Day Trips from Munich You Would Love To Take
Last Updated on November 13, 2024 by Ingrid & Alex
So you followed my advice and are heading to Munich for a magnificent city break. You’ve spent some days in town and are looking for a day trip, an escape from the hassle and bustle. If that’s the case, I will inspire you with my list of perfect day trips from Munich, Germany.
These are all beautiful places to visit on a day trip. When time allows, you can also go for a longer trip.
But before we start, we recommend always booking travel insurance no matter where you travel. Germany is a safe country, but you never know what could happen. We use SafetyWing. They offer clear, straightforward pricing with no hidden fees. Their plans are easy to understand, and you can manage everything online with just a few clicks, giving you complete control over your insurance without any hassle or confusion.
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Table of Contents
- Day trips from Munich // 27 perfect weekend trips from Munich, Germany
- Nuremberg (approx. 1 hour)
- Dachau and the Concentration Camp (approx. 45 min)
- Schleissheim Palace (35 min.)
- Königsee ( approx. 2 hours)
- Landshut (1 hour)
- Walchensee (approx. 1 hour)
- Herrenchiemsee (approx. 1 hour)
- Ulm (approx. 1.5 hours)
- Regensburg (approx. 1.5 hours)
- Altötting (approx. 1.5 hours)
- Passau ( approx. 2 hours)
- Innsbruck (approx. 2.5 hours)
- Garmisch – Partenkirchen (Zugspitze) (approx. 1.5 hours)
- Wasserburg am Inn (1 hour)
- Linderhof Palace (1.5 hours)
- Lake Constance (Bodensee – approx. 2 hours)
- Salzburg – the sound of music (approx. 1.5 hours)
- Rosenheim (1 hour)
- Starnberger See or Ammersee (approx. 1 hour)
- Neuschwanstein Castle (approx. 2.5 hours)
- Bamberg (approx. 2 hours)
- Rothenburg ob der Tauber (approx. 3 hours)
- Amerang (1 hour)
- Burghausen (approx. 1 hour)
- Ingolstadt (approx. 1 hour)
- Würzburg (approx. 3 hours)
- Erding Therme (less than 1 hour)
- Planning the trip
Day trips from Munich // 27 perfect weekend trips from Munich, Germany
Nuremberg (approx. 1 hour)
Located within an hour and a few minutes by train from Munich, this not-so-little historic city is the perfect getaway.
Hop on one of the many trains linking Munich to Nuremberg—a train leaves this destination roughly every 30 minutes.
Buy the Bayern Ticket if you want to save some money. This option will make the trip even more affordable if you travel in a group.
Nuremberg is a city worth seeing for its lovely Christmas Market (Christkindlesmarkt), ordinarily open from December 1st until 24th. However, that doesn’t mean you should avoid it in other seasons.
Here are only a few of the local attractions to explore in a day:
- the Imperial Castle up on a hill offering a breathtaking view over the city,
- the Germanisches Nationalmuseum, the largest cultural-historical museum in the German-speaking world,
- the City Museum at Fembo-Haus – the building will win you over from the first look.
If you are not into museums, you can also explore the city on foot as we did.
Or even better, learn about the city’s history on a walking tour – you will get to see the Nazi Rally Grounds and the main points of interest in the Old Town. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Extra tip: If you like ramen, try the one they make at Monki Ramen—it was the closest thing to Asian ramen we got in Europe. Or, when you want to taste the local cuisine, don’t miss the red beer and blue sausage food tour.
Getting from Munich to Nuremberg:
- By train: approx. 1 hour
- By car: 2 to 3 hours
Dachau and the Concentration Camp (approx. 45 min)
As the first concentration camp, which was opened by Heinrich Himmler in 1933, it is easy to say that Dachau is a place filled with emotions.
After the war, it hosted ethnic Germans expelled from Eastern Europe, awaiting resettlement in Germany.
The camp was finally closed in 1960 and now hosts a Memorial Site open to the public.
If you read books about that period and its atrocities, stepping into the past at Dachau might be an option.
Getting from Munich to Dachau:
- By S Bahn: approx. 50 min
- By car: 35 min
Schleissheim Palace (35 min.)
