We will be spending three days in Munich in August. I figure two days for Munich and the third for a day trip to the Alps. Where do we go? Looking for quaint community - not the lines at the castles. We are on public transportation. Thanks

I have overnighted from Munich in Mittenwald - small tourist town on the train route. Walk to hotel in town, then with some uphill walking can access a chairlift up to walking trails back to town, a gondola on the other side of town to even higher views, etc. On the weekend night I was there the local band was putting on a concert in the park. There is a violin museum.

It is a tourist town with decorated buildings on the pedestrian street surrounded by locals' homes and lots of holiday rental apartments. But to me the tourist throng is manageable and the town is in a scenic location.

Closer to Munich via the same train would be Garmisch. It is a much larger town (city?) with many more tourist facilities and access to some more dramatic mountains. I haven't visited there in some years.

I do not think I would want to just do a daytrip by train--too long on the train before you reach the mountain scenery, in my opinion. I prefer the mountains to Munich after a day anyway.

Several decades ago I did both Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Zugspitze) and Fuessen as day trips from Munich (different days). I have also done Salzburg. All are doable. Oberammergau is also a good place for a day trip, quaint, and only a short (20 min) from bus ride to Linderhof.

I go to Mittenwald every time I am in Munich. It is only about 2 hours on the train. Garmisch is 25 minutes before Mittenwald. I think the track is under repair from Garmisch to Mittenwald. But there is a bus.

And I have done Salzburg on a day trip from Munich. It is less than 2 hours by train.

Fuessen and on to Neuschwanstein Castle is do-able on a day trip. I've done it dozens of times. Even if you choose to not see the inside, it is beautiful from the bridge. Great photos.

Another vote for Mittenwald. Did that by train from Munich last month - get the Bayern Ticket and take a regional train.

Ingo, did you have problem with track repair to Mittenwald as scatcat mentioned? The DB Bahn site doesn't say anything.

Hi RuthNC,

I live in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and was in Mittenwald about three weeks ago. The trains were running just fine!!

If the DB site doesn't mention an interruption, then there isn't one. I would assume that scatcat mentions is finished!

I would also recommend Mittenwald -- just a real delight!

s

Here's another vote for Mittenwald. It is the quintesential Bavarian Alps village. Enjoy your trip.

Robyn

Actually, I get off the train in Garmisch and took the bus from there. But like swandav (HI!) said, if the www.bahn.de site doesn't mention it then there is no track repair.

Ok, I admit I just had red wine with lunch ;-)

I GOT off the train.

Hi RuthNC,

Just wanted to recommend Mittenwald also. We've stayed there twice ('05 and '06) and love it.
Robyn's description "the quintesential Bavarian Alps village" is how I would describe it.

Paul

It looks like Mittenwald is the winner! Thanks to all. I'll try to do a report after we get back. Artstuff, I really enjoyed your blow by blow. We will be doing the reverse of your trip - Frankfurt, Dresden, Prague, Munich, Cochem and back to Frankfurt. I noticed that Murnau, a stop on the train to Mittenwald, is an artist spot. Is it worth a stop?

We plan to spend 2 nights in Mittenwald next month. It will be our first visit there. Just sounded too lovely to pass up and we needed a stop between Uberlingen on Bodensee and Zell am See.

Hi bettyk,

I think you'll love Mittenwald! Just a suggestion, if you like chocalate desserts,
try the "Mohr im Hemd" at the Kleiner Kartoffelsack in the pedestrian zone. Have a great trip.

Paul

Paul, that is one of my all time favorite deserts. That and Palatschinken! If it's there, I'll find it! Thanks.

If you would like to see the castles (assume you mean one or more of Ludwig's castles), you don't have to worry about lines if you make your reservations in advance. You can do this on-line.

Have you seen Ludwig's Castles? Is that part of your plan? In the Alps south of Munich you will find Herren Chiemsee, Linderhoff, and Hohenschwangau/Neuscwanstein.

I'll add my vote for Mittenwald, but if it is a sunny day, you might think about taking a ride up to the Zugspitze from Garmisch-Partenkirchen.