Travel to Salzberg

Salzburg (not "berg") is an easy two hour drive from Munich.

We drove it in about an hour and a half. Very easy driving in both Austria and Germany. If you want to calculate drive times in Europe you can use the website: viamichelin.com

The fastest trains do Munich to Salzburg in about 1½ hours; regional trains take 2 hours. A €28 Bayern-Ticket will cover travel for up to five people from Munich to Salzburg on regional trains (and back again if on the same day).

The Bayern-Ticket is an all-day pass valid for unlimited rides on regional trains (RE, RB, BOB, ALEX) throughout Bavaria. It is valid from midnight on weekends and holidays, and from 9 AM on workdays, until 3 AM the next morning any day. You can buy it from an automat for €28 or, for €2 more, from any DB ticket counter.

Even if you already have a car rented for the day, fuel alone for the trip to Salzburg and back will cost almost as much as the train. In addition, you must pay a road tax to drive into Austria.

We liked the train system best for traveling in Germany and have ridden between Munich and Salzburg on the Bayern-Ticket that Lee mentions. Our train was a double decker, with the best views from the top deck. The train stations in Munich and Salzburg are handy to the old town centers.

For German Trains:

http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en

For trains for further trips w/i Austria:

http://fahrplan.oebb.at/bin/query.exe/en

Regards, Gary

take the train. for a room try pension elisabeth.

This was a big question that I had not long ago on this site. I've gotten alot of good input both pro and con for driving vs. train. Our trip is in early July.

My situation was somewhat tainted by the fact I'm picking up a car in Munich (but we could have worked the trip to allow for not driving). We are about 90% sure we are driving at this point and are including Vienna into the mix too.

I will be able to to give you an accurate account of the results of our decision when we get back, but I've been convinced that while there are great reasons to train, the car works best for our travel style, and there seemed to be enough good points to driving that traveling on the train can't compare.

Oohh Peggy

I went back to "the west" page and coincidentally happened to see your post listed right above Lee's post of "spelling counts - berg vs burg". You might be interested to read his post. He's a well respected regular on the sight who is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. He's caught me in a few misspells along the way.

The area between Munich and Salzburg is so beautiful, I don't think you'd go wrong either way. I took the train from Munich to Salzburg, and took a free stopover in Prien am Chimsee in the German Lake District. It was beautiful.

If you like to take side trips to Neuschwanstein, up to the alps, the salt mines, etc a car might be worth it. Parking is actually pretty easy in Salzburg.

If you google "Rick Steve's Train Map" it will show you rick's map of train times/prices.

If you're traveling with 3 or more, car might be cheaper!

Not sure about the Prague part of your question; if you are interested in taking the train from Salzburg to Prague, we did it last summer and I can provide information for you.