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Itinerary · 5 days

Bavaria in 5 Days by Train

A classic southern-Germany itinerary: Munich as base camp, daily train day trips to the Alps and Salzburg, plus a fairy-tale castle. Five full days, zero car, all accessible via regional rail with one Bayern-Ticket.

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Photo by Tobias Reich on Unsplash

Daily overview

Day Route Highlights
1Arrive MunichMarienplatz, Viktualienmarkt, Hofbräuhaus
2Day trip NeuschwansteinMunich → Füssen (2h 10 RE) → Castle tour
3Day trip SalzburgMunich → Salzburg (1h 30 ICE), Old Town, Mozart
4Day trip ZugspitzeMunich → Garmisch → cog + cable to 2962m summit
5Munich + departDachau morning, BMW/Nymphenburg afternoon

Day 1 — Arrive Munich

Airport S-Bahn (S1/S8) or Hauptbahnhof arrival. Drop bags at hotel. Spend the afternoon at Marienplatz, Viktualienmarkt, Frauenkirche. Dinner at a beer hall. Early to bed — day 2 starts at 06:00.

Day 2 — Neuschwanstein

The most iconic Bavarian day trip. Detailed plan:

  1. Buy Bayern-Ticket at Munich Hbf (€27 solo, €36 duo, weekends 00:00).
  2. Regional train RE to Füssen — 2h 10min direct, first departure 05:48.
  3. Bus 73/78 to Hohenschwangau ticket centre (10 min, included in Bayern-Ticket).
  4. Pre-booked castle entry (hohenschwangau.de) — 35-minute guided tour.
  5. Marienbrücke bridge for the postcard photo.
  6. Return RE to Munich, arrive by 20:00.

Day 3 — Salzburg

Austria across the border, but trains run on the same Bayern-Ticket (regional) or ICE.

  1. Breakfast, walk to Munich Hbf.
  2. ICE Munich → Salzburg direct, 1h 30min. Sparpreis €29-€49 booked ahead.
  3. Walk from Salzburg Hbf to Old Town (15 min) or take bus 1/2.
  4. Hohensalzburg Fortress (funicular + entry €16.90) — panoramic views.
  5. Lunch at St. Peter Stiftskulinarium (allegedly Europe's oldest restaurant, Charlemagne's dinners).
  6. Mozart's birthplace (Geburtshaus) or residence (Wohnhaus).
  7. Mirabell Palace gardens — Sound of Music Do-Re-Mi location.
  8. ICE back to Munich by 20:00.

Day 4 — Zugspitze (Germany's highest peak)

  1. RE Munich → Garmisch-Partenkirchen, 1h 22min.
  2. Connect to Bayerische Zugspitzbahn cogwheel train (€67 round-trip Zugspitze ticket includes all cable cars).
  3. Either continue on cog to Eibsee, then cable car up; or cog to summit station directly.
  4. Summit at 2962m — viewing platforms, restaurant, glacier views into Austria/Italy.
  5. Weather check essential — cancel and swap for Berchtesgaden if forecast is cloudy.
  6. Return to Munich by 19:00.

Zugspitze alternative: Berchtesgaden + Königssee — easier day, same region. Regional train to Berchtesgaden (2h 30), boat on Königssee lake (€22).

Day 5 — Final Munich day + depart

Morning Dachau Memorial (S2, 20 min + bus 10 min). Afternoon BMW Welt or Nymphenburg Palace. Evening flight or ICE to Frankfurt/Berlin.

Tickets strategy

  • Bayern-Ticket (€27-€63 group) for days 2 and 4 — regional trains within Bavaria.
  • ICE Munich-Salzburg for day 3 — €29-€49 Sparpreis ahead, or RE covered by Bayern-Ticket (2h 30 instead of 1h 30).
  • Munich city transport — €9.20 day ticket or €17.80 group for up to 5.
  • Total transport: €100-€180 depending on ICE bookings and group size.

Where to stay

Stay in Munich for all 5 nights unless you want Salzburg nightlife. Altstadt-Lehel or near Hauptbahnhof. Hotels need to be within 10-min walk of an S-Bahn station for the early day-trip departures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 5 days enough to see Bavaria?

It's the sweet spot for first-time visitors. You can cover Munich's highlights, two classic day trips (Neuschwanstein, Salzburg), and one Alpine outing (Zugspitze or Berchtesgaden) without rushing. Less than 5 days means cutting the Alpine side-trips; more than 5 lets you add Regensburg, Würzburg, or Romantic Road destinations like Rothenburg.

What's the cheapest way to cover these Bavarian destinations?

The <strong>Bayern-Ticket</strong> (€27/day for 1 person + €9 per extra up to 5) covers all regional trains in Bavaria and Salzburg on weekdays from 09:00 and weekends all day. Perfect for Neuschwanstein, Zugspitze, and Salzburg day trips. Not valid on ICE, but all these destinations are served by regional trains. For the Munich→Salzburg ICE (1h 30) you can alternatively take a RE (2h 30) covered by the Bayern-Ticket.

Should I base myself in Munich or move hotels?

For 5 days, Munich as a single base works best. Unpack once, do daily round-trips. Munich Hbf is <2h from every major Bavarian attraction. Exceptions: if you want to experience Salzburg's nightlife, 1-2 nights in Salzburg is worthwhile. If you plan deep Alpine hiking, 1 night in Garmisch or Berchtesgaden saves train time.

Is the Salzburg day trip worth it from Munich?

Absolutely. ICE Munich → Salzburg direct is 1h 30min, €29-€49 Sparpreis if booked ahead. Salzburg Old Town is UNESCO-listed, Mozart's birthplace, Sound of Music filming locations, Hohensalzburg Fortress. A full day gets you everything. Technically Austria — passport not required for EU/UK/US/CA/AU/SG but carry ID.

What's the best time of year for Bavaria by train?

May-June and September-October for mild weather and full daylight. Oktoberfest crowds (mid-September to first Sunday in October) fill hotels at 3x prices — book 6 months ahead or avoid. December Christmas markets are magical but cold and dark. Neuschwanstein in winter is stunning but tower access may be limited; verify before travelling.

Do I need to book Neuschwanstein tickets in advance?

Yes, mandatory during peak season (April-October). Book via hohenschwangau.de 1-2 weeks ahead — slots sell out. Off-peak (November-March) you can sometimes buy at the ticket centre on arrival but still risk being turned away. Tour is strictly timed, 35 minutes, and you must be at the castle gate 5 minutes before your slot.

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