logos999

Of course a train ticket isn't either ;-)

scatcat

logos----The words local art or local crafts are like magic to some people. They believe they are actually taking a piece of that country home with them. Maybe it brings them years of memories, but I think they should haggle on those items too. Then they get home and find the "made in China" sticker! lol

indiancouple

Thanks markan, linkay and everyone else for very valuable inputs. Have already booked the Laimer Hof hotel. Got a good deal by bargaining a little !!

I think I have more than enough to fill my 2 days there. Still torn between the desire to spend a day visiting Neuschwanstein, or savoring Munich properly. Will decide at the last minute.

ter2000

We stayed in Laimer Hof at the end of November last and were very impressed with the hospitality and friendliness of the staff. Location isn't ideal, but it's a nice neighbourhood and very close to the Nymphenberg Palace (which is well worth a visit). There are also a few nice restaurants in the area. As previous posters have said, it's a 10 minute walk to the tram stop and the journey takes about 15 minutes.

As you're in Munich for only two days, I would suggest that you leave a trip to the castles for another time. There's plenty to see in the city and I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time.

DAX

If you are not a museum person, then you can do Munich old town and beer garden in one day and do the castle tour on the second day. Just take the castle tour bus which leaves at 7 am right across the street from the train station for a 12 hour tour to Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau, Oberamergau village and Linderhof. http://www.munich-touristinfo.de/Excursions2.htm

logos999

I'd rather book online at Autobus Oberbayern http://www.grayline.de/

This www.munich-touristinfo.de looks like it's a rather obscure non profit organization??

AndreaNewEngland

First, our hotel: Hotel Metropol was quite a short walk from the Hbh and we loved it! The staff was among the nicest we've ever experienced. Spacious room, etc. I reviewed it on Trip Advisor.
Agreed Neuschwanstein would take a full day away from Munich. It would be worth it to me, but you seem not to agree, which is fine. We all make choices when we travel.
Nymphenburg is truly extraordinary; it's just beautiful and so interesting, and to see it all really does take up most of a day.
I like the Hofbrauhaus. You can't beat the history there, and it's not as touristy as you might think. We sat near a huge table of local men. It's fun to go up the stairs and see the little beer museum they have (free).
Of course walk the Englischer Garten, but the Chinese Tower is nothing special, more of a "Oh, so that's it."
Don't miss the Glockenspiel at the Rathaus! And the Odeonsplatz, and the lovely yellow kirche (Ah, help I can't recall the name) next to it.

We spent hours at Dachau. But make no mistake: it is a museum. There is just a TON of information to read, it focuses not just on the Nazi era, but explains some of what happened during the Weimar Republic that led up to Hitler's rise. It's extremely interesting. Only a small part of the experience is seeing the barracks from three different time periods that the camp was operating. Very quick train ride there if you decide to go. We walked to the camp from the bahnhof and it was further than we thought. I recommend taking the bus out.
Enjoy Munich, it's a favorite city of mine!

indiancouple

I will be reaching Munich in the evening of March 31st, and checking into the Laimer Hof hotel (by around 6pm). Will not have much time that day, except to visit the Hirschgarten nearby. I know that the Nymphenburg Palace closes at 4pm till March, but are the grounds open ? If so, I can take a stroll through the gardens and look at the palace from outside.

On 1st April, plan to start at Marienplatz, see the Neues Rathaus and Altes Rathaus, the Glockenspiele, Frauenkirche and Peterskirche, and Viktualein Markt (all nearby to each other). Then have lunch at Ratskeller or at Andechs am Dom nearby.

After lunch, stroll through English gardens. Maybe go back to Nymphenburg Palace. Have beer at the Hofbrauhaus. Stroll around Karlplatz and Odeonplatz.

On April 2, take a trip to Fussen and on to Neuschwanstein Castle (and Hohenschwangau). Should be possible to do on my own by buying a Bayern pass, and booking tickets for both castles online in advance. On return, stroll through Fussen, or return early to Munich.

On April 3, take flight out of Munich.

Comments on above itinerary please. Anything too ambitious, or not doable, or can be improved upon ?

DAX

You may not be a museum goer but certainly a church goer, in that case you should see the most impressive baroque church interior in Munich: Asamkirche
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asamkirche,_Munich

Ingo

Bad luck - the park of Nymphenburg closes at 6.30 pm in March. From 1 April on it stays open until 8.30 pm ... I'd still recommend you walk there. The facades from the entrance are impressive, too.

I second DAX's recommendation of Asam church - overwhelming decoration. Some other churches in Munich's old town are also worth a visit: Theatinerkirche, St. Michael and Bürgersaal. English Garden will probably not be very interesting end of March ... Even if you're not interested in museums you might want to stroll the courtyards of the Residenz.

Looks like a very good itinerary to me. Enjoy your time in Munich!

I.

Paragkash

March- April is an off- season and you should be able to see both the castles very easily. You may not even book on the net We were there in May 2010 There was no queue. That gives you flexibility. The best frontal photo opp. is from the ticket office. Please take the bus from close to the ticket office to Marienbruick, a bridge at a higher altitude. You can get very good pictures from here and can see the real magnitude of the Castle. Walk 10 min downhill to Neuschwanstein. Allow about 2 -2.30 hours inside. Then walk it down to Hohenschwangau. Another 2 hours inside. Be prepared for the rains.

There is another amazing King Ludwig palace at Herrenchiemsee. Just 1 hour from Munchen. It is inspired by Versailles and is more opulent than the inspiration. Interiors are fascinating. The king couldn't complete it. We liked it more than Neuschwanstein. The island is beautiful. It is easily doable in half a day, with very good rail connection. That will complete your King Ludwig Palaces tour.(Exept Lindrhof You can do it on 1st April if you like and come back by 3pm
Anywhere you go, it is going to be beautiful.
Have fun.