I managed to convince my parents to let me organize an entire road trip through Germany and Austria. We focused on visiting some of Southern Germany (also known as Bavaria) and the Central Eastern Austrian Alps.
My paternal grandfather was born in Austria and my paternal grandmother was born in Germany, so both countries have a very special place in our hearts. My dad grew up visiting some of the places we went to during his childhood summers! Although I have been to Berlin and Vienna, I was so excited to uncover other parts of both countries.
Here is how you can experience our amazing road trip through Germany and Austria:
DAY 1 – Munich
After landing in Munich International Airport, Germany, spend the day exploring Munich while trying to beat the jet lag.
Munich hotel: Maximilian Munich Apartments & Hotel
To read my blog post, “48 Hours in Munich,” click here.
DAY 2 – Munich
Spend another day exploring beautiful Munich.
DAY 3 – Drive from Munich to Salzburg
Head back to Munich Airport and pick up your rental car. Picking up your car on this day will save money since you will not be driving in Munich or paying for parking.
Start your drive toward Salzburg. For a delicious authentic Bavarian lunch, stop at Fischhütte Reiter in Prien am Chiemsee, Germany.
NOTE: Herrenchiemsee, one of King Ludwig II of Bavaria’s palaces, is located on an island in the centre of Lake Chiemsee. I would have loved to take the ferry out to the palace if we had had more time!
You will most likely arrive in Salzburg, Austria mid-afternoon. Spend the rest of your day visiting the many Salzburg sites.
Salzburg hotel: Goldenes Theater Hotel
To read my blog post, “How to Spend 2 Days in Salzburg,” click here.
DAY 4 – Salzburg
There is SO much to see in Salzburg! Spend the day visiting more sites.
DAY 5 – Day trip from Salzburg to Hallstatt and Bad Ischl
Hallstatt, Austria is about an hour and 15 minutes away from Salzburg and it is breath-taking. You should also stop in adorable Bad Ischl, Austria on your way home.
To read my blog post, “A Day Trip to Hallstatt and Bad Ischl,” click here.
DAY 6 – Drive from Salzburg to Innsbruck
If you are interested in breaking up the drive from Salzburg to Innsbruck, Austria, here are some suggested pit stops:
Pit Stop 1: Visit the meadow in Sound of Music where Maria and the VonTrapp children have a picnic and she begins to teach them “Do Re Mi”. This meadow is in Werfen, Austria and has the most stunning backdrop of Werfen Castle.
Pit Stop 2: Stop in Zell am See, Austria. Zell am See is a quaint little town on beautiful Lake Zell with a backdrop of the Alps.
Pit Stop 3: Drive up an Austrian Alp! In particular, the Kitzbuheler Horn. Such an amazing drive.
You should arrive in Innsbruck in the late afternoon where you should spend the rest of your day walking around the wonderful old town.
Innsbruck hotel: Stage 12 Hotel
To read my blog post, “A Complete Guide to Innsbruck,” click here.
DAY 7 – Drive from Innsbruck to Oberammergau
Pit stop suggestions on your way to Oberammergau, Germany:
Pit Stop 1: Hike along the Partnach Gorge in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. Highly recommended!
Pit Stop 2: Tour Linderhof Palace in Ettal, Germany. Another one of King Ludwig II’s beautiful palaces.
Pit Stop 3: Visit Ettal Abbey. So stunning inside!
A short drive will bring you to the fairy-tale town, Oberammergau.
Oberammergau hotel: Hotel Wittelsbach
To read my blog post, “A Guide to Ettal and Oberammergau,” click here.
DAY 8 – Drive from Oberammergau to Füssen
Before heading to Füssen, Germany, take a tour of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles.
Neuschwanstein is King Ludwig II’s masterpiece that was never completed and one of the most famous castles in Europe, where as Hohenschwangau is the castle that he grew up in.
To read my blog post, “A Guide to Visiting Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles,” click here.
Fussen is another adorable little town to walk around in.
Fussen hotel: Hotel Sonne
To read my blog post, “A Complete Guide to Füssen, Germany,” click here.
DAY 9 – Drive from Füssen to Freiburg im Breisgau
Time to make your way to the Black Forest!
But first, stop in my favourite town out of the whole trip – Meersburg, Germany. Meersburg is a picturesque little town on Lake Constance.
To read my blog post, “A Guide to Meersburg, Germany,” click here.
You should arrive in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany in the afternoon. Spend the rest of your day walking around the Old Town.
Freiburg hotel: Mercure Hotel Freiburg am Muenster
To read my blog post, “A Guide to Freiburg, Germany: Vibrant City of the Black Forest,” click here.
DAY 10 – Drive from Freiburg im Breisgau to Baden-Baden
Spend the day driving through the Black Forest.
Pit Stop 1: Hike down along the Triberg Waterfalls and explore Triberg, Germany when you get to the bottom. Triberg is home to the original Black Forest Cake!
Pit Stop 2: Wander around small town Gengenbach, Germany. Gengenbach is my second favourite town of this trip.
To read my blog post, “Triberg and Gengenbach: Gems of the Black Forest, Germany,” click here.
You should arrive in Baden-Baden in the late afternoon. This gorgeous spa town in the Black Forest is the perfect place to spend your last night of the trip.
To read my blog post, “A Guide to Baden-Baden, Germany,” click here.
To read my blog post, “A Road Trip Through the Black Forest,” click here.
DAY 11 – Drive from Baden-Baden to Frankfurt Airport
We booked an evening flight home out of Frankfurt Airport. This allowed us to sleep in and stop in Heidelberg, Germany for about 30 minutes on our way to the airport. Heidelberg is beautiful and I definitely want to return to explore the city properly.
To read my blog post, “Heidelberg, Germany: Things to See,” click here.
This is quite a jam-packed road trip through Germany and Austria but I loved every minute of it and I hope that you do too!
