My husband and I are traveling to Bavaria in one week. I can't secure a rental, from Garmisch. I am certainly thinking about using solely trains for our transportation.<BR><BR>I called AAA for prices. They can offer $135 per adult (for Twin German Rail) for 4 days. I found the same deal on the internet (Rick Steve's) but I can get one ticket for half price. <BR><BR>Should I get the pass in advance with AAA or wait to purchase at the German train station. Gut feeling......get at the train station.<BR><BR>Suggestions? Also, does the train hit the smaller villages in and around Garmisch?

Hi--I would buy the ticket now! I live in Germany and I can't get tickets at those prices, train travel is very expensive in Germany so I would jump at that offer if train travel is the way that you want to go. However, I prefer to have a car and have more freedom. Have fun!

Hi Tracy,<BR>I agree with christi, to buy tickets outside of Germany.<BR>Howevery - Garmisch has a good train connection to Munich, about 90min ride.<BR>The local D-Zug leaves at least every 60 minutes.<BR>But there are also nonstop trains running a few times a day coming from Innsbruck to munich and further on.<BR><BR>Munich is a great hub for all trains leaving to most every destination.<BR>Check out for timetable at<BR>http://www.bahn.de (click to international guests/ than click to service / than click to timetable/arrival departures)<BR>The last section is in german but, it's like a airline timetable.<BR>However if you need further assistance -let me know - have lived between Garmisch and munich a long time and get araound quiete often with trains !<BR>Shain/eu/de/d&uuml;sseldorf

The Germanrail twinpass is a great deal if you're travelling long distances - like to Berlin or the Rhine from Munich. If travelling within Bavaria, regular tickets don't cost that much. A regular one-way ticket from southern Bavaria (Munich) to northern Bavaria (W&uuml;rzburg) on the fast trains will cost you between $38 and $43 each - so if you're making 3 or more such long trips inside Bavaria, the pass is probably worth it. <BR><BR>If, however, you're just seeing Munich and the more immediate surroundings (F&uuml;ssen, Garmisch, Berchtesgaden, Salzburg) you're better off just getting tickets in Germany. You can get daypasses that allow a group of 5 unlimited travel on the local trains for only 21 Euro per day (after 9 am weekdays, anytime Sat and Sun) Ask for the Bayern Ticket or the Sch&ouml;nes Wochenende Ticket and request a printed itinerary for the trains you will use so that you get on the trains for which the ticket is valid - the slower local trains - which are the only ones that will take you to little places like Berchtesgaden and F&uuml;ssen anyway. No sense in getting a Germanrail pass just to visit Alpine Bavaria.<BR><BR>You can e-mail me if you have questions on how the daypasses work. I've used them often in the past and am taking a trip this March with plans to use them again.

Here's a train system map to help you plan your travels within Bavaria: http://www.bayern-takt.de/bahnkarte.htm

Think again about the car rental...Bavaria more than about any other place in Europe needs to be explored by car if you want to see everything. Surely there are cars available in nearby towns.