First time in Germany and Switzerland

Where are you coming from?
I would suggest going from Munich to Lauterbrunnen Valley in one shot. You can get to Wengen in under 7 hours. Stay 3 nights so you get at least 2 full days. Then go to Luzern for one or two nights. You can get to Zurich airport in an hour for the flight back.

Eights nights isn’t enough time to visit two countries. Expect to return and visit Switzerland when you can allow five nights for the Lauterbrunnen Valley.

Excellent suggestions from karlaku0123.

I would skip Zurich and spend your time in Wengen. I would skip the Neuschwanstein Castle day trip. The Castle is a complete letdown in the interior and it takes a lot of planning and reserving times. The exterior and views are great, but I would spend the day in Munich instead because you have a short time in Munich with a day trip planned to Salzburg. On your day trip to Salzburg, leave early as you can. There is a lot to see in Salzburg. Enjoy.

Thanks for the helpful responses :)

Sam, that’s a good idea. I think I’ll probably do that instead. I didn’t realize how easy it was to get to Wengen from Munich. How many stops would that take? I know for sure it would probably stop in Zurich along the way. Also never considered Lucerne so thank you for the suggestion :) Also I’m coming from Charlotte, NC.

Karlaku, thank you for such a detailed response! Wow that day in Salzburg sounds amazing. Will there be enough time I wonder to do everything? Also, I concur with the Dachau suggestion. Maybe I can do the Hofbräuhaus on one of the nights after Salzburg or the castles? Do I need a reservation for it? Do you just show up and hope you get a table? Does it go on in the later time of the night? Also great suggestions for Munich and Switzerland :)

MaryPat, yeah unfortunately I’m American and don’t get a lot of vacation time so I have to operate within my time limits.

Threadwear, I’ve also heard about the castle being lackluster on the inside but as you said, the exterior is absolutely stunning. It’s always the mental image I get when I think about Bavaria and fairytale Europe. I don’t think I can pass up the opportunity after imagining it for so many years BUT I’ll certainly manage my expectations when visiting. Thank you for responding :)

Fewest changes from Munich:
There is an EC train every 2 hours from Munich to Zurich, There you can change to a train to Interlaken Ost. At Interlaken Ost, train to Lauterbrunnen, then change to a train to Wengen. Schedule at https://int.bahn.de/en or https://www.sbb.ch/en/buying/pages/fahrplan/fahrplan.xhtml

Use the SBB schedule for trains to Luzern and Zurich airport.

Thanks Sam :) I will definitely add this to my notes

You really have 7 days for your trip. I would suggest sticking with Bavaria and perhaps include Salzburg.

Munich you need 3 days. Another two days in Salzburg and nearby Berchtesgaden, then 2-3 days in Garmish/Fussen.
Take in the Zugspitze at Garmish. Recommend staying at the Fraundorfer Inn. Also, do the castles near there. Neuschwanstein is much over glamorized, but still worth a visit.

Is there no way you could grab another 3-4 days for your trip? You could see so much more.

I'd suggest visiting Munich for 3 days and then catching the train over to Salzburg for 2 days. Then catch the train down to Innsbruck for the remainder of your trip.

Austria is cheaper and much easier to travel thru than going to Switzerland. Tirol is the same mountain chain, and it too is incredibly beautiful. And you can be back in Munich (or even Zurich) to fly home in about 2 hours.