May daughters and I (both in their 20's) are planning a tirp to see the Passion Play in 2010. We plan to stay overnight in Munich for 2-3 nights and then travel on to Oberammergau to see the play. We would also like to visit the monastery in Ettal and the castle Linderhof while in the area. Has anyone been to the play before and are there any recommendations for getting tickets and for places to stay overnight? Do you think a rental car would be a good ides or would train and bus plans be better? Thanks for any help.
Posted by
dallas, tx, usa
1358 posts
Having rented a car six times and bought one in Europe, I suggest you NOT consider renting a car. Travel will be difficult at that time of year and parking will be impossible in most large cities.
Train or bus will be more practical and far cheaper.
Posted by
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
215 posts
It is my understanding that tickets to the play
are only being sold in package deals with a night
or two lodging included. In 2010 the play will
begin in late afternoon, then a supper break at
intermission then finish in the evening. I was
in Obermmergau in April. It is a beautiful, but
fairly small town that will be packed for the play.
Posted by
Oil City, PA, U.S.A.
27 posts
Hi, We were thinkin about going but it looks like we may have to try to go next time. Ten more years sounds like a long time. I did find a web sight you may want to check out www.passionsspiele2010.de I think it is the web sight that you can buy tickets direct. They do mostly have packages but there are days that you can go without a package. They list all the information about the play: dates, times, seating choices and all the packages. It does look like now is the time to make plans.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Visiting Oberammergau, Ettal and Linderhof will be much easier with a car. I am a huge fan of trains and public transport, but on this occasion I would choose a car. We stayed in the Hotel Ludwig der Bayer http://www.ludwig-der-bayer.de/ just across the street from the Ettal Monastary, and it was a great little hotel with big rooms and a swimming pool in the basement.
However, if I were spending several days in the area I would choose to stay in Schwangau Horn at the Hotel Helmerhof http://www.hotelhelmerhof.com/
The area is just beautiful with a lake, a view to the Castle Neuschwanstein, rolling pastures with cows and clanging cow bells, bike paths, and the Crystal Therme pools/spa facility just a stroll away. This area has got to be one of the most relaxing and beautiful places we've ever been. It is easy quick access to both Oberammergau and Linderhof.
Posted by
Tyler, TX, USA
164 posts
Hi Amy. I led a church group to Germany in 2000 to see the Passion Play at Oberammergau. We went to Ettal and Linderhof, Salzburg, Munich, Innsbruck, along the Romantic Road, and had a great time. The Passion Play itself is 6 hours. You begin the play at 9 am, have three hours of play with no breaks, have a 3 hour lunch time where you go to an assigned restaurant and have a bit of time for shopping, then return to conclude the play from 3 to 6 pm. It is a long play, in German, with a small booklet you get in your language. If you are familiar with the story, though, one hardly needs the booklet to know what is happening. I am leading a group again in 2010 with the same tour company. That is a really neat way to go and see the play and see many other sites in Germany and Austria while you are there.