18 Best day trips from Munich, Germany by train

Munich is a must-see destination in Germany…but that’s kind of the problem.

This Bavarian city dating back to the 12th century gets loads of attention thanks to its captivating Old Town, beer halls, and ease of access to Zürich, Salzburg, and Berlin via Munich Central Station.

And let’s not get started on the many reasons why you should visit for Oktoberfest.

Therein lies the problem: visitors tend to stop in Munich then make their way to other major European cities, completely missing out on the wonderful day trips that you can take without checking out of your Bavarian boardinghouse.

Aerial view of Augsburg, Germany. Image Credit: Getty Images, Vladimir Vins

Augsburg

Munich to Augsburg: from 25m

Long before Munich had a monastery and market, Augsburg was a Roman colony. Head to the Maximilian Museum to find one of their original roads, Maximilianstrasse, near the Maximilian Museum. Just don’t expect any Roman relics in here; this museum centers on late-Renaissance art.

Read also: Best museums to see in Berlin

Wildpark Poing

Munich Hbf to Poing: about 30m

Germany is full of animal sanctuaries and the Wildpark Poing is a great alternative to visiting Tierpark Hellabrunn Zoo. Wander through this forested park’s trail and see deer, European bison, brown bears, lynx, falcons, geese, and more.

Downtown Ingolstadt, Germany. Image Credit: Getty Images, RudyBalasko

Ingolstadt

Munich to Ingolstadt: from 36m

If you are “fearless, and therefore powerful” with a train ticket in your hand, then take a day trip to Ingolstadt, the setting of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Don’t worry, the only people assembling a monster are the mechanics at the Audi headquarters. Take the opportunity to indulge your own Victor Frankenstein at the German Museum of Medicine History or the equally interesting Museum for Concrete Art.

Dachau concentration camp

Munich Hbf (S2 line) to Dachau train station then bus 726 towards Saubachsiedlung: from 30m

The Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site makes for a painful visit, but an arguably necessary one for any western traveler. Dachau was the first concentration camp established during the Nazi regime and became a model for future camps. The horrors that persisted across its decade in operation are not a pleasant history lesson, but an important one all the same.

Chiemsee

Munich to Chiemsee: from 53m

Known as the Bavarian Sea, this lake located halfway between Munich and Salzburg is a relaxing retreat worthy of interrupting your Munich city break. Cycle around the trails, lounge on the beach with a beer, or dive into the water for a swim. Schloss Herrenchiemsee is a beautiful Versailles-like palace in the center of Chiemsee’s main island, though the Frauenwörth Abbey on an adjacent island is worth the ferry ride as well.

Streets of Nuremberg, Germany. Image Credit: Getty Images, sakchai vongsasiripat

Nuremberg

Munich to Nuremberg: from 1h 2m

We’re going to nerd out in Nuremberg at the German Railway Museum. You, on the other hand, might want to indulge in WWII history at the Memorium Nuremberg Trials or Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds. Not into any type of history? Appreciate the city’s fountains like Ehekarussell and The Beautiful Fountain (Schöner Brunnen) while sniffing out Lebkuchen (sweet cakes) and Nürnberger Bratwürste (German sausage).

Wasserburg am Inn

Munich to Wasserburg am Inn: from 1h 1m

Wasserburg am Inn is a great choice for aimless riverside wandering. This small town has the medieval charm you’d expect from older Bavarian villages and a shortlist of attractions that don’t demand a rushed pace. Snap a few photos from the Schöne Aussicht observation deck, meander around the Museum Wasserburg, and enjoy a drink on the riverside.

Kochel

Munich to Kochel: from 1h 5m

Home to the Franz Marc Museum showcasing a fine German Expressionist painter among other artists, Kochel am See doesn’t try to lure you indoors. Instead, it encourages you to see the beauty that only nature can paint. Admire the Schloss Aspenstein against its tree lined riverside backdrop, hike to the Lainbach-Wasserfall, and soak in the serenity from one of the outdoor thermal pools at the spa.

Houses in the fishing district of Ulm, Germany. Image Credit: Getty Images, Bim

Ulm

Munich to Ulm: from 1hr 10m

Ulm will have you torn between two different tourist tracks. The traditionalist will create an itinerary featuring Wiblingen Abbey, Ulm Minster, the Ulmer Rathaus, and the Ulmer Wochenmarkt. Those traveling with kids will take a more modern approach with visits to LEGOLAND Germany, Tiergarten Ulm, and the Donaubad water park.

