Multi-Day Trips From Munich: Alps and Lakes
A single night changes what the Alps trip feels like: you catch the castle in morning light instead of racing the last train. Four overnight options from Munich work well, each with a different pace.
Füssen and Schwangau: castles with a night in between
Füssen is the base for Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, about 125 km from Munich. Regional trains take around 2 hours 10 to Füssen, and bus 78 continues to Hohenschwangau village. Neuschwanstein admits visitors by timed guided tour only, at €21 (€20 reduced) plus a €2.50 online fee, so book through hohenschwangau.de as soon as your dates are fixed. Midday summer slots sell out weeks ahead. The Schwangau through-road is closed until about mid-December 2026, with a detour via Hohenschwangau, so allow extra time on arrival day. Staying overnight lets you take an early slot and walk up to the Marienbrücke bridge when it is open (it is free, but shuts in ice and snow, and the site posts daily status). You can compare Füssen hotels on Booking.com if you want the town centre.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the Zugspitze
Garmisch is a direct train ride of about 1 hour 30. The Zugspitze round trip costs €78 for adults on the summer tariff, valid to 22 November 2026, using a cogwheel train and two cable cars to 2,962 metres. A night in Garmisch lets you pick the clearest morning and walk the Partnachklamm gorge the afternoon before. Prices and tariffs are posted on zugspitze.de .
Salzburg overnight
Salzburg is about 140 km away and takes 1 hour 30 by Railjet, which needs a normal fare. One night covers Mozart’s birthplace, the Mirabell gardens and the Hohensalzburg Fortress at an easy pace, with an evening in the old town. Look up connections on bahn.de .
Berchtesgaden in season
The Kehlstein bus runs until about 8 November in 2026, weather permitting, and costs €31 for adults and €16 for children 6 to 14. Because the season is ending, confirm dates on berchtesgaden.de before booking a hotel.
Starnberger See by ship
In October the lake runs a reduced timetable. Between 5 and 18 October, one ship sails twice daily and another on weekends. Schedules are on seenschifffahrt.de .
Planning the trip
A good three-night loop is Munich, then Füssen, then Garmisch, then back, ending with one more Munich night. Check train times on bahn.de before you commit. If the weather turns, a day in Munich museums fills the gap, and the Munich four-day itinerary shows how to fit it.
For a different view, see the day trips guide , which covers the places you can see and still sleep in your own bed.
Tip: reserve Neuschwanstein first, then fit the hotel and train around its time slot, because it is the only booking that can sell out.