How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps

Planning an Epic Road Trip Through the Alps

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Back during the last week of summer, at the tail end of our Balkan adventure, there’s one pretty significant portion of our sojourn I failed to tell you guys about, which is surreal as it was the best part of all: SVV and I went on a week-long road trip through the Alps of Austria and Germany. And it was magical.

How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps

It was also a bit impromptu.

How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps

The trip itself was not—we’d had our flights and river cruise with my family booked for nearly a year—but after the ship docked in Romania, we were scheduled to fly onto Turkey for the last leg and a little bit of time on our own. Due to recent circumstances over in those parts, however, we completely altered the itinerary for our trip just weeks before our departure. Sure, we could have just flown home after the cruise, but SVV and I wanted to go somewhere else, somewhere easy, somewhere we could rent a car and just … drive. We also didn’t want it to be too far from Bucharest, so the closer, the better.

We were all over the map, quite literally, when it came to choosing where we’d spend that final week. Did we go somewhere new? Somewhere remote? Somewhere urban? Somewhere beachy?

How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps

In the end, we wound up returning to a pair of places we’ll continue to visit time and time again: Germany and Austria.

How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps

Why? For many reasons. One, the food. There’s no denying Bavarian cuisine is some of my favorite in all of Europe. Two, it’s one of the most efficient regions in the world. The public transit runs on time; the buses, trains and trams are super clean; and the whole system is impeccably reliable. Three, we’ve both driven through Germany and Austria a number of times and knew they made for great road trips—nothing crazy to expect on the autobahn; we could just pick up our rental car at the Vienna airport and go. Four, the people of Bavaria are some of the nicest, most welcoming you’ll ever meet. Five, the Alps is one of the most Instagram-worthy regions you’ll find anywhere.

How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps

Basically, going back was a no-brainer for both of us.

But most importantly, Germany has long been a mutual favorite place of ours. In fact, we’ve always said that if we moved abroad on a more permanent basis, it would likely be to Munich or maybe even Berlin. It’s also interesting to note that this trip brought our relationship full circle. When we first met as post-grad students in Holland in 2005, we spent our winter break traveling through Hungary and Romania—both of which we visited prior to our Austrian road trip—and then Christmas’d in a snowy winter wonderland Vienna before SVV went onto Salzburg to do some skiing on his own.

How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps

This time around, though, it was all a bit different, namely the weather. Being September, the days were still warm and relatively long. I haven’t been in the Bavarian Alps during summer since I was 20 years old, and I couldn’t wait to see all the small mountain towns—and, let’s be honest, beer gardens—alive with greenery and buzzing with activity. September was also ideal as it wasn’t as busy as, say, June or July, so we didn’t encounter any traffic or have to wait in line anywhere.

How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps

With friends up in Munich, we ultimately decided to start there and weave a big loop through the Alps and end back in Vienna for our flights home. Upon landing there on a Thursday, we drove to the Bavarian capital where we stayed for two nights, before winding our way back south again. Over the following five days, we’d hug the border between the Austrian and German Alps and dip in and out multiple times.

How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps

What I love the most about this region is it’s so multi-faceted: amazing nature, quaint Alpine towns and killer Bavarian cuisine. It’s pretty much the perfect destination if you ask me.
How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps

Had we an extra week to spare, we would have tacked on Switzerland, as well, as it’s easily up there with Germany as one of my favorite countries in the world. I’ve been to Switzerland a handful of times in the past, both on a solo trip—during which I went canyoning through Interlaken, took the funicular to the top of the Matterhorn in Zermatt and kicked up my feet at Lucerne—and on group trips where I found myself mountain biking high above St. Moritz, testing my wits on a via ferrata and eating all the fondue in Zurich.

How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps
How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps

After all, I still have plenty quintessential Swiss experiences to eventually check off my bucket list: hiking a glacier, visiting the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, soaking in the thermal baths of Leukerbad or even learning to play the alphorn. It seems like a shame to be so close to Switzerland and not pay it a visit.

But I’ve also learned a few things about trying to cram too much into a single trip, and we wanted to take time to stop and smell the roses (or rather, in this case, sunflowers) and not be in too big of a rush.

