Exploring The Bavarian Alps: Travel Tips And Tricks

The Bavarian Alps are a popular tourist destination in Germany, known for their stunning natural beauty, picturesque towns, and cultural traditions. The area boasts beautiful lakes, half-timbered houses, spectacular castles, and mountain villages. The German infrastructure makes the region easily accessible by plane, train, bus, car, or even bike. Munich Airport is the best airport to fly into, and from there, you can use the well-established train network or take a bus or taxi to your destination. The Bavarian Alps offer a wide range of leisure activities, including hiking, skiing, snowboarding, and exploring the local culture and cuisine.

Travel by train, bus, car, or bike

Travel by Train

Bavaria has an extensive network of regional trains, making it easy to travel by train from Munich to the Bavarian Alps. Trains are comfortable, clean, and efficient, and provide a more environmentally-friendly way to explore. The train network offers direct links between Munich and various mountain towns, with a range of hikes accessible directly from the train stations.

You can purchase tickets in advance or on the day of travel from ticket machines at the station using cash or card, or through the free Deutsche Bahn app. Tickets for the regional trains cost around €25 for one person, with children up to 5 travelling free. These tickets include unlimited travel within Bavaria, including all city public transportation, and are valid from 9 am on the day of travel until 3 am the next day (from midnight on weekends). For groups of up to 5 people, there is an additional charge of €7 per person.

Travel by Bus

Taking the bus is the cheapest way to get from Munich to the Bavarian Alps, with tickets starting at €9. The journey takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes. FlixBus is one of the main bus companies operating this route, with tickets available for purchase in advance online or at the station.

Travel by Car

If you're travelling by car, you can reach the Bavarian Alps from Munich via the A95 highway. The drive usually takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes and costs between $16 and $24.

Travel by Bike

Cycling is a great way to get around Bavaria, with extensive bike paths and special lanes for cyclists on larger streets. Bicycles can also be taken on trains, but a separate ticket for the bike is required. Many cities now offer bike-sharing services, making it easy to rent a bike.

Fly to Munich or Innsbruck airport

The Bavarian Alps are easily accessible via Munich or Innsbruck airports. Munich Airport is considered the second-busiest airport in Germany, and the best way to get to the Bavarian Alps. From there, you can use the well-established train network to reach your destination, with prices starting from 26€/ $28. Alternatively, you can take a bus to Garmisch-Partenkirchen for 9€/ $10.

If you're arriving from the east, you can reach the Bavarian Alps by car via the A1 highway. If you're coming from the north (Munich), take the A95 highway. For those arriving at Memmingen Airport, the A7 highway is the best route.

Innsbruck Airport in Austria is another option for those wishing to visit the Bavarian Alps. The train journey from Innsbruck to the Bavarian Alps takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, and costs around 12€/ $13. The fastest and cheapest way to get from Innsbruck to the Bavarian Alps is by car, which takes around 55 minutes and costs $12-$18.

Visit Kochel, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, or Walchensee

The Bavarian Alps are a sight to behold, with their quaint towns, snow-capped mountains, shimmering lakes, and frescoed half-timber houses. Here are three destinations to consider when planning your trip to this picturesque region:

Kochel

Kochel, also known as Kochel am See, is a charming town located on the edge of the Bavarian Alps, about 70 kilometres south of Munich. The town is situated on the shores of Lake Kochel, which was formed during the last glacial period of the current ice age. The lake is surrounded by majestic mountains to the south and bog lands to the north, making it a beautiful spot for hiking and exploring nature. Kochel is also known for its rock extrusion, Birg bei Altjoch, which has historical significance as the settlement's namesake.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is an idyllic resort town nestled amid Germany's highest mountains, including the Wetterstein Mountains to the south and the Ammergau Alps to the north. It offers captivating scenery and a variety of well-signed hiking trails suitable for all skill levels. From enchanting gorge hikes to ridge climbs, there is something for everyone. The town itself is known for its ski resorts and sports opportunities, such as skiing, snowboarding, and hiking.