Lake Tegernsee

Munich to Tegernsee: from 1h 3m

An alpine getaway that discriminates against no season or reason? Lake Tegernsee is a wonderful place for a holiday whether you’re a resident or a visitor. Charter a boat and sail the coastline or get an elevated view from the many hiking trails. On the Tegernsee train station side, you can make an easy trip with a stop at the Olaf Gulbransson Museum and lunch at a café. If you have more time, take the ferry across the lake to Bad Wiessee for the spa and casino.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the Bavarian Alps

Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen: from 1hr 11m

Hit the hillsides on a day trip from Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen — but wander too far off the trails, and you might end up in Austria. You could also go on to Ettal and Linderhof Palace, but staying in Garmisch-Partenkirchen won’t leave you longing for more — especially if you cozy up in the Zum Wildschütz beer garden.

The Stone Bridge in Regensburg, Germany. Image Credit: Getty Images, Harald Nachtmann

Regensburg

Munich to Regensburg: from 1h 23m

Here’s a travel hack: definitely visit Munich for Oktoberfest, but trade a day in their tents for a day trip to Regensburg. Dult is an annual autumn fair full of rides, food, and steins of beer. You can’t go wrong in any season, though; from Christmas markets to summers spent exploring one of Bavaria's best-preserved medieval cities, Regensburg is the right choice for a Munich day trip.

Salzburg

Munich to Salzburg: from 1h 28m

Sing show tunes all the way to Salzburg in anticipation of your Sound of Music tour. Keep the music-focused visit going with a stop at Mozart’s Birthplace museum. The Salzburg Cathedral’s magnificent interior looks just how a choir of angels sounds. Hum out your earworm over coffee and cakes in Café Tomaselli.

Schloss Neuschwanstein near Füssen

Munich to Füssen: from 1hr 58m

Schloss Neuschwanstein is the Disney-like castle that adorns all of the Bavarian postcards. To get there, though, you first need to take the train to Füssen, then take the bus or dreamy horse carriage to the castle complex. Double-up with a stop at nearby Hohenschwangau Castle then appreciate the enchanting landscape with a walk from the castle to Schwangau.

Aerial view of Bamberg, Germany cityscape. Image Credit: Getty Images, taranchic

Bamberg

Munich to Bamberg: from 1h 43m

Where there’s smoke, there’s smoked beer in Bamberg. Rauchbier originated in Bamberg and the Schlenkerla brewery still fills steins of it in Old Town. Sober visitors may still appreciate the Franconian Brewery Museum, but if not, Seehof Castle and Neue Residenz will delight.

Innsbruck

Munich to Innsbruck: from 1h 44m

Should somehow the Bavarian countryside’s snowfall leave you in a state of dismay, Innsbruck welcomes you to sled across the Austrian border and enjoy their fresh powder. Let the Bergisel Ski Jump guide your adrenaline rush. Schloss Ambras Innsbruck looks lovely between the snowflakes, too, if you wish to stay at a low altitude.

Stuttgart

Munich to Stuttgart: from 1h 56m

So you motor on over to Stuttgart only to realize that there’s more here worth parking for than the Mercedes-Benz Museum and Porsche Museum. The City Library at the Mailänder Platz is a bookworm’s dream. Ludwigsburg Residential Palace is a Baroque beauty and the 700 years of art history at Staatsgalerie Stuttgart includes a Picasso or two.

Maria Gern Church and Mount Untersberg in Berchtesgaden, Germany. Image Credit: Getty Images, Cyril Gosselin

Berchtesgaden

Munich to Berchtesgaden: from 2h 31m

Berchtesgaden has a few notable attractions, some of which are more pleasant than others. The Berchtesgaden Salt Mine, functioning since 1517, is the oldest active salt mine in the country. The Dokumentationszentrum Obersalzberg and Eagle’s Nest were special to Nazi party, but today are far more welcoming attractions where you can appreciate a much kinder view.

Germany’s Romantic Road

Not exactly a train journey but a special day trip from Munich all the same, Germany’s Romantic Road will woo you. You can take a private bus from Füssen to Würzburg to see the medieval villages lining the landscape. On some days, you can take a steam train from Nördlingen to Feuchtwangen, just to keep it aligned with your European railway adventure.

Explore the best day trips from Munich by rail. Download the Trainline app and start planning your journey today.

Cityscape of Salzburg, Austria during winter. Header Image Credit: Getty Images, bluejayphoto

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