Here’s the thing… in 2005 I travelled to Switzerland – in search of the famed Swiss Alps. I found them.. but it also left a BIG dent in my finances. Ever since then, I have been in search of cheaper alternatives. One of them is this jewel in the Bavarian Alps that is right on the border to Austria.
If you fancy wonderful views coupled with many hiking paths with different difficulty levels ranging from easy to downright Hard then this is the place to be. It is an approximately 45 minutes drive from Salzburg, which makes it perfect for a day trip.
Getting here:
My recommendations are from Salzburg, as it is good as a side trip – Best bet are buses (Cheapest and fastest solution). Its approximately a 45 minutes journey to Berchtesgaden. The tickets costed 5,80 Euros (at the time in 2014.) Check out the OEBB website for timetables and prices. https://tickets.oebb.at/en/ticket/timetable Dep: Salzburg Arr: Berchtesgaden (Bus 840). There are luggage lockers available here in the train station. The Berchtesgaden HBF (train station) seems to be the hub for getting on other buses to explore nearby towns eg Schonau/Königssee (Bus 841) and Ramsau (Bus 846)
Some highlights of this area:
Königssee :
Depending on the season you are visiting, it is prudent to check out what is open and the times for the last ferry or bus , or train. Our visit was by car , making it very flexible indeed.
Some views upon arrival at Königssee – it is a pretty little village with small shops – one selling salt lamps.
Königssee Seelände near the public car park
Hotel by the edge of Königssee.
There is a ticket booth selling tickets for the ferry by the water’s edge. I would recommend checking the timetable of the ferries as well as the prices. http://www.seenschifffahrt.de/en/koenigssee/timetable/timetable/
The passenger ferries are running on electric to retain the cleanliness of the lake. During the winter months (when we were visiting) , the ferries stopped only as far as St. Bartholomä – a 35-minute journey, before turning around. Some hike areas are also closed during this season.
Electric Ferry Boat on Königssee
Königssee is the third deepest lake in Germany at 190m (620 ft) in depth. As you sail further out into the lake – the majestic rock-faced mountains seem to grow up from the lakes. It is quite common on boat tours for a flugelhorn to be played in order to demonstrate the echos that bounce back from the surroundings. Its really impressive! Crystal clear emerald waters feature on the lake.
Emerald clear waters Königssee
Königssee
Couple duck swimming in the cold clear waters of Königssee
Our stop for the day was St. Bartholomä , a Roman Catholic pilgrimage church. It is very picturesque and makes for a nice stop. There is a beer garden, some food, toilets – I read of an ice cave (year round) with a hike from the church but good sturdy shoes are required.
St Bartholomä Church @ KönigsseeCloser look at St. BartholomäThe impressive mountains surrounding the lake
Since we were enroute to Salzburg – we did not spend so much time here but there would be wonderful things to explore like going up Mt. Jenner or to Salet..
Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden
We made a not-to-be-missed picture perfect photo opportunity here – where you will understand why painters sit and paint this exact spot with the St. Sebastian Church , a pretty brook running beside it and a mountain range as a backdrop.
St Sebastian Church at Ramsau bei BerchtesgadenWith the bus 846 from the Berchtesgaden Train Station , it is a 15 minute ride and the 9th stop, Ramsau b Berchtesgaden Kirche.
-Summary-
There is a lot to see and do here in this region or pop in as a day trip from Salzburg. This blog is just the tip of the Alps – I’ll be back !
If you like this, Pin ItKonigsee at the National Park
This is such a beautiful little town. Austria is one of my favorite European countries, so I definitely love how similar this town is to those culturally vibes. I would love to venture through the Alps as well, but as you said, it’s so expensive. This would definitely be a great stop to get a taste of what the Alps has to offer before spending a fortune. This is definitely a national park that I plan to visit soon!
I been to Austria quite a few times but never been to this part of the alps. That church has an amazing backdrop and I would just go there purely for that. However I love my hiking in the alps, I am a total sucker for mountains and lakes so I think now I am going to research this area and see what hiking I can do. Thank you for sharing this beautiful place. Now I want to go sooN!
