Staying in Munich for 7 days. Time for a weekend trip to Switzerland?

Thank you, Steve. I was afraid that one day wouldn't do much. What do you think of trying to visit the rhine instead? Still too busy?

The German pass sounds like what I was thinking. So, you think that a car rental is more expensive or difficult?

Thank you for your help. I am really new to this.

barbara

My advice? Concentrate on Munich and Bavaria. For only one week, you have entirely too much planned. You'll spend all your time going to and from somewhere and not actually seeing anything. No part of Switzerland is close to Munich, and if you are on a tight budget, it is the most expensive country in Europe, by far. You can easily see the Alps by driving or taking the train about an hour south of Munich.

PS- southern tip of the Rhine gorge is about 6 hours away from Munich.

OK, Thanks, guys! I have eliminated Switzerland from the options.

Steve,

I will research the train fares. However, there are three of us. I am paying for either all three train fares or a rental car. Is it difficult to drive in Germany? What about reading road signs? PLus, is parking difficult/expensive?

Tom,

Wow! I didn't realize that it was so far to the Rhine. I was thinking about three hours. VERY good point. So I guess, Bavaria it is.

Barbara

It is not difficult to drive in Germany. You can learn what their traffic signs mean and the rules of the road on the internet.

Just about 4 hours to drive from Munich to Bacharach.

Not hard to drive, just study the road signs and only pull out to pass.

Parking in Munich is both difficult and expensive, but not bad as you get to the suburbs.

For a real cultural experience drive (or train but harder) to Andechs brewery.

Barbara, with only one week, i also recommend doing Munich, daytrips to Bavaria and you could stay 1 night in Salzburg. James gave you good suggestions, i have done half of his list and they would make great daytrips. Munich is a great city, and there is lots to see and do there as well, Dachau can be done in half a day. (they have a guided tour for 3euros at 11am and 1pm.)
The train will be cheaper and easier. Have fun!

THank you everyone for your help!

Andrea, I will look on the internet to learn the rules and sign 'language'.

Nigel, Thanks for the specific travel time from Munich to Bacharach. Good to know. I want to make this easy, so I believe that we will go the discount train route.

James, WOW!! Thank you for the useful Top Ten guide. I have printed it off and I will check out which ones we should do. Do you have them in any particular order of preference or do you consider all thes about equal?

Martine, It's good to have your vote for Munich and area. I agree that the train might be easier in many ways so I'll go that route. At least I will for the most part. I may rent a car for the weekend only to go to any slightly more difficult places to reach by train such as Andech's Brewery recommended by Nigel.

Again, thank you!

Barbara