How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps

After we drank our way through the beer gardens of Munich, we departed mid-afternoon on a Saturday and were elated to find the Alps weren’t even an hour away, nor was our first stop of Neuschwanstein Castle. The inspiration for the Disney castle, this beauty situated high up in the mountains is somewhere I’ve always wanted to see. Unfortunately, we arrived within an hour of closing time, so we did more of a drive-by, still being able to marvel at the Romanesque Revival palace from afar as we continued over the border into Austria to our home for the night: Reutte.

How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps
How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps

Pro tip: In summer months, tickets to Neuschwanstein Castle often sell out, particularly on weekends, so it’s wise to book them online in advance, sometimes even weeks prior to your arrival.

Though the crowds were few in the other towns we drove through, seeing as it was the final week of summer, many Germans and Austrians were on one last vacation, so I thought we might have trouble traipsing into town and finding accommodation last minute—as you know, when traveling (or even at home), I’ve been known to plan my days down to the half-hour, yet promised my laid-back California-born husband I’d try to take the “impromptu” nature of this trip to heart—and while many were booked, we found the most fantastic little hotel with views like this:

How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps

How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps
How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps

How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps

The receptionist was one of the friendliest people we met the whole trip, and she pointed us to the perfect dinner spot, then in the direction of the gondola the following morning.

With clear skies on our side, we couldn’t pass the opportunity to ride halfway up the mountain for views over Tyrol. This area of the Alps is rife in gondola experiences, and had we had more time, we would have taken a ride on them all, particularly Zugspitze just beyond the border back on the German side.
How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps

But with five days and a laundry list of things we wanted to see, we had to prioritize and limited our rides up the mountain to just two, one in Reutte and the other in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps

After we took a meander around Reutte, we ventured on over into Germany again. This is where things got tough: How do you choose between one awesome experience and another? We really wanted to see Lake Königsee, but after several people recommended Mittenwald via my Instagram, one Google Image search told me all I needed to know: We’d be going there, no doubt.

How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps
How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps

The more you know: If driving from Germany into Austria, you need a sticker called a “motorway vignette.” Many rental car companies will issue this to you if you tell them you’re crossing the border, but if not, you can stop in at any convenience store or gas station to purchase one.

How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps

The German municipality of Mittenwald lies in the heart of the Garmisch-Partenkirchen area, where we’d later find a hotel for the night. I knew nothing of this town before arriving—in fact, we initially planned to spend the entire week in the Austrian side of the Alps—but it wound up being well worth the trip.

How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps

First thing was first after arriving in Mittenwald: We needed lunch. So we found a nice patio; ordered a couple of beers, a feast of pretzels and Weisswürste (white sausages), one of Germany’s specialties; and were ready to continue our day (well, after I indulged in a strudel, too, of course—I seriously could not get enough of Bavarian cuisine!).

How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps

As we decided our next move, a parade carved through the center of town; a dozen or so lederhosen-clad musicians clanged their way right through Mittenwald’s core as us tourists gawked. It was almost like being back at Oktoberfest, but even more authentic.

How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps
How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps

But our time in the Alps was just getting started. After all, we still had the outdoors to tackle and were in the heart of prime hiking territory…

How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps

Looking to emulate our trip through the Alps? Let these posts guide you:

How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the Alps


 

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How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the #AbsolutelyAlps
How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the #AbsolutelyAlps
How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the #AbsolutelyAlps
How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the #AbsolutelyAlps
How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the #AbsolutelyAlps
How to Plan an Epic Road Trip through the #AbsolutelyAlps
COMMENTS
  • December 18, 2016

    Pretty! A beautiful part of the world.

  • December 18, 2016

    Simply stunning! My husband has been to Bavaria several times for business and it ranks as his favorite place in the world. I’ve never been (though I have been to Switzerland) but it is at the top of our travel wish list so I hope to make a road trip like this happen soon! Oktoberfest here we come!

