My family and I are renting a car from Vienna to Garmisch-Partenkirchen. I planned to drop off the car after spending a few day in Garmisch, and take the train to Munich, so I don't have to drive into the city. (the car is already reserved). When I check the train schedule on DB for Garmisch to Munich, it shows I have to take a bus to Uffing, then transfer to a train to Munich. Does anyone know, are the trains being serviced and therefore not running on that line at the end of August? I was sure there were direct trains into Munich from Garmisch, but it won't show on the website.
If that is indeed the case, would you suggest doing the bus/train connection (traveling with family of four with luggage), or should I just keep the car and drive into Munich city center with my rental car (sounds very stressful to me).
Thanks in advance for any info/advice!
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8887 posts
I seem to remember another poster speaking about the same thing earlier in the year, and the response was track maintenance.
I wouldn't hesitate to the do the bus/train connection. It won't be any harder than just connecting between two trains Can each person in your group handle their own luggage?
If you still don't feel comfortable with the bus/train option, how about picking a rental car return location that is not in Munich City Center?
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
And pretty extensive track maintenance. A look at the arrival and departure boards for the Garmisch-Partenkirchen Bahnhof in late August shows that there are no trains arriving or leaving in any direction (Munich, Mittenwald, nor Reutte), only scheduled buses and SEV (Schienen Ersatz Verkehr, rail substitute transportation).
Murnau, on the main line to Munich is the same. Nothing in either direction on the main line. The only rail service to/from Murnau is on the spur line to Oberammergau.
I agree with Carol. Just take the substitute transportation provided. It will leave from in front of the Garmisch-Partenkirchen Bahnhof and drop you in front of the Uffing Bahnhof. All you will need is the rail ticket from GaP to Munich.
You might check to see if your rental could be dropped off in Füssen, Uffing, Starnberg, or Bad Tölz. You could take a train into Munich from there.
Posted by
San Diego, CA, USA
321 posts
Hi Akohl- here are a couple of alternatives.
Drive from Garmisch to the Munich airport and drop the car off there. The drive is very easy. Then catch the S-bahn from the airport to downtown Munich- also very easy.
Instead of Garmisch, spend a few days in the Salzburg/Berchtesgaden area. Drop the car off in Salzburg (Salzburg airport is very easy) which negates the cross border drop fee.. Catch the train from Salzburg to the Munich train station, also very easy
Have a great trip!!!
Posted by
Paradise
7072 posts
The SEV replacement buses should be fine. These repair jobs tend to be well organized. If confused, don't be timid about asking for help getting the right bus. The Werdenfels Ticket should get your family to Munich for €23.
"Instead of Garmisch, spend a few days in the Salzburg/Berchtesgaden area. Drop the car off in Salzburg (Salzburg airport is very easy) which negates the cross border drop fee.. Catch the train from Salzburg to the Munich train station, also very easy"
The drop-off fee is pricey so the above is a good suggestion; I believe you already have Salzburg and B'gaden on your itinerary, right?
On the other hand, I question why you are picking up a car in Vienna. Salzburg is a snap by train, and it may be as intimidating to drive out of Vienna as it is into Munich. For about €52 your family can travel Vienna-Salzburg on the hourly Westbahn train (€25 per adult, €1.00 per child.) That's the cost of the GAS ALONE for the same trip by car. You see Salzburg, then you take a train or bus just across the border to Freilassing Germany (7 minute train ride, minimal cost) and rent your car there for the drive to B'gaden and Garmisch. Then a few days later you drop the car in Garmisch before you travel to Munich. No foreign drop-off fee, no vignette fee for driving in Austria, no city driving hassles.
Actually, public transport in Garmisch is free with the GAPA visitors card that you get from your hosts. You get discounts too.
If you're staying in Berchtesgaden, they have a visitors card there too that does the same thing. There are lots of buses that get you around B'gaden to the Königssee and other sights. Perhaps you don't need the car at all. If you decide to go this route, just take the train or bus from Salzburg to B'gaden and the train from B'gaden to Garmisch (€28 per travel day for your family with the Bayern Ticket.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks for all the advice. My original plan was to pick up the car in Vienna, then drive to Salzburg for 3 days, then Garmisch for 3 days (good memory Russ!) before ending our trip in Munich. My thinking was that I'm using Salzburg as a base to explore (Konigsee, Berchtesgaden, salt mines, possibly Halstaat) and we're staying at Schloss Leopoldskron a little outside town, so I wanted a car. Also, once in Garmisch, I wanted the car for convenience to possibly visit the castles, oberammergau, Ettal (sp?),etc. I rarely rent cars in Europe, but thought it made sense for this trip.
Perhaps with the suggestions here, I will rethink the pickup of the car in Vienna, and just get it when I get to Salzburg (Freilassing), and then have it for the Salzburg/Garmisch part of the trip.