We are planning a trip to Munich / Bavaria / Salzburg this summer. We have specific sites we want to see in all areas but we are struggling with summer travel dates - either May 30 - June 9th or August 9 - 20th. Flights into Munich seem to be less expensive in mid August. How are crowds during those times and should it impact our travel dates? Anything else we should consider? Thanks in advance!
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8319 posts
Either date would work fine as far as weather, etc. You might want to check with Salzburg Tourism to see if there are any festivals going on in August. The weather is great either way for the region.
We love to travel in the area, and it's been awhile since we've been there. I especially am partial to the Innsbruck area after going to college there 53 years ago. I long to drive over the Grossglockner High Alpine Highway again--south of Zell-am-see. It's the most beautiful place I've ever seen in my vast travels.
Posted by
OP
17 posts
Thank you! We plan to visit Innsbruck as well. I was very surprised that flights are so much cheaper in mid August since it seems as though that is a high holiday time in Europe? I just want to make sure that we don't regret going mid August.
Any thoughts on a town to stay near Fussen for a few days as we visit castles, the cog railway, and the countryside?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33852 posts
Every summer there is the Salzburg Festival with lots and lots of classical and other music in the centre of town. Always brings crowds, and the hotel prices rise accordingly. This year the dates are 19 July - 31 August 2024 which covers your second dates.
Which cog railway?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33852 posts
If you go in early June German and many other European kids will still be in school.
Posted by
OP
17 posts
Zugspitze Railway looks like a fun activity, especially with a teen who is a train enthusiast.
We have traveled in Europe off season and have never traveled there in the summer. Flights look reasonable in mid August which is tempting me to book now, I just don't want to regret it.
Posted by
Oberpfalz, Germany
1389 posts
August is high season and Bavarian and Austrian school summer vacation. I think you will be OK, but as you mentioned be ready for more tourists. Things can get choked-up. I would make hotel and in some cases restaurant reservations well in advance. Maybe stay away from high trafficked areas. This is high season and you should enjoy the Alps and lakes.
Posted by
OP
17 posts
Thank you for all the information! Is early June preferred from a crowds / weather perspective?
Posted by
Paradise
7072 posts
Yes on both crowds and weather Salzburg and Munich. Temps are less likely to skyrocket. Munich trade fairs can escalate hotel prices - you may want to organize a stay there around those fairs if they show up during your travel dates.
Posted by
58 posts
You asked for a hotel recommendation near Fussen. We stayed at Hotel Helmerhof in Schwangau. https://www.helmerhof.de/
We loved it. A small village, our after dinner walk led us through a path in a field with views of the castle. The room was lovely and large. We stayed in some great hotels on our trip and this was one of the top ones. Free parking, breakfast included. Balcony, large bathroom. On site restaurant very good also with views of the castle. Family owned.
As a side note we traveled last week of July, 1st week of August and didn't find crowds to ever be an issue. Have fun planning.
Posted by
526 posts
We traveled that same route in early June 2022. Weather was beautiful & Crowds were not really a thing. I’d say that Füssen was a bit crowded, and Salzburg and Königsee were bustling but we never thought it was an inconvenience (and I hate crowds)
We stayed right in Füssen at a great place that had (gasp) a parking garage. It was quirky, modern and really comfortable. https://www.hotel-fuessen.de/de/. I’m not a huge Neuschwanstein fan, but I get it’s a bucket list for most people. The nearby Höhenschwangau was by far my favorite of the two. Book ahead!
For Salzburg, we stayed in Ramsau Bei Berchtesgaden; actually in a hotel above the valley. I’d stay there again in a heartbeat. It was convenient to Salzburg, convenient to Königsee attractions, convenient to Berchtesgaden, convenient to hiking trails (check out Wimbachklamm) and was just a really awesome, welcoming hotel for an amazing price. The view from their patio, as we enjoyed a beer, was really amazing. Splurge €10 for a balcony view of Watzmann; 2nd highest mountain in Germany. It was just a fantastic base for exploring that area. The restaurant was maybe the best in town. We can’t wait to return. https://hotel-nutzkaser.com/
A car is kinda necessary. There is really impressive mini-bus connection all over that area but it would eat up a lot of time making connections. The roads are awesome, though.
Overall, 10 days is a tight but doable schedule. If it were me and I absolutely had to visit Neuschwanstein: Munich-3 nights, leave early for Füssen-1 night, leave early afternoon for Ramsau/Salzburg-6 nights, leave early for a late flight out of Munich (it’s a very easy drive)
If you’re staying in Salzburg, I’d shorten that part to 3 or 4 nights since you’ll be doing fewer Berchtesgadenerland activities. I don’t know how I’d reallocate nights if that’s the case. Maybe add a night in Füssen and do some adventure stuff or add the third castle? Maybe add time to Munich and do day trips/dayhikes to a monastery. Maybe add a night or 2 at another location between destinations?