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First and only 3-4 weeks trip to Germany/Austria itinerary

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We are planning a first (and probably only) trip to Germany and Austria this fall. We can leave the USA around Sept 18 and stay around 3-4 weeks (very flexible on timing). We travel only with a carry-on (backpack). We like some history, love the outdoors and hiking, and museums only if it is different/unusual or the only place to see something. Traveling by public transportation is fine but not opposed to car rental if advisable or helpful. We do not have an unlimited budget but are willing to spend what is needed for a good trip.
The first iteration of our itinerary – not sure if we should change direction to avoid Munich during Octoberfest (we are not big drinkers/partiers).
Arrive Berlin (4 days)
travel to Regensburg, stop at Nuremburg
Regensburg (2 days)
Munich (3 days)
Prien en Chemise (3 days) – day trips to Kampenwand and Saltzburg
Innsbruck (or Mittenwald) (3 days) - rent a car (in Germany) for the next part of a trip?
Swabian Alb (2-3 days)
Heidelberg (2-3 days)
Rhineland region (4 days) – base in Sankt Goar or Boppard
Frankfurt – fly to USA (husband)/Poland (wife)

Is this a doable itinerary? Is there anything we should add, remove, or combine?

Posted by
3008 posts

WIth given time I recommend to add Hamburg (Speicherstadt); Lübeck (old town), Schwerin (castle embassy) to the journey because the northern part of Germany including history and the mentioned World Heritages is different to the mentioned rest of Germany. For history add the Hanseatic League museum in Lübeck.

For the cities and most connections trains are meaningful: https://int.bahn.de/en/

Berlin is expensive in Spetember, esp. during IFA fair and Berlin Marathon.

Posted by
3 posts

Thank you, Mark - originally I did have the northern part through Hamburg for a complete circle back to Berlin. I nixed it because I thought it would be too much. I will look into adding it back.

Posted by
8248 posts

Consider stopping for a day in Dresden on your way from Berlin to Regensburg.

While in Salzburg, vist Berchtesgaden.

Innsbruck is great.

Consider visiting the Black Forest (Triberg, Friberg or Baden-Baden).

Posted by
3 posts

I was skipping Dresden in favor of the original medieval places since Dresden was completely rebuilt. If I add Dresden, I would have to remove days from other places, which might be too rushed.
I skipped the Black Forest also to save time and I did not think it was a MUST visit.
If I add those places I feel like we would need to go for more than 4 weeks. I'm OK with it but my husband usually gets antsy and wants to go home sooner LOL.

If I start adding some of the places, should I for sure rent a car to make travel more efficient?

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