How to Plan a Salz-ational Day Trip from Munich to Salzburg

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As a girl who used to watch Sound of Music every Christmas (and every time our music teacher was too lazy to actually teach us anything), my obsession with Salzburg began at an early age.

And while I now know that the Sound of Music is purely an American film that many Austrians haven’t watched/care for, it still doesn’t erase the fact that this city still looks much as it did in the film… and yes, it will make you want to stomp around, singing and twirling all over the place like an absolute maniac.

Besides Sound of Music though (and the fact that Mozart was born/raised here), Salzburg is a gorgeous city that stands out from the pack thanks to its Baroque architecture and tremendously “frolickable” streets… so much so that they’ve been a UNESCO Heritage Site since 1997.

Save this Munich to Salzburg day trip guide for later!

You’ll be very glad you did.

Touristy as it may be (and yes, you will be sweltering in tourist hordes), I still find a lot of charm in Salzburg, and recommend it highly as a day trip from Munich. In fact, I’d go as far to say that this day trip is one of the best things you can do while visiting Munich.

So, if you’re keen to explore the gorgeous little streets of Salzburg for yourself, this post will walk you through how to make the most of your Munich to Salzburg day trip.

First – How far is Salzburg from Munich?

A lot of people are surprised when they hear just how short the distance is from Munich to Salzburg.

Only about 150km separate the two cities, which means a day trip (or overnight trip) couldn’t be easier.

Whether by car, train or bus, you’ll be there in less than two hours.

The best way to get from Munich to Salzburg is the train (in my opinion), but we’ll talk about that in the next section.

Beautiful Salzburg View over city center
I mean, look at it. *swoon*

How to Get from Munich to Salzburg

To begin,  you’re probably wondering how to get to Salzburg from Munich.

I highly recommend using Omio to compare the different options – it’s free and lets you quickly sort through the different transport options (trains, buses, etc.).

This is a great way to look at the different departure times/durations quickly.

You’re spoiled for your choice though.

Transportation from Munich to Salzburg is frequent, quick and best of all – cheap! I personally recommend taking the train using a Bayern Ticket (a regional ticket for Bavaria), which grants you unlimited public regional transport all around Bavaria for a low price (25 euros for one person, 8 euros for every additional person up to 5 adults).

This usually works out to be the same price/cheaper than the bus, plus it’s more convenient, relaxing and scenic.

The Bayern ticket is usually only valid in Bavaria, but you can take it to Salzburg for select trains (more info on that below).

Anyways, I know you like options, so here’s a detailed breakdown of how to travel from Munich to Salzburg, featuring the different transportation options and their pros and cons.

Salzburg Old Town in the summer
Photo by Reiseuhu on Unsplash

OPTION A (Recommended!): Take a Munich to Salzburg Train

Getting from Munich to Salzburg is easiest (in my opinion) by train, unless you book a tour.

I really like this option because the Munich to Salzburg train is scenic and well worth the minimal extra you pay compared to a bus… especially that part when you chug across the river and catch a glimpse of the Hohensalzburg Fortress for the first time! It’s gorgeous.

If you do decide to enjoy the scenic lil train ride from Munich to Salzburg, your best bet is to go from Munich Hauptbahnhof to Salzburg Hauptbahnhof (the central stations of each city).

DB Ticket Machines that you can use to buy tickets for your Munich to Salzburg Day Trip
These bad boys will have the tickets you need

How to get from Munich to Salzburg by train:

Click here to browse the Munich to Salzburg train schedule on the official DB website

STEP ONE: Go to Munich Hauptbahnhof (AKA Munich Central Station).

Trains from Munich to Salzburg depart from the Munich Hauptbahnhof (Central Station) BUT it also stops at Munich Ostbahnhof as well (the East Station) which is more convenient to reach if you’re staying in the east side of the city.

I do honestly recommend just going to the Hauptbhanhof anyway though and catching the train from there because this is a very popular trip and during peak season, it gets busy so if you want a guaranteed seat during the train ride from Munich to Salzburg, you should probably get on at the Hauptbahnhof.

