Whilst I adore edgy Berlin, I have to say that beautiful Munich is perhaps my favourite city in Germany to visit.
Refined, classic and charming, the Bavarian capital with its historic landmarks and unique traditional assets is pretty hard to dislike!
But perhaps the thing that delights me most about Munich, is the ease and access of getting out of the city and exploring its wonderful natural and cultural surrounds.
Yes, once you explore all the city centre’s famous landmarks, you’re in for a real treat, because Munich is the perfect base for exploring some of the most incredible places in Germany’s stunning southern regions too.
And it doesn’t end there, because from Munich, you can even day trip to nearby Austria too, and explore the amazing alpine area of Innsbruck, and the gorgeous baroque city of Salzburg, home town of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and spiritual epicentre for Sound of Music fans!
So from alpine views to fairytale castles, here are 10 fantastic day trips from Munich you should definitely add to your travel itinerary…
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#1 Salzburg Day Trip from Munich
Just 2 hours from Munich, Salzburg in Austria, known as the ‘City of Mozart’ and the ‘Crown of Europe’, is one of the most popular day trips from the Bavarian capital.
In a day, you can not only tick another country off your bucket list, but you can also soak in one of the most beautiful cities in Central Europe, famous as the setting for the Sound of Music and boasting a completely different vibe from Munich
And, on the 150km train, coach or car journey there, you’ll also enjoy breathtaking mountain views of the Berchtesgaden Alps – what could be better?!
How to Get to Salzburg from Munich
Train
The most popular way to reach Salzburg from Munich is by train.
This is also the fastest way to travel between the 2 cities, taking just 1.5 hours to reach Salzburg hbf from Munich’s central station.
You can book your train tickets cheaply, in advance, and in English, with Trainline.
Car
If you have access to a car, you can also travel from Munich to Salzburg in just under 2 hours.
Driving means you can can additional stops on the way if you want to explore a little more.
In particular, your route will take you past Lake Chiemsee – Bavaria’s largest lake – and the cute town of Frasdorf.
Check out Discover Cars for car hire prices and deals for your Munich dates.
Bus
Buses from Munich to Salzburg leave less often and take 1.5 – 2.5 hours.
I recommend 12Go to view timetables and buy tickets.
Guided Tours
There are also a variety of guided day trips from Munich to Salzburg.
This full-day rail tour includes train travel, a two-hour guided city tour, and three hours of free time.
This option includes visiting Salzburg, St. Wolfgang, and the Salzkammergut in one day!
How to Spend One Day in Salzburg
Beautiful Salzburg is a city where you could easily spend the day simply walking around, gazing up and snapping all the magnificent buildings, including the Salzburg Cathedral and the Mirabell Palace.
The most picturesque cobbled streets and buildings are set in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Old Town, which is pedestrianised and therefore easy to explore on foot.
You can also try some delicious Austrian cuisine while you’re here – don’t miss Salzburger Nockerl, a meringue dish with raspberry jam – or the iconic apple strudel!
Towering above Salzburg, the Hohensalzburg Fortress is one of the largest medieval fortresses in Europe and shouldn’t missed on your Munich day trip.
Ride the funicular to the top for panoramic city views and beautiful alpine scenery.
If you’re a Sound of Music film fan, you can tick off most of the film’s locations in a day with a Sound of Music Salzburg tour by bus.
The tour takes you on a beautiful journey to the major filming locations, such as the Mirabell Gardens, where Maria and the von Trapp children sang “Do-Re-Mi,” and the Leopoldskron Palace, the Von Trapp family home.
You’ll also see many of the other highlights of Salzburg along the way, which makes it a good option for those short on time.
Top Things to Do on a Day Trip to Salzburg
- Mozart’s Birthplace: This house-turned-museum takes you through Mozart’s early life and is a must-visit.
- Salzburg Cathedral: Located right in the old town, this stunning cathedral is where Mozart was baptised. Step inside and admire the magnificent decor.
- Mirabell Palace: This Baroque masterpiece boasts a stunning interior, and houses the city’s beautiful Mirabell Gardens. It’s also one of the top filming locations for The Sound of Music.
- Getreidegasse: Walk down Getreidegasse, Salzburg’s most famous shopping street, and enjoy browsing the boutique shops and stopping at one of the many cafes.
