Regensburg - a good day trip?

Yes, we have been to Regensburg during Christmas Markets a couple of times and there are several nice sites to see. Not sure how far from Munich but we traveled by train and spent a couple of nights. Cathedral is lovely. Be sure to walk across the Danube to the other side from the old town. Thurn and Taxis castle is quite spectacular. We enjoyed the tour through it.

If you have the chance, I recommend a visit to Regensburg and it’s setting on the Danube.

It's absolutely a good day trip from Munich as I did it when I was there. There are lots of good day trips from Munich but Regensburg was my favorite.

Regensburg would be an excellent choice for a day trip. I’m not familiar with how long it is from Munich, but I spent the day there traveling from Nuremberg, and I absolutely loved it. There was so much to see and do.

If you have a chance, the tourist information center does a tour of the medieval prison with the original Instruments of torture still in existence. It was pretty fascinating.

Thanks, everyone! We're planning on visiting Regensburg!

I'd say no. You'll spend a minimum of 4 hours traveling to and from.

You don't say how long you'll be in Munich, but a much better time for your 5 year old can be had walking the English Gardens, visiting one of the Beer Halls that has a childrens play area, or go to the zoo.

If you want a nice town you can get to easy just of the Augsburg.

You'll spend a minimum of 4 hours traveling to and from

Actually the direct trains (no changes) take approximately 1:20 min to 1:32 min depending on which train, so more like 3 hours travel time. I definitely found that Regensburg was worth that amount of travel time. That's not to say that Augsburg isn't also worth a day trip and yes, it's closer (more like 1/2 hour train time), so you would have more time actually in the town.

I also did a day trip from Munich to Passau, which is 2 hours each way and still found that worth the travel time. Each person needs to decide for themselves what their transportation time max is for a day trip. And some of us enjoy the train trip between places - sometimes the journey is part of the experience.

And some of us enjoy the train trip between places - sometimes the journey is part of the experience.

I agree with that - I'll bet the 5 year old will LOVE the train!

@KGC

There are no play areas in beer halls. In several beer gardens you will find playgrounds for children.

We enjoy Landshut, architecture, restaurants and cafe, castle, river walks. I think it is underrated as far as tourism is concerned. Looks like you can get there by train in under one hour. We usually drive. Love Regensburg. Maybe a trip to the Tegernsee too? So many options...

"Actually the direct trains (no changes) take approximately 1:20 min to 1:32 min depending on which train, so more like 3 hours travel time."

Actually, travel time would include getting to the Bahnhof, buying a ticket, getting to the track, and the time on the reverse end. If you can do this in less than 30 minutes each way you're a lot better than me, and I have a fair amount of time hanging around the Munich Bahnhof (and others). That's time lost. With a 5 year old in tow.

Minion, You are correct, beer gardens is what I meant.

Actually, travel time would include getting to the Bahnhof, buying a ticket, getting to the track, and the time on the reverse end.

This is true. I guess I thought your answer was regarding train time only.

As long as the weather is nice it would make a nice day trip. If you get there, stop for sausage and kraut at Wurstkuchl sausage. It’s supposedly the oldest restaurant in Germany. In 2015 it only accepted cash.

Actually, travel time would include getting to the Bahnhof, buying a ticket, getting to the track, and the time on the reverse end.

Keep in mind that it's quicker to just buy a ticket using the DB Navigator app - no need to go to the ticket office or machine. That saves time and you have the convenience of the QR code for the ticket handy on your phone. That's how I bought tickets in Germany and it's so much easier. Then just note the track number and show up at the station about 10-15 minutes early.

Sounds pretty ideal given what you want OP, whole town is a UNESCO world heritage site, well-preserved not bombed out medieval city on a pretty strip of river.

On the other hand I'm not a big fan of Augsburg. It's fine but a lot of fairly plain rebuilt buildings there painted to look old, and not a lot that particularly lit up my tourist bliss. Others have different opinions for sure!