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
8172 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
37 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
10063 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.
Posted by
Paradise
8172 posts
From there, trains will get you to the Zugspitze access points, or to Mittenwald (just 20 minutes from G-P) and the Karwendelbahn lift, or to Oberammergau, or to Seefeld and Innsbruck in Austria. Other places (Ettal Monastery, Linderhof Palace for example) can be reached with an add-on bus connection. A free guest card covers the bulk of your transport costs in this area and provides discounts:
https://www.gapa-tourismus.de/guest-card#/pois
Getting to G-P from Munich: The train trip from Munich's main station to G-P is DIRECT and takes just under 1.5 hours.
Not shown on the map is Füssen. It's north of Vils near the Forggensee (lake.) So to get there from G-P you would take the train west through Austria to the town of Pflach (which is in between Reutte and Vils. Bus 100 then picks up passengers from the Flach station and takes them to Füssen (20 minutes through the mountains.) Sample schedule from a random day:
G-P > Flach by RB train (1 hour on the scenic Ausserfern Railway, views of the Zugspitze) 9:04 - 10:06
Pflach > Füssen station by bus 10:09 - 10:30
Return to G-P as you came; buses leave Füssen station at 15:13 and 17:13 and connect with the RB trains returning to G-P.
The Zugspitze has different access points prior to the lifts that take you up, but the trains will get you to those places.
You could of course rent a car in G-P if you decide you will need one for one day, or for the whole time. But all in all, getting around the area by train and bus isn't an ordeal.
The DB itinerary search page is your source for scheduling all trains and all bus connections too.
With your circumstances and preferences I would consider Day 1 in Munich at the BMW-Welt and a hotel stay somewhere nearby. Public transport will get you there from the airport (use the DB page for routing.) If you can find a hotel that suits you near there (Arthotel Ana would put you pretty close) you could then proceed on Day 2 to G-P for a 3-night stay there, which is probably best if you prefer staying in smaller places (in places that are smaller than Munich, that is.)