Passion Play/Oberammergau/Bavaria lodging/activities

We rented a car for our drive around Bavaria. We stayed in Fussen when we were visiting the castles and the driving was easy. We drove to Garmish for lunch and O’gau for a look see. Parking wasn’t bad but it wasn’t a play year. They don’t seem to have the ZTL zones like in Italy. At least they didn’t when we were there in 2012 in July (wow, that long ago). We had started our drive in Berlin, stopped in Weinheim (4 nights visiting friends), on to Rothenburg (2 nights) then Fussen (2 nights) and ended in Munich. We had our best meal in Garmish.

(1) How many days should I plan for seeing at least the 3 main castles? (Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau, Linderhof)
*(2) Is staying in Oberammergau a bad idea? Or should I find lodging out of town (Ettal, Fussen, G-P, Unterammergau, etc)

(1) If you have a car, it's easily doable in a single day. By bus, Hohenschwangau is doable from Oberammergau, but it's time consuming (Linderhof is easy). I'd, however, factor in a bit more time for the environments of Füssen, e.g., taking the cable car up to the Tegelberg (beautiful views) or maybe the Austrian one up to the Zugspitze (an easy trip from Füssen).
(2) Personally, I'd prefer staying ab bit away from all the hurly-burly, e.g. in Ettal with its impressive baroque abbey, preferably in the abbey-run Gasthof "Ludwig der Bayer".

Since you've got a booking in O'gau, you're half way there.

"Would a rental car be easier? I'm thinking of parking, gas, traffic vs tickets and schedules for trains and buses."

Map of bus lines between Oberammergau and Füssen. The 9606 (green line) is direct. I would think you'll want to make a point of visiting Ettal Monastery and the Wieskirche as well on this same line. The 9622 (blue line) is direct to Linderhof.

Bus Schedules. As the page also explains, you all travel free with the guest card you obtain through your rental hosts.

"What do you recommend seeing/doing in Bavaria, especially for outdoor lovers?"

Mittenwald is nearby; a group daypass gets you there cheaply by train. Take advantage of the offerings on the linked brochure. Scroll down on the linked page for information on the Zugspitze as well.

I would also suggest several days in northern Bavaria; Nuremberg is a fine destination and a great base town for inexpensive outings by train (VGN Tagesticket Plus for 2 adults = €22) to other historic and interesting cities nearby:

- Bamberg
- Bayreuth
- Würzburg
- Bad Windsheim (Franconian Open-air Museum / Freilandmuseum)
- Iphofen

Nuremberg area rail map

While it is true that the lodging should provide free transportation for the duration of your stay some apartment landlords may be better at that than others. Do they advertise that on the apartment webpage?

In a non-play year I had no trouble parking in Oberammergau but as long as your apartment provides a space I would think it would be handy to have a car - then you could pick and choose when to use a car and when the bus is a better idea. I have not had particularly bad luck with parking in Füssen either, but never tried in the peak months which I think you will be after.

At Neuschwanstein there is a huge car park but I am sure it is not free of charge, and of course you need to find your car afterwards. At the Wieskirche there is another huge pay car park but if the buses link up right you may be able to get a bus there from your apartment.

I would try to balance which is easier each time. Car required at these places, no. Makes the day a little easier, maybe...

Thank you for taking the time to respond. Bus schedules were very helpful!

Thanks, Tina