Austria and Germany - train or car

Salzburg is directly accessible from Munich by train. Two of you can make the entire trip to Salzburg Hauptbahnhof in 2 hours with a €28 Bayern-Ticket. The fastest way to Hallstatt using public transportation is by bus to Bad Ischl, then by bus or train to Hallstatt. The train comes into Hallstatt Bahnhof, across the lake from town; the bus goes to Lahn, just about a km south along the lake, near the exit of the tunnel that bypasses the town.

When I was in Germany in 2000, the last time for the Passion Play, I didn't have much trouble finding accommodations in Bavaria, but I wasn't going to Oberammergau. Because of it's closeness to Oberammergau, Garmisch-Partenkirchen might be a little crowded, but I would think places like Mittenwald or Füssen might not be too affected. Nevertheless, I would never go without reservations. If you just drop into town, the best values will already be taken, and you'll get what no one else wanted.

For hiking, you might consider the area around Oberstdorf and the Kleinwalsertal. That area is accessible by train, from Munich or GaP.

I've spent over two months total (>60 days) in Bavaria and never needed a car to get anywhere I wanted to go.

For the German Rail schedule page, use this link. Bahn.com will get you here eventually. Might as well start here.

The Passion Play should only have a small effect on room availability in GaP. The town has enough capacity to absorbt thousands of skiers over the holidays. There is a possibility that you won't get your first choice, but you'll be able to get a room somewhere. Plenty of good hiking options in GaP.

I don't know about Hallstatt, but everything else looks feasible by rail.

Thank you very much. Planning this trip has become a little stressful and it has changed quite a few times over the past month -- trying to get in too much I guess. I am finally pleased with the itinerary. One more question -- do you think a railpass would be necessary?

Every situation is different. You need a pretty well defined itinerary so you can compare point to point with a pass, but I highly doubt that you would find it cost effective, particularly in Bavaria.

Munich to Salzburg is easy on the train. Salzburg to Hallstatt is to -- and you get to take the boat across the lake which is kind of fun.

If you are going from Hallstatt to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, you should probably go back to Salzburg to Munich, then to Garmisch.

Munich to Salzburg = nice train ride. Stop off in Prien on the way if you can.

From personal experience, we really enjoyed using a car i Salzburg. Being able to drive up into the mountains, and get to the sites in our own time was so much fun. Just driving around near Berchtesgaden one day was some of the most fun we had.

Rail for the rest though! :)

"We want to do some hiking in the alps too. Can this be done by public transport or is a car preferable? "

No, I would go on foot. Just kidding. For what you want to do, you probably will need a car for at least three days.

You are better off without a car in Salzburg or Munich, or getting between the two, but the situation is different in the countryside. At least, that has been my experience. You can reach most of the smaller towns by train or bus, but you will still have to find transportation from the station to your destination. And it will reduce the number of places you can visit and the things you can do during the few days you are in southern Bavaria.