Germany in December - Itinerary help!!!

Posted by sarah.p on 10/04/24 09:44 PM

Hi there! I’m planning a trip for myself and two kids ages 18 and 20 for 10 nights mid-December to Germany. Plan on flying into Munich and out of Frankfurt. A little about us. My kids are super active - they love exploring, being outdoors, hiking, adventuring, nature, you name it. They both took German in school and this will be our first trip to Germany. I feel like this trip is going to be exhausting for me, but they will probably love it. I plan on renting a car just for the flexibility of being able to stop. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Day 1: Arrive in Munich and explore
Day 2: Munich museums (they each have one museum picked out)
Day 3: Munich Christmas markets
Day 4: Drive to somewhere (this is the part of the trip I need help with!)
* Either spend the next 2 days exploring the 3 King Ludwig II castles and possibly staying in Fussen
* OR spend 2 days in Innsbruck
* OR spend 2 days touring northern Bavaria and see cities such as Rothenburg
Day 6: Drive to Colmar (will be our base)
Day 7: Explore Strousburg
Day 8: Explore small towns in Alsace
Day 9: ?
Day 10: ?
Day 11: Fly home

Okay, the itinerary is a hot mess which is why I need help! I don’t want to only do Christmas markets - would like to do other things, too. Idk. Everything looks like so much fun!

Thanks!
Sarah

Posted by Pat

San Diego, California

10/04/24 10:06 PM

5618 posts

I'd say Munich to Salzburg, all on the train. Salzburg has magical Xmas markets. I'm not a fan of Fussen, those palaces are too touristy for my taste.
If you're in Colmar/ Strausburg , fly back from Zurich, explore some Swiss cities maybe. Just my two cents worth.
Have a great trip !

Posted by MarkK

Berlin

10/05/24 08:13 AM

3008 posts

Mid December can mean winter conditions like snow and ice but not necessarily. Therefore I recommend to fill the days a little bit more spontaneously.

For renting a car ensure that you will have driving permission for Germany. For this check validity of your driver's license in Germany and the likely need for an IDP.

Ensure you will rent a car with winter tyres and that this car is allowed to be used cross-border.

Ensure all same legal topics for driving a car in Austria and France, plus further topics e. g. Autobahn vignette.

A rental car in Munich is less helpful than expensive; recommend to rent it before leaving Munich.

Renting a car at train strations and airports is more expensive than renting it from a rental station which is not central / popular (Standortzuschlag). Tip for checking: if you enter the dates on this Sixt page without changing locations and press "Show stations" the map will show you the stations in Munich with different prices.

Info: with ages 18 and 20 your kids are legally considered adults in Germany.

On your way is the city of Stuttgart which has a lot of towns around with half-timbered houses around. So, no real need to do Rothenburg.

Posted by geovagriffith

10/05/24 11:35 AM

8248 posts

Innsbruck is nice, but you have to drive more to get there and this is Winter, you may need snow tires or chains.
Minimize driving, recommend staying in Bavaria or visit Salzburg, Austria rather than drive to France.

The Romantic Road is great and not in the mountains.

Posted by sarah.p OP

10/05/24 02:44 PM

5 posts

Thank you SO much for the helpful suggestions! Especially the driver’s license. I will look into that asap. I am from a cold climate and used to driving in the snow, but it’s not my favorite thing to do, so will definitely look into Saltzburg. Looks like it’s an easy train ride from Munich.

Posted by mchpp

Oberpfalz, Germany

10/05/24 03:37 PM

1389 posts

Consider going to and staying in Fulpmes in Austria and taking the Stubitalbahn into Innsbruck. You have options as where to stay in Fulpmes, but you need parking and probably within waling distance of the Stubitalbahn and the Schlick 2000 Bergbahn. Lots of easy bus transport too in the Stubital. With luck some snow.

Posted by KGC

Alsenborn, Germany

10/07/24 07:18 AM

1488 posts

Munich to Salzburg is a better option in the winter using the train and public transport, if you must go to Austria.

I'd base out of Strasbourg instead of Colmar because it's a much better transportation hub. And I'd go there from Munich via the ICE as that's faster and cheaper than driving.

From Strasbourg consider going up to Mainz or Heidelberg, both of which have good Christmas markets, and spending a day in Frankfurt before you fly home.