Munich and Zurich suggestions for our 25th wedding aniversary trip

Congrats, and best wishes for a fun time.

You have 4 nights in Munich, right? So on Day 1, if your flight arrive in timely fashion, you might be getting to Munich's central station by around 3 pm as you first have a possible flight delay baggage, security, and getting to the rail station to deal with, then a 40-minute train ride. Check in after that (somewhere) then freshen up and it's almost time for dinner. That leaves 3 days, most of which will be eaten up quickly in Munich if you're doing a walking tour, Oktoberfest, and anything else there in the city (and there's quite a bit to see/do in Munich.) If you have one full day left for outings, I'll be a bit surprised.

Mittenwald is a complete delight, even for those who have never seen a violin. I'd rank it the most desirable of your stated day trip options. It is easy to get there by train. There is a DIRECT train to Mittenwald every hour at around :30 after the hour in the morning, with travel time at 1 hr 50 minutes. The Karwendelbahn lift and views, the river gorge walks, and the precious town itself conspire to use up most of your day, but of course you will see the museum too. A guide for a day trip to Mittenwald, with a walking map:

https://hastingshouse.typepad.com/hastings_house_us/2007/04/mittenwald_germ.html

If you take this trip on Saturday 9/27, you can leave Munich station before 9 am on a Bayern (Bavaria) Ticket (day pass for two priced at €42) which gets you there and back and permits you to use any public transport within Munich that might be needed as well.

https://www.discover-bavaria.com/tickets

This day pass works on weekdays too, but only from 9 am onward. Buy it from a ticket machine or on the DB app on the day of travel - there is no price advantage or other advantage for pre-purchasing this ticket. And it is non-refundable - so keep your choices open during your Munich stay as to which day you do this day trip - weather matters.

It's not clear what your transport needs are within Munich. MVV is the authority that issues tickets there:

https://www.mvv-muenchen.de/en/tickets-and-fares/tickets-daytickets/index.html

An outing to Neuschwanstein IMO is a good bit more complicated and much less worthwhile than the hype and the tourist throngs imply, IMH0. A more interesting place, right in Munich: Nymphenburg Palace:

https://www.theworldisabook.com/16991/munich-with-kids-nymphenburg-palace/

I can't think of a more tragic place to celebrate 25 years than Dachau.

If you actually have time for another trip away from Munich, consider the short trip to Andechs Monastery (which is covered in Rick Steves materials.)

I agree with almost everything Russ wrote. My slight difference is that for a day trip to Mittenwald you can do cheaper than Bayern Ticket. With Bayern Ticket you get all regional transport in Bavaria including trams,buses and U-Bahn (subway) in Munich. But to reach Mittenwald you can use the Regio Ticket Werdenfels which only includes the region between Munich and the border at Mittenwald, plus regional trains and S-Bahn in Munich. It' s €29 for 1st person and €10 for the second person on the same ticket. Do not buy the dearer "+ Innsbruck" version unless you intend to carry on over the border. So assuming you won't be venturing into other parts of Bavaria on the same day and won't be making multiple tram/U-Bahn rides either you save money. And it doesn't have the 09:00 time restriction of the Bayern Ticket. This is more than a simple round trip ticket, you can get off somewhere else (say Murnau for dinner) or come back via the scenic 9608 bus to Kochel and then a different train route into Munich.

https://bahnland-bayern.de/de/ticket/regio-ticket-werdenfels

As far as I remember Switzerland and Germany have the same power system - which is higher voltage than USA . You will need a socket adapter but if the device doesn't show the higher 220-240 volt/ 50hz supply it can't be used. Phone chargers may have automatic voltage change built in but you need to check the label. USB works the same everywhere and sockets are common, even on modern trains. No idea about SIMs, people in Europe normally use the same one everywhere.

And then we get o Zurich. WHY? it's one of the most expensive and least romantic cities in Europe! Buy train tickets weeks in advance for best price in direct Eurocity trains from DB or SBB websites/Apps.

Clothing: It can still be warm in September and I normally just take summer clothes with a sweater and rainproof jacket as well. I've been in Switzerland in a t-shirt in October - and several layers in July!

The Regio-ticket Werdenfels for two may work if your hotel is near the main station, or by an S-Bahn station for a preliminary connecting ride to the main station. The Bayern Ticket for two is more inclusive - for €3 more, it covers the two of you on a connecting ride to the main station (and back to your hotel later that day) no matter where your hotel might be, whether that ride rquires the S-Bahn, a city bus, a tram, or the subway, and of course the train to Mittenwald too. (A bus ride like the 9608 to Kochel would be covered too.)

Since you are privy to your hotel's location, your preferences regarding day and hour of departure, etc., you can make this choice on the spot.

I also agree with everybody here. We love Mittenwald, will be there again this fall. You should have a Wild Game dinner (Wildgerichte) at the Alpenrose. It's so good, I had it three times in one week, I couldn't help myself. Also Mittenwald has the Violin Museum, very close to the center of town. You will definitely enjoy it, lot of exhibits about making stringed instruments. Lot of violin things to see there.

Different opinions here about VPN. I've never bothered, but I don't do banking online with my phone. As for Esims, there are many vendors, also discussed in this forum a lot. Quite inexpensive for a data-only esim.

Switzerland and Germany have slightly different 2 pin sockets for simple things like cellphone chargers, you just need a simple pin adapter for each country. And it's better if your chargers have two or more USB outlets, as hotels may not have a lot of open outlets.

Have a great trip!

Mittenwald is a good idea.

I spent time in Munich and didn't go to Neuschwanstein simply because the outside is the best part of the castle. If you want to see a real castle that was lived in go to the much more interesting HOHENSCHWANGAU castle right next door.

Or if you want to see a palace that few international travelers see, go to SCHLEISSHEIM PALACE just a S-Bahn and bus ride away.

We met friends at Oktoberfest last year and it was a great time. We went for lunch - everyone is in a festival mood - happy and meeting friends and family so get ready to share a table and clink glasses with everyone! Walk in and out of all the big beer halls to see them all. The food is good everywhere. It's also only CASH so have plenty of Euros or be prepared to use the ATM machines to be found in every tent. There are good websites with info about the festival - easy to take the train there or walk if you are city-center. Every tent is required to have a portion of open seating so if you are trying to find a spot just ask for help. Seating inside and out.

Near the main square in Munich - Marienplatz is a famous old food purveyor - Dallmayr Delicatessen. Their upstairs cafe is great for lunch or just coffee and cake. A walking tour is a good idea to see most things.

We're older than you and now travel by train - and get first class tickets for longer journeys - just makes it easier for luggage handling.

The Munich airport - easy to leave the airport and get a train into town - same for Zurich.

We flew to Zurich late September, took the train to Italy and then wound up in Munich to finish a three week trip. We took layers, light rainproof jackets, sweaters, umbrellas, scarf, hat, gloves - it was cold at night in Munich by the end of our trip.

Have a great trip!