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Germany Trip Next Week

Posted by (Atlanta) on

I have a few questions about our trip to Germany next week, mostly about train travel. For some background information, we are staying in Munich (4 nights), then traveling by train to Garmisch-Partenkirchen (2 nights), then back to Munich for one night before flying home the next morning.

  1. Could someone explain to me the differences between the Werdenfels pass and the Bayern pass? I'm not able to differentiate between the two based on the information on DB's website. Also, am I correct in saying that there is no exchange or refund for either of those passes? DB's website seems contradictory on this point.

  2. While in Garmisch, we are wanting to see Neuschwanstein castle and Zugspitze. Will either the Werdenfels or Bayern pass cover local transit to these sites (if we travel there on the same day we depart Munich)?

  3. We will be in Garmish on December 15 and 16. Based on your experience, do you think it will be too cold/windy to go up Zugspitze at that time of the year?

Posted by
6637 posts

1.) The Bayern ticket daypass covers a larger area than the W'fels Ticket daypass. There shouldn't be any reason to refund the ticket because you really should just buy it on the day of travel instead of online. You don't save any money buying it online, you just commit yourselves prematurely to a ticket that never sells out anyway. Who knows? You might have some reason to change plans.

2.) The Bayern Ticket gets you to the Zugspitzbahn and Füssen. The Werdenfels ticket gets you to the Zugspitzbahn but doesn't get you to Füssen. Here's a map of the rail and bus lines covered:

W'fels ticket coverage

The Zugspitzbahn is a separate ride to the peak. Details HERE.

I can't comment on weather conditions.

Posted by
12040 posts

We will be in Garmish on December 15 and 16. Based on your experience, do you think it will be too cold/windy to go up Zugspitze at that time of the year?

That depends on your personal tolerance for cold and wind. The upper Zugspitze ski area should be in full swing during your visit. The ascent by rail is open all year, and the cable car only shuts down for very high winds.

Posted by
2 posts

Thanks for both of your replies. It was my understanding that the "saver" ticket had to be purchased at least one day in advance of travel. Is that not the case for the Werdenfels/Bayern tickets?

Posted by
32742 posts

I've never heard of Werdenfels. But to my certain knowledge you extract the Bayern Ticket from the machine just prior to use, or earlier if you wish.

Posted by
4684 posts

Yes, there's no problem with buying the Bayern ticket on the day of travel. It's available from ticket offices or machines.

Posted by
6637 posts

"It was my understanding that the "saver" ticket had to be purchased at least one day in advance of travel. Is that not the case for the Werdenfels/Bayern tickets?"

Like the Bayern Ticket, he W'fels ticket is a daypass for one or more journeys, good on local and regional trains; it saves you money, but it is NOT a "Saver Ticket" - that's an advance-sale ticket from DB for one journey that includes at least one high-speed train. DB PAGE ON SAVER FARES

Be sure to read the Bayern Ticket details; like the Bayern ticket, the Werdenfels-Ticket is valid from Mon. to Fri. from 9 am to 3 am the following day and all day on weekends and holidays.

Posted by
830 posts

We will be in Garmish on December 15 and 16. Based on your experience, do you think it will be too cold/windy to go up Zugspitze at that time of the year?

Here's the forecast - highs of about 20° F, lows of about 8° F, winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.

You should consider taking the gondola up and the train down, or visa versa.

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