I want to book a tour to the Eagles Nest in advance of our My Way Alpine tour. We will have a full day to spend. Any suggestions for a good tour company that picks up in Salzburg would be appreciated.
Posted by
OP
12 posts
If it is any help regarding logistics, we will be staying at Hotel Hofwirt.
Posted by
Sacramento, CA
671 posts
We did the David and Christine Harper tour mentioned in the RS guidebook and it was fabulous. It starts in Berchtesgaden, but it was an easy local bus ride from Salzburg. It's easy to figure out and well worth the cost and time. Just be warned, the local bus is VERY crowded.
Posted by
Southwest Florida
865 posts
I highly recommend the train from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden. 75 minutes by train and it runs every hour (at least).
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32209 posts
dean,
When is this trip taking place? The Eagle's Nest is not accessible at all time of the year.
There are two options you could consider....
- Take the DB Bus from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden (direct bus about 49 minutes each way) and book a tour with Eagle's Nest Tours. I'd suggest an early start in order to allow time to see not only the Eagle's Nest but also the Dokumentation Centre & Bunkers above Berchtesgaden. There's also a Salt Mine that can be toured there.
- Book a tour with Bob's Special Tours in Salzburg if you'd rather travel direct from Salzburg. I'm not sure whether they offer a guided tour of the sights. You'd have to contact them for further information.
Posted by
Vancouver, WA
9 posts
Dean, When are you signed up for the Apline tour?
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
The time I rode the bus from Salzburg Hbf to Berchtesgaden (16.May 2013) I didn't notice that it was crowded. But I started at the Hauptbahnhof, not farther along (Mirabell, Mozartsteg). I was sitting up front, so I was not fully aware of how crowded the bus might have been. Getting on at the Hauptbahnhof, I had no problem finding a seat.
The last bus from Salzburg that will get you to Berchtesgaden in time for the tour at 13:15 leaves Salzburg at 11:15 and gets to Berchtesgaden at 12:04, in plenty of time to catch lunch at the Berchtesgaden Hbf or at one of the nearby restaurants.
A one way ticket between Salzburg Hbf and Berchtesgaden will cost about 5,-€/P, probably a little more. An RVO Tagesticket, for 10,-€/P will cover round trip on the bus plus unlimited use of almost all buses in Berchtesgaden for the day. With a bus pass, you need to watch the time, because the last bus back to Salzburg leaves Berchtesgaden at 6:15 PM. After that the only way back is by train, which is not covered by the RVO Tagesticket.
If you are worried about a crowded bus or want to stay longer, a 31€ Bayern-Ticket will cover the train both ways. There will probably be a change of trains in Freilasssing. The trip by train takes 1H13. The 11:15 train will get you to Berchtesgaden just before 12:30, in time for the 1:15 PM tour.
If you want to take the bus the Berchtesgaden because it is faster, but want to stay later and come back on the train, RVO sells the BGL-TagesTicket Bus & Bahn, for 12€/P. This ticket allows you to use either bus or the train between Salzburg and Berchtesgaden and have unlimited use of most buses in Berchtesgaden.
If you study ahead and think you don't need a guided tour, you can use any of the three passes mentioned above. Thay all include free use of the 838 bus from Berchtesgaden Hbf to the Bus Abfahrt near the Dokumentation Center, where you buy your tickets for the special buses that go up the private road to the Nest.