Help with itinerary - Salzburg and Munich with kids

Hi Lizzy,
From where are you going to go to Berchtesgaden and Neuschwanstein? Are those separate from your 6 nights? Off the top of my head, I‘d say one, max 2 days to do Salzburg, then rent a car and head for the mountains for 2 days, turn it in in the same place you rented it, take the train to Munich, 2 nights in Munich. I‘m an American who‘s lived in Munich for 20 years, have kids 16 and 18.
Would strongly recommend at least the BMW Museum while you’re here in Munich (much more interesting than it sounds), and if you’re really lucky, there will be a factory tour in English. BOTH of these are guided, and you must sign up for them on the company website. The factory tours fill up several months in advance, so don’t delay. If you can take one, it will probably be a highlight of your trip!

I think there is more for your kids in Salzburg (I’m the mom of two boys).

You’ve obviously got the Salzburg fortress which fulfills all castle dreams. Then there are the trick fountains at Hellbrunn which my boys still talk about. There’s the Salt Mine in Hallstatt - fun and history combined. St. Wolfgang is idyllic on the Wolfgangsee. Hiking around Gosausss. And you already have Berchtesgaden.

To me, Munich is a boring big city for kids (car museum aside). Neuschwanstein is a trap of the tourist kind.

I second the salt mines; I loved it at that age! And for sure find a Rodelbahn somewhere.

Two in Salzburg and four in Munich! Use one of your Munich days to rent a car and drive down to visit the Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles and drop by Weiskirche on your return. Another option for Munich is to spend about a half-day going out to Dachau. Of course central Munich also has a lot to offer young people including the Residenz, museums, and food. When vacationing in Europe there never seems to be enough time to do everything so you'll have to prioritize. Salzburg is definitely worth visiting but a full day there should be enough unless you're doing day trips (i.e. Berchtesgaden, salt mine, etc.).

Skip N'stein Castle in Fussen. IMHO, way over-rated, and lots of waiting in lines. Read previous reviews here. Your time is too valuable for this stop, I think.
Safe travels!

It's easy to spend 6 nights in and around either place. Five full days only, even less when you take into account travel and unloading between the two destinations. I presume you are flying out of Munich, so want to be in Munich on your last night?

I've visited Neuschwanstein twice, over twenty years between visits: it is too far from either Salzburg or Munich as a day trip, and there are much better options.

Four nights in Salzburg, many options in and around by public transportation. Mirabell Palace and Hohensalzburg Fortress in the old town (plus more interesting sites in the old town itself), Hellbrunn Palace and zoo on the outskirts. Your sound of music tour. Salt mines in Hallein and Berchtesgaden, the latter of which has Eagle's Nest close by. The excellent castle and ice caves in Werfen. A bit further afield, a nice day can be had visiting Herrenchiemsee Palace and Fraunworth Abbey. Königssee is one of my favourite spots anywhere. St Gilgen and Wolfgangsee to the east. You are already running out of time.

I like Munich, it's a good city to walk around. Take your pick.

https://www.muenchen.de/int/en.html

https://www.salzburg.info/en

https://www.berchtesgaden.de/en/home

Thank you all so much! This is very helpful and is giving me a lot to think about!