My husband and I are planning a trip to Germany/Austria in early May, so far this is my itinerary. We will have 15 days in all including flight time so really 13 days.
1. Fly into Frankfurt and go to Bacharach
2. Go to Rothenburg
3. Go to Oberramgau to visit castles and nearby towns
4. Salsburg
5. Vienna (2days) fly home

Questions are if we arrive in Bacharach before 2pm should we spend 2 or 3 nights. Is 1 night in Rothenburg enough time if we arrive early or do we need 2 nights.
Oberramgau, should we spend 2 or 3 nightsto visit the castles and nearby towns.

One of the things really bothering me is the train/car situation. My husband says he doesn't mind driving but I've seen him get nervous with too much driving and I'd like to avoid some of that. So, should we take the train to Bacharach, then train to Rothenburg. We will be getting a car for Bavaria, should we pick it up in Rothenburg or take the train from Rotheburg to Munich and pick up the car there, or will that be wasting too much time on trains.

Also, I was planning on returning the car and training to Salsburg but from what I understand we would have to travel back to Munich and then take the train from there. So, should we drive to Salsburg, park the car in a garage and turn it in at the train station before going to Vienna. I know it's a lot of questions but I'm told you can all help me more than any other place. Appreciate it.

Suze, I just returned from Germany and Austria last night, and had a wonderful time. I am in the process of writing a trip report, and will let you know when it is ready.

However, let me make a few suggestions.

If you choose to go to Oberammergau, skip Newschwanstein castle!!! Yes, i know it's appealing in pictures, but its perhaps the biggest tourist trap i've ever been to. The tour is expensicve and worthless, and the view of the castle is minimal!!

Also, I would suggest skipping Vienna. Is there any particular reason you want to go to Vienna? There really isn't that much to do there, and the city lacks a charm found in most other European cities.

I would suggest the following.
1) Drive to salzburg, and have a car with you there. From salzburg, take a day trip south to Hallstatt, it's an amazing little town that is relatively unknown.

From Salzburg, you can also easily access Berchtesgaden, a great little town about 30 minutes away across the German border.

About trains and cars:

I have found that in Germany and Austria, Trains are faster and easier than cars. I would always take trains, except in places where you will be taking day trips to little towns. In that case, have a car. Oftentimes, trains do not run to little towns very often and you might be stuck.

I will post my report soon, and will remind you to read it!!

Good luck!!

Hi Suze,

Just to offer another opinion, I think Vienna is worth a stop, especially because it looks like your flight leaves from there.

Maybe the difference is that you will be there during nice weather, and Romulus was there in the cold. I understand what is meant by "the city lacks the charm..." because there isn't such a well defined "old town" as you find in some of the European cities.

But it is one of the great, historic capitals of the continent, with museums, palaces, baroque cathedrals, gardens and music to make your heart sing. Hope you do visit Vienna.

I second the motion to skip Neuschwanstein. If you must see a Mad King Ludwig creation, try nearby Linderhof instead. And if you want a more interesting castle experience, go to Burg Eltz while you're staying at Bacharach.
I'd do 3 nights in Bacharach to fit in tripping around. Burg Eltz fits into a good all-day trip down the Rhine to Koblenz then along the Mosel via Cochem and other picturesque villages to Bernastel-Kues, then up over the plateau via Simmern and Rheinbollen to return to Bacharach via the back door.
This is if you have a car, of course.
Rothenburg - a night is OK if you get there early in the day. One of the magic moments in Rothenburg is the transition from unreal to real around mid-afternoon when all the tour buses (and their occupants) leave, and the locals start appearing.
I second the Salzburg, Hallstadt suggestion as well.
For me, a car is a must - but that's just me. I like to get to less accessible places. But as far as I'm aware the train and bus services are OK between most places.

Sorry, forgot - other things to warrant 3 days in Bacharach. Cross the river by ferry to Lorch, and visit Assmannshausen and Rudesheim. But again, without a car this may not be so practical.

Sorry to disagree but I think Neuschwanstein is worth seeing if you have the time. I agree that it is very touristy, but it is a very picturesque and pretty area.

Hello suze1
If you're going to spend time in Salzburg, don't miss Hellburn Palace! It's just out of the main town (car or bus is easy), and as well as the main palace, there's a fabulous water-garden that is such fun. I won't spoil the surprises, but we had a wonderful time taking the guided tour there, then exploring the main palace and gardens.

