Hello.
We are traveling to Bavaria for Christmas. We have a pretty tight schedule. We arrive to Munich in the morning. Going to spend that day and sleep 1 night in Munich. The next day we are driving to Salzburg for 1 night (and 1.5-2 days). Then we are coming back to stay overnight in Munich before heading to Nuremberg. Questions: I would like to visit the Honenschwangau and Newschweinstein castles AND go to Dachau on the way to Nuremberg. What is the best way to do this? Yes, we are driving (as we always have in Europe during any season 😁). Can we get to the castles from Salzburg or should we travel thru Munich? And then stay overnight in Munich and go to Dachau on the way to Nuremberg?
Thanks in advance!
Elina
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
5447 posts
Of course you can get to Hohenschwangau and Neuschwenstein from Salzburg (assuming they are open on the day you travel). The question is whether you really want to, given the logistics. The fastest route (in ideal conditions) is the southern route on Google Maps via Bad Tolz- about least 3 hrs. It's another 1.5-2 hrs to Munich from there. So you would spend 5 hours travelling for the 2-3 hours or so at the castles. That's a whole day spent. There's no way you would also have time to visit Dachau that day.
Dachau would take at least 3 hours to see, then it would be a 2 hr drive to Nuremberg.
Considering the time of year and alpine driving for part of your planned trip, this is all weather dependant.
Posted by
Berlin
3016 posts
That would be a real good question for a travel agent which can help you along. May be a forum is not the best place for answers - even if you will get a few.
"We have a pretty tight schedule"
External view: At least you decided yourself to stress you up. :-o
Clear answer. There is no best way to do this. Just look on any map where the places are located. And do not wonder if you do not find one mentioned. It's name is "Neuschwanstein", swan ("Schwan") not pig ("Schwein"). So, do it or leave it with clear decisions.
I suggest to strike something out of your fantasy list because if you will be there you will not have enough time to experience something. Take Dachau Memorial Center as example. Do you want to just click-through a place where far over 30,000 people found death? I honestly recommend to create quality time to your itinerary instead of travel time. In your brain memories based on experience will survive, not photos.
Be aware that you plan to travel in winter. So be prepared for snow and ice conditions, minimum in the morning, evening and night hours. Serious danger.
Also you will travel around Christmas: Means you will travel with millions of others and just end up in traffic jams. Therefore it is absolutely not meaningful to plan with Google Maps based travel times for your date of travel.
If you want to drive to Austria by car: Are you aware of the legal impacts, e.g. Pickerl, driving permit (not license), ...? EU is harder like US - different state or even country, different rules.
Sorry to add some reality to blue-eyed wishes but more fantasy does not help your itinerary.
Posted by
Greeley, co, usa
2592 posts
Choose either Dachau or the castles.
If the castles, go from Salzburg and forget going back to Munich. Remember to reserve your tour and not just show up expecting to get in right away.
Posted by
OP
123 posts
Thanks, everyone!
We usually go with the flow. We will see how the weather conditions are going to be and decide. At this point, we have a hotel booked in Munich for the night after Salzburg (and castles). So we will be going to Dachau frm Munich on the way to Nuremberg. I think this is more realistic :)
Thanks again, everyone!