Germany & Austria: Guide and Itinerary

Overview: Germany and Austria are a dream! There is no underestimating the beauty of the Alps. I couldn’t recommend this trip itinerary more!! Getting around was fairly easy and the countries are very easy to navigate.

Currency: The Euro. However, many places accept card. Keep in mind that you may need cash if shopping at any markets (including festivals and Oktoberfest). Many places charge around 50 cents to use the toilet. When paying for parking cash may also be needed.
Weather: Weather follows the traditional pattern of being warm in the summer and cold in the winter. September is a lovely time for a trip because the fall is gorgeous and still fairly warm.
Transportation: I would recommend renting a vehicle as many places can be quite a drive. However, the public transportation system is excellent. There are many long distance trains that travel very quickly. If staying in the city, I highly recommend using the subway and bus system as parking and traffic can be horrendous. Although, if spending one day in the city renting a car and parking at the train station could be advantageous. Keep in mind that paid parking is quite normal in Germany and Austria.
Language: The official language is German however, you can get around fairly easy as most people speak English and signs are almost always translated.

Getting there: 

Many scenarios ran through our heads when deciding which city we should fly to. We are New York City based and originally decided we wanted to go to Munich. That would have required us to fly to Detroit or Atlanta and catch another flight to Munich (JFK doesn’t currently fly there). When checking the flight loads we decided to fly to Berlin instead, knowing that we would most likely sit first class and wouldn’t need to risk an entire day of flying and layovers. Our anticipations were correct! We got first class seats and enjoyed a wonderful flight.

After arriving to the airport follow the signs for public transportation trains (usually the Deutsche Bahn Regional or S-Bahn). You can buy inexpensive train tickets from the airport station to the main central station Hauptbahnhof (HBF). Use your phone map to further pinpoint which stop would bring you closest to your accommodation.

Flying Home: 

Flying home was a different story. After a successful flight to Berlin we checked the flight loads and saw that we could easily get first class tickets from Zurich to JFK. The other nearby airports didn’t have many seats available and many people were above us in seniority on the standby list. We decided to take a train from Munich to Zurich (about 3.5 hours). After quite the adventure (a story for another blog post) we made it to our gate. We didn’t get first class but did end up with seats! Can’t complain about that!

Tip: Zurich airport is much larger than we anticipated. It is quite the trek getting from check-in to the gate and includes security and passport control lines that may take some time. Give yourself plenty of time before your flight. It is also a common travel destination for senior standby travelers (this would have been good for us to know as we were bumped super far down the list).

Itinerary: 

Day 1: Berlin 

Where we stayed: We stayed at the Hotel Romy by Amano near the central train station in Berlin. This location was absolutely perfect. It was within walking distance of most activities and less than a 5 minute walk to the central train station.

What we did:

• Brandenburger gate- Berlin’s most famous landmark. It was a symbol of German division during the Cold War. It is now a symbol of peace.
• Checkpoint Charlie- This checkpoint was of great importance. It was the best-known Berlin Wall crossing point between East Germany and West Germany during the Cold War. It has been preserved preserved very well with printed history nearby.
• Memorial to the Jews- A unique and meaningful Holocaust memorial in the center of Berlin. It’s free to visit and a work of art. 
• Berlin Wall (east gallery)- Famous graffiti art from the Berlin Wall are located here. About 1300 meters of art as an international memorial to freedom.
• TV tower & Berlin Cathedral

Where we ate: We arrived early in the morning and had eaten breakfast on the plane. We weren’t very hungry the rest of the day but did indulge ourselves at Frittenwerk. They had the most delicious fries with toppings I have ever tasted.

Day 2: Munich (Travel Day) 

Where we stayed: For the rest of our itinerary we stayed in Salzburg. This seemed to be the best home base for us and was located in between everything.

What we did: 

• Train from Berlin to Munich Central Station (Munich Hauptbahnhof). This was about 4.5 hours. Tickets are usually inexpensive if booked in advance however, we of course booked last minute when we had received confirmed seats on our flight. I recommend getting seat reservations as the seats can fill up quickly. You can book your tickets here: https://int.bahn.de/en. After arriving, I recommend getting a rental car!
• Dachau Concentration Camp – I can’t recommend this enough. Visiting a concentration camp can be emotionally challenging, but I firmly believe it’s an experience everyone should have. Seeing it in person is truly life-changing.

What we ate: For breakfast we bought delicious pastries from Backwerk at the train station. So yummy! For lunch we made our own sandwiches from a local bakery.

Day 3: Hallstatt, Bad Ischl, and Mondsee 

What we did:

• Hallstatt- This gorgeous lakeside town is only an hour or so from Salzburg. It is starting to become more touristy but is so dreamy. 
• Bad Ischl- We stopped here for lunch and walked along the river. Another cute town. 
• Mondsee- This is where you see the iconic church in the sound of music where the Von Trapps were married. It’s another adorable Austria town. 

What we ate: For breakfast, we savored a traditional German breakfast featuring toast and marmalade (jam), along with cheese and meats. At lunchtime, we relished a Leberkaese sandwich from a local bakery, and we made sure to add mustard for extra flavor. Dessert was a must on our list, so we indulged in delicious cake and Amduldler (an apple soda like drink that’s a rare find outside of Austria) at Café Konditorei Zauner in Bad Ischl, a charming café along the river. And to top it all off, we couldn’t resist the temptation of giant ice cream sundaes at Café Konditorei Ubleis in Mondsee!”

