Please help with itinerary for Bavaria and Vienna
Apr 18th, 2011, 05:06 PM
#1
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Please help with itinerary for Bavaria and Vienna
I have never traveled out of the US and am trying to plan a trip for Sept 10 through Sept 20. I think I have read to much information and I am totally confused about everything!
The plane tickets have been bought arriving in Munich 9/11/11 @ 0700 and flyimg back to the US 9/19/11 0800 out of Vienna.
I have a list of places I want to see, I just don't know how to plan a timeline.
The places I want to see are;
Munich
Rothenburg
Heidelburg
Nurmburg
Dauche
Passau
Salzburg
Vienna
I have been told that I could probably see a more than one of the smaller towns in a day.
I am not interested in seeing a lot of museums, but more castles, churches etc...
Would there be a good central location to stay maybe and do day trips?
Thanks for your help
The plane tickets have been bought arriving in Munich 9/11/11 @ 0700 and flyimg back to the US 9/19/11 0800 out of Vienna.
I have a list of places I want to see, I just don't know how to plan a timeline.
The places I want to see are;
Munich
Rothenburg
Heidelburg
Nurmburg
Dauche
Passau
Salzburg
Vienna
I have been told that I could probably see a more than one of the smaller towns in a day.
I am not interested in seeing a lot of museums, but more castles, churches etc...
Would there be a good central location to stay maybe and do day trips?
Thanks for your help
Apr 18th, 2011, 05:16 PM
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Well you actually have 7 days on the ground (you really can;t count the day you arrive and the day you depart).
To see 2 large cities and a bunch of smaller towns in that time - and in different directions - really doesn't make sense.
If it were me I would limit yourself to Munich and Vienna with one overnight in Salzburg. This doesn't give you enough time anywhere but it does give you at least a minute to catch your breath and experience a little bit of these cities.
If you insist on going to all of thee places you will have nothing but a tour of the train stations of Germany. (SUggest you go to the bahn.de site to get some idea of schedules - which will show you why you plan makes no sense.)
To see 2 large cities and a bunch of smaller towns in that time - and in different directions - really doesn't make sense.
If it were me I would limit yourself to Munich and Vienna with one overnight in Salzburg. This doesn't give you enough time anywhere but it does give you at least a minute to catch your breath and experience a little bit of these cities.
If you insist on going to all of thee places you will have nothing but a tour of the train stations of Germany. (SUggest you go to the bahn.de site to get some idea of schedules - which will show you why you plan makes no sense.)
Apr 18th, 2011, 06:07 PM
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Yes- for your allotted time-you have planned too much.Where is Dauche? Is it Dachau-the oncentration> If so you can do that from Munich-I would surely delete Heidleburg,Passau. How are you going from Munich to Vienna-yes- Salzburg is a good stop.Munich has to be at least 2 days(and not the day you arrive),You could easily spend all of the time in Vienna-when you are constantly on the move you miss out on so much. Hope this helps. Sandra
Apr 18th, 2011, 06:53 PM
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You have 8 overnights. Here are my suggestions;
11 Munich (obviously)
12 Munich (Dachau - a suburb - only 30 minutes)
13 Munich (Nurnberg - Rothenburg is really to difficult to also do on this day)
14 Salzburg (via Passau - 2 hrs to get there, then 2 more to Salzburg)
15 Salzburg
16 Vienna
17 Vienna
18 Vienna (obviously)
Heidelberg is the real outlier for this itinerary. I think you will need to drop it.
Passau can be done on the way to Salzburg, if you have to see it - it is 2 hours to Passau from Munich then another 2 to Salzburg, by train.
Nurnberg is easy from Munich by train, only about an hour. Rothenburg is tough to also squeeze in on the same day - rail connections are not that good. If you do try and squeeze it in with Nurnberg, you are really only left with one jet lagged day in Munich and the half day around your 1/2 day Dachau visit.
I am not sure that I would try the Passau stopover if it were me, but I am trying to find a way for you to only drop 2 "wanna sees" (Heidelberg and Rothenburg).
You are really front loading your day trips and stopovers like this too. I suppose you could add a Munich day to slow things down and leave yourself with two overnights in Vienna. That is not a lot but if you arrived early and since you are taking no day trips, it could work.
11 Munich (obviously)
12 Munich (Dachau - a suburb - only 30 minutes)
13 Munich (Nurnberg - Rothenburg is really to difficult to also do on this day)
14 Salzburg (via Passau - 2 hrs to get there, then 2 more to Salzburg)
15 Salzburg
16 Vienna
17 Vienna
18 Vienna (obviously)
Heidelberg is the real outlier for this itinerary. I think you will need to drop it.