The Schleissheim Palace complex is very close to Munich and easily reachable by public transportation. The S-Bahn takes only 35 minutes to reach it.
The Palace was built in 1617 and is a fantastic destination for a day outside the city.
It is a royal and tranquil place to spend a few hours and maybe a whole day outside Munich.
The New Palace, the Old Palace, the Lustheim Palace, and the Court Garden will keep you busy and wow you with their beauty.
Getting from Munich to Schleissheim Palace:
- By train: approx. 35 min
- By car: 25 min
Book a concert at the Palace here!
Königsee ( approx. 2 hours)
The famous Königsee and Berchtesgaden are easily reached on a day trip outside Munich.
Driving is a good option for this day trip. Attention! Do not cross over to Austria by mistake, as we did. Or at least have your travel documents with you.
Since we hadn’t planned on crossing the border into a different country, we left our passports at the apartment. While we had our European IDs, we had no documents for our baby daughter. Luckily, we weren’t indicted for cross-border human trafficking:)
For a hassle-free experience, book an organized tour of the famous Eagle’s Nest and Konigsee.
Berchtesgaden is a picturesque mountain village on the border between Germany and Austria. The small town’s historical city center is charming and offers much to see, no matter the season.
The Eagle’s Nest is a mountaintop chalet with a dark history. Built in 1939, the chalet became the Nazi Party’s southern headquarters.
Königssee, the King’s Lake, is a few kilometers from the previous two attractions. Its emerald waters and the photogenic St. Bartholoma chapel attract many tourists.
Book a day trip from Munich here!
Landshut (1 hour)
An 800-year-old town just one hour outside Munich, Landshut is vibrant and colorful. It has a pretty old town with a castle on the hill.
Apart from being the romantic point of interest in Landshut, Trausnitz Castle, perched on top of a hill overlooking the historic center, is also filled with history. The castle was the first Bavarian state chancellery during the Middle Ages.
So I advise you to put Landshut on your list of cities to visit near Munich.
Getting from Munich to Landshut:
- By train: approx. 1 hour
- By car: 1 hour
Walchensee (approx. 1 hour)
Fantastic nature, breathtaking views, fresh cool air. That’s what you’ll find at only 1 hour away from Munich.
Lake Walcher offers one of the most beautiful views in the German Alps, one you surely won’t want to miss.
Moreover, this place could easily make it to one of the most Instagrammable places in Bavaria.
Getting from Munich to Lake Walcher:
- By car: 1 hour
Herrenchiemsee (approx. 1 hour)
Another lake with an incredible castle on an island.
The palace, which was started in 1878 and built based on the model of Versailles, was a “Temple of Fame” for King Louis XIV of France.
Another thing you don’t want to miss is the Palace’s Garden, which has incredible fountains and a 900-meter access avenue heading directly to the lakeside.
Getting from Munich to Herrenchiemsee Palace:
Getting to the island by car: drive to Prien am Chiemsee. Parking is possible at Parkplatz Hafen Stock S2—Herrenchiemsee, close to the ferry. From there, take the ferry to Herreninsel. Boat timetables can be found here.
Getting to the island by train: Take the train to Prien am Chiemsee. From the train station, take the special train to Prien/Stock boat pier and take the ferry to the island.
We have a complete guide for a day trip at Chiemsee here!
Ulm (approx. 1.5 hours)
Step back in time with a weekend trip from Munich to Ulm.
This romantic town in Germany made me think of the small villages in France, which have more or less the same architecture and houses filled with flowers.
You can stroll through the Fisherman’s and Tanners’ quarters along the river flowing into the Danube. Don’t miss taking a picture with the Crooked House.
Afterward, climb the Ulm Minster’s tower and view the whole town; take some pretty pictures of the Schiefes Haus – the most romantic building in Ulm.
Lastly, visit Wiblingen Abbey, founded in the 11th century, and walk on Ulm’s Town Walls.
These are just a few things you can do on your one-day trip from Munich to one of the most beautiful places in Bavaria.
