Help with Train Travel between Zurich, Munich, Salzburg, Prague, Dresden, Berlin, & Frankfurt

If you've never travelled by train in Europe before, then I encourage you to read up on it on The Man in Seat 61 website https://www.seat61.com/

This is probably the best source of background information on how to use trains to get around. And I'm sure some of our train experts will advise you on the best type of tickets to buy, and when to buy them.

Simply use the saver fares of Deutsche Bahn which are far below full price. Early pre-booking helps saving on top. Maybe you can save a little bit more by BahnCard25 but that needs to be calculated.

In my opinion Seat61 contains sometimes outdated information.

If that's all you're planning, I think the best option is just to buy single tickets in advance.

did Salzburg and Prague fall by the wayside?

There are different ways to save on those, depending on where they are shoehorned in

Zurich to Munich - 18.90 Euro, https://www.seat61.com/trains-and-routes/zurich-to-munich-by-train.htm
Berlin to Frankfurt - https://www.seat61.com/international-trains/trains-from-Berlin.htm#Berlin-Germany

Still eager to fit in Salzburg and Prague. I was thinking a day trip to Salzburg from Munich, and a day trip to Prague from Dresden. Open to better thoughts!

Salzburg - can - be visited in a day, couple of hours there and a couple back, but there is an awful lot to see in and around. You'd have to pick and choose. Three nights and at least 2 days would let you visit more. Berchtesgaden, the cliffs above Salzburg - cable car -, the Red Bull museum, the fortress and walking the mountain above the city (elevator and / or funicular) two different Mozart properties, riding the river, walking the old town, the cemetery, and next door church (go around behind and get fresh bread right out of the oven), the gardens and palace, anything to do with Sound of Music, ... and much much more.

A passing visit would at least let you know a bit of what you're leaving unseen.

Seat 61 was an excellent recommendation--thank you!! Such a wealth of resources.

For those who have done a day trip to Prague and/or Salzburg, would you recommend a walking tour or is the time better used walking around on a self-guided tour?

A day trip to Prague will give you only a taste of what's available.

Look at Jason's walking tours at https://www.livingpraguetours.com/

He also has an excellent site for visiting Prague at livingprague.com

I carry a guidebook (usually pics (for weight) of the Rick chapter and pics of a Michelin Green Guide walk (which I prefer on return trips) and I read up ahead so I have never wanted a guide in Salzburg. Sorry I can't help with a name...

A day trip to Prague seems really, really inadequate to me. After the 5-hour round trip--and that doesn't include getting to and from the train stations--how much time will you really have in Prague? The Old Town is extremely touristy, so a short visit there runs the same risk as a day-trip to a Venice: You may spend the entire time in a mob of people trying to see the very same few highlights you're trying to cram in. To me, it's a recipe for really disliking the city when the target destination is as overrun as Prague's Old Town is.

There's quite a lot to see in Dresden. If you really do have an extra day there, Leipzig would be a more convenient side trip. It can take as little as 67 minutes each way by train. Or beautiful Goerlitz is just 77 minutes if you depart at 8:29 AM.

Of course we'd rather stay much longer, but I'd rather see a few sites in Prague than none at all!