I also disagree on Neuschwanstein. It is very interesting historically--both in terms of "Mad" King Ludwig's story and in the context of Europe's rotten and crumbling monarchies--, and it is visually quite a fantastic confection in a lovely setting.

It also has some excellent late 19th Century craftwork in the rooms that were finished.

In addition, you can see it, Hohenschwangau, and Linderhof easily in one day.

I first visited Wien (Vienna) during a smoggy, hot summer and hated it. But, I tried it again in the off season and loved just about everything in the city from the cafes to the palaces. And, if you would allow me, I found the women beautiful.

when you visit a place and your mood at that time makes a bit part of the impression.

I really liked the area around Neuschwanstein/Hohenschwangau for scenic walks, which is why I stayed in Schwangau rather than Oberammergau or Garmish. There are two alpine lakes, a mountain stream and miles of forest walks around the them. Neuschwanstein was designed as a theatrical back drop and is best seen from afar in my opinion. Once you get even a short distance from castles themselves the crowds and "tourist trap" feeling disappears.

We always had a car in Germany as I was in the service. Driving in Germany/Austria is not bad, except in major cities like Vienna. A car would be especially handy in southern Bavaria. Driving in Europe is sometimes harder on the navigator than the driver. It helps if your comfortable with maps. My wife doesn't care for maps so she would often drive and I would navigate.

Regards, Gary

Thanks for your advice. Vienna was not on my original plan and I don't yet have the plane tickets as of yet. Would it be better to spend more time around Salsburg area and fly home from Munich? Salsburg and the countrysight do sound really great.

I also thought one of the main reasons to go to Bavaria was for the castles. What towns would be good to do on a day trip?

How far is Schwangau from the castles and what hotel did you stay in. Anything with a lake is a big attraction to me. We stayed over Lake Como last year and it was spectacular.

Should we maybe think of renting a car for the whole trip? Also, no one mentioned if Rothenburg was worth more than 1 night. Should we stay 2 nights and do a day trip to Nurnberg.

Romulus, you say trains are faster and better but you must have had a car if you went to Hallstatt and Berchtesgaden.

Schwangau is about 2 or 3 kms. from the castle village of Hohenschwangau. If you want to be within walking distance of the castle ticket office and the trailheads to the castles, stay in Hohenschwangau instead of Schwangau.

There are several inexpensive but nice pensions in Hohenschwangau, as well as tourist hotels.

Check out my trip report. It's titled Germany, Austria and Italy Trip Report!! I think it will be helpful to you. Any more questions, just ask and i'd be happy to let you know!!

I read your trip report, good job. It does not mention that you went to Vienna in your report so how do you know that the city is not very interesting. Just how far is it from Oberammergau to Innsbruck, I was surprised when I read it took you 2 1/2 hours. We were planning a day trip there but now it sounds too far. Also, if you don't visit the castles what is there to do around that area.

as for Oberammergau and Innsbruck, the road we took was very straight forward. However, we had heavy snow that day, and it took us a little longer than normal. I believe normally it would take about an hour and a half.

I would suggest Mappy.com for all European road adventures! It's like the map quest of Europe (only in my opinion more reliable!!)

Have you looked into Garmish? It's a small Bavarian town close to Oberammergau. You might like it.

I have never been to Vienna myself, however many members of my family have, as well as a good family friend (who was born in Austria and travels to Europe frequently). In addition, my other friend travels to Austria every year for business and mentioned how Vienna was disappointing.

suze1,

I don't have alot of answers - but during our trip in 2004, we stayed in Garmisch and took a day trip to Innsbruck with a stop in Mittenwald. It was an easy drive except for the last few miles into Innsbruck - very steep down grade! I don't remember exactly how long it took, but we left after breakfast and were home before dinner.
We're going again in March and plan to do some things on your list, ie Salzburg and Neuschwanstein/Hohenschwangau that we didn't get to last time. I will post a report when I return!

Have a great time!
H

I disagree with Romulus. I been to Vienna quite a number of times and find that I still haven't seen it all. Vienna is worth your two days for sure, esp. since you fly out of there. I suppose if you tire of world class museums, the architecture, coffee houses and palaces, you can always take the second day there and go for a day trip to Melk, Krems and Durnstein.