We'll be in Munich by Dec 28th and then want to see some areas in the Alps, particularly Garmisch and maybe Neuschwanstein or Zugsptize plus Berchtesgarden but not the Eagles Nest. Is there a good way to see both of these areas? Is it best to rent a car, and if so, where, in Munich or head to Salzburg? What is realistic starting on January 1st? And are the trains running a regular schedule on New Year's Day? I need help with an itinerary that takes in the beauty of the Alps more than castles, etc. Danke!
Posted by
Oberpfalz, Germany
1389 posts
The German Alpine Road. If you rent a car make sure it has snow tires. Have you driven in snow? Most German roads are well maintained and have good snow removal. You can download the Road Book with directions in German and English at the bottom of the page. See the stages page too and you can order a map for free in the shop.
http://www.deutsche-alpenstrasse.de/en/home/the-german-alpine-route/
http://www.deutsche-alpenstrasse.de/en/stages/
Posted by
NYC area
2981 posts
HI,
With just 3 to 4 days stick with one location and do day trips, especially since the daylight is short. If renting a car, get it in Germany. Cheaper than in Austria. If you based in either Garmisch or Mittenwald, which are 20 minutes apart, there are many things to do and see.
Both towns.
The Zugspitze trip
Ettal Monastery
Ludwig's Linderhof Palace
Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles
Old town of Fuessen
Wieskirche
Oberammergau
Seefeld, Austria
Innsbruck, Austria, which would still have a Chrstmas Market going on.
Paul
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19275 posts
Another place to consider is the illtal (valley of the Iller River) in the Oberallgäu, near the ski town of Oberstdorf. You could stay in Oberstdorf or stay in Immenstadt and take the half hour train trip to Oberstdorf. Immenstadt is less than two hours from Munich by trainand one hour from Lindau (a half hour from Oberstaufen) by train. From Oberstdorf, the Walserbus takes you up into the Alpine Valley of Kleinwalsertal. However, in the winter it could be snowy and filled with skiers.
There is also a bus to Füssen in the morning, coming back in the evening. You could make a day trip to Neuschwanstein (I did that in 2002.