Passau can be done on the way to Salzburg, if you have to see it - it is 2 hours to Passau from Munich then another 2 to Salzburg, by train.
Nurnberg is easy from Munich by train, only about an hour. Rothenburg is tough to also squeeze in on the same day - rail connections are not that good. If you do try and squeeze it in with Nurnberg, you are really only left with one jet lagged day in Munich and the half day around your 1/2 day Dachau visit.
I am not sure that I would try the Passau stopover if it were me, but I am trying to find a way for you to only drop 2 "wanna sees" (Heidelberg and Rothenburg).
You are really front loading your day trips and stopovers like this too. I suppose you could add a Munich day to slow things down and leave yourself with two overnights in Vienna. That is not a lot but if you arrived early and since you are taking no day trips, it could work.
Apr 18th, 2011, 09:16 PM
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If you're going to go all the way to Vienna, then you'll want to spend 3 nights, but that's enough major-city stuff. I wouldn't spend the rest of the time in major city Munich.
From MUC, I'd head to Nuremberg for the first 3 nights. Use it as a base to visit Rothenburg on one day.
From Nuremberg it's an hour to Munich. Spend a day and a night there and get a quick taste. Then head to Salzburg early the next morning for one night. And finish with 3 nights in Vienna.
From MUC, I'd head to Nuremberg for the first 3 nights. Use it as a base to visit Rothenburg on one day.
From Nuremberg it's an hour to Munich. Spend a day and a night there and get a quick taste. Then head to Salzburg early the next morning for one night. And finish with 3 nights in Vienna.
Apr 19th, 2011, 09:01 AM
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Thank you all for your replies. I think I was trying to see everything that sounded interesting to me, just in case I never had the opportunity to return to Germany.
I am going to try and narrow down to 2-3 destinations.
Thanks again for your help.
I am going to try and narrow down to 2-3 destinations.
Thanks again for your help.
Apr 19th, 2011, 10:06 AM
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I understand the desire to see everything that sounds interesting in this trip, but that is an impossible goal because as soon as you do any more research, you will find MORE interesting places. Germany and Austria are absolutely packed with good stuff.
I think a good strategy is to make sure you see a variety of things that are representative of Germany and Austria - rather than a specific list of places. That way even if you never get back to these countries, you will have seen some good stuff and have a good feeling for the area. If you try to see too much, you'll end up with a checklist of places you've been, but everything will be a blur.
I think that Munich, Salzburg, and Vienna would make a great itinerary - simple, straightforward, not too rushed.
I think a good strategy is to make sure you see a variety of things that are representative of Germany and Austria - rather than a specific list of places. That way even if you never get back to these countries, you will have seen some good stuff and have a good feeling for the area. If you try to see too much, you'll end up with a checklist of places you've been, but everything will be a blur.
I think that Munich, Salzburg, and Vienna would make a great itinerary - simple, straightforward, not too rushed.
Apr 19th, 2011, 11:33 AM
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Given your stated interests, I would add a night to Munich
and take day trips from there to see Ludwig's castles and maybe Nuremberg. Vienna is great for museums but I gather that museums are not a priority. The Schoenbrun (spelling) is fabulous, though if you like palaces. There are beautiful churches in Munich, Salzburg and Vienna so you needn't worry about that part of your sightseeing. Germany and Austria are great countries for your first trip-just don't wear yourself out.
Pat
and take day trips from there to see Ludwig's castles and maybe Nuremberg. Vienna is great for museums but I gather that museums are not a priority. The Schoenbrun (spelling) is fabulous, though if you like palaces. There are beautiful churches in Munich, Salzburg and Vienna so you needn't worry about that part of your sightseeing. Germany and Austria are great countries for your first trip-just don't wear yourself out.
Pat
Apr 19th, 2011, 06:39 PM
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With your suggestions, we have decided to stay in 3 nights in Munich, 2 nights in Salzburg and 3 in Vienna.
What is the best way to travel between these destinations?
Can anyone make hotel recomendations for these destinations?
What is the best way to travel between these destinations?
Can anyone make hotel recomendations for these destinations?
Apr 19th, 2011, 06:39 PM
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With your suggestions, we have decided to stay in 3 nights in Munich, 2 nights in Salzburg and 3 in Vienna.
What is the best way to travel between these destinations?
Can anyone make hotel recomendations for these destinations?
What is the best way to travel between these destinations?
Can anyone make hotel recomendations for these destinations?
