Firming up June Itinerary

Looks pretty good. Not sure you really have time for Dachau, which will usurp much of the day (and perhaps put your stomachs in a knot for the rest of it) AND a bike tour. Overall, there's a lot to see and do right in Munich in your 2.5 days without traveling elsewhere. Perhaps it's possible to get into the Alps briefly with a trip by direct train to Mittenwald at some point (1:40 - 1:50 each way.) Mittenwald is small, adorable, easy to see quickly.

If you leave Munich on the train at 7:27 you'll be in St. Goar by 12:38. The 12:48 departure from Munich takes 20 minutes less, but that might put you into St. Goar later than you'd like. There are 4 other options between those travel times as well. Check it out using the DB itinerary page:

http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en

Hi Russ,

Is Mittenwald easy to do as a day-trip from Munich?

How easy is it to get from Munich to Baden-Baden?
Thanks!

Yes, 1 train from Munich's main station to Mittenwald, less than 2 hours each way; stop off in Garmisch-Partenkirchen for activities there as well to make it a long day.

It's cheap as well. The Regio-Ticket Werdenfels is €23 for two and covers the round-trip.

Baden-Baden??? That's about 4 hours each way by train and a lot more €. Not worth it either IMO.

A trip to the premiere spa town of Bad Wörishofen is only 1 - 1.25 hours each way by train with 1 change of train.

Don't miss Dachau. It is easy to get to from Munich, leave first thing in the morning and either take the English guided tour or use the audio guide. It is a very moving experience. There are some great restaurants in Dachau for a late lunch and then head back to Munich sometime in the afternoon. We had wanted to rent bikes but didn't have time but I think there are several places you and your son can rent bikes, head out to the English garden and surrounding neighborhoods. Its scenic, and at that time in June the days will be long - good for bike riding and exploring and again lots of places to stop for a drink & food. There is lots to do in Munich, 3 days plus time for Dachau would give you time to enjoy the city.

"It is a very moving experience. There are some great restaurants in Dachau for a late lunch..."
Dachau is pretty graphic. The experience certainly moved me but did not result in an appetite. It's a place you have to decide on for yourself. I can say that I didn't really learn much there as in school I had paid pretty close attention to those history lessons already. It was more an emotional experience than anything, one that messed mightily with the rest of the day. I don't think it's a "must" for everyone.

There's a very nice visitor's center at the entrance to the Dachau Camp Memorial. There are restrooms and a cafe also located in the that visitor's center.

i should have chosen my words a bit differently. We did find the Dachau memorial to be moving and emotional visit. But I was travelling with my 16 year old son and finding an interesting local restaurant is always a part of our day. The town of Dachau is lovely, the people are charming and there are many restaurants and shops in the town near the train station to also spend some time and reflect on the memorial. I mentioned food/place to stop and the original poster is travelling with his 18 year old son. When we were in Dachau it was during Volksfest and that is where we ended our day. Perhaps not how many adults would chose to spend time following a visit to the memorial, but with 2 teens visiting the memorial and town of Dachau was one of the best days of our trip to Germany. In classes this year, both have used the trip to Dachau and their experiences there to add to history studies.

It really looks like your trip should center around Munich and Bavaria(since you say the plane tickets are fixed) and skip the Rhein/Mosel area. There are far too many things to see around Bavaria (Salzburg, Berchtesgaden, Oberammergau, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Füssen, Rothenburg odT, Bamberg, Nürnberg - and I'm just getting started). As for Dachau, I didn't visit the camp until my 8th visit to Munich, and I could have waited; it would be way down my list.

If you must go to Dachau, it is incredibly simple to do on your own. No reason to do a bike tour or any other third party (cost added) tour.