Cidade Turismo
Germany

Before you go

Your trip to Berchtesgaden.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Get it on Google Play

Berchtesgaden – Baviera Destination Alpes da Baviera about 155 km from Munique

How to get there

  • Flughafen München Franz Josef Strauß (MUC) Munique · 190 km
  • Berchtesgaden Hbf 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Confirm before booking. You arrive via Munique. By train, the trip to Berchtesgaden Hbf takes about 3 hours, with a change in Freilassing. By car it is roughly 155 km via the A8 motorway. Salzburgo airport, in Austria, is about 25 km away. Check schedules on the Deutsche Bahn website.

How many days

Two days allow you to see Königssee, the salt mine and Obersalzberg without rushing. With one day, choose Königssee in the morning and Obersalzberg in the afternoon. Those who like hiking in the national park will get the most out of three or four days.

When to go

From June to September all tours operate, including Kehlsteinhaus and the boat line to Salet. May and October are quieter, with some attractions at the edge of their season. In winter the boat to St. Bartholomä usually runs on a reduced schedule, the salt mine is open year-round and Kehlsteinhaus is closed.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

Not necessary. Regional buses depart from Berchtesgaden Hbf station to Königssee, to Obersalzberg and to the Salzbergwerk. The road to Kehlsteinhaus is closed to private cars: you can only go up by special bus. A car is useful for Ramsau and for more remote hikes.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Berchtesgaden
  1. Morning
    Boat on the Königssee to St. Bartholomä

    Take one of the first electric boats on the Königssee. The trip to St. Bartholomä takes about 35 minutes, with an echo stop in the middle of the lake.

  2. Afternoon
    Obersalzberg: Dokumentation and Kehlsteinhaus

    Take the bus up to Obersalzberg. In season, which usually runs from May to early November, take the special bus to Kehlsteinhaus; afterwards, visit the Dokumentation Obersalzberg.

  3. Late afternoon
    Berchtesgaden town centre

    Return to the centre and walk through the market square and the castle square, with the church of the former monastery and the painted façades.

  4. Evening
    Dinner in the center

    Dine in the centre of Berchtesgaden. In small towns many restaurant kitchens close early; arrive before 9:00 PM.

2 days in Berchtesgaden

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Berchtesgaden salt mine

    Start with the Salzbergwerk, featuring the mine train, the wooden slides and the underground lake. Buy your ticket in advance.

  2. Afternoon
    Haus der Berge, the national park centre

    Go to Haus der Berge, at the town entrance, and see the exhibition about the Nationalpark Berchtesgaden, from the shores of Königssee to the summit of Watzmann.

  3. Late afternoon
    Central squares

    Walk through the market square and the castle square, in the old centre, with views of the surrounding mountains.

  4. Evening
    Evening in Berchtesgaden

    Have dinner in the centre and plan the next day according to the weather forecast: Kehlsteinhaus and the boat depend on it.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Kehlsteinhaus and Dokumentation Obersalzberg

    Take the special bus to Kehlsteinhaus early in the season, and then visit the Dokumentation Obersalzberg next to the bus stop. Out of season, stay just at the Dokumentation.

  2. Afternoon
    Königssee and St. Bartholomä

    Head down to Königssee and take the boat to St. Bartholomä. In season, continue to Salet and walk about 15 minutes to the Obersee.

  3. Late afternoon
    Malerwinkel viewpoint

    Back at the pier, follow the short trail to the Malerwinkel, a viewpoint over the lake with St. Bartholomä in the background.

  4. Evening
    Dinner in Schönau am Königssee

    Dine in Schönau am Königssee or return to Berchtesgaden centre by bus; check the last departure times.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to get to Berchtesgaden from Munich?

By train, in about 3 hours with a change at Freilassing to Berchtesgaden Hbf station. By car it is roughly 155 km via the A8 motorway. Check times on the Deutsche Bahn website.

Is Salzburgo nearby?

Yes, about 25 km away, already in Austria, with regional buses departing from Berchtesgaden. Many people combine the two towns on the same trip.

How many days to stay in Berchtesgaden?

Two days cover Königssee, the salt mine and Obersalzberg. With just one day, do the boat on Königssee in the morning and Obersalzberg in the afternoon.

Is Kehlsteinhaus open all year?

No. The road closes in winter because of snow. The season usually runs from mid-May to the end of October or early November, and can be interrupted by bad weather. Check before you go.

Do you need a car in Berchtesgaden?

No. Buses leave the station for Königssee, Obersalzberg and the salt mine. Kehlsteinhaus can only be reached by special bus or on foot.

Back to Berchtesgaden
Back