Hello. I'd like to see a castle while in Germany and have a few options. We could leave Munich and travel by train to Fussen and see the castles there, then travel by train to Berchestgaden that evening as that's where our hotel reservations are for the last part of our trip, or we can go from Munich to Burghausen Castle and see that castle then to Berchestgaden. I'm confused as to whether this is even possible on the train, as it seems the last train that takes about 4 hours from Fussen and Burghausen Castle to Berchestgaden leaves about 4:00 p.m. After that until about 5:00 in the morning it seems the trains don't run regular. Am I reading this right? Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
Stop using RailEurope for schedules. They don't show all of the trains, only those trains for which they sell tickets! If you go to the German Rail website, you will find that there are trains leaving Füssen at 16:05, 17:05 (the RailEurope connection), and then 18:05 (exactly every hour. That's pretty regular). The 18:05 train gets to Berchtesgaden at 23:33. The trains stop running into the Berchtesgaden Hbf after midnight. I've stayed in Berchtesgaden, and the trains come down a hill into the Hbf with brakes screeching. I'm not surprised they stop them after midnight. If you want to leave Füssen later than 18:05, you'll have to spend the night in Freilassing and finish the trip in the morning. Looks like it's either Neuschwanstein or Burghausen. You'll have to decide which one you want to see. Neuschwanstein is obviously an icon of Germany, but it's not a medieval castle. It was built a little over a hundred years ago, at the same time as the Eiffel tower and the Brooklyn Bridge. Burghausen, OTOH, has been around, according to some accounts, for a thousand years. When I was there, I photographed a plaque, from 1502, which mentioned the death of a duke there in 1290. The Burghausen loop is very doable. Trains leave Burghausen Bahnhof every other hour until 21:00, that connection also getting to Berchtesgaden at 23:33.
Posted by
Perth, Australia
23 posts
Hi Kelly, My wife and I visited both Burghausen and Fussen/Neuschwanstein in October last year, I actually proposed to her at Neuschwanstein. Anyway, Burghausen was great as it is an amazing castle in a picture perfect location. However, there is something magical about seeing Neuschwanstein standing proudly among the bavarian alps. Yes, its not as old as other castles but still is amazing! Plus there is Hohenschwangau Castle, not to mention the castle in Fussen. So I would recommend the Fussen trip as you will see more in the short amount of time you have. I would be more than happy to share my photos with you if that will help you make a decision. Brett
Posted by
OP
NYC, NY, usa
168 posts
Hello. Thanks to all those that replied. My husband and I have decided to see Burghausen, as I'm a history buff and for me, Burghausen seems to fit what I'm looking for. Yes, the castles in Fussen seem so beautiful, but this trip around I'm looking for history. Thanks again for the replies!!
Posted by
OP
NYC, NY, usa
168 posts
@James, I would be going to Burghausen Castle to view the older history that Burghausen seems to be able to offer. Yes, the castles in Fussen are beautiful, there is no disputing that. And no, I wouldn't be going to see any castle just to brag that I was there. My ancestry is German, so for me, it's invovling my family history as well as touring the sights. Thank you.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
if you're going for some "look what I get to tell my friends", then you would go to Neuschwanstein. Tell your friends you were in Burghausen and you get a blank look and "huh". If you go to Burghausen, it's for personal satisfaction, not to impress your friends.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
if you're going for some "look what I get to tell my friends", then you would go to Neuschwanstein. Tell your friends you were in Burghausen and you get a blank look and "huh". If you go to Burghausen, it's for personal satisfaction, not to impress your friends.