Don’t worry – getting from Ostbahnhof to Hauptbahnhof is easy using Munich’s public transport system.

Munich train station with crowds waiting to board their trains

STEP TWO: Buy a Bayern ticket

You can easily buy train tickets from Munich to Salzburg on the day-of if you follow my recommendation of getting a Bayern Ticket at one of the red ticket machines (or buy one online by clicking the red button on this page).

If you are getting a Bayern ticket, know that it is only valid for regional trains in Germany.

This means the trains you are looking for will be the Meridian trains designated with an “M”, not the RJ or EC trains.

To double check the time table for the trains that the Bayern ticket is valid for, look for a “only local transport” box on on the DB website/app and check that.

This way, you’ll only be shown trains that your Bayern Ticket is valid for. For more info, read my full Bayern ticket guide.

Munich to Salzburg train booking screenshot

On weekdays, the Bayern ticket is only valid from 9am onwards. On the weekend it’s 6am, so don’t book any trains that are earlier than these times or else you won’t be able to use your Bayern ticket.

You can buy a Bayern ticket at any of the red ticket machines at the station where you buy Munich train tickets. Look for “DB Special Offers” and it will be called a “Bavaria Ticket” in English.

You must then select the number of passengers (don’t lie, because they will check and each passenger’s name must be written on the ticket).

The ticket will then be printed and you can scurry off to your platform. OR if you want a stress free method, click here to buy a Bayern ticket in advance.

Munich central train station time board

STEP THREE: Head to your platform and board your train (preferably farther down)

FYI, the Meridian trains going to Salzburg are usually in the first grouping of platforms (5-11) which are located on the far end of the station (where the Starbucks is, but further down) and require more leg work!

Allow your self extra time to reach the platform because it’s a longer walk than all the trains you see just in the main area.

Also, if you have time, walk to the cars at the end of the train which are ALWAYS less crowded.

STEP FOUR: Be sure to write your names on your ticket and have it ready for inspection

Don’t worry, if you’ve forgotten a pen, they’re usually quite forgiving and will let you borrow one on the spot to jot down your names.

STEP FIVE: Enjoy the scenic ride to Salzburg.

It’s a short ride, but the views near the end make it one of the best short scenic train rides in Europe. Wheeeeeee!!

OPTION B: Take a Munich to Salzburg Bus

Another option for getting from Munich to Salzburg is to take a bus.

Taking the bus is one of the cheapest ways to get around Europe, but while this might seem like a cheaper option at first glance (usually less than 10 euros per ticket), using the Bayern Ticket as I outlined above usually works out to be the same/cheaper.

This is because the Bayern Ticket covers you for the WHOLE DAY and also for public transport within Bavaria, so you can get to the train station, go to Salzburg, come back, and go back to your hotel all with one ticket.

The added bonus is a) there’s no chance you get stuck in traffic if you take a train and b) the scenery is nicer on the train.

For these reasons, I strongly advise you take the train from Munich to Salzburg instead of a bus.

That said, if you are a bus travel enthusiast (or have another equally compelling reason), here are the options.

Bus in Salzburg, Austria headed for the train station
Photo by Eugeniya Belova on Unsplash

How to get from Munich to Salzburg by bus:

I would use Omio to search up the different bus times/options.

At the time of writing, it seems like Flixbus is the provider, with a Croatian company called Črnja Tours servicing this route once a day as well in the early hours of the morning.

I’ve written openly about Flixbus before (here is my honest Flixbus review) and it’s… fine.

For a short distance like this, it’ll probably be alright, but it’s definitely not the most comfortable experience when compared to a train.

Buses from Munich to Salzburg will leave from the Munich Central Bus Station AKA ZOB (less than a 10 minute walk, or 1 S-Bahn stop from the Munich Hauptbahnhof).

There are around 5 departures a day and the ride is 1.5 – 2 hours.

