Top 10 Day Trips
from Munich
Munich is the perfect base for exploring Bavaria. Within 2 hours, you can reach fairytale castles, alpine lakes, medieval walled towns, and even cross into Austria.
Here are the 10 essential day trips—all achievable in a single day with time to explore, ranked by the experience you'll get for the time invested.
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10Distance
Within 2 Hours
Main Risk
Tight Connections
Strategy
Early Departure
Best Day Trips by Value
The Top 10
Neuschwanstein Castle→
The fairytale castle that launched a thousand postcards. 2 hours by direct train to Füssen, 10 minutes by bus, and you're at the base of Bavaria's most iconic attraction. Book castle tickets in advance—same-day often sells out.
The Real Deal
Combo with Hohenschwangau: Ludwig's childhood castle is right across the valley. Get the combo ticket and do both—you'll understand why he became castle-obsessed.
Add Füssen: If time permits, explore Füssen old town on the way back. The High Castle (Hohes Schloss) has remarkable illusionist frescoes.
Zugspitze Summit→
Germany's highest peak (2,962m). Take the train to Garmisch-Partenkirchen (80 min), then the Zugspitzbahn cogwheel train to the glacier. On clear days, you can see four countries from the summit.
The Real Deal
Altitude Sickness: Take the slow cogwheel train UP to acclimatize, cable car DOWN. Going fast up can cause headaches—30% less oxygen at the top.
Add Partnach Gorge: If you return to Garmisch with daylight, the Partnach Gorge is a 30-minute walk from the station. Two world-class attractions in one day.
Nuremberg→
Medieval Imperial Castle, WWII Doku-Zentrum, and the famous Christmas market—all in one city. Just 1 hour by ICE, or 1h45 by regional train (Bayern-Ticket valid).
The Real Deal
Two Days Ideal: Honestly, Nuremberg deserves two days—medieval old town on day one, Nazi Doku-Zentrum on day two. As a day trip, you'll have to choose focus.
Underground Tours: The rock-cut beer cellars and art bunker require advance booking. Don't miss them, but plan ahead.
Salzburg, Austria→
Mozart's birthplace is just 1.5 hours from Munich. The baroque old town, Hohensalzburg Fortress, and Sound of Music locations make it a fantastic international day trip.
The Real Deal
Ticket Alert: Bayern-Ticket does NOT work to Salzburg. You need a separate international ticket or the "Bayern-Ticket + Salzburg" add-on.
Skip the Horse Carriages: Sound of Music tours are expensive tourist traps. The old town is compact—walk it yourself with a €2 map.
Königssee→
Germany's deepest lake with silent electric boats gliding past 2,000m cliffs. The journey is longer (2.5-3 hours with transfer at Freilassing), but the fjord-like scenery is unlike anything else in Germany.
The Real Deal
Freilassing Transfer: Don't miss the connection at Freilassing—it's the critical transfer point. Check the platform before the train stops.
Obersee Priority: Stay on the boat to Salet, hike to Obersee first while it's empty, then see St. Bartholomä on the way back.
Dachau Memorial→
Just 20 minutes on the S2, then Bus 726. The first Nazi concentration camp is a sobering but essential historical experience. Plan 3+ hours on-site to do it justice.
The Real Deal
Audio Guide Essential: The €4.50 audio guide provides crucial context. Don't try to understand this place without it.
Hebertshausen: Few know about the SS Shooting Range 2km north where 4,000+ Soviet POWs were executed. It's a separate, quieter memorial site.
Regensburg→
UNESCO World Heritage medieval city with a 12th-century stone bridge and Italy-style tower houses. 90 minutes by direct regional train, compact enough to explore thoroughly in a day.
The Real Deal
Walhalla Extension: Bus 5 reaches the Parthenon-style Walhalla monument in 20 minutes. Do Walhalla morning, Regensburg afternoon.
Historic Sausage Kitchen: The Wurstkuchl by the Stone Bridge has served sausages since 1146. It's touristy but historically authentic.
Chiemsee & Herrenchiemsee→
The "Bavarian Sea" with Ludwig II's unfinished "Bavarian Versailles" on an island. 1 hour to Prien, then the historic steam tram to the harbor, then ferry to the palace.
The Real Deal
1.8km Gap: Prien station is NOT at the lake. You need the Chiemsee-Bahn (cute steam tram) or a 20-minute walk to the harbor.
Fraueninsel Too: The ferry combo includes Fraueninsel with its medieval convent and beer garden. Don't skip it if time permits.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber→
Germany's best-preserved medieval walled town. 2.5-3 hours by train with changes, but the complete 16th-century streets, walkable walls, and Christmas store make it worth the journey.
The Real Deal
Overnight Recommended: Day trip is possible but tight. Tour buses flood the town 11 AM - 5 PM. Staying overnight lets you experience the empty medieval streets at dawn and dusk.
Wall Walk Free: The covered walkway on top of the city walls is free. Most tourists miss it—start at Klingentor gate.
Lake Eibsee→
The Caribbean-blue lake at the base of the Zugspitze. Train to Garmisch, then the Zugspitzbahn (or bus) to the lake. The 7km circumnavigation trail and small rental boats offer a full day of alpine lake bliss.
The Real Deal
Grainau Gap: Deutschland-Ticket stops being valid at Grainau. Pay the extra fare to the lake or you're technically fare-dodging.
Mirror Reflections: Arrive before 9 AM for the stillest water. Once the thermal winds kick in after noon, the mirror reflections disappear.