Day 4: Day in the Alps 

What we did: 

• Berchtesgaden and panoramic view- Berchtesgaden offers a unique experience as you journey through Germany, occasionally crossing the border into Austria. This scenic route provides a breathtaking and free opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of the Alps!
• Hitlers documentation site and Eagle’s nest- Visiting Hitler’s Documentation Site is free. To reach the Eagle’s Nest, you’ll need to take a shuttle bus from the documentation site, but it comes with a relatively steep fee. In our case, we opted to explore the documentation site and enjoy the scenic canyon drive, which provided a fulfilling experience.
• Berchtesgaden town- Fun to drive by and walk through. There are some traditional German buildings that are very instagramable. 
• Konigsee- The lake is stunning! Take a walk or hike around it, with trails of varying lengths. You can also hop on a boat to reach the other side, where a charming church awaits, accessible only by boat. The encircling mountains add to the lake’s surreal beauty.
• Hellbrunn- This is where you’ll find the Sound of Music Pavilion. Enjoy a leisurely walk in the beautiful gardens at no extra cost. On a hot day, explore the Trick Fountains created by the archbishop – a perfect attraction for kids! Be prepared to get wet!

What we ate: We had Leberkaese for lunch again at a bakery. It’s a quick, easy, and delicious meal. For dinner, we dined at a traditional restaurant near Salzburg called Gasthaus Fink. The schnitzel and knodel were incredibly tasty! The restaurant offers picturesque views to enjoy the sunset with a charming church and quaint German buildings. I would recommend using a translator app, as it’s a very small town!

Day 5: Neuchwanstein Castle

Overview: Neuschwanstein Castle is quite remote and getting there can be challenging. Renting a car is the most convenient option, providing flexibility and time-saving. Alternatively, you can take a train from Munich to Füssen, the town closest to Neuschwanstein. From there, a bus will take you to the town nearest the castle. To reach the castle itself, you can either take a shuttle or enjoy a scenic 40-minute walk. Be mindful of the timing, as the tickets are non-refundable, and you should collect them at least 1.5 hours before your scheduled tour. For more details, please visit the official website here: https://shop.ticket-center-hohenschwangau.de/Shop/Index/en/39901

With Salzburg as our main base, we traveled about 3.5 hours by car to see Neuschwanstein. We booked tickets for the 5:30 pm English tour. They are still working on restoring the castle, and you can only visit a small inside portion. However, as of August 2023, they have opened additional portions to tour that make it worth visiting

Note: Book these tickets out in advance if you want to see the inside of the castle! They sell out fast.

What we ate: For lunch we ate quick and easy sandwiches in the car on the long drive. On our way home to Salzburg we grabbed some KFC (very traditional haha just kidding). 

Day 6: Salzburg

What we did:

• Salzburg Oktoberfest festival- This was super fun but only lasts a few days. The beer tents were very fun to watch. 
• Mirabell gardens- One of the famous Sound of Music locations. So so pretty to explore! 
• Lock bridge- Walk all the streets in old town!
• Catacombs & cemetery at Katakomben Salzburg- Another Sound of Music location and super pretty cemetery. The catacombs are built right into the mountain.
• Mozart’s birthplace- This free site is fun to say you have visited! 
• Residenzbrunnen and Salzburg Cathedral- Classic Salzburg streets to visit 
• Airplane Museum at Hangar 7- Being married to a pilot means that we of course went to the airplane museum. This Red Bull museum had some cool planes to see!

What we ate: At the Salzburg festival, we indulged in the delicious markets. We ate the best bratwurst and pretzels! In fact, we ended up getting bratwursts twice. Our favorite place was a hidden gem called Balkan Grill Walter in an unassuming place. They were mouth-watering! For dinner, we ate traditional Knödel (dumplings).

Day 7: Salzburg 

What we did:

• Church- We always attend The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when we travel! It’s a worldwide church and so wholesome. 
• Salzburg Hohensalzburg Fortress- It’s an easy walk up to the fortress with incredible views of the city.
• Nonnberg Abbey- This is the monastery/nunnery from The Sound of Music. You will recognize it immediately. Conveniently located next to the fortress.

What we ate: For lunch we ate homemade schnitzel and for dinner we ate delicious soup that warmed us up from a cold day. Our favorite bakery in Salzburg for desserts was Muhle Vogl Backerei.

Day 8: Munich 

What we did:

• Oktoberfest- This was unlike anything we’ve ever seen! I would recommend attending during the day to avoid crowds. The night scene is lively to say the least. 
• Viktualiemarket- Fun marketplace with delicious food and small shops.
• Marienplatz- It is here in Old Town you can see the famous St. Peter’s church, the Munich Cathedral, Glockenspiel, and many other churches.
• Olympic Park- See where the Olympics took place in the 70s. Notice the hills that were once piles of WW11 rubble and have been planted over to create rolling hills.
• BMW museum- Near Olympic Park is BMW world and museum. Definitely worth a visit it is free and pretty awesome!

What we ate: We love food from local markets and bakeries! We got delicious butter pretzels filled with cheese and chives. Sooooo good.

Never pass on an opportunity to visit this part of this world! The experiences we had in both Germany and Austria felt like a dream! The food was excellent, it is extremely lively, gorgeous views and castles, hiking galore, and the people are wonderful!