Help with Fall, Southern Germany Trip
 

I could use some advise. I am planning on traveling to Southern Germany around Sept 29-Oct 7, 2014. We are definitely going to Oktoberfest for 2 nights in Munich, but need help planning the rest. We have considered Garmisch and possibly 1 night in Salzburg. We want to travel by train (if it's not too complicated). I'd like to know what towns/cities are best? We'd like to visit some smaller towns if possible. Are there any other festivals going on in that time frame? All the festivals I've seen start and end in Sept. Thank you for any help you can offer!!!

"I'd like to know what towns/cities are best? We'd like to visit some smaller towns if possible."

I would need to know what your interests are to venture a guess at what's best for you. Small towns isn't much to go on.

"We are definitely going to Oktoberfest for 2 nights in Munich..."

The thing about O'fest is that room prices skyrocket and the town is a zoo. What I'd urge you to consider is staying in a town that is central to Munich and Salzburg for a few days. Daytrip by train into Munich for O'fest on one day - and maybe a 2nd if this over-the-top event really is your style. Then on a separate day, visit Salzburg.

Prien is a good choice. It's on Lake Chiemsee, one hour to Munich or Salzburg by direct train. It's also near King Ludwig's Herrenchiemsee Palace (on an island in the lake) and near the Kampenwand, a peak with a gondola lift and nice walks.

Prien: http://tourismus.prien.de/en/
Kampenwand w/ view of Chiemsee and island/palace: http://www.kampenwand.de/index.php?r..._gondeln-4.jpg

Daytrips by train from Prien run 27€/day for two adults with the Bavaria Ticket:

http://www.munich-touristinfo.de/Bavaria-Ticket.htm

We went to Octoberfest from Garmisch and it worked out great. Lots to see and do near Garmisch and easy to get to Munich. Reasonable hotel rates.

Most of the festivals will end in September, unfortunately. German Reunification Day is October 3 and that should be celebrated in some form almost everywhere. The best thing to do is check with the local tourist office.

Check out hotel rates for Munich and decide if you want to stay there or stay somewhere outside of town and commute in. You can choose a suburb and a 30 minute S-Bahn ride or something more substantial. I think someplace like Garmisch or Salzburg (1:30 minutes by direct train) are a better option than something small and rural like Prien. With 30 minutes more commute time to Munich you get so much more to do. Salzburg is an excellent base for some small towns in Austria like St. Wolfgang, St. Gilgen, and Koenigsee.

Trains are easy to use. Lots of good info on this and other sites. As mentioned, Oct 3 is a holiday and many towns will have some special activities going on.

Information on individual towns can be found at the town website - usually www.(town name).de