VCNZ

Hello Fodorites, We will be travelling from Fussen to Munich and thought we should stay somewhere for the night enroute. Any commendations please. Rothenburg? Thanks ever so much.

phieaglefan

VCNZ,

Google maps puts the trip from Füssen to Munich at 1 hour 40 minutes. Adding a stop in Rothenburg makes the trip 4 hours 28 minutes. In other words, it's way way out of the way.

I am not sure what the rest of your itinerary looks like, but there might be a better place to add Rothenburg.

Now if you are simply looking for another destination in the area, try Oberammergau or Mittenwald. Both are very charming and would not be as much of a detour.

H

Robespierre

First choice: Füssen. Second choice: München.

There are a couple of towns along the route, but you might find your choice of lodging to be severely limited.

ira

HI V,

>thought we should stay somewhere for the night enroute.

There is no NEED to stop enroute.

You might want to take the route via Linderhof and Oberammergau.

If you do, you will need to buy a road tax sticker (vignette 8E) beofre entering Austria.

bigtyke

Landsburg would be ok, but only if you just have to have a night between the two.

Lily

Why are you wanting to stay a night between these two when they are so close together? Fussen is south of Munich and Rothenberg is north of Munich.

VCNZ

Hiya, thank you dear Fodorite mates. As you may have worked out, I am feeling my way around before visiting in October and I appreciate your comments. The aim is to visit the Royal Castles. So will take a train from Munich to Fussen. Have four-five nights before we have to be back in Munich. Shall we stay in Fussen and use it as our base to explore or would it be better to go to Hohenswangau for two nights and then stay in Fussen for two nights. Had no idea that Rothernburg is north of Munich n Fussen is South. Am I right to think that Fussen would be a better base from which to explore Oberammergau and Mittenwald? Thanks guys n gals.

Jake1

ira--is the road tax sticker needed if you don't drive on the major highways in Austria; e.g., along B179 from Fuessen through Reutte and then Am Plansee, back into Bavaria and on to Linderhof, Oberammergau, etc.?

Cowboy1968

If that route (Füssen-Reutte-Plansee-Oberammergau) is the only part of Austria you will be travelling through, you won't need the Austrian motorway sticker.

ira

Hi Jake,

>ira--is the road tax sticker needed if you don't drive on the major highways in Austria; e.g., along B179 from Fuessen through Reutte and then Am Plansee, back into Bavaria and on to Linderhof, Oberammergau, etc.?

Go to www.viamichelin.com and look up the route.

Zoom all the way in Fuessen.

You will see that the B179 becomes a 4 lane divided hiway at the border.

That's where the cops wait for you.

The B179 is a major road all the way to Reutte.

Don't risk a 200E fine for an 8E sticker.

You want to exit at Reutte Nord to get onto the Krekelmoosstrasse toward Am Plansee.

Linderhof was our favorite. The Grotto is amazing.

Enjoy your visit.

Cowboy1968

Sorry, ira.. not true.

The Austrian roads are not tolled by the number of lanes. The Bundesstraße 179 is toll-free.

I have driven that "loop" from Munich to Füssen, and on to Reutte/Plansee or through the Außerfern valley, back into Germany many, many, many times.

Heck, that whole vacation region even advertises in Germany with the fact that the access via Füssen or Garmisch is not tolled.
Spend those 8E on something which you will really need (like gas -- which is cheaper in Austria than in Germany!).

AisleSeat

If what you have in one extra night and you are looking for another destination consider the aforementioned Oberammergau or Mittenwald. You can also consider Bertschesgaden or Salzburg although the drive will be a little longer.

ira

Hi C,

I am under the impression that Austria requires the vignette for all motorways and expressways, not just toll roads.

However, I will yield to your greater experience.

If you are correct, J saves 8E.

If I am correct, he loses 100E.

Cowboy1968

The Austrian road toll system operates on 3 levels:

First, you have a "flat toll" for the whole Autobahn and Staatsstrassen system. These roads are designated as "A" or "S" roads.
This is what you get the sticker for, which can be bought for 10 days or up to one year.
The "B" roads (Bundesstrassen or Federal Highways) are not part of toll system. The nearest tolled road from Reutte is the A12 Autobahn, 60 kilometers south, which I doubt anyone will get on by mistake. You will see this sign when you get enter a tolled motorway: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bild:Mauttafel.jpg

Second, you have special tolls for tunnels or several tunnels which can be part of the motorway system. But these can also be found on regular highways. Here you pay for single (or multiple) use. So even with a sticker, you have to pay (again).

Third, you have toll roads which are mostly scenic, tourist routes, e.g. the Grossglockner highway. Here you also pay for single (or multiple) use.

I know that this system is not self-explanatory. And driving around bigger cities like Innsbruck, Salzburg, Vienna can require some skills and a good map to avoid toll motorways - but not in the Außerfern.

pja1

Hi VCNZ,
With 4 or 5 nights to spend, I'd split them between Fussen and Mittenwald.
From Fussen, see the castles, maybe even the Tegelbergbahn (cable car) and luge ride (sommerrodelbahn)which is just a mile or so from Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles. We like the town of Fussen.

Mittenwald is a good base to see Mittenwald (of course), Oberammergau, Ettal Monestary, Garmisch (and the Zugspitze).
Mittenwald's train station is an easy 5 minute walk to the old town center.

Staying in Schwangau (hohenschwangau) and Fussen makes no sense to me. They're just 10 minutes apart.

Paul

pja1

I always get the "vignette" just in case. Just in case I would rather get on a highway. Besides, on a rather expensive vacation, for what amounts to approx. $12, I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Paul

Jake1

Thanks, everyone.

VCNZ

Hi pj1 n all. Pj1 thanks for the advice re Mittenwald. How far is it from Fussen? So I can take a train form Fussen to Mittenwald? Is it nearer to Munich? We will not be driving but will take the train.
Cheers and thanks

pja1

Hi VCNZ,
Not sure about train schedules and routes. I know driving times are roughly 2 or so hours for each trip.
I did look the itinerary up at:

http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/que...1&OK#focus

It looks as if iit's either 3 and 4 hours depending on the route. Maybe someone who knows the trains can be of more help.

Paul

Jake1

Unless you run into some sort of weather or traffic problems, it's about a 1-1/2 hour drive from Fuessen to Mittenwald. Train or bus/train takes from 2-3/4 to 4-1/4 hours depending on which route you take (through Munich or through Reutte, Austria).

You can look at a map at www.viamichelin.com to see where these places are.