The 7 best day trips from Munich by train for 2024

Are you searching for the perfect day trips from Munich by train?

Looking for an easy getaway on Germany’s excellent public transportation from the Bavarian capital out to the most beautiful parts of Bavaria and beyond?

I’ve included 8 unique destinations for you, from medieval masterpieces like Nuremberg and Bamberg to stunning Salzburg nestled between snowy mountains and topped by a fortress.

Or maybe you’re looking for a majestic alpine lake to explore some of nature’s beauty, there’s one of those here too for you to add to your list of perfect day trips!

I’ve included something for everyone in this list of the best day trips from Munich, including the fairy-tale castle of Mad King Ludwig up in the Bavarian Alps.

Grab your camera and come along with me as we discover the best bits of Bavaria by train!

How often do the trains run: roughly every half an hour

How long does it take to get there: 1hr –1hr 10min

Ticket cost per adult: €29.80 return ticket purchased in advance, Bayern Ticket also valid

This medieval stunner used to be a favourite haunt of the Holy Roman Emperors and all that high brow attention shows here in the beautiful half-timbered houses, impressive city walls and an imposing Imperial Castle high on the hill.

It’s also the second largest city in Bavaria, so there’s plenty to see here!

Charming cobblestoned streets wind their way through the old town, bursting with lovely shops selling homemade spiced gingerbread and vintage treasures.

Plus, plenty of atmospheric taverns serving up cellar brewed Rotbier and crispy roast pork or finger sized Nurnberger Bratwurst to delight you.

You could stop by the Goldenes Posthorn, in operation since 1498 and formerly the local pub for the famous medieval painter Albrecht Durer.

Don’t miss the incredibly charming Hangman’s Bridge (Henkersteg) surrounded by weeping willows in the middle of a river.

A one-time home for the hangman of Nuremberg and his family, back when they were considered unsavoury and therefore not permitted to live inside the broad city walls.

These days though, the tiny little dwelling and tower are as pretty as a picture.

Another popular stop is the Heilig Geist Spital, originally built as a hospital for the poor of the city, it still functions as an aged care home to this day.

How often do the trains run: 3 times a day, change trains once, change from train to a bus for final leg 

How long does it take to get there: 2 hours, 30 minutes allowing for transport changes  

Ticket cost per adult: €52 return – I’d strongly recommend the Bayern Ticket instead of single tickets

I’m sure you’ve seen plenty of screensavers of arguably one of the world’s most famous castles, Neuschwanstein, perched high in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps.

This is your chance to visit in person!

Built by “mad” King Ludwig II, he loved dramatic castles from fairytales and storybooks and set about building his own, rather expensive ones once he was king.

He was also a big fan of the elaborate operas put together by Richard Wagner and his dramatic castle up in the hills is full of dramatic details.

It was actually designed to be bigger, but building it almost bankrupted the proud kingdom of Bavaria and the outraged ministers put the brakes on the rest of Ludwig’s fanciful projects.

He was declared insane, deposed by his government and was found floating dead in Starnberger See at the age of 40, though debate still continues about whether his death was accidental, self-inflicted or something more sinister.

He really did get the last laugh though because in the present day, Neuschwanstein is the most visited tourist attraction in all of Bavaria and provides the most tourism income for the state.

Not so much of a silly fantasy anymore! 

Now that we’ve covered off a brief history of the castle, how do we get there from Munich?

It is a little bit trickier to reach by train than some of the other destinations in this article, as the nearest village is only small.

If you’re looking for the simplest way to get to Neuschwanstein without needing to worry about changing transport methods, there are multiple guided tours which will get you there with the least amount of hassle.

Or if you’re planning to hire a car, there’s plenty of (paid) car parking a short walk from the castle.

Double check the Deutsche Bahn website for the exact details on the day that you’re planning to travel on, this will be kept up to date and also show any disruptions before you head out of the city via train.

