asbury10

Day 1: Arrive Frankfurt airport in a.m. (free tickets to Frankfurt from US, no flights available elsewhere); train to Rothenburg ob der Tauber (too tired to rent car). Overnight at Hotel Kloster Stuble. Day 2: Train to Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Overnight at Reindl's. Day 3: Rent car. Sightseeing in area en route to Fussen. Overnight Fussen.
Day 4: See castles in area. Overnight Fussen.
Day 5: Sightseeing in area en route back to Garmisch (Oberammergau, etc.) Return car. Overnight Garmisch.
Day 6: Train to Vienna. We love trains. Priceline hotel at $115+tax (Intercontinental).
Day 7 and 8. Vienna.
Day 9: Early train to Salzburg, sightseeing and overnight. (Hotel Weisse Taube or maybe a Priceline bid.)
Day 10: Early train to Munich, sightseeing and overnight. (Le Meridien Hotel: free with Starwood points).
Day 11: Munich in morning. Afternoon train to Frankfurt airport hotel (Starwood deal).
Day 12: Return home.
Most of these plans are firm, but any thoughts can help us avoid a problem or give us a recommendation. We have traveled in Europe before and pack lightly. We wanted to cover more territory this time instead of concentrating on one location.

Larryincolorado

I applaud your decision not to try to drive to Rothenburg. I have dozed on the train following transatlantic flights. I am very glad I wasn’t driving.

You do not need to rent a car to get from Garmisch to Fuessen. There are other alternatives. The bus (9606) from Garmisch to Fuessen takes just over 2 hours. If you buy a Tageskarte, the fare is €8 pP for all your bus travel that day. The bus goes through Oberammergau. For no extra fare, you could take a side trip from Oberammergau to Linderhof.

Or, you can go by train (Ausserfernbahn) from G-P through Reutte in Tirol to Pfronten. Stay in Pfronten. From Pfronten it is a half hour, €3, bus trip in the morning to Fuessen. Look for accommodations at www.pfronten.de.

You can find bus schedules for this area at www.rvo-bus.de.

You can buy a €25 Bayern ticket at the automat in Salzburg Hbf. It will be good for a regional train back to Munich, plus all your use of the MVV that day.

wilees

Sounds good to me, however, I have not been to all of those places.

I do think that you will feel like you do not have enough time in either Vienna or Munich. i had two nights in Munich a few weeks ago and wish I had more. Vienna I had 4 nights and still could have done another few.

However, you have plenty of time in Bavaria smaller towns which is good.

I would skip Salzburg but most people will disagree. i just found it very touristy and unfriendly.

PalQ

You should look into the new German-Austria Railpass which looks like a boon for your wide-ranging travel. Pass can be used on any train in these two countries - for details i'd call BETS (800-441-2387), a Raileurope agent i've used for years, or www.raileurope.com or www.ricksteves.com - BETS doesn't have some of the mailing fees the latter two charge. Not sold in Germany. It'a flexipass good for unlimited travel midnight to midnight on the days you choose out of a longer time frame. If you take an overnight train, such as from Vienna to Germany then it's one day on a flexipass as per the 7pm rule - if board night train after 7pm then the next day is your unlimited travel day - night train to Munich then travel anywhere in Germany (or Austria) the following day. A Saverpass is cheaper - this is for two or more names on one pass. Compare regular fares for Germany at www.bahn.de. www.euraide.com is also a German rail specialist.

asbury10

I forgot to mention that we do have a Germany-Austria rail pass. As for renting a car in Garmisch, we wanted about 3 days to explore the whole area on our own, including Fussen. I'm sure we will wish for more time in Vienna and Munich, but I assume we may return someday. At least we will see some of the highlights.

bavariaben

asbury10 - I think your itinerary is well thought out and has the makings of an excellent vacation. I also think your idea to rent a car for several days in the Royal Castles area is very sound. You will find the sights and activities there much more accessible by automobile than by public transportation.