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Itinerary Help - Family Trip to Salzburg and Bavaria in June

Hello! I would love to get some help with our travel itinerary for early June. We are starting with a few days in London, and then we will head to Austria and Bavaria for about 12 days. I will be travelling with my husband, two daughters (ages 5 and 8), and my mother-in-law and her partner who are in their 70s and early 80s. Here is what we’re thinking so far:

Salzburg – 4 nights (staying outside of the city center at the Schloss Leopoldskron). Is this too many nights?

Munich – 2 nights (Is Munich a good city with children? Should we only spend 1 night here and then move on to the south?)

Garmisch-Partenkirchen – 6 nights – (We would use this as a home base (we plan to rent a car) to visit Fussen and see the Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles, Zugspitze, Lake Eibsee, the Parnach Gorge. I think we’re going to skip Halstatt since it seems very crowded. I’d love to take the girls on a toboggan. Any recommendations? Are we missing anything? Are we spending too many nights in this location? Would you recommend a shorter stay and then us going to either Mittenwald or Berchtesgaden or somewhere else?)

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Posted by
1082 posts

Salzburg is nice, but it’s small. IMO 4 nights is a bit much, 3 is more fitting. I would add a night to Munich easy. There’s quite a lot you can see there, and/or just enjoy an afternoon in Englischer Garden. It’s summer, I think it’s safe to assume everything is going to be a bit crowded. So, while I wouldn’t cross Hallstatt off your list for this reason, it’s worth keeping in mind that sights like N’stein are going to be a little more challenging. This may require some extra time to see or decompress from a crowded sight.

There’s a toboggan a stone’s thrown from Neauschwanstein. It’s good, and family friendly.

Posted by
5914 posts

Just some initial thoughts-
I love Salzburg, and I think you'll have a fabulous time here, and that's not too many nights.
Staying actually in the old town is ideal, as with so many ages in your group, some folks could go back to the hotel midday for a rest. Not sure how far your lodging is from the old town?
Berchtesgaden is a 45 minute bus from old town Salzburg. And, on the way, are the Salt Mines.
Have your children watch the Sound of Music movie beforehand, for some reference. Then a SOM biking/van tour might be great fun for them.
Fussen is not my favorite place, you can Search opinions here. For me, it's the definition of a tourist trap, with lots of lines and walking, even with timed tickets.
What is your departure airport?
Wishing you a great family trip, with wonderful memories.

Posted by
5746 posts

Salzburg- how are you getting there? And how will you get around once there. Google maps says it's a half hour walk to the center of the Altstadt, but I doubt the seniors could do it that fast. How many nights you need depends on what you want to see and do while there.

Munich- again, that depends on what you want to do there. Have you looked at Ricks list of sights: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/germany/munich

GP- sounds OK. Just dont get FOMO and start second guessing yourself and/or spreading yourself too thin. There are ALWAYS other places to go and other things to do. But your time is finite, and you have to think of the 2 young children and 2 seniors that are with you.

Posted by
1678 posts

Munich is going to be much better for the kids than Salzburg. But take them out to the Hanger Seven museum and the salt mines. In Munich take them to Therme Erding and the Deutsches Museum. Last June there was still snow up on the Zugspitze, so you couldn't go out to the point, but they did have sleds for the kids. Consider taking a day and driving over to Cheimsee.

Posted by
222 posts

Here a link to the Tegelberg Sommerrodelbahn (Toboggan) near Füssen and Neuschwanstein as mentioned above

Dont forget to use the Cable Car upto Tegelberg mountain and enjoy the views

Go from GaP through Ettal (Monastery) Linderhof (Palace) and Plansee (Mountain lake nice boattrip) to Reutte in Austria from there its 18km to Neuschwanstein

Its a 1,5hrs drive (oneway) from GaP to Füssen/Neuschwanstein without stopps going the way above but stopps highly recommended at the mentioned places.Start early :o))