Getting from Munich to Ulm:
- By train: approx. 1.5 hours
- By car: 1.5 hours
Book a walking tour in Ulm and learn about the city’s history!
Regensburg (approx. 1.5 hours)
Regensburg is easily one of the most beautiful German towns, ideally set on the edge of the Danube River.
What is there to see in Regensburg, you ask?
Well, you shouldn’t miss visiting the Regensburg Cathedral, a landmark that has been hard to miss since the 700s.
Additionally, the gothic-style Town Hall, with its impressive arches and balconies, is waiting for you to take Instagram-perfect pictures.
Another great thing to do in Regensburg if you are taking things slow is to walk on the old stone bridge and admire the passing of time and how locals live.
Or better yet, hop on a boat and sail to Walhalla.
Getting from Munich to Regensburg:
- By train: approx. 1.5 hours
- By car: 1.5 hours
Altötting (approx. 1.5 hours)
A pilgrimage town for 500 years in veneration of the Virgin Mary, the city is located in the Bavarian Alpine region between Munich and Passau (see next on the list).
Today, the town is still an important site for religious processions and a pilgrimage destination, with impressive churches, many church services, and candlelight processions.
Getting from Munich to Altötting:
- By train: approx. 1.5 hours
- By car: 1 hour
Book a private walking tour here!
Passau ( approx. 2 hours)
One of the oldest towns in Germany, Passau, has a 2000-year history and is located right at the country’s border with Austria.
Passau is known as the “City of Three Rivers.” It is located between beautiful hills and has many gorgeous views, which make it utterly romantic.
Climb the heavenly ladder with its 321 steps up to the Mariahilf Monastery,
Don’t miss taking pictures with the Schaibling Tower or visiting the Alte Rathaus (old town hall).
Later on, explore Höllgasse or Artist Alley, where you will find plenty of work done by local artists,
Lastly, see The Passau Glass Museum (Glasmuseum Passau) and marvel at Europe’s most extensive glass collection.
Getting from Munich to Passau:
- By train: approx. 2 hours
- By car: 2.5 hours
Innsbruck (approx. 2.5 hours)
Oh, Innsbruck! I don’t know what it is about this great city at the feet of the Alps, but once I got there on a cold winter morning, I fell in love with it.
Most tourists visit the city mainly because of its proximity to the ski slopes, but trust me, you have nothing to lose if you decide to come in other seasons as well.
We only entered Austria by bus ( Flixbus) because it was considerably cheaper than the more reliable train.
On the other hand, if you travel by train, you will have to change trains in Garmisch, though with a short transfer time.
Step into the Altstadt (Old City) and be mesmerized by the dignifying old buildings. If it’s a cold winter morning, you will be almost alone on these narrow streets.
Stop for a sweet pastry and a good coffee at one of the many old cafes you will find everywhere (better yet, try the Café Konditorei Munding, the oldest one in town, or the 360 Bar). Don’t miss out on trying the apfelstrudel.
Take the Hungerburgbahn, the funicular up the Nordkette mountain, and you will be 2,256 m above sea level. Just imagine the view from here!
Once back, stop at the Hofburg, the Imperial Palace, and don’t miss out on the Swarovski world (make sure you still have some money for some heavy shopping).
Climb to the top of the City Tower for the best view. Additionally, a walking tour is always a great idea if you want to learn about the city and its history.
Getting from Munich to Innsbruck:
- By train: less than 2 hours
- By car/bus: approx. 3 hours
Garmisch – Partenkirchen (Zugspitze) (approx. 1.5 hours)
One hot summer day, we decided to visit this place, one hour south of Munich, and learn about its history.
If you are a nature lover, you will surely like it here.
I must admit I was waiting to see a somewhat smaller city than we found. However, it was still very traditional, with cool buildings, surrounded by the tall Alps.
Take the early bus and come prepared with the proper clothing and shoes, since you must climb the mountains.
Even if you take the train up to Germany’s highest point (the Zugspitze), bring clothes that will keep you warm even during Summer. You will find yourself above the clouds, about 3,000 m above sea level.
The train runs roughly every 30 minutes, and you can check out the complete price list here.
Overall, I loved the place; it made me feel closer to nature.