Green and orange Flixbus at Munich ZOB bus station

OPTION C: Drive from Munich to Salzburg

Again, the driving distance between Munich and Salzburg is about 150km and so the drive will take only about 1.5 -2 hours.

This makes it more or less the same duration as taking the train, so I only recommend driving from Munich to Salzburg if you plan to take the car to visit other places around Salzburg (like the Eagle’s Nest or Berchtesgaden) OR if you simply want to experience the thrill of the famous German Autobahn.

How to get from Munich to Salzburg by car:

The easiest and most common way is to take the A8 from Munich to Salzburg.

This is a popular route so you’ll see “SALZBURG” signs all over the Autobahn – they’re impossible to miss.

Again, this will take about 2 hours unless there’s huge traffic.

Don’t forget to get off the motorway before you hit the Austrian border, unless you want to purchase an additional vignette (more info on this below).

Important notes if you are driving from Munich to Salzburg:

There’s not really any free parking in Salzburg city centre. Factor that into your costs! They do offer Park and Ride options where you can buy parking and an all-day transit pass for a fixed price. Learn more here.

Keep in mind that weekend traffic can be brutal. I’ve personally been stuck on the Autobahn for hours, with Friday after work/Sunday evenings being especially bad

Don’t forget that there is a mandatory vignette system in Austria if you want to use their motorways. The cheapest vignette you can buy is the 10-day one that (as of 2018) is 9 euros. Don’t risk not getting a vignette – I accidentally drove into Austria once (#EuropeProblems) and got fined in the mail a month later. If you want to avoid buying a vignette, get off the motorway before you hit the Austrian border and then take smaller roads to Salzburg.

Driving vignettes for Austria and Slovenia
Austrian vignette on the left

OPTION D: Book a Salzburg tour from Munich

The easiest and least stressful option is of course, just booking a tour.

That way, all your transportation is handled and you are free to just sit back and enjoy your experience.

I’m usually more of an independent explorer so I prefer to just DIY my trips, but if you prefer an expert guide for the day, here is an option for a Salzburg day tour from Munich:

Sandeman’s is the company that runs this Munich to Salzburg tour by trainI would recommend this as a good option because you get to experience the lovely train ride, with the bonus perk of having an experienced guide with you to show you around the city. I love doing walking tours with Sandeman’s all around Europe and their guides have always been great! Click here to check reviews and prices.

Interior of a beautiful church in Salzburg, Austria

Can you take a Sound of Music tour from Munich?

I researched this extensively one day (no doubt spurred by another Sound of Music viewing) and while there are many tours for Munich to Salzburg day trips you can book, it doesn’t appear to be any Sound of Music specific tours that run from Munich.

Instead, what you’ll need to do is get to Salzburg (using one of the aforementioned methods) and then book a Sound of Music tour once you’re in Salzburg. Here’s one with glowing reviews. 

NOTE: Be sure to read reviews and read the descriptions of tours clearly before you book a Salzburg tour from Munich. I’ve been told there’s an Austrian law that prevents German guides from “tour guiding” around Salzburg unless they have Austrian qualifications. Often this isn’t properly communicated to tour guests and so they’re surprised when they’re left to explore independently instead of getting a guided tour around.

Salzburg Residenzplatz with a mini play fair set up
Residenzplatz all decked out – can you recognize the fountain? 😉

Getting Back from Salzburg to Munich

All good things come to an end, and the same has to be said for your Salzburg trip 🙁 Getting back, your options are the same as above, but I just have a few extra notes for you:

Be sure to keep in mind the Salzburg to Munich train time that you’re aiming to leave at, otherwise trust me: it’s very easy to get distracted.

If you follow my tip of getting the Bayern ticket, you won’t need to get any new, additional train tickets from Salzburg to Munich, your Bayern ticket covers you for the whole day.

Busy street in Salzburg
Photo by Sergey Mind on Unsplash

Important Must-Knows Before Your Munich to Salzburg Day Trip

To ensure you make the most of your Salzburg trip, here are some important must knows for you!