How often do the trains run: roughly every 30-40 minutes  

How long does it take to get there: 1hr 30min 

Ticket cost per adult: Return journey booked in advance 29.00€, Bayern Ticket also valid  

If you’re looking for a charming medieval city in Bavaria, topped off with a 900 year old bridge, Regensburg has everything you need.

The UNESCO listed Old Town has some of the best preserved medieval architecture in Germany, nestled around the Danube River, the source of Regensburg’s wealth as a trading port. These days, the winding streets, delightful pastel townhouses and Gothic architecture draw visitors from all over.

The Stone Bridge, actually the oldest bridge in Germany, provided an essential crossing point over the Danube for over 9 centuries. It originally came topped with three towers but only one remains, the delightful rose pink one closest to the cathedral.

Stop off at the Stadtamhof Island, this little patch out in the middle of the Danube used to be its own separate village way back in the Middle Ages.

Now absorbed by the city, the best things to see include hidden little laneways and multi-coloured houses, just waiting to delight you.

You might even find time to swing by the adorable Kuchenbar for a streetside slice of cake with a view back over the cathedral.

The towering twin spires of St Peter’s are visible from just about everywhere in the Old Town, a visit inside is well worth it to see the enormous stained glass windows dominating the interior. 

If you’d prefer a savoury food stop, the historic Wurstkuchel has stood just next to the Stone Bridge for centuries feeding the hungry folk of Regensburg.

Its roots stretch all the way back to 1146 and the tiny restaurant usually serves up over 6000 sausages a day, along with fresh Brezen and steins of beer.   

How often do the trains run: every 15-30 minutes 

How long does it take to get there: 1hr 30min 

Ticket cost per adult: Return journey booked in advance €17.90, Bayern Ticket will also allow you to visit Salzburg. 

If you’d like to visit the picturesque setting of the Sound of Music, nestled into snowy hills and watched over by the imposing Hohensalzung Fortress, the beautiful city of Salzburg is waiting for you.

Plus, it’s easily reachable via direct train from Munich and is even covered by the Bayern Ticket, even though it’s over the border in Austria

The regal city center is packed with classic Baroque architecture and multiple cathedrals, the colossal Dom zu Salzburg has to be seen to be believed.

For fans of classical music, Mozart’s childhood house lies over on Makartplatz and you can even try a chocolate ball confection (known as a Mozartkugel) at Cafe Konditorei Fürst in the Old Town. It’s made for fans of nuts though, as it comes with almond paste or marzipan inside and they are quite a rich treat.

You may find a line to this classic shop but it moves relatively quickly as there isn’t a huge selection inside.

Don’t miss strolling along the popular Getriedegasse, lined with charming old shops complete with their original wrought iron signs and plenty of luxury goods.

You might also pass the Café Tomaselli coffee shop, said to be the oldest in the city, though the prices inside certainly reflect its popularity. I’d suggest 220GRAD over in Nonntal instead.

On your way up to the Hohensalzburg Fortress, stop by the Restaurant Stiegl-Keller terrace for a spot of traditional Austrian cuisine and house brewed beer.

You can either enjoy your meal inside in the historic dining room, complete with antler sets adorning the walls or out on the terrace in warmer weather.

If you’re visiting in winter, the terrace will likely be packed up but you’ll still be able to wander out and enjoy the views over the cathedral and the city.   

The Hohensalzburg Fortress has stood in some form or another looking out over the rooftops of Salzburg for nearly 10 centuries and has never been conquered.

Built with the riches flowing from the Austrian salt mines, it enjoys impressive views out over the snowy mountains nearby and the shining river flowing through the Old Town.

There’s also an interesting exhibition on the history of the fortress and the city itself.

Tickets can be easily purchased online on the official website, you can also purchase a trip up on the funicular going up the hill. Or if you’ve got energy to burn, you can walk up the road yourself to the fortress, a short and sharp hike for you.