Getting from Munich to Garmisch – Partenkirchen:
- By train: 1 hour and 20 minutes
- By car/bus: approx. 1.5 hours
Wasserburg am Inn (1 hour)
Our favorite small town in Bavaria, Wasserburg am Inn, is only one hour outside Munich.
Although not big, this colorful medieval town charmed us from our first visit. We got everything we ever wanted from a small village: charming cafes with good coffee and food, beautiful streets, and the river with its green promenade.
In addition, parking spaces are easily found (we usually park here) across the river from the old town.
On certain weekends, the streets transform themselves into a local market. You can come here to shop for regional specialties or stroll and stop for a coffee.
Getting from Munich to Wasserburg am Inn:
- By car: 1 hour or less
Linderhof Palace (1.5 hours)
Just a 30-minute drive from Garmisch-Partenkirchen and 1.5 hours from Munich.
The best way to Linderhof Palace is by car or organized tour. Public transportation is not very efficient or conveniently linked.
Rent your car on Discover Cars and find the best price.
Hidden in the Bavarian Alps, Linderhof Palace is torn from a fairytale. Like Neuschwanstein Castle, it is the smallest of the three palaces Ludwig II dreamed of and commissioned.
Getting from Munich to Linderhof Palace:
- By car/bus: approx. 1.5 hours
Lake Constance (Bodensee – approx. 2 hours)
The largest lake in Germany, bordered by Austria and Switzerland, is a destination not to be missed by nature lovers.
Konstanz and Lindau, the most significant towns next to the lake, are beautiful destinations in any season. Come here, especially during winter, when charming Christmas Markets are organized.
Don’t miss out on the 110-acre Mainau (the Flower Island) if, like myself, you love flowers. I would call this a perfect escape from the city, in a huge Botanical Garden on an island, with a Baroque Palace, a Palm House, a Hydrangea Path, and a beer garden.
Other activities worth considering are a walking city tour (in Konstanz), a visit to the SEA Life, or a private boat tour on the lake.
Getting from Munich to Lake Constance (Lindau):
- By train: approx. 3 hours
- By car/bus: approx. 2 hours
Book a tour of Constance here!
Salzburg – the sound of music (approx. 1.5 hours)
After spending one day there, I know Salzburg is one destination that needs to be included among the top-day trips from Munich.
The Austrian city is indeed one of Austria’s best places to visit.
Translated into “the salt city,” Salzburg is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Additionally, the city is home to Mozart and “The Sound of Music.”
Moreover, the city is lovely, with the Hohensalzburg Fortress overseeing everything. The romantic Mirabell Palace and Gardens, and of course, Mozart’s birthplace, are only a few top attractions.
See the charming Austrian city from a boat, listen to Mozart in his hometown at the Miravell Palace, and don’t skip a Sound of Music tour.
Oh, and another thing: take the train from Munich (use the Bayern Ticket) and be in Salzburg in less than 2 hours.
Read our complete guide for a day trip from Munich to Salzburg so you can plan your carefree escape!
Getting from Munich to Salzburg:
- By train: approx. 1h and 40 min
- By car/bus: approx. 2 hours
Rosenheim (1 hour)
Another favorite destination that is a bit larger than Wasserburg am Inn but still charming.
We would usually stop for a coffee in Ludwigsplatz, stroll along the Münchener Strasse, admire the architecture, and cross the small park.
The city offers plenty of options for museum lovers, such as the Municipal Museum, the Wood Technology Museum, or the Municipal Gallery.
How to get from Munich to Rosenheim:
- by car: roughly 1 hour
- by train: 37 – 45 minutes
Starnberger See or Ammersee (approx. 1 hour)
What do people from Munich do on a hot summer day? (yes, they have those as well, sometimes)
They spend time at one of the many lakes surrounding the city.
Since most of them are accessible by S-Bahn or bus, you won’t have to spend too much time on the road. Moreover, it won’t be too expensive either, making it even easier to escape into nature.
The closest lake, only 27 km south of the inner city, is the Starnberger See, which also offers a view of the Alps and can be reached by S6 towards Tutzing.