I’ve been to Salzburg more than three times now (all as a day trip from Munich) so I’ve learned a thing or two from my silliest mistakes.

When visiting, be sure to keep the following in mind:

Don’t forget your passport

I know the journey from Munich to Salzburg seems short, but you are officially entering a different country (yay you).

And while Germany and Austria are both in the Schengen Zone which means there are no formal/mandatory border checks, they do happen often (especially if going by bus or car), so have your passport on you just in case.

It is also likely you need an official ID to prove your identity when using the Bayern ticket, so yes, just don’t forget it.

Use a Bayern ticket to score the cheapest train fare from Munich to Salzburg

I know: “when is this girl going to stop talking about the Bayern ticket?!”

I promise this is the last time… but seriously, don’t waste your money buying regular train tickets or renting a car.

The Bayern ticket is a gloriously angelic invention bestowed upon us by the DB gods and you should surely take advantage of it!

More money for treats later, of course. 

For more info, read my full Bayern ticket guide.

Bayern ticket for two people held out in a train
The beautiful Bayern ticket in all its drab glory

The hiiiiills are aliiiiiive with the sound of touuuuuuurists…!

Listen, I can’t lie to you: Salzburg is touristy. Possibly one of the most touristy places I’ve ever been.

The city knows its selling points (Mozart and Sound of Music) and walking around can feel like you’re getting punched in the face by Mozart’s ghost himself.

If you hate crowds and kitschy souvenir shops, this might not be the best destination for you. ‘

That said, like in any other touristic city, people DO live here, so there are ways to escape the tourist bustle and discover other, lesser known spots. More on that later.

Busy crowds walking through a main shopping street in Salzburg, Austria
Photo by Julian Hochgesang on Unsplash

Consider getting a Salzburg card if you want to do a LOT of paid attractions/activities

Since you’re already committing to the whole “shameless tourist” thing, you might as well enjoy some of Salzburg’s great attractions while you’re at it.

If you do plan on doing many attractions during your time in Salzburg, consider getting a Salzburg card for some serious savings.

Locals don’t really care for the Sound of Music

I mean, that’s not to say they dislike it or anything, but the Sound of Music was purely an American movie and many Austrians haven’t even seen it.

While of course, they’re much more familiar with it now because of the hordes of tourists who come every year asking about it, don’t be too surprised if the local you’re chatting up hasn’t seen the Sound of Music, or are unable to confirm that famous location you’re scouting for.

It’s just not a big deal to them. That said…

If you are really, really keen on seeing the Sound of Music sights, it’s best if you book a tour

On my recent visit, I tried to do a self-guided Sound of Music tour, and while I did get to see many wonderful sights like the Mirabell Gardens and Residenzplatz, several of the most iconic spots from the movie (like the “hills” where Maria twirls in the intro, the actual Von Trapp property, etc) – those are all located outside of the Salzburg city center and not convenient to reach on foot.

This is why (if Sound of Music is a high priority for you), you should book a tour to save yourself some trouble.

Click here to check prices and reviews on the classic Sound of Music Tour

Residenzplatz in Salzburg Austria
Hey it’s the same fountain!! Do you recognize it now? 😉

Salzburg is an excellent base for many amazing day trips, so if you have extra time, consider spending the night

Okay so I recognize that this is tremendously contradictory advice for a “Munich to Salzburg DAY TRIP” article, but I think I should let you know that Salzburg is surrounded by some of the coolest sights in Central Europe and if you have extra time, it’s well worth spending a night and squeezing in some more time in the area.

Here are just a few places you could visit as a day trip from Salzburg:

Eisriesenwelt: The largest ice cave in the world, about an hour from Salzburg. Click here to book tickets in advance.

Berchtesgaden: A stunning national park, one of my favourites in Germany. The lakes here are spectacular, and Berchtesgaden itself is a very cute little town. You can get here easily by public transit, but there are tours you can book too for ease. Click here to check reviews and prices.

