My wife and I are planning a trip for next March to Bavaria and Salzburg for eight to 10 days and would like to visit King Ludwig’s castles in the Fussen area. We will fly into and out of Munich but we will spend only one or two days there. We would like to include a daytrip or night or two in Hallstadt or other Austrian or Bavarian lakeside village. We may also add Rothenberg but do not want to hit too many places in that amount of time. I have driven in Germany in the past but took trains to Munich and Salzburg. Based on your experience, which would you recommend: Driving a rental car from Munich or taking trains to Fussen and Salzburg, and possibly Hallstadt, and bus tours to the castles?
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19275 posts
Everyplace you mention is easily accessible by train (or occasionally by bus), and if you avail yourselves of the specials, like the Bayern-Ticket, far less expensive and less hassle than a rental car. I've spent weeks or extensive travel in Bavaria, entirely by train and bus.
Posted by
nanaimo
156 posts
Must agree with again that train and bus are the way to go. The parking in most of these places is horrendous and its better to sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery. Rothenburg is real easy from Munich by train although you have to change a couple of times and its well worth the trip.
Posted by
Salt Lake City
1528 posts
It does not have to be an either/or decision. For your wishes I might like to mix trains and cars.
The one area that I think that I would prefer a car would the the Salzkammergut. I might like to rent a car in Salzburg for a couple days to visit some places, including Hallstadt.
As you only plan to spend a couple days in Munich, you have time to take a train to Füssen and spend some time in the area, which is quite attractive. Renting a car for a day to visit Linderhof and Wieskirche, or maybe Ottobeuren, would be handy.
With March weather in mind, you might keep your plans flexible. Driving may or may not be feasible. The train will get through.
Regards, Gary