Munich, Salzburg, & Garmisch
 

Flying into Munich with my wife for 3 days before heading up to Kassel to visit my wife's grandmother. I am looking for hotel and restaurant recommendations for Munich, Salzburg, and Garmisch-Partenkirchen. We will be driving a car. In Munich we are looking for a cheaper hotel around city center. Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Salzberg willing to spend up to $250/US each for the night.

Also, what is the best route to take driving from Garmisch to Salzburg? Is Eagle's Nest worth the side trip? Thanks!

Has anyone stayed at the Mercure Muenchen City Center in Munich?

I usually stay in the Hotel Anna in Munich and regarding Salzburg, I usually stay in Anif rather than Salzburg itself. In Anif I can recommend the Hotel Friesacher or the Schlosswirt zu Anif. The restaurant in the Schlosswirt is great.

We just got back from Germany a week ago. In Munich we stayed at the Mercure Muenchen City Center hotel. It is in a nicer neighborhood then the ones by the train station. Just a block from Marienplatz. I highly recommend this hotel. The only drawback was they charge 13E each for breakfast, so we never ate there. There is a nice cafe across the street for contl breakfast.

Jaymeyer--Welcome to the Fodors board. It's quite different from Badgermaniac's :=)

A Munich budget hotel that get good reviews here include the Hotel Uhland, near the Octoberfest grounds--10-15 minute walk or short bus ride (two stops on #58) from the Hauptbahnhof (http://www.hotel-uhland.de/enwelcome.html).

Salzburg is a great place to visit. We love the old town, (Altstadt in German). For location, you can't beat the Blaue Gans. Their Karajan Rooms are bigger and nice sized for two people. A cheaper place that gets great reviews is the Weisse Taube (http://www.weissetaube.at/e_rooms.htm) We plan to stay there for the first time this fall, but know and love the location.

One way to find out more options on this site is to type, for example, "Munich hotels" in the search box and you'll get tons of threads. Another great site for hotel reviews is www.tripadvisor.com. YOu can type in "Salzburg Hotels" for example, and it will list them in a ranking according to reviewer comments and citations in travel guides.

Looking for good restaurants? If you like traditional German fare, Munich has three great ones near the Marienplatz: Hackerhaus; Andechser am Dom and Donisl. Salzburg has a nice, more upscale place called Stiftskeller St. Peters. They also have dinner concerts that are fun.

Enjoy your trip.

I always suggest the Amba in Munich, right across from the train station. The Uhland is cheaper, but over near the Oktoberfest grounds w/some seedy joints nearby. Although there is a bus stop right on the corner.

RE: Route Garmisch to Salzburg

The fast route would be Garmisch Route B-23/Autobahn A-95 to Exit 9 (Sindelsdorf). From there the B-472 to Bad Toelz, Miesbach, Irschenberg. From there the A-8 Autobahn to Salzburg.

En route you could take a side trip from Exit 106 (Bernau) to Prien and the boat landings in Stock, to take the boat to the Herrenchiemsee island palace of King Ludwig (of Neuschwanstein fame). Then return to the A-8 and go on to Salzburg. That would add about 3 hours to your trip.

Or, comimg from Prien, you could cross underneath the A-8 and continue on the B-305 to Grassau, Unterwoessen, Reit im Winkel and from there, still on the B-305, which becomes the Deutsche Alpenstrasse to Schneizlreuth, Berchtesgaden, Salzburg. You enter B'gdn at the RR station, from where the road to the Obersalzberg and Eagle's Nest branches off. (See below)

This route is quite scenic. It adds about 1 hour to the 2 1/2 hrs straight Garmisch Salzburg shot.

A third routing would be Garmisch, Mittenwald on the B-2 and Zirl on the (Austrian) B-177. From there on the Austrian A-12 east to exit 59, (Oberaudorf). From there on the Austrian B-172 to Walchsee, Koessen and Reit im Winkel. Then see above. This is the most scenic of the three options. Allow about 4 hours for a leisurely trip.

One cautionary note: For using the Austrian Autobahns, even the short distance on the A-8 from the German border to Salzburg, you will need an user's decal, for about $10, valid for 10 days, I believe. Available at any gas station BEFORE you get on the autobahn.

Re: Eagle's Nest - On a clear day you have a grat view from the Kehlstein Haus (the actual name of the place). The last stretch, from the Obersalzberg to the elevator to the top can involve quite a wait during the peak holiday season. You have to take special busses to make the steep climb. An alternative, also with a great view, is the Jenner. You use a a gondola lift to get to its top. To get tothe lift station, follow the signs from the B'gadn. RR station to the Koenigsee. Just before the K., on your left is the parking lot for the gondola lift.

Again, to enjoy the views you need a clar day. Incidentally, to get from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden, on a day trip, takes about 1 hour or less.