This is a great suggestion as an alternative to Switzerland, I love everything about Austria!!! I haven’t visited any of the ice caves in the area but have heard good things about them. The image of St. Sebastian Church with the Alps in the background is a picture perfect spot for sure.
I too find Switzerland very expensive. It is great to know that there is an alternative. Austria is one country that I have not visited yet but I am definitely interested in visiting Berchtesgaden. St Bartholoma is definitely a must!
I understand what you mean about Switzerland being expensive. So good to hear you found an alternative affordable way to experience the Bavarian Alps. Good to know you can get to Berchtesgaden National Park by bus from Salzburg. Good tip about checking first to see what is open and closed. We would love to be there when the ferry runs around the lake.
So beautiful! I’m glad you are finding your way to cheaper areas which are perhaps not so known. Many times we end up finding something so awesome which we never knew about. Salzburg looks amazing and I would love to explore the town someday. I absolutely love the mountains!
As someone who loves being outdoors, i really enjoyed reading this. Switzerland was always an expensive option, right from the start, but spending a weekend in the Bavarian Alps, keeping Salzburg as the base sounds like an excellent alternative. Definitely doing this next time I am in Europe.
I’ve also heard that Switzerland is very expensive, but one day I still want to travel there. Thanks for sharing these details on a less expensive alternative! I was hoping to go to Salzburg next year with my husband. I’ll check it out if we do!
This looks completely offbeat and so much fun in the outdoors. St. Bartholoma looks so pretty. I would want to do this and enjoy a different side of Alps.
What a beautiful setting! Good to know that Berchtesgaden is a far more affordable option than the Swiss Alps. I’m curious what makes St Bartholoma a pilgrimage church? I’d never heard of it before.
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Beautiful architecture and nature!
This is such a beautiful little town. Austria is one of my favorite European countries, so I definitely love how similar this town is to those culturally vibes. I would love to venture through the Alps as well, but as you said, it’s so expensive. This would definitely be a great stop to get a taste of what the Alps has to offer before spending a fortune. This is definitely a national park that I plan to visit soon!
I been to Austria quite a few times but never been to this part of the alps. That church has an amazing backdrop and I would just go there purely for that. However I love my hiking in the alps, I am a total sucker for mountains and lakes so I think now I am going to research this area and see what hiking I can do. Thank you for sharing this beautiful place. Now I want to go sooN!
Austria is on my travel Bucketlist, I love exploring small towns whenever I travel. They make me feel like I got transported into a storybook
This is a great suggestion as an alternative to Switzerland, I love everything about Austria!!! I haven’t visited any of the ice caves in the area but have heard good things about them. The image of St. Sebastian Church with the Alps in the background is a picture perfect spot for sure.
I love and miss Berchtesgaden National Park so much!! It’s one of my favorite national parks in the world! Would love to go back one day!
I too find Switzerland very expensive. It is great to know that there is an alternative. Austria is one country that I have not visited yet but I am definitely interested in visiting Berchtesgaden. St Bartholoma is definitely a must!
I understand what you mean about Switzerland being expensive. So good to hear you found an alternative affordable way to experience the Bavarian Alps. Good to know you can get to Berchtesgaden National Park by bus from Salzburg. Good tip about checking first to see what is open and closed. We would love to be there when the ferry runs around the lake.
So beautiful! I’m glad you are finding your way to cheaper areas which are perhaps not so known. Many times we end up finding something so awesome which we never knew about. Salzburg looks amazing and I would love to explore the town someday. I absolutely love the mountains!
As someone who loves being outdoors, i really enjoyed reading this. Switzerland was always an expensive option, right from the start, but spending a weekend in the Bavarian Alps, keeping Salzburg as the base sounds like an excellent alternative. Definitely doing this next time I am in Europe.
I’ve also heard that Switzerland is very expensive, but one day I still want to travel there. Thanks for sharing these details on a less expensive alternative! I was hoping to go to Salzburg next year with my husband. I’ll check it out if we do!
This looks completely offbeat and so much fun in the outdoors. St. Bartholoma looks so pretty. I would want to do this and enjoy a different side of Alps.
What a beautiful setting! Good to know that Berchtesgaden is a far more affordable option than the Swiss Alps. I’m curious what makes St Bartholoma a pilgrimage church? I’d never heard of it before.