The Eagle’s Nest: A former meeting place for Nazi officials, perched high above a mountain. This is actually located right by Berchtesgaden and you could get here by public transit quite easily, but it requires a few transfers/waiting. If you prefer a tour, click here to check reviews and prices.

Hallstatt: The cutest postcard village you’ll ever see and from Salzburg, you can easily book a tour to do this day trip easily. Click here to check reviews and prices. PS: You can also follow my Hallstatt walking tour when you get there!

Beautiful viewpoint looking over Hallstatt, Austria

10 Things to do in Salzburg During Your Day Trip from Munich

Okay! Now that we have all the logistics out of the way, let’s get to the fun stuff.

Here are some ideas for things to do in Salzburg.

I know you only have one day, so don’t try to cram this all into one visit. (You can check out my sample, suggested itinerary at the end).

1. Frolic in the Mirabell Gardens

The only thing more beautiful than these perfect Baroque gardens is the story behind them: they were, as many landmarks are, built for loooooove.

That’s right – Mirabell Palace was constructed as a token of love in the 17th century by prince-archbishop Wolf Dietrich for his beloved, Salome Alt. (Meanwhile, I can’t get a text back)

That said, today the palace and its stunning gardens stand for a different kind of love entirely: a love of selfies! 

This supremely photogenic attraction is one of Salzbug’s most popular, for its beauty and of course its prominent feature in the Sound of Music.

I personally adore it here (in spite of the crowds) and advise it be your first stop in Salzburg. That way,  you can immediately immerse yourself in the city’s Baroque beauty.

Mirabell Gardens, Salzburg
Frolic frolic frolic

2. Visit the Hohensalzburg Fortress

This imposing fortress that looms 500m above the city is a must visit while in Salzburg.

Not only is it fully preserved, it flaunts one of the best views in town, which you can work for by walking up…… or you can do it the easy way: catching a funicular that whizzes you all the way up.

Construction on this bad boy began in 1077, and today it’s recognized as one of the largest medieval castles in Europe.

3. Explore the Salzburg Old Town

The Salzburg Old Town may be the busiest, most touristic part of the city, but for good reason.

A quick stroll and you’ll soon discover why Salzburg is a protected UNESCO Heritage Site.

Swing carousel in Residenzplatz in Salzburg, Austria
mpzPhoto by Patrick Langwallner on Unsplash

While Salzburg is best explored and discovered through wistful wandering, don’t miss the following:

  • Ducking into the spectacular Salzburg Cathedral
  • Strolling down the mega picturesque Getreidegasse (and the equally pretty Sigmund-Haffner-Gasse)
  • Admiring the fountain in Residenzplatz
  • Saying hey to Mozart’s bright yellow Gebursthaus (birth home)
  • Admiring the postcard-perfect Alte Markt.
Alte Markt in Salzburg, Austria
Alte Markt – can you see why I love it?

4.Visit Salzburg’s spectacular churches

Dramatic pamphlets will declare that Salzburg is “the Rome of the North” thanks to its sheer abundance of churches… and while I’m not sure that’s the best comparison, there’s no denying that Salzburg does have some VERY good looking churches.

Besides the obvious Salzburg Cathedral, be sure to stop by St Peter’s Monastery + Cemetery, the Franziskanerkirche and the Nonnberg Convent (said to be one of the oldest in the German-speaking world, and also home to Maria’s abbey from the Sound of Music).

Church steeple close-up in Salzburg, Austria
Photo by Jo Arounding on Unsplash

5. Keep an eye out for the city’s modern art installations

While best known for Baroque, Salzburg has a modern side that many don’t actively seek, most notably in the form of modern art installations and sculpture parks scattered around town.

You can learn more about the different modern art installations around the city on the official Salzburg website. 

… You might even find giant pickles 😉

6. Make time for a unique museum

If you’re more on the hunt for culture, Salzburg is a small city, but one that has a slew of unique museums on offer.