Hi If you want my review of Hotels we stayed at in Switzerland and Austria, search "Home Sweet Home". We had a good 3 star hotel in Austria. Cheers Pawsha

Oops! I Meant to say "In Salzburg"

Hi J,

If you are willing to spend somewhat less on accommodations in Salzburg, I can highly recommend www.ammoos.at

We recently spent 4 nights there in a private suite with balcony for about 52E/nite dbl w/bkfst.

It is located in a residential area on the edge of Salzburg, about 15 min by bus from the city center, has private parking and is run by two very nice, friendly and helpful people.

((I))

First off, thanks for feedback on the Mercure, Sue. I booked a reservation this morning.

Treplow - thanks for the great info on the roads. I'm focusing on options 2 & 3. Do you think the scenic route (Option 3) is worth the extra time to drive?

To everyone: Is Garmisch-Partenkirchen worth a night's stay, or is there another town in between Neuschwanstein & Salzburg? Thanks for all your help!

I like to stay near the main train station in Munich in 2* or 3* hotels. I like the Drei Lowen and the Uhland. The Uhland has a couple of parking place in the back. The other hotels you will need to leave your car in one of the nearby public garages. The prices will run about $120 Euros for those two.

For restaurants, in Munich I like three in the area around Marienplatz, The Augustiner, Andechs am Dom (behind the Faruenkirche) and the Ratskeller (under the glockenspiel rathaus).
In Salzburg I second the recommendation for St Peters Stiftskeller. They have ben there since about 1300 and they have gotten the food right with that much practice. It is right behind the Sound of Music cemetary were the Von Trapps hid from the Nazis in the movie.

We stayed in Mittenwald on our way to Salzburg area. Beautiful little town. Would loved to been able to stay longer.

I used Priceline and got the Le Meridien Munich fo 100 US a night in December of 2005. Great hotel and convenient location.

I also like Hotel Anna.

I based in Salzburg and daytripped to Garmisch and that worked well for me.
Hotel Stadtkrug is well located and runs good specials and my stay there was pleasant. We paid 90E per night for single rooms with breakfast and doubles were 140. This was in high season (Christmas Markets in ful swing).

Why don't you "play it by ear": If the weather is good (clear mountains), I definitely recommend Option 3. Walchsee, en route, would be a good place to stop for lunch, or the Peternhof, about 4km before you get to to Reit im Winkel. For the latter, after Koessen, watch for the signs on the left. It's a major resort, with good food and great views from the terrace.

If you can hack it in terms of time, Garmisch would be worth an overnight stay, if the weather is good. A trip by cable car or cog railway to the top of the Zugspitze (Germany's highest mountain)is fun and offers great views.

Last June I was in Salzburg and stayed at the Hotel-Pension Scheck (www.hotel-scheck.com). It's located in a very nice residential area a bit s.e. of the old town at Rennbahnstrasse 11. You can walk to the center in about 15-20 minutes or you can take a bus (Finanzamt stop). The price was very reasonable for Salzburg (65 Euro for a single, incl. breakfast and a large private bathroom with a TUB. If the weather is nice, you can eat breakfast outside on the patio). They have a small parking lot adjacent to the pension for which there is no charge.

I also visited Eagle's Nest. If the weather is nice there is an outstanding view from the summit. If you are interested in WWII history and/or the rise of Naziism in Germany, I would also recommend the museum at the base near the parking area.

In Munich, I stayed at the Hotel Deutsches Theater on Landwehrstrasse, a few blocks south of the train station and within walking distance of the Rathausplatz. The rooms were simple, the price was very reasonable (63 euro for a single) and they had the best breakfast of anywhere I stayed in my two week trip.) I didn't have a car while in Munich (nor would I recommend one) so I don't know about parking.

A really good hotel in Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the Partenkirchener Hof. http://www.reindls.de/english/index.html. The english site looks a bit poor, but it is quite upscale. Definitely drive through the mountains from Garmisch to Salzburg and don´t take the Autobahn. Linderhof is a small castle of Ludwig II (his largest is Neuschwanstein), it is situated in a really beautiful valley just north of Garmisch. Try to climb at least one mountain while you're in the Alpes, many are really easy. And as we put it in Bavaria: " Ein Gipfel ist ein Gipfel ist ein Gipfel" (A summit is a summit is a summit). For instance, if your in average shape, the Notkarspitze just north of Garmisch is one of the most popular peaks of the area. Don´t go to the alpes only to stay in the villages. Up up you must.

We spent two nights 6/2 and 6/3/07 at the Mercure Muenchen City Center at 90 Euro/night reserved direct on Accor Hotels website. This is a 4-star hotel with huge room, huge bathroom and A/C (not so prevalent in Munich). It is just a block and 1/2 from the "side" of the main train station. See TripAdvisor for great photos - rooms are exactly as portrayed.

