Itinerary · 3 days
3 Days in Munich by Train
Central Munich highlights + two by-train day trips (Neuschwanstein + Dachau) in 3 days. Structured hour-by-hour with ticket pricing, neighbourhoods, and where to stay.
Day 1 — Central Munich on foot
Morning
- Arrive Munich Hbf or airport (S1/S8 direct to city, 45 min).
- Drop bags at hotel — most allow luggage before check-in.
- Walk to Marienplatz — New Town Hall Glockenspiel plays at 11:00 and 12:00 daily.
- Viktualienmarkt — open-air food market, excellent early lunch on a beer-garden bench.
Afternoon
- Frauenkirche — Munich's iconic twin-tower cathedral (free entry, small fee for tower views).
- Residenz — former Wittelsbach royal palace with ornate Antiquarium. Book online to skip queues.
- Short walk to Hofgarten and then into the southern edge of Englischer Garten — Chinesischer Turm beer garden for a pause.
Evening
- Hofbräuhaus — iconic but touristy. Augustiner-Keller is locals' pick.
- If staying late: Glockenbachviertel for craft cocktails and late dinner.
Day 2 — Neuschwanstein day trip by train
The classic Bavarian castle day trip. All-in 10 hours, worth the early start.
Logistics
- Breakfast early. Walk or S-Bahn to Munich Hbf.
- Regional train (RE) Munich → Füssen direct, 2h 10min. First departures around 05:48, 06:51, 07:51. Book via DB Navigator or use Bavaria Ticket (€27, up to 5 people, weekday 09:00+).
- From Füssen station: Bus 73/78 to Hohenschwangau ticket centre (10 min).
- Pre-book castle entry at hohenschwangau.de 1-2 weeks ahead — slots sell out.
- Hike 30 min up or take horse carriage (€8) or shuttle bus (€3.50) to Neuschwanstein.
- Castle interior tour is 35 min, strictly timed. Exit via Marienbrücke for the postcard photo — windy and wet in winter.
- Bus back to Füssen, train back to Munich.
Alternative day-2 options
- Salzburg — direct ICE Munich → Salzburg 1h 30min. Sound of Music locations, Mozart's birthplace.
- Regensburg — 1h 30 by ICE/IC. UNESCO medieval old town.
- Zugspitze — Germany's highest peak. Train to Garmisch-Partenkirchen + cogwheel train + cable car.
Day 3 — Dachau + museums
Morning
- Dachau Memorial — take S-Bahn S2 from Munich Hbf to Dachau (20 min) + bus 726 (10 min). Free entry. Allow 3-4 hours. Deeply important, emotionally heavy.
Afternoon
Pick ONE based on interest:
- BMW Welt + BMW Museum — free to visit the Welt, €10 for the museum. U3 Olympiazentrum.
- Nymphenburg Palace — rococo splendour with gardens. Tram 17 from centre.
- Deutsches Museum — one of the world's largest science and technology museums. Large, allow 3+ hours.
Evening
- Final dinner in Schwabing (north of Englischer Garten) — Munich's most relaxed dining district.
- Or an Augustiner beer hall for the last schnitzel and dunkel.
Transport & tickets
- Munich city transport: €9.20 day ticket covers S-Bahn, U-Bahn, tram, bus across the inner zones. Or €17.80 group day ticket for up to 5 people.
- Bavaria Ticket: €27 per day, up to 5 people, valid on all regional trains in Bavaria (including the Neuschwanstein trip). Weekdays from 09:00.
- Getting to Munich: From Frankfurt 3h 15 by ICE (€29-€79 Sparpreis). From Berlin 4h. From Stuttgart 2h 15.
Where to stay
For a 3-day trip, stay in Altstadt-Lehel (walking distance to day 1 sights) or near Hauptbahnhof (best for day trips + departure logistics). Avoid anything further than 15 min S-Bahn from the centre.
Live rail status
Check today's Munich-Salzburg route or general rail status the morning of travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Munich?
Yes — 3 days covers all the highlights. Day 1 for central Munich (Marienplatz, Viktualienmarkt, Hofbräuhaus, Englischer Garten). Day 2 for a day trip by train (Neuschwanstein via Füssen, or Salzburg). Day 3 for Dachau Memorial + BMW Welt or Nymphenburg Palace. More time lets you add day trips to Regensburg or the Zugspitze.
How do I get from Munich Airport to the city centre?
S-Bahn S1 or S8 run every 10-20 minutes from the airport station directly under the terminals to Munich Hauptbahnhof, 45 minutes. Single ticket €13.70 (covers the airport zone). Taxi costs €60-€80 and can take longer in traffic. The S-Bahn platform is signposted from arrivals — follow 'S-Bahn' signs. See our <a href="/airport/munich/">Munich Airport guide</a>.
Where should I stay in Munich for 3 days?
Altstadt (around Marienplatz) for walking-distance access to sights, slightly more expensive. Near Hauptbahnhof for easy arrivals/departures and cheaper hotels. Glockenbachviertel for hip restaurants and bars. Avoid anything beyond S-Bahn ring S1 or too close to the Reichenbach Bridge area (noisy nightlife).
Is the Neuschwanstein day trip worth it?
Yes for first-time Germany visitors, but plan logistics. Regional train from Munich Hbf to Füssen takes 2h 10min direct (book ahead or use Bavaria Ticket €27 covering up to 5 people). From Füssen, bus 73/78 to Hohenschwangau (10 min). Tickets sell out — book via hohenschwangau.de 1-2 weeks ahead. Castle interior tour is timed, 35 minutes. Budget a full 10-hour day door-to-door.
Can I use a Deutschlandticket for this itinerary?
Partially. Deutschlandticket (€58/month) covers regional trains and Munich's S-Bahn/U-Bahn/tram — great for city transit and the Neuschwanstein day trip. Not valid on ICE if you arrived from another German city. For Salzburg day trip, you'd need a separate ticket (Salzburg is across the Austrian border).
What should I budget for 3 days in Munich?
Mid-range estimate per person: €350-€550. Breakdown: 3-star hotel 3 nights €270-€420. Transport (S-Bahn/day tickets) €25. Food €40-€60/day = €120-€180. Attractions and day-trip tickets €40-€80. Add flight/train to reach Munich separately. Budget travellers can do it for €200-€280 via hostels and cheap eats.
Related
Munich city guide · Neuschwanstein route · Munich Airport · Extended Bavaria 5-day itinerary