While I don’t think you should spend too much time in museums if you only have a day, visiting one of these would make for a lovely rainy day activity during your Salzburg trip:

Mozart’s Birthplace: Probably the most famous and most-visited museum in Salzburg. This is where Mozart was born, and trust me: it’s impossible to miss thanks to its bright yellow colour and consistent mass of visitors out front at all hours of the day. Address: Getreidegasse 9

Christmas Museum: If you can’t make it to Salzburg in time for Christmas season, you can still get a taste of the festivities through the Salzburg Christmas Museum, filled with 11 different sections of themed displays. Address: Mozartplatz 2

Marionette Museum: Yes, that’s right – marionettes… like puppets! This one is up at the Hohensalzburg Fortress and is included with your fortress ticket, so don’t miss it. It’s a pretty small museum (and mildly creepy if you’re scared of dolls like me), but still unique and worth a quick stop. Address: Festung Hohensalzburg

Close-up of a marionette in the marionette museum in Salzburg, Austria
Photo by Alin Andersen on Unsplash

Water Museum: AKA the Wasser.Spiegel, and yes – it’s an entire museum dedicated to water supply, testing and all other water-related goodness. Not exactly my cup of tea, but might be interesting for some! Definitely unique. Address: Mönchsberg 16b

Hangar-7: This one is located by the airport, so probably not doable in a day but still worth a mention. Did you know that the Red Bull headquarters are located just outside of Salzburg, and that the Red Bull founder, Dietrich Mateschitz, himself is Austrian? Well, Hangar-7 is his baby – a collection of historical airplanes, helicopters, Formula One cars and just a general celebration of bro-ey gadgets (as is consistent with the Red Bull brand). There’s even a Michelin star restaurant here called Ikarus. Address:

Sound of Music World: Lastly, for Sound of Music buffs, the Sound of Music World is a must. In it, they bring together fiction and reality with an exhibition that contrasts the world-famous film with the story of the real Von Trapp family. Filled with prop, video installations, documents are more – I definitely have this on my list for my next Salzburg trip!

7. Enjoy a beer garden

Your Salzburg travel day won’t be complete without trying some beer.

I mean hey, you’re not in Bavaria anymore but you’re still not safe from the clutches of central Europe’s favourite refreshment 😉 Click here for a list of beer gardens to visit.

Beer at sunset in Salzburg, Austria
Image by Wolfgang Zimmel from Pixabay

8. Take on a fun experience/tour

I’ve always been a big fan of enjoying memorable experiences vs. solely sightseeing, and Salzburg has plenty of interesting and unique experiences that you can book if that’s the kind of trip you’re after.

Here are some fun tours/experiences you can test out during your Salzburg trip:

Salzburg Polaroid Tour: You get shown around by a guide while you use vintage polaroid cameras to capture your special moments (and duh, keep the photos as the best souvenir ever). Really cute idea!

Learn how to make apple strudel: This delicious activity is a must if you’re eager to take a piece of delicious Austria back home with you. In this class, you learn how to perfect the art of a great apple strudel (and no doubt eat the final product afterward).

Salzburg Ghost Tour: Unashamedly touristy, this is a fun alternative tour for you to take if you want to see Salzburg under a new sinister light. This tour is said to “follow the paths of witches, torturers, and executioners of centuries past” so grab your scaredy cat friends and have a night you won’t forget.

A fancy dinner & Mozart concert: Lastly, if you’re looking for a truly unforgettable/magical experience, you can book this 3 course dinner set to a Mozart concert (ft. artists in period costumes). If you fancy a step back in time before stepping back home, this might the experience for you.

Horse carriage in Salzburg Austria
Photo by Yasen Iliev on Unsplash

9. Take a stroll along the river

I honestly feel like the Salzach River (the main river that cuts through the heart of Salzburg) is one of the city’s most underrated spots.

