Eagles Nest

A lot depends on if the weather is clear or not. I've been to the Nest three times. First time it was broken clouds below the summit. You could see some of the land below but not much. Second time it was clear skies and the view was great. Third time the whole top was in the clouds and you could only see a few feet.

But regardless of the view, the experience of being in the same room that you know Adoph Hilter was in is pretty unique.

I was there on a clear day and the views were pretty spectacular! Totally the luck of the draw though...weather in the Alps is unpredictable. The bus ride up there is a white-knuckle trip...I loved it but my husband was sweating bullets!
From a historical perspective it's a unique place. If you read up on it before you go then it's fascinating. There is a photo exhibit in a side porch that outlines the period of time when Hitler used it as his personal retreat. Other than that though there isn't a lot of evidence from that period of time.

I went (mid-June) mostly to see the Documentation Center which I found riveting, especially the huge bunkers. It was so foggy there was no point in going up to the "eagle's nest"

I agree if the weather is nice a great view. Kehlsteinhaus... Many Americans confuse the Kehlsteinhaus with the Hitler"s Berghof on the Obersalzberg, that was destroyed by bombing and demolition.

http://www.bergfex.de/sommer/berchtesgaden/webcams/c5087/

We are stopping one night on a coach tour in Salzburg and one of the extra excursions is to Hitler's Eagles Nest. Has anyone been there and if so was it worth it. <

I think it depends first an foremost on which type of traveller you are. Are you looking simply for some good mountain scenery? You can find that with less effort elsewhere. Are you attracted by the concept of »place of memory«, like many travellers, even unconsciously, are? If so, I'd like to join @Anita saying it will be worth it. At least, it will teach you that the assertion of some artists that consciousness for the good in esthetics equals with high standards in ethics is completely wrong.

Personally, if your main interests are the mountain views, on a clear day, I think the summit of Jenner offers better scenery than Kehlstein. It's higher, and you get a great look at Königsee. But of course, the Bergbahn station and restaurant on Jenner don't have any particular connection to a certain infamous historical leader, which Kehlsteinhaus does.

Every time I've been to Kehlsteinhaus, I've eaten a meal there. The food has been good and the price, quite surprisingly, not like the elevation.

Incidentally, you didn't mention the price of the extra excursion, but I imagine it is rather expensive. You might consider doing it on you own (it's not difficult) and saving some money.

The fastest way (about 50 minutes) from Salzburg Hauptbahnhof to Berchtesgaden Hbf is by bus (RVO 840, Watzmann Express). If you purchase RVO Tagestickets for 9,80€ per adult, they will cover roundtrip on the Waltmann Express plus use of most buses in Berchtesgaden, including RVO 838 from Berchtesgaden Hbf to where (Busabfahrt) the special buses go up the private, bus only road to the Nest. The Tagesticket does not include use of the bus that goes up to the nest.

The last Watzmann Express back to Salzburg leaves Berchtesgaden at 6:15 PM, so if you want to stay later, you need to take the train (about 70 minutes) back (direct or with a possible with a change in Freilassing). If you purchase the BGL-Tagesticket Bus & Bahn for 12€ per adult, it will cover either the bus or train between Salzburg and Berchtesgaden plus the same buses in Berchtesgaden as the RVO Tagesticket.

A Bayern-Ticket will cover the train from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden as well as the same buses in Berchtesgaden, but it will not cover the Watzmann Express (which travels outside Bavaria), cannot be used before 9 AM workdays, and in most cases is more expensive.

Once you get to the Busabfahrt, you need to buy a ticket for the special bus to the parking lot just below the summit and for the elevator from there up to the Nest itself. The cost is about 16€ per adult. If I remember, admission to Kehlsteinhaus is actually free if you want to hike all the way up to the Haus.

If you are interested in the history of the site, and the tour includes descriptions of Obersalzburg as well as the Eagle's Nest, then do it. If you would only be going for the scenery, I recommend staying in Salzburg and enjoying that area.