  • December 18, 2016

    Gorgeous! I’m finally checking Switzerland off my bucket list next summer – I’m booked for a 15 day hike through the Alps. I have a few days at the end and not sure yet where I’ll spend them – like you said, it’s tempting to cram another country in, as I’m dying to see Munich, but I’m going to let the airline prices decide 🙂

  • December 18, 2016

    I’ve been eye-to-eye with the Alps for the first time in my life when I visited Chamonix last week. This little town in France is at the foot of the Mont Blanc and I’m itching to go back! I would love to visit Bavaria in winter when all the Christmas Markets pop up! It’s such a beautiful region

  • December 19, 2016

    I looove Switzerland, and I’m definitely realizing Austria has been an oversight of mine. It’s looks so beautiful, as is southern Germany. I love the architecture and the flower boxes in the windows (and the food, and the scenery… :)). Definitely will have to add this to the bucket list for 2017!

  • December 19, 2016

    You know what’s crazy? I really haven’t spent any time in Germany or Austria in all my trips to Europe. But now you’ve got my wheels turning about a 2017 trip. I was thinking Christmastime but summer looks awfully appealing, too.

  • December 19, 2016

    I, too, struggle with trying to cram too much into a single trip – but it looks like you two really found a good balance with this one! What a stunning backdrop for all that fantastic food (and beer!).

  • December 19, 2016

    I am absolutely adoring these photos! Fantastic. Roadtripping through Bavaria was already high on my list, but I think this post just nudged it up further..

  • December 19, 2016
    Kevin Ruel

    What a great vacation idea! It might seem a little cold, but I would definitely plan to go in a warmer season. The pictures are stunning! Definitely on the bucket list!

  • December 19, 2016

    This is such a gorgeous part of the world! I just returned from a Danube River cruise starting in Nuremberg and ending in Budapest. I think I may have eaten my weight in pretzels (with butter and chives!) and sausages.

  • December 19, 2016
    Jennifer

    It looks lovely Kristin! I spent a few days in Zurich over the summer wish I could have explored more of Switzerland but I’ll have to add these spots to my list!

  • December 20, 2016

    Amazing photos and such a good article. Made me want to take this road trip! Glacier hiking and thermal bathes, yes please!

  • December 20, 2016

    This sounds like a dream trip for you and Scott… and maybe one day for me and you! 😉 haha! I dream of road tripping through Europe.

  • December 20, 2016
    Julianna

    It’s so impressive that a lot of the trip was planned at the last minute. Most great trips are fly by the seat of your pants.

  • April 27, 2017
    Leo Sigh

    Wow, your photos are gorgeous.

    I just moved to Vienna last year and getting to the Alps is one of the things on my ‘must do’ list this year. Your photos have definitely inspired me to get going with that plan 🙂

  • July 25, 2017
    Agness of aTukTuk

    Wow! This is one of the most motivational posts I’ve read in a while, Kristin. This is my dream destination. What time of the year would you suggest I should go on this road trip?

  • September 29, 2017
    Luminita

    This is a great idea for a more extensive trip. Such beautiful landscapes, I always enjoy spending more time in the mountains, and the Alps are definitely one of the destinations that should be on everyone’s bucket list.

  • November 27, 2018
    Pete R.

    I’ve been to the Alps many times but never from the Austrian and German side! I’ve only spent time hiking in the Swiss and the French Alps. Maybe it’s time for me to go back to Europe and spend more time there! Great inspiration as always Kristin!

  • August 26, 2019
    Mari

    Love the Alps! Thanks for sharing! You’ve given me some new ideas for next time.

  • May 22, 2020
    Vivian Chong

    Really love the photos and write up. Beautiful landscape!

  • March 31, 2021
    Akshay

    Hi,
    I was searching for road trips that can be full of adventures and then I laned on this blog and I found lots of alps road trip guide, that excites me to go for that same road trip. thank you!

  • May 12, 2021
    Jatin Mehra

    It seems you had an amazing trip..I wish i could go for a road trip like this…Pictures have made me fell in love with this place.

  • June 29, 2022
    aditya

    Great article, thanks for sharing with us! It was really well written and simplified, even little kids can understand the language written here, thanks alot!!!

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