This year, we made an additional journey in August. Our intention was to visit Munich and take two day trips to Austria. Regrettably, we only managed to go on one day trip to Austria, but it was still a fantastic experience.
BEFORE YOU GO
ADAPTER: If you are traveling from the US, you will need an adapter. Know the wattage of your electronics before you go, so that you know if you need a converter, adapter or both. I have a universal wattage flat iron. It saves me the hassle of worrying if I need an adapter AND converter. Most hotels and Airbnb rentals provide a hair dryer, so just make sure whatever you bring has Worldwide Voltage, or you will also need a converter.
PHONE: Contact your cell phone provider to see what is included. T-Mobile gives unlimited data and texting, but charges $0.25 per minute per call. I have read other companies require you to get a SIM card, so contact your provider for details. You can also download WhatsApp to your phone and call using Wi-Fi to call others who also have the app installed.
If you have T-Mobile, they do offer in-flight connection that gives customers free connectivity with streaming on American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines. This includes data, streaming, and text messaging. All you do is connect to the Wi-Fi and add your phone number to the T-Mobile prompt and you are all set.
CONTACT YOUR BANK AND CREDIT CARD COMPANIES: It's important to let the bank know when you will be out of town so that you won't have any problems withdrawing your money when you get to your destination. You also may need to notify your credit card company of the travel dates. We like to withdraw local currency when we arrive at our destination from a bank ATM in one lump sum. This avoids extra fees for multiple transactions. You can get away with using a credit card almost everywhere, but having some local currency is always a good idea. Some credit cards charge fees for use, so ask about fees for both your ATM and credit cards. There are credit cards that do not charge foreign transaction fees, so if you travel a lot, it's a good idea to have one.
WHERE TO STAY: Central locations are pricier, so if you are trying to stay on a budget don't be afraid to stay on the outskirts near a train or bus stop. Group the sites you want to see within each city and make a decision from there. Things to consider are parking fees if you have rented a car, easy access to metro if you are not staying close to the city center, and if you are in the city center, a walkable location to your sites.
Moxy Munich Ostbahnhof: If you have read previous blog posts, you will know we like to try to find hotels that we can use points for our entire stay. That was the case here. The Moxy is a great hotel with a hipster vibe and attentive staff. We had two rooms for this stay, both had comfortable beds, nice showers and air conditioning. There is a parking garage nearby that charges €20/day. You can access it directly from the hotel elevators. The hotel has lockers at the ground floor if you need to store luggage. The metro is a short walk from the hotel and can get you to the city center in just a few stops. You can see the hotel details here: Moxy Munich Ostbahnhof
CAR RENTAL: Always compare car rental prices. We usually find good luck with Hertz or Sixt when in overseas. Costco can also be a great option for renting. Do some research and go with whoever has the best deal. Be sure you know how to drive a manual if you rent the cheapest option as most cars will be manual. You will pay a bit more for automatic.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE
TRANSPORTATION: Depending on your mode of transportation you will taxi, Uber, rent a car, or take the metro to your hotel. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the country's metro system before you travel so you know what to expect. You may do what we do, which is a combination of car and metro.
Munich Metro Option: There are Group Day Tickets that you can purchase on your phone or at the station that allow up to 5 people to travel on all metro within the city for the entire day. We paid €17.80 for a day ticket. Use the MVV App and you can do it all on your phone. Only one person holds the ticket and needs to put their information in and pay. You do not need to tap in or out like in other countries, you just need to have a ticket purchased and have it available if asked to see it. We were not asked during this trip. MVV Website
Car: We rented a car for our day trips, so we did not have to Uber from the airport to our hotel like we usually do. We prefer this to taking the metro as after a long flight we'd rather not hassle with lugging bags on the train. It can be costly depending on how far you are staying from the airport, so just do some research before you go to see what works best for you. Some countries ask for your International Driver's License when renting a car. Always have it with you when renting a car. You can get one at any AAA office in the US.
SIGHTSEEING
Day 1: Arrival Day. After retrieving our rental car, we headed to the hotel to check in. Both rooms were ready, and we were able to freshen up before heading to the city center. If you arrive and your hotel is not ready, they will let you leave your bags while you go explore while waiting for your room. Many hotels have a restroom in the lobby area if you need to freshen up before heading out. I've been known to change clothes, brush my teeth and freshen up my makeup after a long flight before we go explore. It's never been an issue.
The closest metro station to us was the Munich Ostbahnhof (Munich East) Station. It was a short 7-minute walk from the hotel. We used google maps to figure out which platform to get on to get to the city center. We arrived in the Marienplatz in just 3 stops. This is the main square in Old Town. It's famous Glockenspiel (clock tower) is visible right as you exit the metro station. The clock chimes at 11am, 12pm and 5pm. There is a show with music and movement that everyone stops to see at those times. It's definitely worth seeing.
