During our Europe trip in May the hubby and I will be visiting both of these cities. I'm wondering now how much time to allot to each (I prefer to plan ahead). I know that they are pretty close to each other. We are traveling by train the whole time, coming from Vienna to Salzburg, then Munich, then our last stop of Luzern. Munich is the only stop we'd have in Germany...but I'm not sure now if we should spend more time there than Salzburg. Originally had planned about a day and a half in Salzburg, and 2 and half days in Munich (that's with travel time). We don't drink beer really. We'd like to look at the historical sights, local culture, music, landscape... Thoughts?
Posted by
OP
56 posts
I do not think we will be visiting Dachau or similar camps on this trip
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
Personally, I would spend more time in Munich than Salzburg. There is far more to do and see in Munich.
I saw everything I wanted to see in Salzburg in a day. If you want to see Berchtesgaden while you are in Salzburg, THAT is worth several days, more time in my opinion than Salzburg.
As for Dachau, it is not high on my list of must dos in Munich. But if you do go out there, the trip itself does not take much time, less than 40 min from the Hbf to the memorial by S-Bahn and bus, and trains leave every 20 min. You can find the schedules on the MVV (Munich metro) website. Use the British flag to switch it to English, then use "Muenchen Hbf" and "Dachau, KZ-Gedenkstaette" for from and to. It's how long you want to spend there that will take the time.
Posted by
NYC area
2981 posts
Hi Corey,
I'd go with more time in Salzburg. Been to both a few times and prefer Salzburg. Smaller and more charming (and nicer scenery in the area) than Munich. Just my two cents.
Paul
Posted by
Seattle, WA
689 posts
I'd pick Salzburg, too, but I'd encourage you to rent a car for a day to get out in the surrounding countryside. The scenery just stunning. Munich is nice but just doesn't blow me away like Salzburg and surroundings do.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
You'd be surprised how much of the area surrounding Salzburg is readily accessible by bus. Renting a car is mostly a needless expense.
Posted by
washington
837 posts
Corey, much more to see in Munich. Salzburg is pretty, but a day or so sees everything within the city. If you are going to see countryside attractions, it would take longer. But, traveling by train and visiting several major cities, I would think you would find more in Munich. I'd say 3:1 timewise.
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1449 posts
I'd say your original plan of 1.5 in Salzburg, 2.5 in Munich is pretty good. We took one of the walking tours mentioned in RS book; starting at 9 or 10am and walking for 2.5 hours, that's a good chunk of a day right there. A nice lunch in the Viktualienmarkt, walking around the pedestrian mall, visit the Deutsches museum (a German equivalent of the Smithsonian) the day goes by quick and that's without any beer! Salzburg is nice, but I think we saw everything we wanted in a day or so; add on another 1/2 day if you do the Sound of Music tour which is a little cheesy but fun and really shows you some of the countryside.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12314 posts
Munich is bigger and warrants more time.
Munich has one of my favorite art galleries the Pinokoteke, Alte (Classic Art), Neue (up to Impressionism) and Moderne (modern art). I really like the Alte and Neue but don't really "get" the Moderne.