Munich to Salzburg to Where?
 

Helping friends who are planning a trip. Land in Munich then train to Salzburg to see niece in study abroad semester....the reason for the trip. While there take in the sights and maybe side trip to Berchtesgaden or salt mines. Next they would like to see mountains and remembered loving Luzern. But is Garmish a better choice? How long to train from Salzburg over to Luzern? Then return to Munich for a few nights. I am suggesting the train but they may consider a car. May of 2012. Any suggestions most appreciated.

Why do you want to travel to another country to see the mountains when you can see them in Salzburg?
There are tons of options in Austria, Halstatt lake, ice caves, Grossglockner Alpine Road, the high Tauern mountains, Dachstein,.. even Vienna would be in a day trip's range

Some quick questions to help us answer your post. When are they going? How long will they be there? Have they been there before? Are they spending any time in Munich before they go to Salzburg? Are they traveling only by train or will they have a car?

They are going in May for 10 days....so only 8 days to travel. One of them has been to Lucerne -- thus the desire to show her husband the spot. They want to spend 2 nights in Munich but I recommended they go to Salzburg as soon as they arrive. Do Munich on the end. Get subway at airport and then to train station. I think being there on a weekend so they can spend time with a niece who is in school is the plan. They can rent a car but have not driven in Europe before....but always a first. But I have been happy with the trains. I thought to encourage them to see another spot closer to Salzburg and Munich so they will get the same beautiful scenery. I have been reading up on Garmisch but have not visited that or Mittenwald.

You probably know the sights include Munich, Dachau. Ludwigs castles; Herren Chiemsee, Linderhof, Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau. Oberammergau, Mittenwald, Berchtesgaden, Hallstatt, Salzburg, etc.
Lucerne, and Lusanne are both a pretty long way from Salzburg.

Hi,

A little confused: "They are going in May for 10 days....so only 8 days to travel."

With 10 days to travel, consider this:
4 days in Salzburg (day trips could incl. Salzburg itself of course, salt mine, Berchtesgaden, Konigssee, Salzkammergut... Hallstatt, St. Gilgen, Hohenwerfen castle, etc.) Beautiful mountain scenery in the Berchtsgaden area.
3 or 4 days in Mittenwald (day trips could incl. Linderhof palace, Oberammergau, Zugspitze, Ettal, Garmisch, Neuschwanstein/Hohenschwangau and of course Mittenwald).
You could also consider 2 in Mittenwald and 2 in Fuessen.
2 or 3 days in Munich

I wouldn't even think about going all the way to Lucerne to see beautiful mountain scenery. Beautiful mountain scenery is practically everywhere in Bavaria and the Austrian Tirol. I've been to Lucerne and while nice enough, I sure wouldn't go that far to show someone Lucerne.