Apr 19th, 2011, 07:42 PM
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You don't need a car in Munich or Vienna. It would be useful to get to Rothenburg and Nurnberg in the same day but that is about all it would be good for on your compressed schedule.
Flying over the short distances makes little sense so the train would be the "best".
There are literally hundreds and hundreds of hotels to choose from. Try using a site like www.booking.com, www.hotels.com, or www.hrs.de to get a sample of what is available. Considering staying as close to the centre of town as your budget will allow because you do have limited time and it will afford you the most time and travel connection options. After you have a feel for the hotel scene and a few possible candidates, come back and ask some specific questions about areas of the city, and your potential hotel picks. Each of the sites mentioned allow you to sort the available hotels based on distance from the city centre as well as other factors.
Vienna is an expensive city for hotel accomodation. You are heading to Munich before Oktoberfest so it should not be too bad.
Flying over the short distances makes little sense so the train would be the "best".
There are literally hundreds and hundreds of hotels to choose from. Try using a site like www.booking.com, www.hotels.com, or www.hrs.de to get a sample of what is available. Considering staying as close to the centre of town as your budget will allow because you do have limited time and it will afford you the most time and travel connection options. After you have a feel for the hotel scene and a few possible candidates, come back and ask some specific questions about areas of the city, and your potential hotel picks. Each of the sites mentioned allow you to sort the available hotels based on distance from the city centre as well as other factors.
Vienna is an expensive city for hotel accomodation. You are heading to Munich before Oktoberfest so it should not be too bad.
Apr 20th, 2011, 10:06 AM
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Definitely travel by train. It is easy and convinient - and cheaper than renting a car.
Rothenburg obT is the most difficult to get to by train - just takes some train changes because it is at the end of a spur line. I think Heidelburg will be a long trip too. However, there are other towns in Bavaria that will fulfill the same desire to see small, storybook towns. Bamberg comes to mind - and it isn't far from Nuremburg, so you could see both on a day trip if you get up early.
Rothenburg obT is the most difficult to get to by train - just takes some train changes because it is at the end of a spur line. I think Heidelburg will be a long trip too. However, there are other towns in Bavaria that will fulfill the same desire to see small, storybook towns. Bamberg comes to mind - and it isn't far from Nuremburg, so you could see both on a day trip if you get up early.
Apr 20th, 2011, 11:31 AM
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"...we have decided to stay in 3 nights in Munich, 2 nights in Salzburg and 3 in Vienna... What is the best way to travel between these destinations?"
How does 57 Euros total sound?
Munich to Salzburg: Bayern Ticket, 29 euros total and 2 hours for 2-5 people on the RE train. Get the BT at the station with your credit card or cash at a DB ticket machine.
http://www.bahn.de/i/view/DEU/en/pri...r-ticket.shtml
Salzburg to Vienna: Einfach Raus ticket (daypass.) 28 Euros total for 2-5 people, 5-6 hours with 2-3 changes of train depending on departure. Valid only after 9 am weekdays, anytime on Sat or Sun.
From the Austrian railways site:
"Tagesticket zum Fixpreis für 2 bis 5 Personen (Erwachsene, Kinder).
Gilt in Österreich in den Zügen des Nah- und Regionalverkehrs der ÖBB und der Raaberbahn (R- und REX-Züge bzw. S-Bahn).
Gültig am gewählten Tag: Montag bis Freitag jeweils 9:00 Uhr bis 3:00 Uhr des Folgetages. Samstag, Sonn- und Feiertag ganztägig bis 3:00 Uhr des Folgetages.
Preis: 28,00 Euro
How does 57 Euros total sound?
Munich to Salzburg: Bayern Ticket, 29 euros total and 2 hours for 2-5 people on the RE train. Get the BT at the station with your credit card or cash at a DB ticket machine.
http://www.bahn.de/i/view/DEU/en/pri...r-ticket.shtml
Salzburg to Vienna: Einfach Raus ticket (daypass.) 28 Euros total for 2-5 people, 5-6 hours with 2-3 changes of train depending on departure. Valid only after 9 am weekdays, anytime on Sat or Sun.
From the Austrian railways site:
"Tagesticket zum Fixpreis für 2 bis 5 Personen (Erwachsene, Kinder).
Gilt in Österreich in den Zügen des Nah- und Regionalverkehrs der ÖBB und der Raaberbahn (R- und REX-Züge bzw. S-Bahn).
Gültig am gewählten Tag: Montag bis Freitag jeweils 9:00 Uhr bis 3:00 Uhr des Folgetages. Samstag, Sonn- und Feiertag ganztägig bis 3:00 Uhr des Folgetages.
Preis: 28,00 Euro
