More often than not there’s just not time on your European holiday to visit everywhere you want to. A whistle-stop tour of multiple cities, towns and villages is downright tiring so why not base yourself in a central location for a few days and head out for a day trip or two?
Munich is the perfect city to use as your base as it is close to the gorgeous Bavarian countryside, romantic villages and famous cities – and there are plenty of Munich day trip options to choose from.
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You’ll want to allow at least a couple of days to see the sights of Munich but if you’re keen to get outside the city, there are plenty of excellent day tours from Munich available.
Now that your base is sorted, it’s time to decide just which day trip from Munich is right for you. There are plenty of pretty villages and attractive cities near Munich to visit so it could be a hard choice!
The great thing is that there are Munich day tours to suit everyone and they’re not just available in summer – you can enjoy all of the following day trips from Munich in winter as well.
So, without further ado, here are, in my opinion, the best Munich trips by train, car and bus. EDIT: This article originally included six daytrips from Munich but I’ve now added more popular day trips from Munich Germany to the list.
What's in this Article
Summary of Best day trips from Munich
| Day Trips | Duration | Book Now |
| Munich to Salzburg day trip | 9.5 – 11 hours | > Check prices and information |
| Day trips from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle and Fussen | 9.5 hours | > Check prices and information |
| Munich to Lake Constance day trip | 9.5 hours | > Check prices and information |
| Munich day trips to Rothenburg ob der Tauber | 10.5 hours | > Check prices and information |
| Legoland (Gunzburg) day trip from Munich | 1 day | > Check prices and information |
| Day trip for factory outlet shopping at Ingolstadt | 6 hours | > Check prices and information |
| Day trip from Munich to Dachau Concentration Camp | 6 hours | > Check prices and information |
| Day trip to Nuremberg from Munich | 10 hours | > Check prices and information |
| Day trip to Berchtesgaden and Konigssee from Munich | 10 hours | > Check prices and information |
Munich to Salzburg day trip
The beautiful Austrian city of Salzburg is within easy reach and makes a great Munich to Austria day trip. Known for its links to Mozart and the hit movie, The Sound of Music, Salzburg also boasts a gorgeous Palace and the Hohensalzburg Fortress that keeps watch over the city.
I love wandering the cobblestoned Old Town (Altstadt) and window shopping along Getreidegasse and Linzer Gasse, two of Salzburg’s most popular shopping streets.
With so much to see in the city, it’s no wonder that Salzburg day trips from Munich are extremely popular. A visit to explore festive Salzburg is also one of the most popular Christmas market day trips from Munich.
How to get to Salzburg from Munich
By train – One of the easiest ways to enjoy a day trip to Salzburg from Munich is to travel by train. The journey from Munich to Salzburg by train takes just 1 hour and 40 minutes so you can be in the heart of city and ready to start your sightseeing in next to no time.
By car – The drive from Munich to Salzburg via the A8 Motorway takes around 90 minutes.
On an organised day tour – If you prefer to visit Salzburg on an organised day tour, there are numerous options available including:
- Salzburg day trip from Munich by train – click here for details
- Salzburg, St. Wolfgang and the Salzkammergut day tour – click here for details and prices
- Salzburg full day tour from Munich – click here for details
- Small group tour to Salzburg from Munich- click here to check prices
By bus – FlixBus also operate a Munich to Salzburg bus multiple times per day. The journey time is two hours.
Further reading: How to spend 24 Hours in Salzburg
Day trips from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle and Fussen
‘Mad’ King Ludwig’s fairytale home, Neuschwanstein Castle, is, not surprisingly, one of Bavaria’s most visited sites. A visit to Neuschwanstein Castle is also one of the most popular day trips out of Munich.
The castle is located just a few kilometres outside the lovely town of Fussen (which I wrote about here), and if you’re travelling by train from Munich, this is where you’ll disembark.
Neuschwanstein Castle can only be visited on a guided tour and you have to book a specific tour time in advance, so allow yourself enough time to reach the castle from Fussen.
If time allows, you might also like to visit the Bavarian village of Oberammergau, famous for its Passion Play, and one of King Ludwig’s other royal residences, Linderhof Castle (also called Linderhof Palace).
