Major city · Germany
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Give it 2–3 nights: one full day for the Zugspitze or Partnachklamm, one for the Garmisch-Classic lifts or a valley hike. Skip it as a Munich day trip in winter.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen sits at the foot of the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain, in the Werdenfelser Land of Upper Bavaria. It is the country's main winter-sports town and a 1936 Winter Olympics venue, and it works as a base for the Zugspitze, two gorges, the Garmisch-Classic cable cars and day trips into Austria. Two or three nights covers the mountain and one gorge without rushing; one night only makes sense if the Zugspitze is your single goal.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for hiking and lifts; Jan–Mar for skiing
- avoid Nov (lifts and huts close, wet and grey); Christmas and February school holidays for crowds
- Airports
- MUC · INN
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Germany ↗Germany is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Germany ↗Nazi symbols and gestures are criminal offences, including as jokes or souvenirs.
- Germany ↗Many city centres are low-emission zones: a car needs the right sticker (Umweltplakette) to enter.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Garmisch-Partenkirchen112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Garmisch-Partenkirchen, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Germany-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelekom, Vodafone and O2 are the networks; Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect and congstar resell them cheaply in supermarkets and electronics shops.Germany-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.Germany-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or add 5–10%; say the total you want to pay as you hand over money or card.Germany-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Germany-wide
- SafetyA low-crime resort town; the real risks are mountain weather, wet gorge paths and altitude on the Zugspitze.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsStation toilets cost €0.50–1.50 (≈ US$1–2) (Rail&Fresh WC); restaurant toilets are for customers…Germany-wide
- Emergency numbers112 fire and ambulance · 110 police · 112 Mountain rescue (Bergwacht), Bavaria (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops close on Sundays and public holidays nearly everywhere except stations and airports.Germany-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMUC Munich Airport (Train to Munich Hbf, then 80–90 min to Garmisch; allow about 3 h door to door).
- Getting aroundLocal buses run every 20 min on weekdays (30 min at weekends) on lines 1 and 2 between the hospital…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee and cake in a café€4–8 (≈ US$5–10)
- Street or quick mealDöner or dürüm€6–9 (≈ US$7–11)
- Beer0.5 l in a tavern€4–6 (≈ US$5–7)
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus single fare€1.50 (≈ US$2)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€15–30 (≈ US$18–35)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room€140 (≈ US$170)
- High-end bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room€260 (≈ US$350)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €75 (≈ US$90) · Mid €130 (≈ US$160) · High €250 (≈ US$300)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MUC Munich Airport (Train to Munich Hbf, then 80–90 min to Garmisch; allow about 3 h door to door) · INN Innsbruck Airport (Closer by road via the Fernpass; rail connections via Innsbruck and Reutte)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Care
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Mar
Best
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jun
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Dec
not flagged
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Best: Jan, Mar, Jun–Sep. Mixed: Feb. Avoid: Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Jan (−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C) low), wettest Jun (15 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Garmisch-Partenkirchen: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
10 rd
Feb
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
9 rd
Mar
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
11 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
12 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
14 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
15 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
15 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
14 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
Nov
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
11 rd
Dec
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Local buses run every 20 min on weekdays (30 min at weekends) on lines 1 and 2 between the hospital, the station and the Kreuzeck and Breitenau areas; lines 3–5 loop through Farchant and Burgrain. The Eibseebus runs hourly to Grainau and the Eibsee. Many hotels issue a guest card that covers local buses for your stay (check at check-in). The Zugspitzbahn cogwheel train leaves from beside the main station.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Eibsee
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Eibseebus from Garmisch station, hourly, about 25 min
Lake loop walk of about 1.5 h; go early, the car park fills by mid-morning.
Mittenwald
goDoor to door: About 40–50 min
RVO bus or regional train from Garmisch station
Violin-making town with a walkable centre and the Leutasch gorge nearby.
Oberammergau
goDoor to door: About 1 h
RVO bus from Garmisch station
Painted houses and the Passion Play theatre; buses are infrequent, check times.
Innsbruck
goDoor to door: About 1.5–2 h
Train via Reutte or Mittenwald, or drive the Fernpass
Austria; carry ID. A full day, not a half.
