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Bavaria/ Austria itinerary help

Hello,
We are planning a trip for next September and I need help. My hubby wants to go to Hallstatt and see Neuschwanstein, but has otherwise left all the planning up to me. We will be in Munich during Oktoberfest so will go at least one day (probably all we can handle). Also, we don't want to be gone more than 9 nights. If anyone has any suggestions of how to make these transitions smoother, I am open and thankful for your help.

Here is my initial itinerary:
Fly into Frankfurt
2 nights on the Rhine in Bacharach or equivalent
2 nights in Rothenberg
Rent car and drive to Hallstatt for 2 nights (My husband REALLY wants to stay in Hallstatt, even though this is so far)
Drive to Neuschwanstein, then drop rental car in Munich, stay for 3 nights
Fly out of Munich

Thank you!!!

Posted by
5626 posts

We found Neuschwanstein very overrated. The lines are crazy, and the castle tour itself is only 20-30 minutes in rooms with poor acoustics and [my opinion] bored guides. I found it a real disappointment. If you must go there, see the other castle and hike up and back to St Mary's Bridge, skipping N. Castle tour.
I loved Bacharach, Rothenburg, and Hallstatt!!!
Safe travels.

Posted by
1506 posts

Rothenberg is further from Munich than Hallstadt. Hallstadt is pretty, amazingly so, but gets too crowded with tourists for me.

You might be better served if you flew into Munich, then went down to Hallstadt, then Neuschwanstein, then to Rothenberg, then to the Rhine, and flew out of Frankfurt. That way you're not backtracking all over. (And the drive from Hallstadt to GP, by way of Innsbruck, is really scenic.)

If you must go see the castles and (despite the lines) it's a milestone for those who go to Germany, if you're driving I'd recommend staying someplace like Garmisch Partenkirchen or Ettal. That way you can go see Schloss Linderhof (which is the better palace), the Ettal Monastery, and/or Oberamergau the same day. (I recommend the monastery, they have better liquor). Driving this route also allows you to go up 17 thru Augsburg and then up the Romantic Road to Rothenberg.

Posted by
2592 posts

Where will you rent the car? Looks fne. If you want to go to Neuschwanstein, then certainly go and enjoy yourself. I’ve been 3 times and would go again if in the area.

For the trip from Hallstatt to Fuessen, consider the route thru Golling, Kaprun, Gerlos Pass, Innsbruck, Reutte. I cycled it years ago and thought it an interesting route.

Posted by
1391 posts

Hotel reservations in Munich for the Oktoberfest three nights might be an issue.
I think Rothenberg is vastly over rated, but a visit is warranted, but two overnights?
Maybe expand you time with the rental car in Austria basing out of Hallstatt and visit the surrounding area. Parking may be an issue.
Neuschwanstein castle tour and the day and over night? On a good day a four hour drive from Hallstatt.