These are two of the most famous of the castles near Munich. Both are easily reached from Neuschwanstein and Fussen and are often included in a Neuschwanstein Castle tour from Munich.
If you can spare more than one day, why not take a weekend trip from Munich so that you can also enjoy the beautiful Bavarian Alps. Germany’s highest mountain, Zugspitze, near Garmisch-Partenkirchen is well worth a visit. It’s also a popular destination for Munich day trips to the Alps.
The easiest way to visit the Bavarian Alps from Munich is by car.
How to get from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle and Fussen
By train (to Fussen) – There is no direct Munich to Neuschwanstein train however trains depart regularly from Munich to Fussen (journey time two hours). To reach Neuschwanstein Castle from Fussen, you can either catch a taxi for the 10 minute ride, or walk from the station in around 1h:05m.
Alternatively there’s a bus from Fussen to Hohenschwangau – journey time 7 minutes (every 30 mins) – then walk 1.5 kilometres to the Castle (approximately 20 minutes).
By car– If you have your own car, getting to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich should take you around 90 minutes to drive the 138 kilometres.
By bus – there is no direct bus from Munich to Fussen.
On an organised day tour – For a great day out, a variety of organised Neuschwanstein tours from Munich are available. As mentioned above, some of the Munich tours also include a visit to nearby Linderhof Palace. Some of the most popular Germany castle tours are:
- Day trip to the royal castles Neuschwanstein and Linderhof (including a visit to Oberammergau) – click here for details and prices
- Neuschwanstein Castle full day tour – click here for prices
- Day tour to Neuschwanstein Castle with Wieskirche visit – click here to check prices
TIP: Before planning your day trip from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle, you should read this article.
Munich to Lake Constance day trip
Bordering three countries – Germany, Austria and Switzerland – is the 63-kilometre long Lake Constance. On the German shore of Lake Constance sits Lindau, a pretty medieval town that makes a great day trip from Munich.
The lake is popular with watersports enthusiasts and cyclists, who tackle the 260 kilometre Bodensee Cycle Path that circles the entire lake.
Lake cruises are a lovely relaxing way to pass an hour or two and you can combine them with a visit to Mainau Island, known as Flower Island, or to another country!
Strolling the lakeside promenade is a popular pastime but be sure to make time to enjoy the delicious cakes and pastries available in one of the many bakeries and cafes in town, too. Germans do cakes so well!
From Lindau, it’s easy to visit other towns on the lake. It’s just nine minutes by train from Lindau to Bregenz (in Austria) or catch a ferry to Rorschach Hafen and in just an hour you’ll be in Switzerland!
How to get to Lindau from Munich
By train – To get from Munich to Lake Constance by train, the fastest service (the Intercity Express) runs regularly from Munich Hauptbahnhof (main station). Journey time is around 2 hours 30 minutes.
By car – The drive from Munich to Lake Constance (Lindau) takes around 2 hours (distance 183 kilometres).
By bus – FlixBus services between Munich and Lindau take just over two hours.
Munich day trips to Rothenburg ob der Tauber
It may be a little further away than Salzburg and Lindau but the extra travel required for a Rothenburg day trip from Munich is well worth it. Surely one of the most picturesque towns in Germany, Rothenburg oozes charm around every corner.
Dating back to the 10th century, Rothenburg – which is situated on Germany’s Romantic Road – still retains its fortifications and the best way to get your bearings is to walk around the city walls.
Around every corner of the town there’s a postcard-worthy view – the Plonlein is one you are probably already familiar with. Marktplatz (Market Square) is a great place to enjoy a drink and absorb the atmosphere of a real life fairytale village.
How to get to Rothenburg ob der Tauber from Munich
By train – It does take a bit more effort to reach Rothenburg ob der Tauber by rail than some other destinations but it is definitely one of the best day trips from Munich by train.
Trains depart Munich’s Isator station with changes required at Dachau and Treuchtlingen. The final destination is Steinach, the station that serves Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Journey time: around 3 hours 15 minutes.
By car – With your own car, you’ll have the freedom to not only visit Rothenburg ob der Tauber but to also explore more of the Romantic Road, Germany. Winter, summer, spring or autumn, this is one of the prettiest parts of Germany and you’ll probably find yourself stopping off along the way to admire the scenery.