There are also steps up if you’d prefer to take an even steeper way up.

You’ll find the best views of it from across the river, from the Kapuziner Monastery.

Which has a much shorter set of steps on the way up and an incredible vista over the elevated fortress, colourful city houses and snow dusted mountains behind.

Don’t miss the charming Mirabell Palace, surrounded by beautiful flowers and manicured gardens over this side of the river, bonus points if you can name the Sound of Music scene that was once filmed here. 

The gardens are lovely to walk around, stop into a cafe to grab a takeaway coffee and sit down on a handy bench here to enjoy the serenity.  

How often do the trains run: roughly every 30 minutes depending on connection

How long does it take to get there: 1hr 45min

Ticket cost per adult: Return ticket booked in advance €17.90, Bayern Ticket also valid

The stunning little medieval town of Bamberg is full of the cutest fisherman’s houses, a jumbo cathedral and even a town hall out in the middle of the river – the perfect postcard scene.

Formerly a home to royalty, it’s more of a sleepy village now compared to what it must have looked like in the Middle Ages. Luckily for us, all of those historic buildings are beautifully preserved and make for the perfect picture backdrops.

The entire Old Town is actually a Unesco World Heritage Site thanks to its authenticity. A must visit for keen photographers, you’re sure to find a darling cottage just crying out to have its photo taken.

Wander your way to the compact old town, you might have the lovely farmer’s market in full swing – you’ll be able to smell the roasting nuts before you see them.

Soon you’ll be entranced by the Gothic stunner that is the Old Town Hall or Altes Rathaus, perched on a little island out in the middle of the Regnitz river.

Beloved by the locals, both sides are fancifully decorated with colourful murals and OTT sculptures above the gateway. There’s even a cherub’s leg sticking out of one of the walls, though it may take you a bit to spot!

You’ll also be surrounded by charming fisherman’s cottages with their half-timbered facades and colourful paintwork, this quaint area is named Klein Venedig or Little Venice. Intersected by canals and criss-crossed with bridges, the river is a way of life for some of the oldest families in Bamberg.

Wander down to the Untere Brücke to admire the benevolent statue of Queen Cunigunde, an instrumental figure in Bamberg’s long history, against the backdrop of the blue and white Heller Haus. As well as charming views over the flower-filled gardens of Klein Venedig if you’re visiting during the warmer months!

Crossing onto the Geyerswörthsteg bridge will bring you to not only the famous view back over the Altes Rathaus but also the Brudermühle water mill, formerly used to crush grain.

Stroll into the rest of the Old Town, perhaps you’re hungry for hearty Franconian fare like a stuffed onion or crispy roast pork over at Schlenkerla.

Dating back to the 15th century, this family run affair still brews Rauchbier or smoke beer in house, one of only two breweries in Bamberg still producing the historic beverage.

For a real taste of Bamberg, your day trip won’t be complete without sampling a few local culinary specialities.

And the pub is wedged into some of the most delightful streets lined both sides with half timbered townhouses in all shades of pastel.  

After your tasty lunch, head up the hill to the imposing Bamberger Dom or Bamberg Cathedral. Built to impressively large specifications, this Gothic masterpiece enjoys a commanding position high above the city.

Inside, you’ll find the mythical Bamberg Knight statue. The lifesize figure is world famous and yet historians still debate who the rider is meant to represent, gazing out in stone for all of eternity.

Next door, you’ll find the Alter Hof, historic home to emperors and kings, as well as a filming location for the film the Three Musketeers.   

How often do the trains run: roughly every 15 minutes 

How long does it take to get there: 30 min 

Ticket cost per adult: Return journey booked in advance €9.90, Bayern Ticket also valid  

Charming Augsburg is the 3rd largest city in Bavaria, home to a scenic medieval Old Town and the world’s oldest social housing project.

The Fuggerei was first created by the charitable endeavours of the very rich merchant Jakob Fugger.

