Best Base for Activities in Bavarian Alps

I have the same question so will be following your post. Thanks!

You need to stay in separate locations in the Alps.

1) This map shows the locations of G-P, Mittenwald, the Zugspitzbahn, and Neuschwanstein (not really shown... but it's just north of REUTTE, Austria.)

https://bahnland-bayern.de/files/media/bahnland-bayern/tickets/regio-ticket-bayern/Regio-Ticket%20Werdenfels/2025/beg-gr-gueltigkeitsbereich-regio-ticket-werdenfels-2024-12-ansicht.jpg

Rick Steves suggests staying in Reutte for easy access to these places - and that is probably your best bet for this area if you intend to spend time in Füssen, which you apparently did if you booked 3 nights there.

Are you aware of this experience near Reutte?

https://www.highline179.tirol/en/

Besides the town itself, the river gorges and the mountain lift in Mittenwald are amazing as well.
https://www.karwendelbahn.de/en/

2) The Eagles Nest is significantly further to the east in Berchtesgaden, near Salzburg. I would make a point of visiting also the Königssee (Alpine Lake) and perhaps taking the mountain lift there as well (Jennerbahn)

You may be interested in Herrenchiemsee Palace, on an island in Lake Chiemsee near Prien. It's roughly mid-way between Munich and Berchtesgaden; a short ferry ride gets you there:

https://i0.wp.com/www.reverberations.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Herrenchiemsee-Chiemsee.jpg?resize=900%2C600
https://www.herrenchiemsee.de/englisch/tourist/index.htm

I would allocate 2-3 nights in Reutte, 2 in Berchtesgaden, 2-3 in Munich.

We love Mittenwald. Beautiful location, very pleasant town center.

In the last 25 years, I've spent 35 nights in that area, 31 nights in what's called the Allgäu (Oberstdorf, Fischen, Pfronten, & Füssen), 3 in Oberammergau, and 1 in Mittenwald, plus of course, a lot of time in Munich.

In around 2010, I stayed in Mittenwald. In the morning I went by rail to Seefeld, Austria, then by rail via Mittenwald and GaP to Pfronten, Germany. Between GaP and Reutte they were working on the rails, so we were bused (SEV) to Reutte. It was lunchtime so I skipped the next hourly train to Pfronten and decided to explore Reutte and have lunch. I was disappointed in Reutte. I thought it was really a dump. I might use it to catch a bus to Füssen, but I wouldn't stay there. In my opinion, Pfronten is a much nicer place and has easy accessibility to Füssen. Here's where I stayed in Pfronten.

As for a car from Munich to Füssen, no. It's convenient and probably far less expensive to take a train using a Bayern-Ticket. The train and bus options in that area are excellent. I've probably been in that area at least ten times and never needed a car. When we stayed in Pfronten, our accommodations included a bus pass to Füssen and back.

I liked Garmisch better than Fussen.
Loved The Fraundorfer B&B.

I too prefer Garmisch to Fussen. If you have a car stay in Mittenwald. Otherwise Garmisch will give you everything you list close enough. Take the train or cable car up the Zugspitz on a clear day. If you can see clouds around the peak don't bother. You can elect to hike down, the trail is well marked.

If you want a bigger city stay in Innsbruck.

Thank you everyone. Based on your shared knowledge, I think I will change my reservations to Garmish or Mittenwald. I also realize that given our schedule and distances, Eagles Nest needs to be saved for another trip. We will be in Berlin for 7 days so we will have plenty of history there.

Your links and insights were helpful. I'll probably have Munich questions soon, but for now Aufweidersehen.
Eileen

I would go long with the 5 days. You might also consider Austria, with either Ehrwald or Seefeld in Tirol (hiking). The border is largely free (open) for motorist off the Autobahns. No need for a vignette when you don't drive the Austrian Autobahns. You will see more Alps (Heidi / Maria). Spring for me is the best time.