Allow about two and a half hours’ driving time for your day trip from Munich to Rothenburg ob der Tauber – without stops!
On an organised day tour – One of the easiest ways to enjoy a visit to the town is to take a Munich to Rothenburg day trip. One of the most popular is the 10.5-hour Romantic Road and Rothenburg from Munich tour. > Click here to check prices and book your place.
Further reading: What to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Legoland (Gunzburg) day trip from Munich
If you’re travelling with children, what better way is there to spend a day than at Legoland? Of all the theme parks I’ve visited over the years, Legoland in Germany is definitely high on my favourites list. It’s small enough not to be overwhelming but large enough to offer something for everyone.
As well as the usual rides you’d expect at a theme park, Legoland is also home to heaps of Lego structures (no surprises there!) which are quite amazing. There’s definitely something to appeal to all the family at Legoland.
TIP: Don’t waste time waiting in a queue to buy your tickets. > Click here to purchase Skip the Line tickets for Legoland Deutschland (Germany) Resort.
How to get to Legoland Germany from Munich
By train (to Gunzburg) – Trains from Munich’s Isator station take around an hour to reach Gunzburg. Free shuttle buses from the station to Legoland every 15 minutes (during high season).
By car – If you’re road tripping, the journey time from Munich to Legoland is around one hour and 30 minutes.
Further reading: Legoland Germany – fun for the whole family
Day trip for factory outlet shopping at Ingolstadt
Whilst shopping isn’t on everyone’s holiday agenda, those that do feel the need for some retail therapy are in luck with the factory outlet shopping centre at Ingolstadt under an hour from Munich.
Home to outlet stores for brands including Armani, Calvin Klein, Fossil, Jimmy Choo, Ugg and Versace, shoppers can save up to 60% on fashion, cosmetics and homewares. Ingolstadt Village is open daily (except Sundays and bank holidays) from 10am to 8pm.
And, if your travel partner isn’t a shopper, there are numerous restaurants and cafes in the village where they can while away the time.
How to get to Ingolstadt Village from Munich
By train (to Ingolstadt) – It takes less than an hour by train from Munich to Ingolstadt, in fact the ICE (Intercity Express) will have you there in just 36 minutes.
From Ingolstadt Central station, take bus 10 to the bus station Harderstraße, then change to bus line 20 to reach Ingolstadt Village.
By car – It takes one hour to drive from Munich to Ingolstadt Village.
By bus – The “Shopping Express” bus departs daily (except Sundays and bank holidays) from Munich for Ingolstadt Village and costs around €20 return. Children under 12 travel free.
Tickets can be purchased online or from the driver but bookings in advance are recommended. Passengers holding a German Rail, Eurail or InterRail Pass travel free.
You can also pre-book luxury coach transfers to Ingolstadt Village. > Click here to check prices and book.
On an organised day tour – You can also book an organised day trip from Munich to Ingolstadt Village that includes lunch. > Click here to check prices.
Day trip from Munich to Dachau Concentration Camp
While a much more solemn excursion than the others on this list, this one day trip from Munich to the memorial at the first of Hitler’s concentration camps is still worth your while. It’s certainly one you’ll never forget.
Originally designed to keep political prisoners, Dachau soon became the murdering grounds of an estimated 41,500 Jews and other “undesirables.” All other camps were modelled after Dachau.
If you plan on visiting Dachau Concentration Camp, it’s free to visit with no appointment necessary, and you can tour the “Path of Prisoners” along with exhibitions on the history of the camp.
The bookstore at the site sells resources on National Socialism and concentration camps, and there’s a cafeteria on site so you won’t have to leave for lunch.
How to get to Dachau from Munich
By train – Take the S2 train from Munich’s Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to the Dachau station (these leave every ten minutes). This is about a 21 minute ride. Here you’ll need to take bus 726 towards “Saubachsiedlung.” Disembark about 7 minutes later at the entrance of the memorial site (“KZ-Gedenkstätte”).
By car – Because the visitor parking lot is under construction until 2020 resulting in very limited parking, you’ll have to take a taxi to get to the memorial site via car. If you drive yourself, you risk not getting a parking place.
