My daughter and I are planning a trip of about 8 days starting in Munich for mid June. We'd like to go on to Salzburg and then over to Interlaken with stops at Berchtesgaden and Neuschwanstein on the way. I can't decide whether to take the train or drive. Any thoughts about whether that schedule makes sense over 8 days or about where to stay?
Posted by
Anaheim, CA, USA
10 posts
Planning almost the same trip a few weeks later with my family. Trains are great for most of it, agree getting to Neuschwanstein is the the "problem", though doable by train from Munich with a change. I am looking at some of the day trips out of Munich there ... forget the cost, but saw one that was a 10 hour day (I think it is about a 90 minute drive one way) ... not a great fan of such tours generally, but might fill the gap is you do the rest by train. Munich to Salzburg is an easy train trip.
Posted by
Gulfport, FL, USA
20 posts
My husband and I spent two weeks "tooling" around Germany, Austria and 1 night in Bolzano, Italy. We LOVED Salzburg. We drove the entire time. We had a rental and we had no problems (that was our frist trip to Europe). The roads were well marked and we were able to stop at many small villages along the way, Bad Tolz, Garmisch (Post Hotel is amazing!) We got our car at the airport but didn't drive it around Munich, that was all walking. We would recommend getting a "mid-quality" car as our Citroen was grossly under-powered for the Alps and we joked about being the Flintstones and using our feet to acquire more speed! Have a great trip! We loved it!
Posted by
Pearland, TX, USA
852 posts
... www.ente.at/en-index.shtml
Hi Tim,
We have experience with one lodgings site in your list: Salzburg ... the ancient (read that charming) Zur Goldene Ente. You can inspect the hotel at the above web site. Of course, reservations are a must; these are popular lodgings.
We've visited Berchtesgaden via local tour company originating in Salzburg. That worked out well.
If we had a choice, we would opt for Grindlewald over Interlaken, mainly because of the most gorgeous mountain scenery in the world, right before you: Eiger, Moench, Jungfrau (peaks).
We would use the railways to all your destinations, except Neuschwanstein. For the latter we have taken railway combined with bus from Innsbruck, Austria (a day trip).
All the best. P.
Posted by
Howden, East Yorkshire, UK
1 posts
Tim. Take the car from Munich. Aim for Salzburg then Berchtesgaden (nothing better than the sight of the Alps getting closer. Stop Berchtesgaden 3 nights. via Kitzbuel via Innsbruck via Liechtenstein to Interlaken. Stop 3 nights. Lake Constance/Lindau along German Alpine Road to Garmisch Partenkirchen stop 2 nights. along German alpine roadback to Munchen.Have travelled these routes many times now with our grandchildren. If you have a big budget call big hotels - if not then I can suggest where if hosts have enough notice of booking. I can fill in suggested sights to see if you wish. (circa 300 miles between Berchtesgaden and Lindau). Vignette (tax disc) for Austria and Switzerland if you use autobahns. Warm coat + jumper for Schilthorn and world's largest ice cavern
Posted by
COCONUT CREEK, CARENCRO, FL., LA., USA
152 posts
We drove the trip. No problems at all. I had it all mapped on mapquest. I don't like pulling bags off or on the train. Last summer I wore jackets, rain coats, heavy sweaters as well as shorts! Most of the time I was in jeans and a sweat jacket. We took the train from Zurich to Interlaken. If doing it again I would do a one day rental for that. I love staying in Lauterbrunnen at the Hotel Staubach. Salzburg has a great Sound of Music tour, (Panorama) that goes out into the country and to Zell am See. We took the lift up to the top of the mountain and the view is spectacular. Many paragliders. So much fun.