The Glockenspiel is part of the New Town Hall (Neus Rathaus). It's free to enter and explore. You can take an elevator to the top for a 360 view of the city for €6.50. You can also view the beautiful Juristische Bibliothek (law library), but it was not open the day that we went. I will have photos of the inside of the New Town Hall later in this post. There are also restaurants inside of the building and all around the square to enjoy. Don't miss Wurmeck, the large dragon on the facade of the New Town Hall.
After a quick look, headed to Viktualienmarkt. It's open Mon-Saturday 8am-8pm. This market has fresh produce, food stalls, shops and a beer garden. We found our way to the beer garden to have lunch. There are tons of people, so be prepared. You will know where to sit based on how you plan to eat. If you want a waiter to take your order and bring your food, you will sit at the marked tables with umbrellas. If you want to get food and sit at a table, you need to be on the lookout for people leaving. It's best to send half your party to get food and the other half to hold the table. Everyone is very friendly, and you will be seated in close proximity to strangers. A great way to meet friends quickly! There is also a line for beer if you only want drinks, which is pretty fast.
Bavarian beer is fantastic! The ones in the photo below are the smallest you will get. If you don't drink lots of beer like me, you can order a radler (half sparkling lemonade, half Bavarian beer). If you don't drink alcohol, you can try the Apelshorle. My boys loved it. It's half apple juice and half sparkling water. Very refreshing on a hot day. Of course they also have water and sodas, but the cheapest option is beer.
Next, we headed over to St. Peter's Church. This is the oldest church in Munich and used to be a monastery. You can pay €5 to take the elevator to the top for a great view. Inside you will also find a glass casket with the remains of Saint Munditia. The skeleton is adorned with red and green jewels, glass eyes in her skull, a golden palm in her left hand, and a small glass cup of some kind in her right hand. It's really a site to see, but easy to miss if you don't know it's there. The murals on the walls are gorgeous.
Frauenkirche (Cathedral Church of our Lady) is free to enter. You can pay €7.50 to go to the top to see a view of the city. This church has two tower domes, a bishop's crypt, Whittlesburg monument and the "devils footprint" at the back of the church. No building in the city can be taller than the two "onion towers" of this building. If you are going to the top in the summer, there are no windows open at the top, and it's very stuffy up there.
Day 2: Salzburg, Austria. The drive to Salzburg takes about 2.5 hours. I did some research online and found that the Monchsberg underground car park would be the best option for us to park and walk right into town. Parking is about €6.60 for up to 8 hours with a validated ticket from a local shop. The parking is just before you go through the tunnel. If you forget to validate your ticket, the max you will pay is €24.50 for the day. Additional pricing and information can be found on the website: Parking. There are two garages (A and B), so you should have no problem finding a spot. There are restrooms here as well.
We purchased the digital Salzburg Card for €31/adult. This included all of the sites we wanted to see and transportation for 24 hours. They also have 48 and 72 hour passes if you plan to stay in the area. Definitely look into it and decide if it makes sense for your trip to Salzburg: Card Information.
Once parked in the garage, walk through the tunnel and you will see Herbert-von-Karajan-Platz, a plaza with a horse statue and mural on the walk to old town.
Continue along the road until you reach the Grunmarkt. At this spot, you can sample local cuisine, browse for souvenirs, and buy other presents. Feeling hungry, we made a beeline for the Balkan Grill, conveniently located right off of Getreidegasse, a charming pedestrian shopping street adorned with wrought iron hanging signs. Enter the passage leading to the renowned Basna Stand - the experience is definitely worth it!
Salzburg is famous for being the birthplace of Mozart. Strolling along Getreidegasse, you will come across the house where he was born, now transformed into a museum. Admission to this museum is covered by your day pass.
During our stroll to our next stop, we made a brief visit to Kollegienkirche (free to enter).
At every corner, you can find murals and stunning architecture.
St Peter's Church is absolutely breathtaking. It features a blend of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo architecture due to renovations carried out throughout the centuries.
Right nearby, you will find St Peter's Abbey which includes a small chapel, cemetery, and catacombs. Here is a glimpse inside of the small chapel.
St Peter's Cemetery: One of Austria's oldest Christian burial grounds, St Peter's Cemetery features graves adorned with candles, fir branches, and flowers, creating a garden-like atmosphere. The perimeter also boasts decorated crypts.
The Catacombs: Admission is free with your Salzburg Pass. You can pause halfway up to capture some photos with stunning views.
