Planning a trip to Germany and the Garmisch-Partenkirchen region specifically. Just discovered that the Oberammergau Passion Play is happening at exactly the time we were considering. We have zero interest in the play and will definitely steer clear of Oberammergau itself. But do you think the whole region will be impacted with tour buses, tour groups, jacked-up prices, etc.? Thinking of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Mittenwald, Zugspitze, etc. How much of an impact does the Passion Play have on the region? (Additional information: We're planning this trip for the second half of May and perhaps a bit into early June. The play starts May 14, so just as we would be arriving into the area, if we do so...)
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4850 posts
"do you think the whole region will be impacted with tour buses, tour groups, jacked-up prices, etc.? "
No. If you don't go to O'gau, it's unlikely you'd notice a difference.
"How much of an impact does the Passion Play have on the region?"
Aside from some accommodations being booked up, very little, as far as tourists are concerned.
Posted by
Paradise
6637 posts
The Passion Play venue accommodates up to 5,000 audience members 5 nights a week. Oberammergau itself cannot house that many Passion Play folks, even if the normal tourist crowd were banned from town , so there'll be pressure elsewhere throughout the region on availability and on prices too, I imagine, if this year's tourism approaches normal-year levels.
If you WERE a Passion Play attendee, would you just attend and then leave? I think most would also be interested in visiting the Zugspitze, Mittenwald, and the other well-known destinations as well, and that some impact over normal should be expected. Not sure if that means extra tour buses, or rental cars, or what, but surely a bit more traffic than if the Passion Play weren't in town. That said, if you're going in mid-May, you should encounter fewer problems than those coming later.
Posted by
Gulf Coast, usa
1161 posts
Totally agree with Russ. And if you are going to go to Garmisch, make those hotel reservations now - refundable of course. You can secure a good place now, and always change your mind if prices should drop, but most likely won't. We enjoy staying at
https://www.brunnthaler.de/en/home/
It's comfortable, clean, easy walk to everything, and the staff is awesome. The owner helped us secure a car rental through an agency a couple of blocks away from the hotel when we thought the town was sold out of cars (we looked everywhere online). They truly go out of their way to accommodate their guests. There is much to see in the region, and be sure and check out Partnachklamm gorge and Ettal Abbey.