Close to the Ammersee lake, you can visit Herrsching with its romantic palace, the “Kurparkschlösschen,” or take a boat trip on one of the lakes.
Getting from Munich to Starnberger See or Ammersee:
- By car: approx. 1 hour
Neuschwanstein Castle (approx. 2.5 hours)
This place is such a fairytale!
No, really! It inspired Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty castle, so don’t be surprised if you seem to know the place from somewhere.
Its story is not exactly a fairy tale since Ludwig II of Bavaria, who thought about the great building design and spent so many years and money on building the palace, ended up staying only 172 days here.
Today, the castle is one of the most famous palaces in Europe, attracting over 1.4 million people yearly and around 6,000 visitors every day during summer.
Hint: Plan your visit and book your ticket here.
Thus, it is easy to understand why Neuschwanstein Castle is a favorite destination for many who are looking for weekend trips from Munich.
How do you get from Munich to Neuschwanstein? If you are planning a trip to the Palace, I recommend reading this well-written article.
Getting from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle:
- By train (public transportation): approx. 3 hours
- By car: approx 2 hours
Bamberg (approx. 2 hours)
History-infused Bamberg, also known as “Rome of Franconia,” is perfect for a day trip from Munich.
Bamberg is a place not to be missed. It is situated on seven hills, divided by the River Regnitz, which creates the Island City.
Bamberg Cathedral, with its Medieval architecture founded in the 11th century, the history museum, the iconic Altes Rathaus (the old town hall covered in mural frescos), and the Neue Residenz—the largest palace in Bamberg—are just a few of the places to see and things to experience in Bamberg in one day.
We loved Bamberg and visited several times, so we wrote a comprehensive one-day guide.
Getting from Munich to Bamberg:
By train: approx. 2 hours
By car: approx. 3 hours
Learn about the city on a walking tour!
Rothenburg ob der Tauber (approx. 3 hours)
Everywhere you search for this town, you will see that everyone who has ever been there rated it as “the most romantic German town.” And that’s fair when you get a glimpse of the pictures as well.
Still, Germany’s best-preserved walled town, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, is the most exciting medieval town worth the 2.5-hour drive from Munich.
If you think about a Munich to Rothenburg day trip, you can always go by train. However, you must make a few changes until you get there. Check out train timetables and prices here!
Or even better, opt for an organized tour that will offer you the comfort of not having to think about planning a thing at a bit of a higher cost.
If you are a museum lover, you will surely love this town, which offers everything from the Imperial Town Museum, the Medieval Crime Museum, the History Museum, and the Christmas Museum (yes, you read that right!).
Or better yet, go on an organized walking tour that will take you down cobblestone streets and show you the city’s main attractions.
Getting from Munich to Rothenburg ob der Tauber:
- By car: depending on the works to highways, approx 3 hours
- By train: 3.5 -4 hours
Amerang (1 hour)
We stayed in Amerang for one month and loved every minute of it. Even though it was spring and we had some rainy days, the small village is stunning and perfect for nature lovers.
Set between green hills, the village had less than 3000 inhabitants, but it also had great restaurants, a castle, and a specialty coffee cafe.
We loved strolling in the neighboring woods and would wake up to watch deer from our terrace.
If you want to be immersed in authentic Bavarian nature, Amerang is your place.
How to get from Munich to Amerang:
- by car: roughly 1 hour
Burghausen (approx. 1 hour)
Alex stumbled upon this small town by mistake, and once we got there, we could not believe how beautiful Bughausen was.
It is set right on the Austrian border and has the world’s longest castle and a colorful old town.
You can go on a boat ride on the Salzach River (the same one crossing through Salzburg) or swim in the Wöhrsee.
How to get to Burghausen from Munich:
- By car: 1 hour
- By train: roughly 2 hours
Ingolstadt (approx. 1 hour)
While Ingolstadt is lovely, I am not referring to the town itself now. Yes, I’m talking about the Ingolstadt Designer Outlet.
After all the running around, you might want to spend quality time here, shop, and reward yourself for..mm…anything.
Who needs a reason to shop, after all?