- Augustiner Bräustübl: Tucked away in the Mülln district, this historic monastery brewery serves some of Salzburg’s finest beer. For the die-hard fans, there’s even brewery tours available, which run Monday to Friday in the afternoon.
- Steingasse: This narrow street on the east side of the river is often overlooked. Once the main Roman road into the city, it’s now a quiet haven of old-world Salzburg, with small cafes and galleries galore – a lovely place to wander.
- St. Peter’s Abbey: Stroll through the peaceful grounds of St. Peter’s Abbey, one of the oldest monasteries in the region, dating back to the 12th century. The abbey’s restaurant, the Stiftskulinarium, is actually considered Europe’s oldest restaurant!
#2 Zugspitze
Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain (2,962m), is an unforgettable day trip from Munich and a must-do for those who really want to get a good glimpse at the Alps.
Take the cable car or cogwheel train to the summit, from where the views are simply insane! On a clear day, you can see up to 4 countries!
Enjoy a meal and a drink at the mountaintop restaurant, or even try skiing on the glacier year-round.
This is a complicated DIY day trip option, as it involves carefully coordinating multiple forms of transport if you want to reach the summit.
If you don’t fancy the hassle, then this guided tour includes van travel, so you don’t need to worry about transport.
Just remember to factor in the fairly costly cable car ticket – last time I checked it was €63!
How to Get to Zugspitze
Zugspitze is located 90km from Munich.
If you’re driving, it takes 1 hour to reach the Zugspitzbahnhof car park in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
If you’re coming by train from Munich, to Garmish-Partenkirchen, the journey takes 1.5 hours.
From the Garmisch-Partenkirchen train station, follow signs for the Zugspitzbahn.
A cogwheel train takes you halfway up the mountain to Eibsee in about 40 minutes.
At Eibsee Station, you’ll then have two options to reach the summits of Zugspitze.
Either you can head first to Zugspitzplatt – a glacier plateau located just below the summit. You’ll then need to take the Glacier Cable Car to reach the final summit.
If you’d prefer to reach the top faster, you can take the Eibsee cable car direct, which takes 10 minutes to reach the summit.
TIP: To save money when travelling by train, buy the Deutsch Bahn Summer or Winter Zugspitze Combo ticket from a Deutsche Bahn ticket booth (it is not available online). One voucher is your train ticket, and another is your Zugspitze pass.
#3 Bamberg
Bamberg is a perfect day trip from Munich and another UNESCO-listed site you can tick off your list!
One of Germany’s, if not Europe’s, most charming and well-preserved medieval towns, with half-timbered houses, winding streets, and a picturesque setting along the Regnitz River, Bamberg dates back to the 9th century.
Visit the beautiful Romanesque cathedral, the ancient Altenburg Castle, wander the atmospheric streets and then stroll the Rose Garden in the New Residence.
The city is also famous for its unique beer scene, particularly the traditional smoked beer (Rauchbier) here which is a must-try!
How to Get to Bamberg
From Munich hbf (Munich Central Station) it’s a 2 hour train ride to Bamberg.
You can book your train tickets cheaply, in advance, and in English, with Trainline.
The drive is 2 hours and 27 minutes via Nuremberg.
#4 Nuremberg
Just an hour from Munich by train, Nuremberg is steeped in medieval and modern history.
Visit the iconic castle, wander through the beautiful old town, and explore the Nazi Documentation Center, which takes you through the alarming rise of the Nazi Party, and the infamous Nuremberg Trials – a 1 hour tour introduces the Palace of Justice as the site of this historic court.
The city’s Christmas markets are world-famous, so visiting during the December is a magical time to explore!
Oh, and meat-eaters shouldn’t leave without trying the city’s famous Nuremberg sausages — they’re delicious!
How to Get to Nuremberg
Nuremberg is one hour by high-speed train from Munich.
Multiple trains run daily from very early in the morning to late into the evening.
The drive takes a lot longer (2 hours), so it’s best to travel by train.
This day trip includes train travel and a 4 hour city tour with a professional guide.
#5 Dachau Concentration Camp and Memorial Site
The Dachau Memorial Site is an unforgettable experience and serves as a sobering reminder of one of history’s darkest chapters.
Located just 20km northwest of Munich, this was the first concentration camp established in Germany by the Nazis in 1933, and visiting is an emotional experience to say the least.