We also spent 5/18/07 at Kings Hotel Center on Marrstrasse for just 80 Euro direct through their web site (www.kingshotels.com) - a 3-star with NO A/C. This would be my choice if you don't need A/C. It's equally spotlessly clean, but not the US-look chain hotel: small lobby with wood paneling - the room was European standard size (smallish), the staff professional and helpful, and the street on which it's located is nicer - still just 2 blocks or so from main train station. Both hotels had parking garages nearby. Rates I listed did not include breakfast, which we enjoyed having at the numerous pastry shops around and in the train station, which is also where you'll arrive by S-Bahn from the Airport unless you've rented a car at the Airport). ENJOY!

To everyone: Is Garmisch-Partenkirchen worth a night's stay, or is there another town in between Neuschwanstein & Salzburg? Thanks for all your help!

HOTEL HILLEPRANDT....rooms 1 or 2 both great. Located in Garmisch. I recommend the area as a good place to stay and explore.

Hi TD,

Fuessen is between Salzburg and Neuchwanstein. So is Reutte.

((I))

We stayed in Salzburg on May.
Beautiful city . We went to Eagle nest and it worth a visit. But we went to Konnigsee and I didnt like , very boring , in my opinion no waste your time there. Hallstat is a little nice town , it worth .

I really liked the hotel Westfalia in München http://www.pension-westfalia.de/index2.html

It is directly next to the Theresienwiese. The U-bahn station is Goetheplatz. Just 1 or 2 stations from the Marienplatz. The hotel has a free breakfast buffet and nice rooms. I believe for a double bed it was around 60 Euros/night/couple...check the site to make sure.

Also, I would definately recommend the Eagle's Nest and also the Königssee. The Chapel St. Bartholomä was so gorgeous and the boat ride was great to get there. I wasn't bored at all...but I think it depends on what your interests are. There are awesome hiking trails there at the Königssee, so if you're active and enjoy nature, there's nothing boring to it at all and most assuredly worth the side trip along with the Kehlstein (Eagle's Nest).

if you want to spend $250-300; go for the Goldener Hirsch Hotel in salzburg. It is 1st class and their restaurant is very good. Also eat at St. Peter's Abbey-very good. Try the Mozart dinner/concert. Suprisingly the food is good!

GP is definitely worth an overnight, for no other reason than the ability to wake up, have breakfast, and then high-tail it over to the Zugspitze before the crowds, and often the clouds, roll in.

Fuessen is also a great place to stay, to beat the crowds that descend on Neuschwanstein.

In GP we stayed at the Frauendorfer. Great place to eat. Mediocre place to stay.

Hi
We were in Garmisch-Partenkirchen last fall. We stayed at the Mercure in Partinkirchen. Very reasonable rates. Free parking. Close to everywhere by walking. The staff gave us good directions to several local sites we wanted to visit and we wound up staying there for a couple of days longer. There's a very good Italian restaurant there also.

Thank you so much for everyone's help. I have the car rented and the hotels booked. One last question: After our short excursion into Bavaria, we are flying back into Dusseldorf and taking a train to Kassel to visit with my wife's grandmother. Is it better to get tickets in advance or will prices be the same if we buy tickets at the train station? I'm afaid a delayed plane will force us to miss a pre-bought train ride. Thanks again!

>After our short excursion into Bavaria, we are flying back into Dusseldorf and taking a train to Kassel to visit with my wife's grandmother.

May I ask you why you are travelling in such a convoluted way? If you just take a train from Munich (or from Garmisch via Munich) to Kassel, you will be there by the time your plane lands in Düsseldorf. And then there are all the hassles associated with luggage and plane travel (security etc.). WHY?

>Is it better to get tickets in advance or will prices be the same if we buy tickets at the train station?

The normal tickets cost the same no matter when you buy them. With these it doesn´t matter whether you kiss some train or not since you don´t buy them for a particular train. There are however also advalce discout tickets (Dauer-Spezial), which you can buy in advance over internet for 29 Euro one way - subject to availability, and these are tied to a specific train.

I'm afaid a delayed plane will force us to miss a pre-bought train ride.

Before I thought flying to DUS to get to Kasselw ould be just too convoluted. Now I have looked up and I am convinced it is insane. A direct train from Munich to Kassel takes about 3 hours. Your plane will just be taking off in Munich airport when the ICE from Munich pulls into Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe station.

altamiro, thank you! We have a round trip ticket from Dusseldorf to Munich so I just figured it would be faster to jump on the flight back up to Dusseldorf. After doing some research you are correct, it would be faster and easier just to take the train up from Munich.

One last question on my itinerary that I can't seem to find the answer to. My car rental dropoff is at the Munich airport. Does Die Bahn go through the Munich airport on it's way to Kassel? Or will I need to take the train out of Hauptbahnhof? Thanks!

Just drop your car at the Bahnhof. That should be do-able.