By bus – There is no bus directly from Munich to Dachau, but you can take the bus for the second leg of your train journey (see “by train” above).
On an organised day tour – If you prefer to take an organized tour, this one is very popular.
Day trip to Nuremberg from Munich
If you enjoy medieval architecture, a trip to Nuremberg – founded in 1050 A.D. – will satisfy your craving, starting with a tour of the Nuremberg Castle. It’s Bavaria’s second largest city, and home to Germany’s first railroad.
Visit during the Christmas season and enjoy its world-famous Christmas market, Christkindlsmarkt. At any other time of the year there are museums, shopping districts and delicious Nuremberg sausages to appreciate – plenty of reasons to plan your Munich to Nuremberg day trip!
Gingerbread and beer flow in abundance, and a stroll through Old Town will take you back in time. Despite extensive bombing during WWII, the city has been beautifully restored: four kilometres of the city’s medieval wall still stand, as a large portion of the city’s (empty) moat.
How to get to Nuremberg from Munich
By train – There are a number of trains that run between Munich Central Station and Nuremberg including the ICE 1522, ICE 528, ICE 1504, ICE 100 and RE 4038. Journey time is between 1 hour 8 minutes (for the ICE trains) and 1 hour 37 minutes (for the RE train), making Nuremberg one of the best choices when it comes to Munich day trips by train.
By car – It’ll take about 2 hours in normal traffic to reach Nuremberg, following the A9 the entire journey. For specific directions, click here.
By bus – The FlixBus leaves from Munich’s central bus station and takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes to get to Nuremberg.
On an organised day tour – If you prefer to take an organised tour, there are a couple to choose from, including:
- Nuremberg day trip from Munich by train – click here to check prices
- Nuremberg day tour by coach – click here for details and prices
Day trip to Berchtesgaden and Konigssee from Munich
Whether you’re a history buff going to tour The Eagle’s Nest or a nature-lover hoping to peacefully row a boat on Lake Königssee, or parents hoping to visit the “family-friendly thermal spa,” a trip to Berchtesgaden has something for everyone.
Hitler’s private mountain-top retreat offers stunning views of the town below, and a peek at Lake Konigsee, nestled in the Berchtesgaden National Park. Head there to take a ferry ride to the famous St. Bartholomew’s Church, accessible only by boat.
Before it became a seat of SS decision-making during the Second World War, Berchtesgaden was best known for its salt mines which have been operational since the 16th century. Today visitors can tour the mines by train and boat and enjoy a lightshow.
And the “family-friendly thermal spa” has an adventure pool for the kids and multiple saunas and salt treatments to relax and rejuvenate your body.
Not enough to convince you to visit? This article covers more wonderful things to do in Berchtesgaden.
How to get to Berchtesgaden from Munich
By train – The ICE 2083 and ICE1919 will take you to Berchtesgaden from Munich Central Station. The journey takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes.
By car – It takes just over an hour and a half in normal traffic to get to Berchtesgaden from Munich, taking the A995 to A8 and then finishing the drive on the B160 and B350.
By bus – From the Munich Central Bus Station you can catch the 086 bus towards Schönau am Königssee for a 2 hour and 50 minute ride.
On an organised day tour – If you prefer to take an organised tour, here are two of the most popular:
- Day tour to Berchtesgaden and Obersalzberg from Munich – click here to check prices
- Konigssee full day tour from Munich – click here to check prices
Looking for day trips from Munich to Switzerland?
The Lake Constance option above is a great way to enjoy a Munich to Switzerland day trip. Regular ferry services operate from Lindau and other German lake ports to the Swiss towns on Lake Constance.
Where to stay in Munich
There are hundreds of hotels and apartments to choose from in Munich but my choice is Holiday Inn Munich City Centre (click here to check current prices). I’ve stayed at the hotel on two occasions and loved both its central location and facilities.
You can read my review here, check current prices here and browse other hotels in Munich here.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, I’ve included a wide variety of destinations in my list of best day trips from Munich, Germany. You can even visit other countries near Munich as I have also listed transport options for you so it’d be easy for you to get a ride! Your hardest decision will be deciding which of these excursions from Munich to choose!
Find more helpful tips for planning your visit to Munich in our Bavaria Travel Guide here.
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