Arriving in Munich by plane August 13, at 8am. (4 adults) Planning on spending night in Munich near main train station. Wondering if it is a good idea, to travel out to see the Andechs Monastery early that day, then return to see the Marienplatz & Hofbrauhaus later? Will leave in am by train the next day (Tuesday) for Rothenburg ob der Tauber, we will be there for 3 nights. Checking out on Friday to train to Salzburg for 2 nights. While there we are doing the Sound of Music Tour/ Hallstatt. From there we want to go to Regensburg, via train for Sunday & Monday. On Tuesday we will take a train to Vilshofen to board River Boat Cruise which leaves by 3p.m. Looking for any input, especially the train tickets, and seat reservations. Would it be cheaper to go back to Munich, and then to Regensburg, or go directly from Salzburg?
You can use Bayern tickets for all of these trips, costing 43 EUR each day for the whole group. Just stick to regional trains after 9 am weekdays.
The one long trip is going from Rothenburg to Salzburg. That one is 5 1/2 hours, and using fast trains at extra expense only saves 1/2 hour.
My philosophy is to go to the far point of the itinerary on your arrival day. In this case, travel to Rothenburg on your arrival day. It is only 4 hours, and you are already tired from your trip, so just keep going. I don't think anyone is going to feel like going to Andechs after settling in at Munich after getting off the plane from a transatlantic flight. Do that going from Rothenburg to Munich afterward. Then go to Salzburg, then to Regensburg, and finally Vilshofen. Those are train trips of 2 to 3 1/2 hours on regional trains.
Thank you so much for the Bayern train ticket info. Also for your input on going to the Andechs Monastery. Regarding the train from Sazlburg to Regensburg, does the Bayern ticket work also, or do we have to travel back through Munich? Appreciate any and all help in making our trip run smoothly. Karyn
Regarding the train from Sazlburg to Regensburg, does the Bayern ticket work also
As long as your route takes you immediately across the river from Salzburg to Freilassing and the rest of the way in Germany (Mühldorf?), yes. For your trip, except for the short section between Germany and 'Salzburg HB, the Bayern-Ticket is not valid in Austria. However, the routes via Munich might prove to be the fastest.
Use the Bahn query page to find routes and schedules.
For four adults, an MVV Partner Day-Ticket (entire network), for 24,30€ will cover the S8 to Herrsching and the MVV bus to Kloster Andechs and return.
For Regensburg to Vilshofen, a 40€ Servus-Ticket will be a little less than a Bayern-Ticket. The Servus-Ticket is like the Bayern-Ticket but for a smaller area.
Just curious which river cruise line you are taking out of Vilshofen? Our river cruise last week just ended there.
1 night in Munich and 3 in Rothenburg? OK....
I think the Andechs monestary is wonderful, but you have one night in Munich, the capital of Bavaria, the Athens of the west, etc, perhaps you should see Munich. There's more to it than Marienplatz and Hofbrauhaus (also don't eat at the Hofbrauhaus, there is better food available at Augustiner Braustuben or Andechser am Dom if you want to try to Andechs beer. Go to the Hofbrauhaus for a beer and check out the small museum on the second floor).
The Alte Pinaotek is one of Europe's great art museums. The Englishergarten and the surf wave and the biergarten at the Chinese tower is wonderful. There is a palace right downtown and another amazing palace a short tram ride away. Plenty of looted Greek antiquities. Germany's version of the Smithsonian. Lots and lots of great beer. Fascinating, cosmopolitan neighborhoods outside of the touristy center. Seriously, give Munich a full day at least.