Munich Salzburg Bavaria itinerary

FWIW: We used Oberammergau as a base for a 3-night visit in the region in September. It worked well. We spent at least a half day getting to, and enjoying, Mittenwald. This included the scenic cable car trip up to the Karwendel peak. So, I guess I'm suggesting not trying to pack too much into Day 9 so as not to be rushed in this beautiful area. Wandering Oberammergau, seeing the painted houses, and doing some shopping is good for at least a few hours that day -- and the drive to/from Mittenwald is something you won't want to rush. (We also spent a night in Priem am Chiemsee; the boat ride to Herrenchiemsee was a highlight; we toured the grounds, gardens; didn't bother with the tour of the palace interior.)

Send a PM if you're interested in hotel and restaurant tips.

Looks like a great itinerary to me! I wouldn't change a thing.

rca:
- We have nothing else planned for Day 9 so we will take our time for drive to and from Mittenwald. What's your take on Karwendel vs. Zugspitze?
- Herrenchiemsee seems like very cool place to visit. Getting the 14-Day Bavarian Palace Department pass (€44 for 2 ppl) seems like a no brainer that will cover the Munich Residenz, Nymphenburg, Herrenchiemsee, Linderhof and Neuschwanstein.

We didn't do Zugspitze; as I recall the new cable car wasn't yet operational in Sept. 2017. Others should have better informed opinions. I suspect Zugspitze will be more memorable.

Prien-am-Chiemsee was a 1-nighter at the start of our trip; we were taking short steps, shaking off jet-lag. It was a perfect, laid-back, stop-over en route to Salzburg/Salzkammergut. Hotel Neuer am See is right on the water, has a good restaurant, steps from the boat docks; and steps from the start of the Promanade, a peaceful walkway along the lakeshore with restaurants, benches, etc. Very relaxing. (Our return from the boat trip to/from Herrenchiemsee found us in the middle of a large wedding party getting ready to board a private boat to somewhere on the Lake. Wedding party and guests were all in traditional Bavarian garb, and an oom-pah-pah band led them onto their boat. We took dozens of pictures and were sorry we weren't on the guest list. Can't promise you that experience!)

Be sure to pick up an Austrian vignette at the border, unless you can manage staying off an Austrian motorway.

Herrenchiemsee is pretty cool and worth visiting. It requires a ferry trip to the castle.

Be prepared that Dachau will be mentally taxing, and visiting a crazy German king's unfinished castle could be difficult. However, the drive isn't difficult, just prepare yourself.

The SOM tour by Fraulein Maria's bicycle tours is fantastic. Your wife will love it! If you're not a SOM fan, you'll love it too. It is a wonderful way to see the city.
You may also consider Tegelberg which is just down the road from Neuschwanstein. I find Neuschwanstein pretty to see from a distance, but don't much care for the tour. There is a cable car at Tegelberg and there are some very lovely hiking trails. The restaurant served excellent Bavarian fare and the bier was great too.

Oberammergau, or the area, will serve you well as your home base.

You're going to have a great time! Happy anniversary!

I'll second the post from rca.....we were only in Oberammergau for one night and wished later we could have stayed another day or two. Oberammergau is one of those places that just touches your heart. While you're there be sure and stop in at the Paradisio for some of the best ice cream on the planet.

I have a change to suggest. Make a day trip to Hallstatt from Salzburg instead of spending the night OR take a day away from Salzburg and spend more time in the Salzkammergut area (St. Wolfgang, Gosausee, ...).

Needs Sam’s advice about the vignette. Believe it’s about €20. Also ensure you have an international drivers permit. It’s mandatory in Austria and they will check when you pick up the vignette. Dachau was solemn yet interesting. I enjoyed Neuschwanstein’s (interior), but when we were there the fog was so thick it was hard to see the castle standing right next to it.

Emily: I thought the Salzkammergut area is on the way to Hallstatt? I was thinking perhaps we could stop by St. Wolfgang on our way to Hallstatt? Gosausee looks amazing! I wasn't aware of it before, thanks for letting me know. On our drive back from Hallstatt to Berchtesgaden does it make sense to take the same 158/145 route towards Salzburg or take the southern 166/162 route and stop by Gosausee?

I have stayed overnight in Hallstatt and done it as a day trip on a different trip. I much preferred spending the night! One night is perfect. All of those small towns have a very different feel after the day crowds have gone back to their home bases.

A vignette for up to 10 days costs 9€, for up to 2 months 26.20€.

I’d stay outside of Salzburg for the 4 nights. Maybe in St. Gilgen. When visiting Salzburg, 30 minutes away, Park in the underground parking lots or take the bus to Salzburg.

A wonderful day out... hop on the wonderful lake ships and cruise from St. Gilgen to St. Wolfgang and Strobl to sight see.

We were underwhelmed with Oberammergau. We stayed twice in Mittenwald, with spectacular views of the Karwendel range right in front of us. Loved every minute there.

www.schwalbennestl.de

Paul

Where do you get the vignette? Can you get it when you pick up the rental car, when you cross the border or somewhere else?

If you rent in Austria the car will have one. If you rent in Germany you can buy the vignette at any filling station along the Munich - Salzburg motorway and at the border station.

I was able to make reservations for our Munich, Salzburg and Oberammergau stays. Finding an one night stay at Hallstatt without costing an arm and a leg has been a little challenging, most afforadable places require at least 2 night stay. End up searching around Obertraun and Gosau. Hopefully I can nail down a nice place soon.