Before you go

Your trip to Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

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

Garmisch-Partenkirchen – Baviera Destination Alpes da Baviera about 90 km from Munique

How to get there

Flughafen München Franz Josef Strauß (MUC) Munique · 125 km
Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Bahnhof) 1 km

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

Confirm before buying. You get there via Munique. From the central station (München Hauptbahnhof), regional trains go to Garmisch-Partenkirchen in about 1h30, without changes. By car it's about 90 km on the A95 motorway. Check times on the Deutsche Bahn website.

How many days

One day is enough for the Zugspitze and the Eibsee. With two days you can add the Partnachklamm, the Olympia-Skistadion and the route via Linderhof, Ettal and Oberammergau. Hikers may want three or more days to use the other cable cars in town.

When to go

From June to September the weather is more stable for the Zugspitze and the trails, but it often rains in the afternoon. October has fewer people, and the cable cars close for maintenance in November. From December to March there is usually skiing on the Zugspitze, depending on snow. The Partnachklamm is open year-round during daylight hours.

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

Do you need a car?

It is not necessary. The Zugspitze rack railway departs next to the station, and local buses go to the ski stadium and the Eibsee. For Linderhof, Ettal and Oberammergau there are regional buses with limited schedules; a car makes it easier to combine all three in one day.

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 Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Morning
Ascent to the Zugspitze by rack railway
Catch the rack railway early at the station next to the Bahnhof. The journey to the Zugspitze plateau takes about 75 minutes; from there the Gletscherbahn rises in a few minutes to the summit at 2,962 metres.
Afternoon
Descent by cable car and return to the Eibsee
Descend by the Seilbahn Zugspitze, which covers almost 2,000 metres of elevation in about 10 minutes and reaches the shore of the Eibsee. Walk a section of the trail that circles the lake before returning by train to Garmisch.
Late afternoon
Stroll along Ludwigstraße
In Partenkirchen, walk along Ludwigstraße, the old market street, with painted facades and the neogothic church of Mariä Himmelfahrt.
Evening
Bavarian dinner in Partenkirchen
Dine in one of the traditional houses on Ludwigstraße or in central Garmisch. The regional cuisine features roast pork, Knödel (potato or bread dumplings) and local beer.

2 days in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Day 1

Morning
Zugspitze by rack railway
Go up to the Zugspitze early by rack railway and stay on the summit while the weather is clear: clouds often close in and block the view after midday.
Afternoon
Cable car and Eibsee
Descend by cable car to the Eibsee and allow time at the lakeshore, with the north face of the Zugspitze in the background.
Late afternoon
Ludwigstraße
Return to Partenkirchen and walk along Ludwigstraße, among houses rebuilt after the 19th-century fires.
Evening
Evening in town
Have dinner in Garmisch or Partenkirchen. Keep in mind that many shops close early and do not open on Sundays.

Day 2

Morning
Olympia-Skistadion and Partnachklamm
Take the bus to the Olympia-Skistadion, see the ski jump tower and walk to the entrance of the Partnachklamm. The gorge crossing is short but damp: bring a jacket.
Afternoon
Kloster Ettal and Schloss Linderhof
Head to Ettal, about 10 km away, and visit the monastery basilica. Continue to Schloss Linderhof; the palace tour is guided only, at the time specified on the ticket.
Late afternoon
Facades of Oberammergau
Finish in Oberammergau, a few minutes from Ettal, admiring the painted facades, such as Pilatushaus, and the woodcarving workshops.
Evening
Return to Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Return to Garmisch-Partenkirchen for dinner. If travelling by bus, check the last departure time before leaving Oberammergau.

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 Garmisch-Partenkirchen from Munique?

By regional train from Munique central station in about 1h30 with no changes. By car it's around 90 km via the A95. Check schedules on the Deutsche Bahn website.

Are Garmisch and Partenkirchen the same town?

Yes. They were two separate villages and were merged in 1935, before the 1936 Winter Games. Garmisch is to the west, near the station and the Zugspitze train; Partenkirchen is to the east, around Ludwigstraße.

Can you do a day trip to the Zugspitze from Munique?

Yes, if you leave early. The train to Garmisch takes about 1h30, and the rack railway about 75 minutes to the plateau. Reserve the whole day and check the summit weather forecast before you go.

How many days to stay?

One day for the Zugspitze and the Eibsee, and another for the Partnachklamm and for Linderhof, Ettal and Oberammergau. Hikers will make good use of three days or more.

Is snow guaranteed in winter?

No. The Zugspitze usually has snow from December to April, and the ski season up there often runs from late November to early May, but it depends on the year. In the valley, snowfall varies considerably.

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