Munich Airport to Garmisch, Train or rent a car?

Take the train. Unless for some reason you need a car in GP. It's a short train ride, the GP station is in the center of town, and it's cheaper and easier than finding parking. Especially if you plan to go during ski season (Nov-Mar) or summer tourist season (May-Oct). Actually probably better in April too.

What sites are you looking at that is giving you conflicting info on taking the train from the Munich airport to GP? Use the Dbahn website, since you'll be taking their trains. It couldn't get much simpler: take the Sbahn from the airport to the Hauptbahnhof (Munich's main train station.) One leaves about every 20 minutes. Then take the regional train that goes to GP. There should be one about every hour. Total time would be around 2 1/2 hours. If you need a car while in GP, rent it there.

I just checked the DB app re the train to GP from Munich Hauptbahnhof. The schedule shows the train takes less than a hour and a half. I've taken this train more times than I can count. We have never had a problem taking this route by train. Once you are past the Munich city area the scenery is pleasant. I would not want the hassle of a car in GP.

Have a fantastic trip!

Traveler Girl

There are so many train websites (rail Europe, trainline, etc.) it's hard to know which are legit for the area, so thank you! We might like a car for a few day trips (the Airbnb has parking) but renting in GP is an excellent idea, as on our last day, we are taking the train to Innsbruck to Venice. Having to return the car at the airport would be going out of our way. Thank you

I think the only train websites you need are the official ones:

DB Navigator for Deutsche Bahn (Germany)
OBB for Austrian train system

Also, in the Munich area, the Munchen Navigator app is very good.

It is a nice scenic train ride from Garmish, east, past Mittenwald, and on into Austria. I sure wouldn't want to drive all the way back to Munich airport just to turn in a car.

I think you are arriving at a good choice. I will emphasise that driving in and around is simply not fun. The traffic as the autobahn ends north of G-P can be pretty awful too.

The train from G-P via Mittenwald and Seefeld to Innsbruck is through gorgeous scenery, and from Seefeld in Tirol (worth a stay on its own) down to Innsbruck is down a long steep hill through the forest and really good.

don't use Rail Europe. They don't give all the choices, they charge too much and often have errors.

Don't use Rome to Rio - they are riddled with errors and ridiculous but possible and slow suggestions.

Use the official apps and websites for the Austrian, Swiss and German railways.

train for sure

As for the S-Bahn from the airport to the Hbf, there are two S-Bahns leaving from opposite sides of the platform. The S1, which goes around the west side of town to get to the Hbf, and the S8, which goes around the east side of town to get to the Hbf. Each one leaves every 20 minutes, but they are not evenly spaced, timewise. But it doesn't matter; just take which ever one is leaving next. It will get you to the Hbf sooner than waiting for the other one.