I mean sure, the city’s architecture IS amazing, and there are plenty of other attractions to keep you busy, but with how busy the Old Town gets, one of the most pleasant things to do in Salzburg (in my opinion) is a leisurely stroll along the Salzach, admiring the thirteen bridges that dot the river along the way.

PS: The simple and unassuming Mozartsteg is actually one of the city’s most popular, thanks to its brief cameo appearance in the Sound of Music.

Mozartsteg in Salzburg, Austria
Mozartsteg

10. Get an incredible view over the city

Last but not least, Salzburg is one of my favourite cities to drool over from above, so you HAVE to get a good view at some point during your visit.

There are a lot of great viewpoints, but here are some of the best:

From the Museum der Moderne Mönchsberg: You can take an elevator up, but I walked and it was quite a lovely, peaceful mini-hike. There’s also a restaurant/bar up here called M32 with a great outdoor terrace. If the weather is good, grab a drink here – it’s so worth it, although I’ve heard mixed reviews about the food. While here, our server even gave us free passes for the lift down, which was a nice surprise! Of course, I need to mention to my fellow Sound of Music fans that this is the view from the abbey. 😉

Kapuzinerberg: A nice spot for a little hike, offering refuge from the bustle of the city center, but a little out of the way of other main sights.

The walk down from the Hohensalzburg Fortress: The view from the fortress is (in itself) incredible, but I actually prefer the views you get while walking down (or up I guess, if you’re a real go-getter). The walk over to the Nonnberg Abbey is also worth it if you have some time.

Beautiful view over Salzburg
Vieeeeeews

Munich to Salzburg Day Trip Suggested Itinerary

NOTE: I’m a pretty intense traveller and I enjoy squeezing the most out of every second, so this is a rather packed schedule but I promise it will help you make the most of your day trip to Salzburg! Enjoy!

MORNING:

Head to the train station and get your tickets! [Detailed instructions were above]

Remember, the Bayern ticket is only valid from 9am onwards on weekdays, so my recommendations reflect that.

I would grab a sandwich or pastry from the train station (Yorma is great and cheap) so that you aren’t starving by the time you arrive in Salzburg. That said here are the trains I would catch:

[On a weekend] Catch the 07:56 train from Munich HBF to Salzburg HBF

[On a weekday] Catch the 09:55 train from Munich HBF to Salzburg HBF. If you want to get to Salzburg earlier, there is a train at 08:56, but your Bayern ticket won’t be valid yet. If you don’t mind getting on a stop after and risk not getting a seat, the workaround is you can hop on at Munich Ostbahnhof instead which departs the Ostbahnhof station at 09:03. Yes, by then your Bayern ticket will be valid and you get to Salzburg earlier! I know, it’s annoying how they’ve timed it like that. Grrr…

Meridian train from Munich to Salzburg
This is what your train will look like – yay visuals

Following these times, you’ll arrive in Salzburg in the late morning.

Once you arrive to Salzburg HBF, grab a pastry and coffee to go (there are lots of places inside the train station), then proceed by foot to the Mirabell Gardens and enjoy your morning treat in one of the most scenic settings imaginable.

This is where a lot of the Do Re Mi scene in Sound of Music was filmed, so feel free to twirl, frolic, dance and sing your way around.

There will probably be loads of people there, but I compel you to go live your best life.

PS: Don’t miss the random little dwarf sculpture park right next to the garden.

After you’ve properly caffeinated, on foot, continue to the Makartsteg, a little footbridge that provides amazing views of Salzburg, and is studded with colourful love locks which is either adorable or annoying, depending on who you ask.

Close up of love locks in Salzburg, Austria
Photo by zhang xiaoyu on Unsplash

Make your way up to the Hohensalzburg fortress and work up an appetite for lunch.

You can take the funicular up or brave a short but huffy-puffy walk.

There’s a wonderful viewpoint while walking up, but you’ll get a great view from the fortress itself as well. I would budget about an hour to spend exploring the fortress… maybe a bit more if you don’t start to get hangry.

