German Rail pass validity

by baks

Kehlsteinhaus, known as Eagle's Nest

Hi,
If we (a couple 2 adults) buy a 5-day German Rail pass, could we use it to travel as below:
* Day 1 Munich to Salzburg
* Day 2 Salzburg to Eagles nest/Konigsee (train or bus?)
* Day 3 Salzburg to either Garmisch-Partenkirchen OR Salzburg to Oberammergau (I believe this train will be via Munich)
* Day 4 Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Fussen
* Day 5 Fussen to Munich
Looking forward to your kind reply.

Response to German Rail pass validity

by Rita

Hi again Baks,

You said "If we buy a rail pass", so I think you don't have one yet?
For your planned itinerary in Bavaria I would not recommend a rail pass at all.
Why? Because your travel distances are too short, a lot of bus travel is involved, and I don't know if a rail pass would be valid on the bus routes.

It is true that a German Rail Pass can be used to go to Salzburg, however, I am not sure if multiple trips from Germany to Salzburg and back are allowed.
A rail pass really can save travellers money if they travel long distances all over Germany.

As for your route, unfortunately, using public transport in this southernmost parts of Bavaria means you often have to do some detour. Due to the high mountains train routes are not as direct as one would like.
Yes, Salzburg to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and even Berchtesgaden to Garmisch would go via Munich.

Unless you have a reason to go back to Salzburg on your Day 2, I would stay in Berchtesgaden, and travel from here to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, or Oberammergau on Day 3.

When you travel within Bavaria you could purchase a Bayernticket for 28 € at a train ticket machine or online. It costs 30 € at a train station counter. This Bayernticket is valid for up to 5 people, and you won't have a problem with buses. It is valid in all regional trains and buses (not for ICE trains).
The only disadvantage is that you can only use the Bayernticket after 9am, then it is valid until 3 am of the next day.

Happy planning.

Rita

Photos: Wikipedia public domain / Click on thumbnails to see full size picture

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German Rail pass validity

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Apr 23, 2012

Day trip from Fussen to Eagles Nest
by: Carol

We will be in Fussen, Germany October 4 & 5, then on to Salzburg for 4 days. On the first day we will do the castles etc, and we would like to see the Eagles Nest, but we will not have a car as there are 8 of us traveling by train.

Could you tell me if and how we could see the Eagles Nest, either as a day trip from Fussen or on the way to Salzburg?

Apr 29, 2012

Füssen to Berchtesgaden
by: Rita

Hi Carol,

There is no direct train connection from Füssen to Berchtesgaden / Salzburg. All trains go via Munich. Tours to Eagles Nest are also not available from Füssen, as far as I know.

So, depending on your plans, you can either take a Eagles Nest Tour from Salzburg, or when you stay in Munich sometime, you can do a Day Tour from Munich.

These are coach tours, it is a half-day tour from Salzburg, and a full day tour from Munich.

Here are a few related pages to get you in holiday mood. You will love Füssen and the castles.

Neuschwanstein Castle

Füssen

Hohenschwangau Castle

Rita

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