer program. Realistically, 1:45 is the normal driving time from the Munich South junction to the intersection of the autobahn with the austrian no 1 highway just outside Salzburg - iff everything goes smooth (I do that trip often). You have to add another half hour to make your way out of Munich and into Salzburg (where, btw, parking fees are steep). In addition, presently and for the forseeable future, on your way back you probably will face a 20 to 50min waiting time for border control at the Walserberg checkpoint, while for train passengers checks are made on the running train.
So, taking the train for a day trip is a no-brainer. To sum up:
train = 31E (for two, including local transport in Munich)
car: 80E rental (small car including CDW), 28E gas, 9E austrian vignette, 20E parking fee (3E / hour) > 130E.
