Driving Itinerary for Barvaria/Northern Austria

I do not want to spend large portions of our days on the highway

I'm afraid your itinerary forces you to do exactly that. Füssen to, say, Boppard takes at least 5 hours (without breaks), B. to Rothenburg approx. 3:30. And you will have basically not more than a full day and a few hours in the Rhine area. Personally, I'd cut the Rhine section and add the time to Bavaria and/or Austria.

I don't think what you have presented is overly ambitious, but you will be spending a lot of time on the road. You aren't giving yourself that much time in any one destination, but it certainly is doable. I'm also assuming that you've previously seen Munich, since one night after and before a flight is not nearly enough time. A few notes...

Traffic along A8 between Munich and Salzburg is always terrible, but at least the route is very scenic. You'll have plenty of time to take in the mountain scenery on one side and the Bavarian countryside on the other, mainly because the car will crawl for long stretches.

Most of us found Reutte profoundly unimpressive, especially in a region with so many other attractive towns in the region. See it if you consider yourself a Rick Steves completist, otherwise, don't bother.

Most German cities are not particularly difficult for driving, but Munich is a major exception. Pick up your rental car as you leave the city and if you plan to visit the city at all before leaving, drop it off before going back in.

Rothenburg doesn't take a full day to see. Consider freeing up more time elsewhere by dropping one night and using it elsewhere. And despite all the attention it gets, it isn't nearly as unique as advertised.

Hi Vanessa,
I have driven to each of the places you list from one of the others on the list, although not all on the same trip. As Tom implies, the drive from Munich to Salzburg is not a lot of fun. I'd recommend visiting Salzburg as a day trip during a longer stay in Munich. Alternatively, assuming an early morning arrival at MUC, get on a train from Munich's Hauptbahnhof to Salzburg, and start your stay there.

Again, I agree with Tom about Reutte. We stayed just outside Reutte for three nights in September a couple of years ago. It's a good base for some great hikes in the mountains and castle visits, especially with a car to get around, but there's nothing much to the town itself. The drive from Reutte to the Rhine valley (to Bacharach in our case) is very long, and even longer if you avoid the autobahn to take the scenic route. So count on a full travel day, leaving only one day to visit the area- not nearly enough. And yes, two nights is more than you need for Rothenburg.

I don't know how early in September you are traveling, but keep in mind that Oktoberfest starts in Munich on September 17th. If you're going to be there at that time, accommodation will triple in price, if you can even find a place to stay.
While all of the areas you cite are beautiful places to visit, you'll enjoy your trip more if you pick fewer, and give them more quality time. Count me in the Bavaria and Austria camp.

I too would advise to skip the Rhine valley and add two more days of wider Munich area instead. There's so much to see there.

Hi Vanessa,

Been to them all by car. I'd drop the Rhine. Reutte... skip it. Love Fuessen. We've been many times in spring, fall and winter and driving from Munich to Salzburg is pretty easy. We prefer staying in the Berchtesgaden area (either Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden or Schonau am Konigssee) for our visits that include Salzburg. To drive from Berchtesgaden to Salzburg is maybe 30 minutes. Park in the Monchsburg parking garages in Salzburg. Take the A8 to exit 112 and take the B306 towards Inzell. At Schneizlreuth take the B305 towards Berchtesgaden. Pretty, scenic drive.

If interested:
By Berchtesgaden:
www.mayringerlehen.de
www.friedwiese.de/enska/isl.htm
www.contipark.at/en/find-parking/salzburg-tiefgarage-altstadtgarage-a/

In Fuessen:
www.hotel-hechten.com

We liked this place 10 minutes outside of Rothenburg ob der Tauber:
www.gasthof-rappen.de

Paul

Thank you all for your very helpful replies!!

Two nights on the Rhein. I believe that means most of a day getting there, one full day there, then most of a day getting back. That's three days used for one day of sightseeing. There are a lot more things to see in Bavaria. Add the two nights from the Rhein to Salzburg and see Berchtesgaden. Better yet, spend the four nights in Berchtesgaden and make a day trip to Salzburg.

Plus, everything on your list is right on rail lines and most is accessible using regional passes, like the Bayern-Ticket, 28€ for two for unlimited travel on regional trains all day.

I wouldn't spend two separated nights in Munich. It's easy to get to Salzburg for the first night. Get a Bayern-Ticket and take the first S8 from the airport to Munich Ostbahnhof, then hop the first Meridan (regional) train to Salzburg. Depending on timing, it take a little over two hours (and you don't have to take time renting a car).