The stunning view from Hohensalzburg Fortress
The stunning view from Hohensalzburg Fortress

AFTERNOON:

After your visit, it’s time to have lunch!

Every time in Salzburg, I’ve been non-stop go go go and usually settle for a quick takeaway sandwich.

If you’re looking for something cheap and quick though, a lot of people swear by the quick eats from Salzburger Grill Imbiss and also the Balkan Grill – both of which serve up typical Austrian fast food like sausages.

I would grab something to-go and find a place to sit (maybe by the river!) to relax and enjoy.

Salzburg is too pretty a city to waste it waiting around in a restaurant.

After you’ve finished stuffing your face, it’s time to walk off those calories and enjoy the Baroque splendour that Salzburg is known for.

Dedicate your afternoon to slowly enjoying the Old Town, ducking into side streets and discovering why Salzburg is recognized as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

I would definitely recommend walking away from the most congested areas, because Salzburg is best enjoyed in peace, BUT a few places of the touristy spots you can’t miss are the Salzburg Cathedral, Residenzplatz, St. Peter Cemetery and Catacombs and of course the supremely photogenic Getreidegasse.

My personal favourite square is the Alte Markt – it’s just so cute.

If you have time, I’ve heard the DomQuartier is well worth the admission fee. Click here to reserve a ticket in advance.

After so much exploring, I think you’ve earned yourself a drink. If weather allows, why not enjoy one of Salzburg’s beer gardens, or for something a little more “upscale”, proceed to M32 for a sunset drink with a spectacular view.

Beer time at M32 in Salzburg, Austria
Doing what I do best: drinking beer and taking names… I mean enjoying views

EVENING:

For dinner, stop by Augustiner Bräustübl, a Salzburg institution. Or I can also recommend Triangel, which is more intimate but very cozy and delicious.

Then, after you’re (presumably) too full to move.

Catch the train from Salzburg to Munich at 9:15pm and be back in Munich by 11:15pm.

Promptly faceplant into your bed and enjoy a good night’s sleep.

View of Salzburg from the Salzach River
*sobbing* don’t make me leaaaave!

Do you have any more questions about doing a Munich to Salzburg day trip?

I feel like I’ve thrown enough information your way, so all that’s left is to wish you an awesome trip! If you have any more questions about what I’ve written above, feel free to leave me a comment. Safe travels!

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🏨 Booking.com: For searching hotels

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✈️ Google Flights: For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

🎉 GetYourGuide: For booking activities

11 thoughts on “How to Plan a Salz-ational Day Trip from Munich to Salzburg”

  1. Very well written. So much information served with hints of humor preventing the reader from dozing off.
    Thanks for all the efforts you took. I will follow the itinerary in my trip in June.

    Reply
  2. This would be perfect, except, somehow you missed the BEST Sound of Music thing in all of Salzburg, the Sound of Music show at the Marionette Theater! It’s a little different version of the story than the movie, but pretty close and it’s awesome to see marionettes doing the marionette show of goatherd song. I think you need to go back now to do this!

    Reply
  3. Lovely blog! I’m absolutely going to use this for my trip to Salzburg. Do you have a preference to which side on the train one should sit, left or right in travel direction, to get the best views enroute Salzburg in the train?

    Reply
    • Hi Bhavani, it has been a while since I’ve done this trip but if I remember correctly, sitting on the right side gives you the most amazing view as you roll into Salzburg (you see the fortress and everything) – super beautiful! Hope that helps.

      Reply
  4. I’m excited to bring my two teens to Salzburg in August! We’ll only have a day; I appreciate your tips. I haven’t been there since 1993, and I’m sure my memories are skewed! 😉 (I’m also sure things have changed quite a bit.) Thanks for sharing all of these pointers.

    Reply
  5. Thanks for this post! Trying to decide if we should do a block of several nights in Munich, or a few there and then a couple in Salzburg. Might do the latter since we will have a car for a couple months, and can then get over to Halstatt!

    Reply

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