Salzburg and Munich: would like your recommendations please

You don't want a car in Munich. You MAY want a car in Salzburg. You CAN do almost anything by way of public transport. Where you stay depends on the car vs. public transport question.

4 days & 3 nights is a generous amount of time for Salzburg - more than you need really, for the city itself. So I assume you have some interest in the surrounding area. Will you be going to the Eagle's Nest area nearby? Have you considered visiting Halstatt (a 1-hour drive)? The various salt mines? If so, having a car would be useful, in that it allows the greatest flexibility, as well as an opportunity to just drive aimlessly for a bit in the pretty mini-Alpine scenery. It also allows you to lodge away from the town center if you wish. That's what we chose to do for our trip this summer.

If you have read the RS book already, there is little more I can tell you. There is certainly nothing wrong with staying in the town center and using the public transport options. Salzburg is geared for tourists. Keep your wallet primed and ready for action....

I know the Salzburg chapter is in both the Germany and Vienna/Austria RS books, but I think the Halstatt information is only in the Vienna/Austria book. Be sure to check that out, too.

You do not need a car in either city, and having one is a big hassle.

Most of the stuff of interest to tourists in Munich sits in a fairly small area, and most of the lodgings you find recommended in various guidebooks are also found here. I have stayed in Pension Siebel, located a stones throw away from the Viktulienmarkt. Pretty basic lodgings, but clean and cheap.

Jerry, if you are interested in areas outside Munich, like Fuessen, a car can be nice. The Hotel Uhland is very nice and has free parking. I would say that one day in Salzburg is sufficient. After much deliberation, we chose the Weise Taube and were very happy with the decision. Don't know about parking.

In Salzburg we stayed at the Hotel Elefant (I think it's affiliated with the Best Western chain). It's in the heart of the Old Town and right around the corner from the famous street 'Getreidegasse'. The Mozart birth house is there, lots of shops, and the Salzburg Cathedral is a short walk.

I would love 3-4 days in Salzburg but that's because I need that much time to include a 'Sound of Music' tour and visit all things Mozart.

You certainly don't need a car to get from Munich to Fuessen or Hohenschwangau. See my web page for how to use the train and bus to get to the castles.

Hi Jerry

We did a similar trip last July that included both cities you're looking at. The RS book is great for alot of what you'll need to know. Use the book while you're there and enjoy some of his walking tours. They're great.

As far a car I'd suggest the following. I would also agree that you might not want one in Munich and possibly in Salzburg. The public transportation in both cities is actually quite good and very easy to use. It's very dependable and can get you anywhere you might want to go.

One poster asked, and I would also, as to your desires about hitting the surrounding area to Salzburg. That's where a car could be great to have. We had one and used it to tour the region. We spent a day doing that and spending time in Hallstatt. Well worth it. Also, if you're going to the Eagles Nest, a car is an easy way to get there.

gary

Where to stay, what to do, where to go? Answering these questions is the exact reason guidebooks are written.

Have you ever been to Munich? If not, I would give more time to Munich than to Salzburg, especially if you want to go to someplace like Fuessen while you are there. I've spent weeks, overall, in Munich and never tire of it. I spent a day in Salzburg and felt I had seen everything I wanted to see.

Berchtesgaden is beautiful. I'd spend some time there. You don't need a car to get to it; there's an hourly bus (Watzmann Express) from the Salzburg Hbf to Berchtesgaden Hbf, and buses from there to the Königssee and to Obersalzberg, at the foot of Kehlstein. The road from Obersalzberg up Kehlstein is closed to private vehicles; you have to take the bus to the Eagles' Nest. An RVO Tageskarte at €9 pP, will cover all of you transportation (RT Salzburg to Berchtesgaden to Obersalzberg) for the day, except for the bus trip up to the Eagles' Nest, which is a special fare.

There is a bus that leave from in front of the Salzburg Bahnhof and goes to Bad Ischl. From there you can go by bus or train to Halstatt. It takes about 2 hours.

I stay south of Munich - Hotel Sauerlacher Post in Sauerlach, nice rooms, reasonable rates, maybe 100 yards to the train station then 30 minutes to the Marienplatz ! It's just on the edge of the outer ring and for 10E you can go anywhere in Munich. I agree with the earlier response - I could spend weeks in Munich, Salzburg a few days...

Mike - this is rather unfair. Some people cannot access tour guides from their country of residence and if ordering on line, the purchases can be held up at the border for weeks and weeks. Apart from that, fellow travellers are the most giving people who understand the frustrations of other travellers. I cannot thank enough, the fellow travellers who have answered my most basic questions. Thank you fellow travellers.
By the way I too am looking for an apartment in Salzburg and having an extremely challenging time. My budget does not match accommodation prices but with the help of other people's experiences I might just find one. Getting mail here takes forever - I may not even get the guidebook by the time I leave!!! In addition I am combing the web. Some of the website prices are soooo misleading that I have nearly given up on them - I have spent much time and just seem to uncover misleading advertising, and end up with nothing. Homelidays seem to be the worst.