I am flying into Munich on Sept. 15 but am actually headed to Salzburg for the beginning of the My Way Alpine Europe tour on September 18.
My question is: should I take the train when I arrive to Salzburg and not stay in Munich? I’m leaning towards going directly to Salzburg.
My 2nd question is: how do I get from the Munich airport to the train station that goes to Salzburg?
Any tips or ideas will be welcome!
Thanks for your help.
Train: Go to the German Railways site for schedules and transfer points.
https://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en
Enter these station names:
Munich Airport T
Salzburg Hbf
For any itinerary that pops up, you can find the transfer station (usually München Ost) as well as the platform numbers, travel times, and layover times by clicking on the "Show Details" arrow.
There's a lot of stuff to see and do near Salzburg that won't be included in your tour. That's where I'd probably go.
https://www.salzburg-burgen.at/en/
Thanks, Russ! I have been to Munich before but not during Oktoberfest with big crowds and high hotel prices. It will be a long travel day but I can sleep/doze on the train not so soundly that I miss my stop.
I agree with skipping Oktoberfest: even if you do drink beer, it is no fun if you're travelling on your own, and you will pay a lot of money for hotels.
It might be worth visiting for a few hours without going into the tents--I particularly like watching the Toboggan ride entrance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1QBDZTelCg
But only if you enjoy festivals with fair food, etc.
The Wiesnwirte Marsch/parade in Munich would be fun on the 16th of September. I catch it on German TV sometimes: https://www.oktoberfest.de/en/information/events/parade-of-the-tent-patrons
I enjoyed Christmas markets in Munich & towns/cities in Austria in 2019 so I like festivals but not with huge crowds. I will skip Munich on this trip and head straight to Salzburg.
Thanks for your thoughts and ideas!
In Salzburg you can check out the Augustiner Braugasthof Krimpelstätter. I like the Bärenwirt too. They have good Backhendl.
They have good Backhendl
Last time I had Austrian fried chicken, was in Vienna, and it came raw in places - NEVER again for me.
Mchpp,
I will look for the Augustiner Braugasthof. Sounds interesting. Also, I will be there on a Sunday and would like to attend mass- where would you recommend?
Periscope,
Raw meat is awful 😞
Love your ideas.
In addition to drinking beer, you can sit in a tent and sing silly drinking songs. Almost as much fun as riding around in a bus in Salzburg with other clueless Americans singing Do a Deer.
how do I get from the Munich airport to the train station that goes to Salzburg?
Actually, none of the train stations go to Salzburg. They all stay in Munich.
You can catch a train going to Salzburg at the Hbf or at Munich East (München Ostbahnof), which is closer to Salzburg. The fastest train, the Rail Jets, leave only from the Hbf. You can catch an EC or a regional Meridian train from either the Hbf or Ost. The Austrian RailJet leave on alternate hours from the Hbf and goes non-stop to Salzburg; the EC leave on the other hour from the Hbf but stops at Ost to pick up passengers. The regional Meridian train leaves every hour from the Hbf and stops a few minutes later at Ost.
There are two S-Bahn going to the Hbf and Ost. The S1 goes around Munich to the west and comes to the Hbf first. The S8 goes around Munich to the east and comes to Ost first. Most people would take the S8 to Ost and catch a Meridian train from there to Salzburg. The Meridian train ends its journey at the Salzburg Hbf, so you don't have to worry about falling asleep and not getting off.
Hi, Judy! I'm looking forward to a trip report! And Facebook pictures. I'm thinking about doing the My Way Alpine Tour in 2024.
I love Salzburg. It was my first tourist destination in Europe, and I have been there three times. A few random things I like...
Lee,
Haha! I do love The Sound of Music and I will probably be singing the songs in my head but I doubt I will go on one of the tours. I have heard they are dopey. Any opinions otherwise? It’s my and my Mom’s all time favorite movie.
Dave,
So glad to read your ideas, I am definitely planning on the Marionette theater and will try to make the other suggestions happen as well. I want to go to Berchtesgaden (sp.) and Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest. I understand there’s a museum that’s also very interesting.
I will be there 3 days before the tour so I hope to do and see a lot! This will be my second visit to Salzburg.
I will be writing a trip report too.
I’m very excited about this tour! I will be following your adventures this year with “the teen”.
Also in keeping with the tradition of a true travel addict, I’m thinking of the RS Poland tour in 2024 with 4 days pre tour in Berlin. I know you will be able to share your knowledge of Berlin with me!
I understand there’s a museum that’s also very interesting.
I think you are talking about the Dokumentation Zentrum, which is located in Obersalzberg, at the foot of Kehlstein Mountain, near where the buses start up the private, bus only road to the Nest. It documents how the Nazis took over Germany. I found it very interesting. It's all in German, but you can rent audio guides in English.
At the time, 2002, that I was there, you could also go into what's left of the network of tunnels the once connected the vacation homes the top Nazis had in Obersalzberg.
The Dokum Zenrum is currently being converted into an educational center and the permanent exhibition is being expanded. Therefore, it will remain closed until late autumn.
Almost as much fun as riding around in a bus in Salzburg with other clueless Americans singing Do a Deer
I just did a search engine on Salzburg Sound of Music Tours - appears to be thousands upon thousands of travellers who thoroughly enjoyed riding around on buses and singing to their heart's content. Looks like your view of it all has been overruled.
The most cost effective way to get from Munich airport to Salzburg is with a Bayern Ticket. Cost is 27 EUR for one person (assuming you are traveling alone, as you say "I", not "we"). You must travel on regional trains only. Since Sept 15 is a Friday, you must travel after 9 am. That should not be a problem even if you arrive early Friday morning, for by the time you deplane, go through Schengen immigration, get your luggage and make your way to the airport train station, it is probably after 9 am. If by chance you arrive early, just remember not to board a train until after 9 am.
Taking either the S-1 to Munich Hbf, or the S-8 to Munich Ostbahnhof and transfer to the hourly regional train to Salzburg. Do not take the Railjet or Eurocity trains as the Bayern ticket is not valid with those trains.
If you did want to visit the Oktoberfest, you can do that from Salzburg also with he Bayern Ticket. It is valid anytime on weekends, so you can travel early on the 16th. 27 EUR is good all day on the regional trains so that will get you to Munich and return on the same day, and include Munich city transport. The Theresienwiese is not too for a walk from Munich Hbf, or you can take the U-Bahn one stop to the Oktoberfest grounds. As said, there is a big parade on opening day and they have a keg-tapping ceremony at noon. There are carnival rides and other activities at Oktoberfest. In fact, on opening day, it will be impossible to find a seat inside one of the tents. You might find a seat on one of the outdoor picnic benches.
Lee and sla019,
I hope the Dokumentation Zentrum will be open by mid-September! I will check on it sometime mid-summer because it is a must see for me if possible.
Periscope,
I’m leaning toward taking a Sound of Music tour after all. Thanks for your input.
There are so many things to do In Salzburg, I’m glad I will be there a few days early.
Sam,
Thank you for the detailed and very clear information regarding the train routes and Bayern tickets. I will keep this handy in my travel packet.
