Visiting Eagle's Nest from Munich by car - any advice?

Posted by Chad R. on 07/27/25 10:21 PM

Hi, we will be in Munich and really want to visit Eagle's Nest (mid to late August this year). Planning to have a rental car at that point in the trip. I'm aware you can't drive directly to the building. Looks like we will need to park at Obersalzberg - Dokumentationszentrum and take the bus/shuttle to Kehlsteinhaus.

For those who have driven from Munich, how long did it take (google says 2 hrs at 10pm via A8, with traffic in day time maybe 2.5-3hrs?), whether there are scenic stops along the way, should we stay off A8 and take a more scenic route (if so, what roads?), set GPS to non-tolls to stay in Germany or see more scenic routes, etc. I'm not asking how to get there, I'm asking if you have preferred routes. Also, we don't want to be in the car over 3-ish hours (one way) so trying to gauge travel time.

Thanks!

Posted by Mark

Schwerin

07/27/25 11:13 PM

4000 posts

There are good train connections: https://int.bahn.de/en

Check German Alpine Road as a scenic detour or a round trip from / to Munich.

Germany has no toll roads.

Legal notice: All drivers need driving permission for Germany, means a valid driving license plus likely IDP.
Check regulation of "valid": https://www.bmv.de/SharedDocs/EN/Articles/StV/Roadtraffic/validity-foreign-driving-licences-in-germany.html

Important basics:

Autobahn is no race track.
Make yourself familiar with traffic rules and road signs of Germany.
Care for rescue ways in traffic jams on Autobahn to enable police and / or ambulance to get through (see illustration for rules how to make it).
Mid to late August is summer vacation time in and around Bavaria which means more traffic.
Brown-colored road signs inform travelers about special or touristic sights along Autobahnen which are in max. 10 km range to an Autobahn exit. There are more than 30 signs along the A8 Munich–Salzburg tourist route alone.

Posted by Nigel🚊🧸🔔

Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England

07/28/25 08:43 AM

35482 posts

I am concerned that having a rental car in Munich. Where, do you know? Have you driven in Munich before?

What time of day, day of the week do you want to go?

I've driven around there a lot (have to drive frequently due to wife's medical issues) and my advice is avoid driving in Munich. I stay in a suburb Feldkirchen.

Are you staying in central Munich? Do you have access to cheap parking (How? where? I need to know where in central Munich as I haven't found any yet)

The autobahn to Salzburg is renowned for Stau. I'd leave plenty of time. Again, depends on where in Munich and what time of day on which day of the week. And yes, the autobahn arriving in Munich from the east really does have a very low speed limit, and yes there are cameras. That applies to the roads forming the route to Garmisch-Partenkirchen too.

Posted by Mignon

Munich

07/28/25 09:29 AM

917 posts

I would pick up the rental car somewhere outside the city center on the day of the trip to the Eagle's Nest. Traffic in the city center is no fun. If you're taking the B304 country road, my recommendation would be either stop in Wasserburg am Inn, Lake Chiemsee, or Traunstein.