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Suggestions for a two-day stop in Germany or Austria during a Munich-to-Ljubljana train journey

We’re a family of five adults, planning to travel by train from Munich to Ljubljana in late September/early October 2025. We would like to make a stop along the way to explore a smaller town in the Bavarian or Austrian Alps that isn’t super touristy and stay there for a couple nights. Things we love: scenic hikes lasting up to four hours or so, wandering through small towns and lingering in their pubs, markets, and restaurants, and exploring local museums, castles, manor houses, and other historic sites.

After reviewing the Deutsche Bahn site, below I’ve listed the stops along the two possible Munich-Ljubljana routes, as of now. We are hoping that RS Forum users can recommend a stop on this list, or a nearby accessible town, that could meet some of our wish list. (Once we get to Slovenia, we’ll rent a car to explore that country.)

Also, I’m posting this to the Germany forum. Should I also post it to the Austria forum?

Thank you in advance!

Rosenheim, Prien am Chiemsee, Traunstein, Freilassing, Salzburg, Golling Abtenau, Bischofshofen, St. Johann im Pongau, Schwarzach-St. Veit, Dorfgastein, Bad Hofgastein, Bad Gastein, Mallnitz-Obervellach, Spittal-Millstattersee, Villach, Faak am See

Posted by
8312 posts

Most seem to take the 5 hour Flixbus ride, and Salzburg is a major stop. I would suggest spending a couple of days there.

Salzburg is touristy, however it's a very friendly and favorite city for travelers.

Posted by
760 posts

We are stopping at Salzburg for two nights on our train travel from Boppard to Ljubliana. It will be the one place on our 23-day journey that we have stayed at in the past. When we were there before the day was overcast, so we were happy we hadn't booked Eagles Nest, but we still took the bus to Berchtesgaden and toured the salt mine and had lunch. We're going back to visit some places we missed seeing in Salzburg.