On Tuesday 9 November 2010, we arrived in Munich on the overnight sleeper train from Metz, France. We stayed with a lovely Hospitality Club host for 6 days. We visited the following sights during our stay:

Munich Old Town

We caught the underground metro into the city to Marienplatz station. Marienplatz is the main square where the figures on the Glockenspiel dance and perform at 11am and noon daily. The streets around the old town are wonderful for just wandering.

Residenz

We bought the combined 3 attraction ticket: Residenz, Schatzkammer and Opera House The entry ticket includes complimentary headphones for the Residenz and Schatzkammer. We spent a good 2-3 hours looking at all the exhibits. The Opera House which is just next door has been beautifully restored but is very small. A quick 10 minute look around is all you need.

Englischer Garten

The garden is very large, more like a large park. There are wonderful walking trails and it is hard to believe that you are in a city due to the peaceful serenity of the grounds. The Englischer Garten is free to enter but the toilets are not. It is a wonderful place to visit and wander for a few hours. We caught a bus there and back from the city centre.

Neuschwanstein Castle

We took a guided day tour to the fairy tale Neuschwanstein Castle near Fussen. We went with Radius Tours for 42 Euros each (35 Euro + 9 Euro castle entrance). This price includes the 2 hour train trip to Fussen and then a short bus ride from the train station to the bottom of the castle hill. As you arrive around midday, the guide will point out places to eat (lunch not included) while the guide goes and gets all the pre-booked castle entry tickets. After lunch we passed a long waiting line for tickets.

There is a 20 minute uphill walk to the castle. You can take a carriage ride but the lines for it were also quite long. There is also a bus if walking is not suitable for you. The castle tour is conducted with their own guide. Take time to visit the bridge behind the castle as you get a wonderful view back towards the castle and the lake beyond. As time is rather tight, do not linger in the gift shop too long after the castle tour as you will run out of time to go to the bridge. The tour takes about 9 hours and leaves from the Munich Railway Station. It is cheaper and a lot less hassle to take the tour than to try and do it on your own.

Other tours offer to do the 2 castles but we believe it is best to do the one castle only as you then have time to enjoy the bridge view which is special.

Hofbrauhaus Beer Hall

After arriving back from our tour to Neuschwanstein Castle, we and an English couple we met on the Castle tour went to this famous beer hall. It was very crowded and noisy inside but we managed to find a table in the courtyard. The food was fine and we enjoyed drinking beer out of the giant beer steins. It was a fun evening.

Accommodation

We stayed with our lovely Hospitality Club host Sigrid for 6 days.

Transport

We bought the 3 day visitor ticket from the vending machines at the metro stations. These can be used on any public transport and are good value. Remember to validate your ticket in the machines as soon as you buy your ticket.

German Trains

We booked our overnight sleeper train (4 berth) on the German Train website. If you book ahead the website has many special fares.

Munich Train Station

The station is large and has all the facilities you require including a hairdresser and internet caf