Still running solely on his original donation back in the 15th century, it houses around 200 elderly residents in a beautiful village tucked amongst gardens and void of any cars.

Residents must be from the Catholic faith and pray three times a day, as well as attend services. In return, their rent is set at 1 Rhenish guilder per year (about 80 euro cents). 

The Fuggereimuseum shows how the settlement operated before modern luxuries like electricty and running water but it is all in German. English brochures are available but with less depth of information, you might find that strolling around the village is enough for you.

You can find Herr Fugger’s OG house over at the Fuggerhaüser on Maximilianstraße, he is considered one of the richest men ever to exist with an adjusted net worth of over 500 billion dollars in today’s money.  

In the beautiful medieval Old Town, you’ve got a few main attractions to go in search of.

Dom Mariä Heimsuchung dates all the way back to the 11th century, greatly extended over hundreds of years to the impressive sight that you see these days. Don’t miss the impressive stained-glass windows if you do decide to step inside.

Wander through the traces of German history at St Anna Kirche, tucked into a series of cloisters and lined with tombstones. If you’re interested in the history of the Reformation, this will be a fascinating spot to visit but it’s worth seeking out just to see the glimmering Goldschmiedekapelle and Fuggerkapelle.

Both are lavishly decorated to match their esteemed residents.

The Augsburg Rathaus, or Town Hall, is a delightfully Gothic gem topped with double onion dome spires and interestingly, a pinecone – the emblem of the city.

The Goldener Saal is an elaborate banquet hall showing off the opulence of the city, look up at the impressive ceiling covered with golden panels of frescoes.

Pop over to the Sankt Ulrich und Afra Abbey over on Ulrichplatz for one of my favourite buildings in ancient Augsburg, I just can’t get enough of the slightly whimsical architecture of the basilica and abbey.  

How often do the trains run: roughly every 15-30 minutes 

How long does it take to get there: 1hr 10min 

Ticket cost per adult: Bayern Ticket best value, MVV tickets possible but more expensive.  

If you’re seeking a nature lover’s day trip from Munich by train, look no further than the impossibly serene Chiemsee.

Stretching for over 80 square kilometres and surrounded by pristine pine forests, locals and visitors flock to the peaceful shores of the lake for aquatic leisure time, whether that’s sailing around or swimming.

Often referred to as the Bavaria Sea since it is the largest lake in Bavaria, it’s also one of the cleanest swimming lakes.

Alternatively, if you’d like to stay dry, you can rent or bring bikes to cycle the 64km circumference of the lake and admire it from all angles, with multiple paths to choose from.

The main attractions out here – if you’re not a sailor – are on the three islands out in the lake. King Ludwig II, known for his construction of the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle, built another palace here on the Herreninsel island.

The building of Herrenchiemsee Palace began in 1878, following the completion of the Rococo Linderhof Palace in Southwest Bavaria.

The new palace was carefully modelled on Versailles and designed to the very limits of opulence and the Bavarian royal funds, it was never finished due to Ludwig’s untimely death in 1886 but it is open to visitors daily.

Lavish decorations fill the interior and guided tours run for about 40 minutes, walking you around the impressive rooms. Don’t miss the fountains outside, they run on a fifteen minute timer so be sure to stay long enough to see the show!  

Over on Fraueninsel, another island on the lake, you’ll find the pilgrimage site Abtei Frauenwörth, one of the oldest convents in Germany.

Usually, the grounds are open to stroll around and there is even a small shop where you can indulge in home-made marzipan and other souvenirs. Visit close to Christmas and you might even be able to enjoy the quaint Christmas market.

The island is completely car free and there are plenty of delightful cafes and restaurants to explore once you’ve made your way around the convent.   

Head to Prien am Chiemsee to take advantage of the ferry service, buy a day ticket for the best value (18,60 € per adult) or double check the ferry website for pricing if you’d prefer to journey on your boat tour just to the palace and back.