Bavaria and castles - Munich - Neuschwanstein - Garmisch - Berchtesgaden - Campsites near the Alps, P+R in Munich, parking at the castles is paid

🚗 Start of the day — Munich Airport or the central station, finish — Munich. Around 20–35 km of driving during the day, with pure driving time of about 45–70 minutes, because this is not a transfer day but a day of easing into the route. After picking up the car, it is convenient to immediately check the insurance, equipment, the presence of an environmental sticker for entering the Umweltzone, and choose one of Munich’s P+R parking lots if you do not want to drive into the dense city center. Main stops of the day: Olympiapark or Nymphenburg for the first city walk, then the historic center on foot without parking stress. It is best to stay overnight in Munich itself or in the south of the city if you are heading toward the Alps the next day. Road nuances: inside the zone within the Mittlerer Ring, a green environmental sticker is required; in the center there are many paid parking lots and restrictions, so P+R is really more convenient. The day is realistic for an average driver because there are almost no long stretches, and there is time to get used to German road markings, parking machines, autobahns, and city rules.

🚗 Start — Munich, finish — Schwangau or Füssen. About 130–145 km, with pure driving time of around 2 hours. The most logical route goes southwest via autobahns and regional roads to the Hohenschwangau area. Main stops along the way: Wieskirche as a beautiful short stop, viewpoints by Forggensee, and a walk by the lakes before checking in for the evening. The main goal of the day is not to cram everything in at once, but to arrive early enough, park at Hohenschwangau, and calmly walk to the lakes or head up to views of the castles. Parking at the castles is paid, tickets for Neuschwanstein itself are best booked in advance, and from Alpseeparkplatz P4 a shuttle goes to the Marienbrücke area; the last section to the castle remains uphill on foot. It is best to stay overnight in Schwangau: that way you can see the castles in the evening, when there are fewer daytime groups. The day is realistic because the transfer is short, the roads are good, and the main effort is shifted to walking rather than many hours of driving.

🚗 Start — Schwangau, finish — Garmisch-Partenkirchen or Grainau. About 60–75 km, with pure driving time of around 1 hour 15 minutes. In the morning it is convenient to visit Neuschwanstein and/or Hohenschwangau, take your time climbing to the classic viewpoints, then make a short stop at Alpsee or Tegelbergbahn. After lunch — a beautiful but not tiring transfer toward Garmisch through the Alpine foothills. Along the way you can plan 1–2 stops: Oberammergau or Linderhof Palace, if you want to add another royal accent. Road nuances: parking at Hohenschwangau fills up quickly in the morning, and there are many walking sections around the castles; in high season it is better to arrive as early as possible. It is best to stay overnight in Garmisch or Grainau so that the next day can be devoted to mountain locations almost without the car. The day is realistic for an average driver because the mileage is small, and the насыщенность is achieved through sights rather than complicated logistics.

🚗 Start and finish — Garmisch-Partenkirchen / Grainau. Around 35–55 km during the day, with pure driving time of about 1–1.5 hours. This is a comfortable loop day around the main natural highlights of the region. Main stops: Partnachklamm in the morning, then a drive to Eibsee, and if desired, a short stop in Garmisch’s old center. For Partnachklamm, it is better to plan parking by the Olympic complex and continue on foot; the location itself is most pleasant on weekdays before 10:30 or after 15:00, when the flow is lighter. At Eibsee there is official parking with hours of 05:00–22:00, so evening walks need to be planned without stretching things too late. The lake is very convenient for a road trip: access is easy, the circular route around the water is scenic, and it does not require mountaineering training. Overnight stay — at the same base, without changing hotels. The day is realistic because the driver does not get tired, while travelers get one of the most beautiful Alpine days of the route almost without complicated transfers.

🚗 Start — Garmisch-Partenkirchen / Grainau, finish — Berchtesgaden. About 190–210 km, with pure driving time of around 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes depending on traffic on the Munich bypass and the route via A8. This is the longest transfer of the route, so it is best done without overloading the day’s program. Main stops: a short coffee stop after passing Munich, Chiemsee or a viewpoint pause in the Alpenvorland area, then arrival in Berchtesgaden by evening. Road nuances: traffic jams are possible near Munich, especially on Fridays and weekends; it is more convenient to refuel before entering the mountain part of the region, and in rain and fog it is worth driving especially calmly on the final sections. Upon arrival, it is best to simply walk around the center of Berchtesgaden or go up to a viewpoint without a tight schedule. Logically, stay 2 nights in Berchtesgaden or Schönau am Königssee. The day is realistic because this is the only truly transit day, but it still remains within the limits of a normal tourist drive.

🚗 Start and finish — Berchtesgaden / Schönau am Königssee. Around 25–50 km during the day, with pure driving time of about 45–75 minutes. Main stops: parking at Königssee in the morning, Jennerbahn or viewpoints, then one of the national park information spots. This day is designed so that the car is used only as a convenient access tool, not as the main burden. At Königssee it is important to arrive early: parking is in demand, and the region is very popular. After that you can choose your activity level: a calm walk by the lake and promenade, a cable car ride on the Jennerbahn, or an easy trek to viewpoints. In the national park, you need to stick to official trails and nature protection rules; overnight stays outside permitted places and wild camping are not suitable here. It is best to stay overnight in the same place as the previous night. The day is realistic for an average driver because there is almost no tiring driving, and all the energy goes into one beautiful and well-organized Alpine cluster.

🚗 Start — Berchtesgaden, finish — Munich or Munich Airport. About 145–165 km, with pure driving time of around 2 hours. If the flight is not very early, you can make 1–2 stops: Chiemsee for a short walk by the water or Traunstein / Wasserburg am Inn depending on the route you need. If you are returning the car in the city, it makes sense not to drive deep into the center unless necessary, but to use clear city navigation and leave extra time for dropping off the car. If the return is at the airport, the final section is especially convenient thanks to major motorways and clear Mietwagenrückgabe signs. Road nuances: before returning the car, it is better to refuel in advance rather than at the airport itself, where prices are often higher; also leave extra time for traffic around Munich. The day is realistic because it is a direct and uncomplicated final drive that closes the route without rushing or overload.