Either visit independently, with a guided tour, or grab an audio guide and visit the museum, the barracks, and the memorials to learn more about the camp’s bleak and shocking history.
How to Get to Dachau
The best way to experience this Munich day trip is on a guided tour (there’s full day and half day tours to choose from), which include train travel and an expert guide onsite.
If you prefer to catch public transport, the easiest way to reach Dachau from Munich is by taking the S2 S-Bahn train towards Dachau/Petershausen, followed by a short bus ride from Dachau Station to the memorial site. The total travel time here is 30-40 minutes.
#6 Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most famous day trips from Munich.
This picturesque castle, set on a hill with the majestic backdrop of the snow-capped alps, is one of the most famous in the world, and is said to have inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.
A guided group tour is necessary to go inside this fairytale castle and comes with your ticket, which needs to be bought at the office in nearby Hohenschwangau, or online in advance.
Strict times are given on tickets to ensure proper crowd-management, so you need to make sure these times line-up with your travel plans from Munich.
With your ticket in hand, walk up the hill to the castle (clearly signed) and take in the views, before heading to the tour entrance inside the main doors.
The group tours take around an hour and lead you through many lavish rooms, including the Throne Room and King Ludwig’s bedroom, from where you’ll also learn the sad tale of the castle’s founder.
Be sure to hike to Marienbrücke (Mary’s Bridge) afterwards for the best panoramic shots of the castle.
How to Get to Neuschwanstein
The easiest way to visit this castle from Munich is via guided tour, which includes all transport and a castle tour, making life simple.
Some tours also stop at other locations enroute, including Linderhof Palace, Schwangau and Oberammergau.
This is the best reviewed Neuschwanstein Castle tour.
You can also visit Neuschwanstein Castle independently, although it does require you to co-ordinate a few moving parts.
First travel by train from Munich hbf to Füssen (2-2.5 hours), then change to a 15-minute bus to the village of Hohenschwangau, which is at the foot of the castle.
From here, walk 30-40 minutes up a well-signed hill, or take the shuttle bus to the castle.
If you choose to drive, the journey from Munich takes 1.5-2 hours.
After parking in Hohenschwangau, you’ll still have to walk or take the shuttle bus to the castle.
For more details, read my full guide to visiting Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich.
#7 Lake Starnberg
Just 25km from Munich, Lake Starnberg is one of Bavaria’s largest lakes and a favourite with the locals.
Take a moment to enjoy the crystal-clear waters framed by the distant Alps, before renting a boat or paddleboard.
For the less active, there are public beaches where you can swim, sunbathe and relax!
How to Get to Lake Starnberg
Trains regularly depart Munich Hauptbahnhof and reach Starnberg Station in around 30 minutes. From there, it’s a short walk to the lakefront.
On the same trip, you could also consider visiting the peaceful lakeside towns of Tutzig and Bernried.
Take the train from Tutzing Station via the S-Bahn (S6) and you can be in Starnberg in under 15 minutes.
Bernried Station is another 6 minutes on the train, then a 20-minute walk to the lake.
#8 Ulm
Ulm is a city famous for its beautiful buildings and being the birthplace of Albert Einstein.
It’s an easy day trip from Munich and boasts the Ulm Minster. Don’t miss the 768 step climb to enjoy beautiful views over the town from the top.
Make sure you also visit the Fishermen’s Quarter while in Ulm, where adorable cobblestone streets and a scenic riverside setting make it look like straight out of a fairytale.
Wander along the riverfront, explore the narrow alleys, and admire the charming old houses, including the Schiefes Haus (The Crooked House), a 16th-century building that tilts so dramatically it holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s most crooked hotel!
How to Get to Ulm
Ulm is about a 1.5-hour train journey from Munich on Deutsche Bahn, with frequent direct trains departing from Munich Hauptbahnhof.
As alway, I recommend booking ticketd in advance through Trainline.
#9 Trausnitz Castle
Located in Landshut, Trausnitz Castle is a less touristy alternative to the world-famous Neuschwanstein Castle, so makes the perfect Munich day trip if you want to escape the crowds.
This beautiful, 13th-century fortress was originally the home of the Dukes of Bavaria, and has panoramic views of the town and surrounding countryside from its with impressive towers and lovely courtyard.
