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Getting Here & Around

The Bavarian Alps Features

Getting Here & Around

By Air

Munich, 95 km (59 mi) northwest of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, is the gateway to the Bavarian Alps. If you're staying in Berchtesgaden, consider the closer airport in Salzburg, Austria—it has fewer international flights, but it is a budget-airline and charter hub.

By Car

The Bavarian Alps are well connected to Munich by train, and an extensive network of busses links even the most remote villages. Since bus schedules can be unreliable and are timed for commuters, the best way to visit the area is by car. Three autobahns reach into the Bavarian Alps: A-7 comes in from the northwest (Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Ulm) and ends near Füssen in the western Bavarian Alps; A-95 runs from Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen; take A-8 from Munich for Tegernsee, Schliersee, and Chiemsee and for Berchtesgaden. The A-8 is the statistically the most dangerous Autobahn in the country, partially due to it simultaneously being the most heavily traveled highway and the road most in need of repair. The driving style is fast, and tailgating is common, though it is illegal. The "guideline speed" (Richtgeschwindigkeit) on the A-8 is 110 kmh (68 mph); if an accident occurs at higher speeds, your insurance will not necessarily cover it. It is a good idea to pick a town like Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bad Tölz, or Berchtesgaden as a base and explore the area from there. The Bavarian Alps are furnished with cable cars, steam trains, and cog railroads that whisk you to the tops of alpine peaks allowing you to see the spectacular views without hours of mountain-climbing.

By Train

Most Alpine resorts are connected with Munich by regular express and slower service trains. With some careful planning—see www.bahn.de for schedules and to buy tickets—you can visit this region without a car.