During our trip to Germany we will be in the following locations- Munich, Garmisch-Partenkirchen/Oberammergau/mittenwald area, Salzburg and then up the romantic road and over to the Rhine. I am trying to figure out when and where to pickup a rental car. I had planned to tour Munich, Dachau, and then go by train to G-P and pick up a car. Tour the area for a few days, see the Passion play, Zugspitze, Linderhof and then drive to Salzburg for a few days incl. Berchtesgaden,Ramsau, Koenigsee area. Then head over to pick up the Romantic road near Munich. Opinions, Please. Do you think it would be better to just do train and bus in G-P area, train to Salzburg and then after seeing Salzburg take a bus to Berchtesgaden and pick up a car there and continue on? I am not sure I will be able to see ramsau and Koenigsee (lake) without a car. Or--do you think we should get a car when we arive in G-P and tour the area by car and drive over to salzburg--etc? I really want to see the countryside and don't want to just wiz by everything on the train or only see what is within walking distance of a train station. This trip is kind of a "see the beauty of Bavaria" trip. Thanks for all your help--
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
You would probably have the biggest selection of rental cars in Munich. Having a car while you stay in Munich is a pain in rear, but it wouldn't be that bad if you picked it up on your way out of the city. If you've never seen the Alps before, there are few more wonderful sites in travel than suddenly seeming them appear in the distance as you head towards GaP.
Posted by
NYC area
2955 posts
Hi Paula,
I'd also suggest getting the car on your last day in Munich. Driving is easy and the scenery is wonderful to all the places you have listed.
Just another suggestion, since you say this is a "see the beauty of Bavaria" trip and "I really want to see the countryside", I'd recommend staying in the Berchtesgaden area for Salzburg. We love staying in Ramsau. Beautiful countryside (and mountain) scenery all around yet convenient to:
Berchtesgaden - 10 min.
Koenigsee - 15 min.
Bad Reichenhall - 20 min.
Salzburg - 30 min.
Ludwig's Neues Schloss (Herrenchiemsee) - 1 hr.
Hallstatt - 1:30 min
Zell am See - 1:30min.
Paul
Posted by
Paradise
6939 posts
Trains will be less expensive. They run frequently, and the regional daypasses use the slower trains, which are available on all routes. You can't find fast trains that stop in places like Berchtesgaden anyway.
It would be convenient to have a car for the Linderhof and Berchtesgaden area. But I would do the rest by train. Maybe you can pick up a car in Garmisch for a couple days and drop it in/near Berchtesgaden, using trains for the rest.
Posted by
Boston, MA, USA
115 posts
I have both driven and taken a train to Salzburg and both are good options...except parking in Salzburg is a hassle unless a hotel assists you (if you are staying there) Taking train to Salzburg and then getting a car in B. sounds like a good choice...Konigsee is definte for driving Honestly I would do Salzburg from Munich, go to Berg. and rent a car and then head towards GP, Linderhof etc..less backtracking than what you mentioned. After GP we took the car up to Rothensburg(we skipped the romantic road for times sake) after going by Bodensee on the way. you are going to some of my favorite places from my two trips there...have fun!