Neuschwanstein and Zugspitze possible in one day?

Sylvia, Not meaning to pile on , but I'll pick up Kay's comment with a little more detail : Munich-Oberammergau-Neuschwanstein-Zugspitz in a day ? Besides the fact that there aren't enough available hours to DO it , much less coordinate it , this itinerary is what I call "ping-pong " traveling . Look at a map , Why go from Oberammergau to Schwangau and then back in the other direction ? As well , with the advantage of the car , you are intending to by-pass several major sites on your way i.e. Linderhof Castle and Ettal Abbey . Slow down a bit in your approach , do a bit more reading and consider more carefully how you structure this .

Thanks for the replies. I have been reading everything I can for the last 2 months, especially Rick Steves Germany. I have also studied the map. In the book he says to only stop in Oberammergau for an hour and that the castle tours only take an hour or so. That is why I asked the question. Looking at the map it appears to not be ping ponging if you hit Oberammergau first then the castle then drive down to the area where Zugspitze is located, staying overnight in that area and then hitting Zugspitze the next day. That is why I asked the question. Positive replies and helpful comments only please, not criticism of someone only starting to map out a plan for their trip.

The distances between the places you mention are not far, according to the travel estimates at www.viamichelin.com. The problem is all of the moving from place to place, particularly in the mountains. You could start out early from Munich that day, spend an hour or so at Oberammergau, then get to Neuschwanstein, but as an earlier poster said, you would be missing Linderhof, which is an exquisite "little" castle. Then you have to factor in the time you will spend touring Neuschwanstein (and Linderhof, if you include it). Hohenschwangau castle right next to Neuschwanstein, too. In doing your planning, be sure that you are allowing enough time for meals, photo ops, getting turned around on the road, and time to see each thing that you want to see once you get there. It's not impossible, but you will want to slow down, and you will enjoy it more.

Not really feasible, if you want to do something beyond driving through the places. You need at least 4 hours for a decent visit to Zugspitze, including ascent, some walking, lunch, photos, taking pics of the astonishing mountain ridges etc, descent.

Sylvia, I think you have underestimated the time this will take. I have picked up a car in Munich and driven to Garmisch, which is near Oberammergau. Just getting clear of Munich is going to take 20-30 minutes. Then you're on the autobahn, going as fast as you want. But then you get to Oberammergau where you once again have traffic signs, also need to park the car and get in line to buy a ticket for the castle. I've never been to Oberammergau but have been to Neuschwanstein and when all is said and done from the time you drive by the castle to park until you're ready to enter its at least 30 minutes (ignoring for the momement Neuschwanstein has reserved tour times, you don't just walk in); I'd guess a similar time for Oberammergau. Google maps might say its a 1 hour drive, but I'd bet from the time you step in the car in Munich to when you walk in the castle entry its been 2+ hours. I like RS books and use them extensively. But where I think he's lost touch with the average traveler is in itinerary planning. He knows Europe, he's been to the sights he recommends many times, and you haven't. The 5th time you go to Oberammergau you'll do things much more efficiently than the 1st and have a better estimate of times. When he says "spend an hour", what he sees & does in that hour might take 2 for the novice traveler. Just my experience, anyway. Structuring your time so tightly also can detract from the experiences you're paying so much to get. Maybe Oberammergau is just worth an hour to RS, but he has thousands of places for comparison. Perhaps you will be entranced by the wood carving, a local specialty, and want to browse some shops. Maybe you see a nice place to sit for a cup of coffee or a beer and enjoy the scenery, do a bit of people watching. If you've assigned Oberammergau 1 hour and then need to move on you'll be denying yourself the chance to do these things.

Andre, the OP said she merely wanted to arrive at Zugspitze the first day and see it the next day, not on the same day as the drive.

Hi Sylvia, I need to say that the total time spent at Neuschwanstein is not going to be an hour. I've been 3 times, twice to tour only Neuschwanstein and once to tour only Hohenschwangau. Figure on at least 2 hours, could be more. To visit both Neuschwanstein AND Hohenschwangau, I'd plan on about 3 hours. I'd try this: depending on the weather, if it's a nice clear day on your drive from Munich, start out early and head directly to the Zugspitze that day. We've only taken the Zugspitze trip from Ehrwald, Austria. It's quick to the top and cheaper than from Garmisch. After 2 visits (once on purpose, second time we were passing through anyway) to Oberammergau, I'd skip it. Just my take on it. If passing through, maybe stop to satisfy your curiosity. Stay in Fuessen for the night and visit Neuschwanstein (10 min. away) first thing the next morning. Best to reserve in advance. It does get CROWDED. Our first time we arrived around noon (no reservation) and waited about 2 hours just to start our tour. So, to answer your question, yes, it's doable to leave Munich early, drive to and see the Zugspitze or Neuschwanstein, stay overnight and see either the Zugspitze or Neuschwanstein the next morning. We like Fuessen and have stayed twice at the Hotel zum Hechten. Fuessen to Ehrwald, Austia (Zugspitze) is about 40 minute drive. Fuessen to Neuschwanstein is about 10 minutes. Of course there's Linderhof palace, Ettal, etc., but it just depends on what you want to see and do on the limited time you'll have in the area. Paul

Sylvia, I am a high energy traveller, and that said, I think you could do this if you and your companions are also high energy travellers. I would probably structure the day differently. I would get reservations for the first tours of the day for Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. After your tours drive to Oberammergau for lunch and wandering, then drive to Zugspitze for a late afternoon ascent. If you arrive in Oberammergau too early all the shops will be closed. this whole plan would hinge on leaving Munich early (maybe around 7:00 am) and then having energy at the end of the day for Zugspitze. I would also watch the weather pretty closely. If the mountain is in clouds I would not want to spend the money for the view of fog. Have fun planning, and know whether a BUSY day would suit you or stress you out. I'd probably go for it myself. Janelle

I think overall the plan is too ambitious, but I do agree that Oberammergau doesn't warrant all that much time, unless you're really into religious wood carvings. The scenic part of town is very pretty, but small. What else do you have planned on this trip? I'm asking because after seeing the Alps... the Black Forest isn't going to seem like much. It might be reasonable to check out the southern Black Forest if the overall flow of your trip has you moving in that direction. But if not, don't bother.

Hi, I don't think everyone who has posted realizes that Sylvia is talking about 1.5 to 2 days and 1 overnight. If your priorities are Neuschwanstein and the Zugspitze with an overnight in the area, you can easily do both. That is not being rushed.

With a car and if you take the route from Zugspitze to Neuschwanstein via Austria - yes.

Yes, you can do it. I'd plan it as Paul suggested, and I'd skip Oberammergau. We went there for a couple hours and was unimpressed. Instead I'd add another castle or Ettal. A much better choice of your time, in my opinion. We loved Ettal!