Munich Day Trips by Rail: Alps and Salzburg
Most of Bavaria’s famous sights sit on a rail line out of Hauptbahnhof, so you can leave without renting a car. These day trips are organised by how easy the train makes them.
Garmisch and the Zugspitze
The direct train to Garmisch-Partenkirchen takes about 1 hour 30 and covers roughly 90 km. From the station you ride a cogwheel train, then the Eibsee cable car, then a glacier cable car up to 2,962 metres, the highest point in Germany. The adult round trip is €78 on the summer tariff, valid until 22 November 2026. Check zugspitze.de for the winter tariff. Walk the Partnachklamm gorge before you leave town.
Salzburg
Railjet trains reach Salzburg in about 1 hour 30, covering 140 km. They need a standard ticket, so look at fares on bahn.de in advance. The Mozart birthplace, Mirabell Palace gardens and Hohensalzburg Fortress give you a full day.
Füssen and Neuschwanstein
The regional train to Füssen takes about 2 hours 10. A connecting bus 78 then takes 10 to 15 minutes to Hohenschwangau village. From there it is a steep 30 to 40 minute climb, or a shuttle bus or horse carriage, to the castle. Counting everything, the journey is about 3 hours each way and 125 km. The castle opens by timed guided tour only: €21 (€20 reduced) plus a €2.50 booking fee at hohenschwangau.de . Book weeks ahead for summer. Expect slower journeys near Schwangau, where the through-road stays shut until about mid-December 2026.
Dachau
The S2 line reaches Dachau in about 25 minutes. Bus 726 takes you to the memorial site, which is free and open daily 9:00 to 17:00. Tours cost €4 and are for ages 13 and over, in English at 11:00 and 13:00, and audio guides cost €5 (€4 reduced). Visits with children under 12 are not recommended. Dachau lies outside Zone M, so choose a ticket that includes it at the machine or in the MVV app. Allow a half-day. The memorial’s own site lists what is on.
Linderhof
Linderhof, about 95 km from Munich and 1 hour 45 away, is King Ludwig II’s only finished palace, with a Venus Grotto in the park. The Ettal Benedictine abbey and its brewery are close by. Reaching it without a car takes more planning than the other trips.
Berchtesgaden
The Kehlstein season runs until about 8 November 2026, depending on the weather. A bus ticket costs €31 for adults and €16 for children from 6 to 14. See berchtesgaden.de .
Using a day pass
Your choice of ticket matters. A Bayern-Ticket covers regional trains only, so check bahn.de for current prices, and it will not cover Railjet or ICE services. If you prefer a coach tour that handles the logistics, you can compare Munich day tours on Viator .
For trips that justify a night away, see the multi-day trips guide .
Tip: if you can pick only one, choose the Zugspitze on a clear morning, and check the forecast before you leave Hauptbahnhof.