We will be traveling from Prague to Munich, staying for 4 nights there, moving on to do 3 nights in Salzburg and then most likely taking a very early train as to avoid the bus transfer on the route to Zurich. I looked at staying further south of Munich bc we are interested in a day trip to Newshwanstein, but it really doesn't make sense bc we don't have enough nights IMO to stay in both places and would be backtracking to get to Salzburg. I booked a "tour" for the castle along with an alpine slide for one of our days, but wondering if it would be better to just rent a car for the one day? I know many people say it's not worth going, but my kids are interested in seeing it. Thoughts on any or all of this? My husband and I have been to Germany, but this is our first time visiting these areas.
Posted by
Paradise
8078 posts
I looked at staying further south of Munich bc we are interested in a day trip to Newshwanstein, but it really doesn't make sense bc we don't have enough nights IMO to stay in both places and would be backtracking to get to Salzburg.
It's "6 of one, half a dozen of the other" sutuation. You backtrack in both situations to Munich. Whether you sleep in Munich the night before AND the night after this outing - or you spend the night of this outing near Neuschwanstein - it's the same travel: Munich > Neuschwanstein, back to Munich, then Munich to Salzburg.
Thoughts on any or all of this? My husband and I have been to Germany, but this is our first time visiting these areas.
Is the tour you booked fully refundable? If not, just do the tour, I guess. If so... I'd instead consider touring one of the other palaces that doesn't involve such a lengthy detour. Maybe you aren't familiar with the options if you haven't been here previously...
Herrenchiemsee Palace lies on an island in Chiemsee lake and right on the train route between Munich and Salzburg. It was built by the same Bavarian King (Ludwig II) and is truly special. Getting there involves a short ferry ride across the lake from the town of Prien. You would do this outing as part of your train journey to Salzburg; stow your bags in a Prien station locker and spend a few hours there, then board a later train for Salzburg. This erases all those extra travel miles entirely.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOQ8Z9qH5dk
Nymphenburg Palace is a wonderful choice as well. Lots more to see there and right in Munich. The same King Ludwig spent some childhood years here. Family-friendly. Move about the palace at your own pace. See the carriage house, porcelain exhibit, gardens, and satellite palaces: This page explains it well:
https://www.theworldisabook.com/16991/munich-with-kids-nymphenburg-palace/
I'd let the kids choose between these two and feel magnanimous about being so flexible. But perhaps I'm a bad parent.
Posted by
OP
24 posts
Thank you for the additional options. I'll look into those and consult the kids as well. We want this to be enjoyable for everyone so we're absolutely including them in some of the activity planning. We are considering staying in Munich for 2 nights and Garmish for 2 nights, but it does increase costs significantly further lodging and it looks like we would definitely need a car to explore the Garmish area. It looks incredible. Anyone that's been to both have advice on if this makes sense to split our time or even stay in Garmish instead of Munich? We're still conflicted because we typically have the best memories of the parts of our trip that are in smaller villages or more out of the way places as opposed to very large and busy cities. My son was wanting to go the BMW museum but I wonder if we can go on a few outings in Munich on our way from Salzburg if we do stay the entire 4 nights in Garmish.
Posted by
9919 posts
I lived in Augsburg, west of Munich for four years, I recommend staying in Garmish (to see the castles, Zugspitze and Oberammergau) as well as Salzburg (also to see Berchtesgaden).
Take a look at the Fraundorfer Hotel in Garmish.