Inside, you’ll find exhibits about the Wittelsbach dynasty, stately rooms housing fine art, and a collection of weird medieval weapons.
How to Get to Trausnitz Castle
From Munich Hauptbahnhof, take a direct 1 hour train to Landshut Station, then walk or take a taxi to the castle.
#10 Innsbruck
Innsbruck is another fantastic day trip Munich, especially great if you like exploring the Austrian Alps and areas over the border from Germany.
A beautiful city, known for its winter sports, Innsbruck hosted the 1964 Winter Olympics, and you can learn more about the city’s winter sports history by visiting the Bergisel Ski Jump.
Other must-visit attractions here are the top of the Innsbruck cable car, which takes you up the mountain for amazing views, as well as the city centre’s Golden Roof and charming Old Town.
The best option for a day trip to Innsbruck is the Innsbruck Card, which gives you access to most of the attractions here, plus free public transport, and access to the hop-on hop-off bus service.
The best thing about the pass is free access to the Top of Innsbruck lift, which takes you to an altitude of 2,300m right from the city centre.
You will also have access to the Alpine Zoo which is also on the cable car route.
View all the attractions free with the Innsbruck Card here.
How to Get to Innsbruck
Trains from Munich to Innsbruck take about 2 hours and run from Munich Hauptbahnhof (main train station).
You can catch a direct train via the ÖBB Railjet or Deutsche Bahn.
Driving takes just over 2 hours, but parking in Innsbruck can be a nightmare especially in peak seasons!
Other Munich Day Trips to Consider
- Linderhof Palace
- Nymphenburg Palace
- Regensburg
- Berchtesgaden Alps & Eagle’s Nest
- Rothenburg ob der Tauber
- Herrenchiemsee Palace
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Mini Travel Guide to Munich
When to Visit?
I personally really recommend visiting Munich during the warmer months of the year, when sightseeing and day tripping is a lot more pleasant.
June and September are great choices when it comes to balancing crowds and prices, with sunshine.
The other key time of year to spend some days in Munich is during December when the Christmas markets are in full force and you might see some of beautiful Bavaria under snow.
How to Get to Munich?
If you’re travelling to Munich from elsewhere in Germany, or from a nearby country, then I highly recommend using the train to get to this city.
As always, I use Trainline, to compare journeys and book my tickets in English using GBP / USD / EUR.
Buses are also a great way to get to Munich for budget travellers. FlixBus offer unbeatable prices and operate across Europe.
Finally, you can also rent a car and drive to Munich.
Alternatively, if you’re arriving into Munich from further afield, then it pays to know there’s a large international airport on the outskirts of the city.
I recommend Skyscanner to find the best flight prices, as they include budget airlines in their search.
And if you’re looking to get from Munich’s airport to the city, this private transfer service comes highly recommended.
Where to Stay in Munich?
When it comes to top Munich accommodation, check out these great options, which include hotels guesthouses, apartments and hostels.
Travel Insurance
World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while travelling and claim online from anywhere in the world.
Alternatively, if you’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent remote worker seeking travel health cover, check out Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance policies.
Travel Money for Germany
When it comes to paying for things in Germany, you want to ensure you’re not being charged overseas transaction fees or getting poor exchange rates when using your card abroad, which is why I always take my Wise Card away with me whenever I travek.
The easy way to spend abroad, with real exchange rates, no sneaky transaction fees and a free Euros account, you can use your Wise card just like a debit card here and it links easily with Google and Apple pay.
Grab yours here.
German eSIM
I recommend Holafly.
Get 5% off with my exclusive discount code: BIGWORLDSMALLPOCKETS.
Luggage Storage in Munich
Store luggage for the day, or longer, for less with LuggageHero.
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One of the best things about visiting Munich are the incredible array of day trips you can take from this brilliant German city.
From nature excursions that will have you exploring the stunning alpine scenery, to history tours that take you to Medieval villages and fairytale castles, not to mention days out in neighbouring Austria, (in particular the must-visit cities of Salzburg and Innsbruck), Munich day trips are both diverse and delightful.
Hopefully this list of the top 10+ Munich day trips, will help you quickly select your top picks!
Have any more favs to add to the list?
Don’t hesitate to drop them into the comments box below…
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