After numerous ideas and considerations, my husband and I finally decided on the Berchtesgaden/Salzburg area for our vacation in May. We are flying into Nuremberg (because we found a flight that was quite a bit cheaper than flying into Munich) and would like to spend at least one night in Rothenberg before driving down to Berchtesgaden to our apartment for the week. My dilemma is that my husband really wants to see Neuschwanstein and I'm trying to figure out how to add it to our schedule. We have 10 nights. We are spending 7 nights in Berchtesgaden and the final night in Nuremberg (our flight leaves at 7 a.m.), so we have 2 nights remaining. Is it possible to spend 2 nights in Rothenberg and then drive to Neuschwanstein (246 miles according to via michelin), see the sights, and then drive the 144 miles to Berchtesgaden in one day? Or do we spend 1 night in Rothenberg and then 1 night in the Fussen area? I'm trying to avoid 1-nighters but we may not be able to. While trying to do Neuschwanstein, plus all the driving, in one day seems like a long day, we frequently drive back and forth between St. Louis and Indianapolis in one day so we are fairly used to long daytrips. Any advice?

Thanks!
Tracy

As I remember, it's more like 250-280 kilometers from Rothenburg to Fuessen, not miles, depending on the route you take.

I don't think Rothenburg is needs more than one night--depending on what time you arrive and depart.

It would be a very, very long day, but doable, to leave Rothenburg early in the AM, see the castles in Hohenschwangau, and get to Berchtesgaden that night.

I think it would be better to overnight in Hohenschwangau, or Schwangau, or Fuessen, or Reutte. Then you could have a leisurely drive to Berchtesgaden the next day, stopping to see sights like Linderhof. It would also let you make your drive from Rothenburg to Hohenschwangau/Fuessen more leisurely as well.

The drive from Hohenschwangau to Berchtesgaden is scenic and has many interesting places to stop along the way.

In September 2004 we traveled through Bavaria staying in Nuremburg (4 nights), visiting Rothenburg for the evening tour and then the next day driving to Berchtesgaden/Salzburg for 3 nights.

After we drove to Neuschwanstein for one night. The trip took all day but the scenery was magnificent. The Austrian border is beautiful.

You only need one night in Rothenberg and Neuschwanstein. These two locations were not the highlight of my trip. Berchtesgaden and Salzburg were.

You can do it all but plan on one night for Rothenberg an Neuschwanstein.

We traveled to Lake Constance and Stutgartt before ending back in Nuremburg. Unfortunately we had rain the second of two weeks in Germany. Hope you have better weather.

Gail

I agree with Gail and Rufi - one day is enough in R'burg. Split the drive and overnight in the Fuessen area.

I,too, agree with Rufus about the changes he suggested.

Here would be my itinerary:

After arrival in Nuernberg, take the Autobahn A-6 West to its intersection with the Autobahn A-7, head north on the A-7 to Rothenburg. I figure the trip will take you about 3 hours.

Spend the night there and do your sightseeing that evening and in the morning. Then head south on the A-7 to Fuessen, again about 3 hours. Visit Neuschwanstein, at least from the outside. Stay overnight there, or continue yet that day to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, via Reutte - Leermoos and stay in Garmisch. This is a very scenic 60km trip, nothing like Indianapolis to St. Louis (I have done both itineraries many times.)

The next day, from Garmisch, take the German B-2 federal highway south to Mittenwald and Zirl in Austria. Pick up the Austrian Autobahn in the direction of Innsbruck. (Be sure you get an Austrian autobahn user's decal at any gas station before entering the Austrian autobahn.)

Stay on the Autobahn as far as Woergl. From Woergl take the federal highway to St. Johann, Lofer and on to the German Federal Highway B-305. This highway is part of the scenic Deutsche Alpenstrassen (alpine highways) network and takes you directly to Berchtesgaden. You enter the town at the RR station,which is in the lower part of the town.

Thank you all for your replies. I greatly appreciate it and it helps very much. After careful consideration, I agree with all of you. We will spend our first night in Rothenberg, spending the afternoon and evening sightseeing around the town. The next night will be spent around the Neuschwanstein area, and then its on to Berchtesgaden. The drive from the Neuschwanstein area to Berchtesgaden looks stunning, so this way will give us opportunities to stop and sightsee along the way.

Thank you again!
Tracy

tcreath: If you have the time and the inclination you may want to try to Night Watchman Tour in Rothenburg. We have visited Rothenburg at least 6 times and finally made the tour on our last visit just before Christmas. The night was freezing but we so enjoyed the tour, lots of interesting info and the Night Watchman was a delight.

Have a wonderful trip.
Susan

The above suggestions are great and here's my two cents. One of the great things about the B'Gaden area is its' central location - you can easily go to other countries in a day or less. In the central B'gaden town, there are many agencies that offer all kinds of day trips to anywhere that you want to visit. You will see posters on the sidewalk advertising these trips. You can speak to an English speaking person in the Kurhaus (center of town) to help you to pick a trip. I would do that, because it will give you both a chance to relax, see the sights, and meet lots of nice German folks along the way. These day trips by narrated bus go to Chiemsee, Munich, Vienna, Venice (we did this and it was great fun!), some of the great mountain areas, Hallstadt, St. Johann, and a million other spots. Just another idea...good luck!

We did the drive from R-burg to Fussen at Christmas. It was snowey and the last 10 miles before Fussen were not Autobahns but no problems driving. We then took the road from Reutte to Garmish and it was beautiful. You can do that in one day if you push it and if you reserve you tickets ahead of time for the castles. We once stayed at Gasthaus Von Schluxen in Unter Pinswang right at the border on the Austrian side between Fussen and Reutte. It was a delightful working farm b&b type place. We really enjoyed it. If you get over to Garmish you may want to go on to Mittenwald (@ 20 kilometers) the violin maker's village. Salzburg is only about 15-20 K from B'gaden so you should definately plan to drop in over there long enough to sing a few verses of Eidelweiss or Mozart "Eine Kleine.." music.