You can book a ride with the Shopping Express bus, which will take you from the main train station in Munich to the shopping outlet in about 40 minutes. Be ready to pay the 20 EUR round-trip ticket and book it in advance here.
Check out also the Tourist Information.
Getting from Munich to Ingolstadt:
- By train: approx. 40 min
- By car: approx. 1 hour
Würzburg (approx. 3 hours)
Very close to Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Nuremberg, part of Germany’s Romantic Road, Würzburg is where you’ll probably want to spend more than just a day.
Würzburg Residenz is the town’s gem, with its impressive architecture and splendid park. With architecture inspired by Vienna, Paris, Genoa, Venice, and Amsterdam, the Palace won’t let you down.
Perched on the hill above the Main River, the Marienberg Fortress and Princes’ Building is a feast for the eyes with its massive fort walls and the four-story Maschikuli Tower.
The Old Main Bridge will make you think about Prague on a lower scale. It is particularly beautiful at night when the town lights up.
We loved Wurzburg and would come back for a longer stay!
Getting from Munich to Würzburg:
- By train: approx. 2 hours
- By car: approx. 3 hours
Erding Therme (less than 1 hour)
Finally, if you are thinking about something more relaxing than shopping, Erding Therme is the place to be.
Every day for about 12 hours, you will find here an oasis of peacefulness and a wide variety of activities to choose from:
- wave pools,
- Europe’s biggest water slides,
- many different pools with thermal spring water,
- The VitalityOasis area offers access to many saunas and relaxation activities (bathing suits are not allowed in some areas).
Trust me, one day will not be enough to explore this place, and you can also choose to spend a night at their nearby Victory Hotel.
You can find Therme’s price list here, if I caught your attention,
Getting to Erding Therme: take the S2 train and get off at Altenerding. From there, take one of the buses (550, 560, or 570) or, better yet, have a short stroll up to the theme.
Getting from Munich to Erding:
- By train: 51 min
- By car: 35 min
Planning the trip
When planning a trip, I sometimes go the extra mile, overdo everything, and plan everything down to the hour. Sometimes, I forget the most important things and am surprised as I go about my trip.
There are so many amazing places to visit in Germany, and Bavaria doesn’t lack just that.
How to travel for a day trip from Munich?
There are always three transportation options when taking a road or day trip.
BY CAR: this might be, in most cases, the most convenient and fastest way of taking your day trip.
But this comes with some things you should have in mind:
- how easy/hard it is to find a parking space (in my experience in Germany, it is not that hard),
- how much it costs to park per hour (reasonable price in Germany),
- traffic conditions (roads under construction etc),
- the experience one has with driving.
Discover Cars is a great aggregator that will help you find and book the best option for renting a car during your trip, helping you save up to 70% on your car rental. They have a pretty good Cancellation policy that would give you options in case your flight or travel plans change. Get your offers here!
BY TRAIN. I am usually a big fan of this type of transportation. In Germany, trains are high-speed and have great connections.
However, train ticket prices can be high, especially when not planning ahead.
Check out train timetables and prices before you go!
BY BUS (Flixbus). This might be the cheapest of the three options available.
However, it is also the least reliable. I have dealt with significant delays most of the time I traveled with them, especially when I returned from seeing the tulip fields near Amsterdam.
That said, it gets you from A to B, and you don’t have to worry about other things.
Book your trip at the best price ahead of time here!
TOUR – Book an organized tour and forget about having to worry about transfers, timetables, and itineraries. You’ll have everything planned and you’ll just have one worry: to enjoy the ride.
I’ve been to Munich twice, but never spent long enough to do a day-trip. I’ve been to Salzburg, but all of these places look absolutely lovely! Thanks for the ideas!
Oh beautiful post! Salzburg is indeed so close and it’s such a great place!
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Some great tips for day trips. I’d love to see all of them! Although I’m not much of a shopper.
I’m really hoping to go to Munich in October, particularly to visit the castle but I had no idea all these places were of easy reach too. I love the look of Rothenburg!
Nice! I live in Germany and have been to about half of the cities/places on your list. But, I also got some great ideas for a few other day trips I could do from Munich! So, thank you 🙂