Walchensee

Walchensee is a lake located in the heart of the Bavarian Alps, just a short one-hour ride from Munich. It is known for its crystal clear turquoise waters, red-roofed Bavarian houses, and the sound of cowbells ringing in the distance. Walchensee offers a variety of activities such as hiking, biking around the lake, swimming in its clear waters, and boating. The nearby Herzogstand mountain, accessible by aerial tramway, provides breathtaking views of the lake and the surrounding mountain range. The town of Walchensee also offers delicious Bavarian cuisine and beer.

Stay in popular towns like Ruhpolding, Reit im Winkl, or Bad Wiessee

The Bavarian Alps, a stunningly beautiful natural divide along the Austrian border, is a great place to visit for sports enthusiasts and those looking for relaxation. The region is known for its quaint towns, frescoed half-timber houses, and shimmering lakes.

If you're looking to stay in popular towns in the Bavarian Alps, consider the following:

Ruhpolding

Well-known as a venue for international winter sports events, Ruhpolding is a great choice for those interested in biathlon. However, it also offers mental stimulation with its appealing "Lüftlmalerei" façades, a local history museum, and the parish church of St. Georg, which sits at an altitude of 1,645 meters.

Reit im Winkl

This is a top choice for enthusiastic hikers as it is considered one of the most beautiful hiking regions in the Chiemgau Alps. The tours lead to the high plateau of the Winklmoosalm, around Chiemsee, or to Demel-Alm. History and culture lovers will also enjoy the Hausenhäusl local history museum and the various events held throughout the year where locals cultivate their customs.

Bad Wiessee

This health resort is located right on Tegernsee and offers beautiful listed buildings such as the town hall, old post office, and Hotel zur Post. You can take long walks along the five-kilometer lake promenade and enjoy views of mountain peaks up to 1,600 meters high. In the winter, excursions in the snow are a popular activity.

These towns provide a great base for exploring the Bavarian Alps and offer a range of activities and attractions to suit different interests.

Explore castles, including Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau, and Linderhof

The Bavarian Alps are home to several castles, including Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau, and Linderhof, which are all linked to King Ludwig II of Bavaria.

Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle is a 19th-century historicist palace perched on a rugged hill in the foothills of the Alps, in the very south of Germany. It is located in the Swabia region of Bavaria, in the municipality of Schwangau, above the village of Hohenschwangau. The closest larger town is Füssen. The castle stands above the narrow gorge of the Pöllat stream, east of the Alpsee and Schwansee lakes, close to the mouth of the Lech into Forggensee.

Neuschwanstein was commissioned by King Ludwig II as a private retreat and in honour of composer Richard Wagner, whom he admired. Construction began in 1869 but was never completed. The castle was intended as a private residence for the king, but he died in 1886, and it was soon opened to the public. Since then, more than 61 million people have visited, with over 1.3 million annual visitors.

The path to the castle starts in Hohenschwangau, where you can find parking. You can also take a train to Füssen and then a bus to the castle. Note that cars and bicycles are not allowed on the road to the castle, and entrance tickets can only be bought at the Ticket Centre in Hohenschwangau. You can also reach the castle by horse-drawn carriage or shuttle bus, which depart from designated points and offer stunning views along the way.

Neuschwanstein embodies the architectural fashion of castle Romanticism and King Ludwig II's fascination with Richard Wagner's operas. The design pays homage to German legends and the operas of Wagner, with many rooms bearing borders depicting his operas. The palace also features the latest technical innovations of the late 19th century, including a battery-powered bell system, telephone lines, a Rumford oven, and running warm water.

Hohenschwangau Castle

Hohenschwangau Castle is located in the village of Hohenschwangau and is where King Ludwig II spent his childhood summers. His father, King Maximilian II, built this comfortable neo-Gothic palace, which was finished in 1837. The castle stands above the Alpsee and Schwansee lakes, close to the Pöllat stream.

Linderhof Palace

Linderhof Palace, also known as Schloss Linderhof, was King Ludwig II's smallest but most sumptuous palace and the only one he lived to see fully completed. It is located in the Bavarian Alps and is another impressive castle in the region. Linderhof was finished in 1886 and is known for its lavish decor and beautiful surroundings.

Frequently asked questions