Neuschwanstein and Füssen
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Train or drive via Reutte; the Ulrichsbrücke-Füssen stop is a request stop
Long for a day trip; the castle needs a timed ticket booked ahead.
Munich
skipDoor to door: About 1.5 h
RB6/RB60 regional train from Garmisch station, hourly
Fine as an arrival or departure leg, not as a day out from here.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Garmisch centre (Marienplatz, Bahnhof)
Walk to shops, restaurants and the Zugspitzbahn station; best for a car-free trip.
Partenkirchen (Ludwigstrasse)
Quieter, painted houses, 15–20 min walk or a short bus ride from the Garmisch station.
Grainau and Hammersbach
Village at the Eibsee and Höllentalklamm trailheads; needs a bus or car for town.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–90 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- €100–150 (≈ US$120–180) excl. bed
- High
- €180 (≈ US$250)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or hotel double room1 × 3 nights × €140 | €420 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × €130 | €780 |
| Zugspitze round trip (cogwheel up, cable car down)2 × €50 · family and child rates are lower | €100 |
| Partnachklamm entry2 × €5 | €10 |
| Höllentalklamm entry2 × €4 · summer only | €8 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €20 | €40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €136 |
| Trip total≈ €249 per person per day, bed included | €1,494≈ US$1,800 |
2026 estimate in euro; travel to Garmisch excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and cake in a café | €4–8 (≈ US$5–10) |
| Beer, 0.5 l in a tavern | €4–6 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Bavarian main dish (Schweinshaxe, Käsespätzle) | €12–22 (≈ US$14–30) |
| Döner or dürüm | €6–9 (≈ US$7–11) |
| Local bus single fare | €1.50 (≈ US$2) |
| Zugspitze round tripchild and family rates lower | €50 (≈ US$60) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | €15–30 (≈ US$18–35) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The Zugspitze summit is 2,962 m and about 20 °C (36 °F) colder than the valley: bring a windproof layer even in July.The Zugspitze summit is 2,962 m and about 36 °F (20 °C) colder than the valley: bring a windproof layer even in July.
- Partnachklamm and Höllentalklamm paths are wet, dark and slippery; boots and a torch or phone light are needed.
- Höllentalklamm is open in summer only; check before you set out.
- Weekend and holiday traffic on the Munich road can turn a 1-hour drive into 3 hours.
- Lift and cogwheel tickets are expensive: compare family, group and combination rates before buying.
- The Lodge am Hausberg is a US military facility and needs SOFA ID or equivalent to enter.
Emergency numbers
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
- Police
- 110
- Mountain rescue (Bergwacht), Bavaria
- 112
Pocket card
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Garmisch-PartenkirchenGarmisch-Partenkirchen
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Zu dieser Adresse, bitteTo this address, please
Emergency
- Fire and ambulance112
- Police110
Embassy
The US has a consulate-general in Munich; the UK, Canada, Australia and Ireland have embassies in Berlin and consulates in Munich (check addresses).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Munich Hbf → Garmisch-Partenkirchen, regional train: about 80–90 min; Bayern-Ticket covers it
- Zugspitze round trip: about €50 (≈ US$60) adult
- Local bus single: about €1.50 (≈ US$2), free with many hotel guest cards
Say or show
- Entschuldigung — Excuse me / Sorry (ent-SHOOL-dee-goong)
- Danke — Thank you (DAN-keh)
- Bitte — Please (BIT-teh)
- Wie viel kostet das? — How much is it? (vee feel KOS-tet das)
- Kann ich mit Karte zahlen? — Can I pay by card? (kan ikh mit KAR-teh TSAH-len)
- Wo ist die Toilette? — Where is the toilet? (voh ist dee toy-LET-teh)
Mountain rescue in Bavaria is reached through 112; give your location and route.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep for hiking and lifts; Jan–Mar for skiing · avoid Nov (lifts and huts close, wet and grey); Christmas and February school holidays for crowds · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for MUC: last train from Munich Hbf, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Marienplatz, Bahnhof and Zugspitzbahn, Partenkirchen, Grainau and Hammersbach.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Zugspitze, Partnachklamm, Höllentalklamm, Garmisch-Classic) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and hostile-weather fixtures so gates A–D can go green.