Munich and other places by train for spring break. Please offer your recommendations
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Anonymous
| We plan to take our 16 year-old son to Munich for spring break (mid-April). We'll take him to see his fav soccer team play. Would really appreciate recommendations from folks for things to do in and around Munich with a teen boy and for other suggestions (train trip to ? Berlin?). I'd be grateful for suggestions (things and places you might recommend but also good people to follow on Insta, Facebook groups, etc. many thinks. |
Anonymous
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Berlin is a 4-5 hour train trip. I adore Berlin, but I wouldn't make that trip unless you can spend a week in each city. But, if you want to do Berlin, happy to offer suggestions.
Closer to Munich, Salzburg is only an hour away by train and tickets are stupid cheap. Regional train tickets anywhere in Bavarian are cheap. You can read more about that Bayern ticket deal here: https://happytowander.com/bayernticket-guide/ (bonus: Salzburg is included in this deal). Nuremberg is about 90 minutes, or 60 if you pay extra for the faster ICE train. I personally like Bamberg, but that's because I love a good smoked beer. What does your soon like besides soccer? Munich of course has the unfortunate distinction of being the birthplace of the Nazi party and the first concentration camp, Dachau, is just outside the city. So if history is of interest, Munich and Bavarian has it, although it is often ugly. The Nazi Documentation Center is an important and really well done museum. The whole Olympic complex is neat, imo. You can do yours on the roof of Olympic Stadium. The BMW Headquarters and museum are nearby, if cars are of interest. Since your son is 16, he's allowed to drink in Germany. That's obviously a decision to be made by your family, but I think part of the fun of Munich is experiencing the big six breweries. All have biergartens and hauses (Hofbrau seems to have one every other block, most of which are tourist traps, but there a a few gems), all welcome families and have delicious Bavarian food. |
Anonymous
| Thank you, PP for the fabulous suggestions. I'm grateful that you took the time to share. I hear you about the long train trip to Berlin. I was sort of hoping the train trip would be picturesque and we could buy tickets for more comfort. If there IS a specific train trip you would suggest we take for the beauty, I'd love to know (maybe to Salzburg as you suggest?). Thank you! I'm going to read about the Bayern train you suggest as well. Thank you! |
Anonymous
| You may want to consider a day trip to Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Is very "Bavarian" in the traditional sense with beautiful views. They have a cable car up to the Zugspitz mountain. Or, if the weather is cloudy/overcast, take the walk through the Partnach Gorge - it is a unique experience! |
Anonymous
PP here. I've done the Munich-Berlin train multiple times, and it's not picturesque, imo. I do it because I need to get between the two cities and its always been cheaper to take the train, and I like to avoid the hassle of airports (especially now that Berlin only has the one big airport outside the city!). But if you are going to do both cities, take the train. You won't save any time by flying once you factor in the time it takes to get to and form the airports, checking in in advance and waiting around, etc. The main train stations in both cities are centrally located with extensive public transit access. The train to Salzburg is nice enough because you can see the Alps in the distance. I agree about going to Garmisch-Partenkirchen if you can. It's stunning! I will say that in all the times I've been to Germany, and that includes two six-month stints in Berlin, I never drove. I'm sure there's some beautiful mountain towns that I've missed out on, but from the moment my plane lands, I only use public transit. It's cheap, clean, and efficient (usually, although the Germans complain endlessly about how terrible Deutsche Bahn is.....it's a dream compared to the US). |
Anonymous
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All great suggestions above!
Garmisch is a great town with spas as well. Neuschwanstein is a good day trip from Munich as well. BMW Welt is very cool if he's into cars and Dachau is worth a visit, especially at his age. Salzburg is an easy day trip. You can see the old town and most of the Sound of Music sites easily in a day. Innsbruck is another daytrip option. Easily walkable old town and alps. |
Anonymous
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I just was in Munich! Really want to go back for summer but this is what we planned in December:
Zugspitze - but check the webcams, go on a good weather day Nuremburg: We went for Christmas markets but the town itself is wonderful! Neuschwanstein. You don't have to do the tour inside, we didn't. You can also do a Salzburg day trip, but we stayed there for 2 nights. Really easy train ride from Munich (BRING YOUR PASSPORTS, german officials check on the way back!) |
Anonymous
| OP, again. Thank you for all of these great suggestions. My son likes sports a lot. Any insight on local or regional sporting events or websites that track them? Or any other spring local or regional events? (Fairs, markets, festivals?). Thanks for all the help. |
Anonymous
Try munchen.de You can use the translation option. They have a calendar of events. https://www.muenchen.de/veranstaltungen/top-events-2025-muenchen-oktoberfest-robbie-williams-guns-n-roses-champions-league-finale |
Anonymous
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^Note accidental misspelling of website. Should be Muenchen.de.
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Anonymous
This is great! Thank you! |