Ride the FestungsBahn (funicular) to reach Hohensalzburg Fortress. Plan to spend around an hour exploring the fortress thoroughly and enjoying the stunning panoramic views of the city. Entrance is free with your Salzburg Card.
At Kapitelplatz, you can spot the Goldene Kugel statue (a man standing on a golden sphere). We paused here to do some shopping and enjoy a pretzel.
In the center of Residenzplatz there is a stunning baroque fountain.
Mozartplatz features a statue of Mozart at its heart, with benches available for a quick rest. Nearby, you can find Mozartsteg (Mozart's Bridge) for crossing the river, offering a pleasant scenic stroll towards our next stop.
Mozart Residence is a museum located in the house where Mozart resided, on the opposite side of the river from his childhood home. He lived in this residence with his family before relocating to Vienna.
Mirabell Gardens are a very popular spot for fans of The Sound of Music. The gardens are open to the public free of charge, offering a view of the fortress from their grounds.
Our last destination was Augustiner Braeu Mulln for a meal and some beer. Guests have the option to dine indoors or outdoors. There are food stalls available as well as a separate queue for ordering drinks. Alternatively, you can bring your own food and purchase only beverages. Payment for drinks is made at the counter. When ordering beer, you can choose a stein from the wall, rinse it, and then hand it along with your receipt to the bartender. The beer is served directly from the barrel. Additionally, sodas are also available for purchase. There is a wide variety of food options both indoors and outdoors.
Day 3: Our day began with a visit to the bakery. My son particularly liked the pretzel with cream cheese and chives on top. There are numerous options to choose from at the metro station or various squares.
We took the metro to Marienplatz and got to watch the Glockenspiel 11am show. I won't share the video, so you can have the experience firsthand.
Admission to the Munich Residence Palace is priced at €10 for adults and €9 for students (student ID required). Tickets come with an audio guide for your tour of the palace, which is a must-visit attraction in Munich. The first room you'll encounter is the Ancestral Gallery, a tribute to the House of Wittelsbach. Right beside it is the Shell Grotto, a unique chamber constructed from volcanic tuff and adorned entirely with Bavarian freshwater shells.
The Aquarium is the oldest room in the Residenz, serving as a grand banquet hall and showcasing a variety of busts, statues, and paintings. The paintings in the arches depict 120 Bavarian villages as they appeared in 1550.
The palace is filled with ornate rooms adorned with intricate decorations. I've never seen anything like it.
The Viscardigasse (golden brick path) provided a means for individuals to bypass saluting Hitler. At Odeonsplatz, you can visit Feldherrnhalle, a memorial to the Bavarian military, and the Theatine Church.
While strolling through Hofgarten, we paused at the Dianatemple and enjoyed listening to a woman playing the piano. It's a wonderful spot to relax and unwind away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Towards the end of Hofgarten, you'll come across the War Memorial honoring the fallen soldiers.
When visiting the English Garden, there are several areas to enjoy. One of these is the Eisbach wave, where you can watch surfers catching waves. Additionally, there is another surfing area in the park.
There are several pathways and bridges in the garden for strolling, while others enjoy sunbathing on the grass by the river.
We had lunch at Biergarten Am Chinesischeen Turrn under the pagoda. A band performed above us, providing pleasant music to accompany our meal and drinks in the park. Upon receiving your glasses, you are also given tokens. Returning the glasses and tokens allows you to receive a partial refund. The boys opted for Apelshorle each, while I chose a radler. Delicious! Following our meal, we strolled up to Monopteros (a Greek temple offering views of the garden and the city).
Featuring various paintings and sculptures, the Alt Pinakothek offers a discounted admission fee of €1 for museum visits on Sundays in Munich.
We had dinner at Hofbraunhause. The building is massive, and we were fortunate to find a table before the kitchen closed. The live music is fantastic. The food is decent, but I believe people come here mainly for the ambiance.
Day 4: Munich. Unfortunately, we had to cancel our day trip to Hallstatt, Austria because my husband fell ill with food poisoning. The boys and I decided to take the opportunity to discover more of Munich.
Within the New Town Hall, visitors can discover various shops and restaurants, as well as explore the Old Town Hall and its walkways. Although we had planned to visit the elaborate Library, it was unfortunately closed during our visit to the building.
While shopping for souvenirs, we visited a cuckoo clock store where a lady kindly detailed the distinctions between the various clocks for us. This information assisted us in choosing which clock to buy. I purchased the first clock pictured below.
Tip: When searching for souvenirs, we always make sure to explore nearby grocery stores and shops near our hotel. Sometimes, you can find great items at discounted prices.
We decided to have Ramen for dinner. Always a favorite in our family.
That's all. We had a good time, but we wish we had more of it. I hope this helps with planning your trip to Germany.
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