Major city · Germany
Berchtesgaden
Base here 2–3 nights: Königssee boat at opening, Kehlsteinhaus by bus from Obersalzberg, and the Documentation Centre. Skip it as a day trip from Munich.
Berchtesgaden is a small Bavarian Alps town of about 7,500 people in a valley 30 km south of Salzburg, ringed by the Untersberg, Obersalzberg and Watzmann. Two things pull travellers: the Königssee and the national park, and the 20th-century history on the Obersalzberg. Sights sit 5–10 km apart, so the bus network and the Kurtaxe guest card decide how your day works. Two nights is the minimum that covers both; three lets you add a hike or the Rossfeld road.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for hiking and the lake; Jan–Mar for skiing
- avoid Nov (closed lifts, grey valley), peak August weekends
- Airports
- MUC · SZG
- 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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Berchtesgaden112 ▾
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 Berchtesgaden, 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
- SafetyVery low crime; the real risks are mountain weather, avalanche terrain February–April and icy 15% road gradients.
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 (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 (About 190 km (118 mi); train to Munich then Salzburg or Freilassing, roughly 3 h total).MUC Munich Airport (About 118 mi (190 km); train to Munich then Salzburg or Freilassing, roughly 3 h total).
- Getting aroundBuses run once or twice an hour to Königssee, Obersalzberg and the outlying villages; get a Busfahrplan at the station or tourist office.
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 sausage with bread, takeaway€5–8 (≈ US$6–10)
- Beer0.5 l in a brewery tavern€4–6 (≈ US$5–7)
- Metro or bus rideBus single ride within the valley€2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5) (check)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€8–15 (≈ US$10–18)
- Budget bedFerienwohnung (holiday flat, up to 4), a night, per room€110 (≈ US$130)
- 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 €70 (≈ US$85) · Mid €120 (≈ US$140) · High €220 (≈ 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 (About 190 km (118 mi); train to Munich then Salzburg or Freilassing, roughly 3 h total) · SZG Salzburg Airport (About 20 km (12 mi); bus or train to Berchtesgaden in 40–70 min)MUC Munich Airport (About 118 mi (190 km); train to Munich then Salzburg or Freilassing, roughly 3 h total) · SZG Salzburg Airport (About 12 mi (20 km); bus or train to Berchtesgaden in 40–70 min)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Best
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Mar
Best
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jul
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
Care
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°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–Jul, Sep. Mixed: Aug. Avoid: Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)), coolest Jan (−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C) low), wettest Jun (15 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Berchtesgaden: 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)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°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
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
13 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
15 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
15 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
14 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Nov
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
11 rd
Dec
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°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
Buses run once or twice an hour to Königssee, Obersalzberg and the outlying villages; get a Busfahrplan at the station or tourist office. Pay the Kurtaxe and your guest card covers most local buses and cuts some entry fees and parking. The Kehlsteinhaus is bus-only from Obersalzberg, with tickets sold at the Documentation Centre. A car helps for Ramsau, Hintersee and the Rossfeld toll road; pre-order winter tyres if you rent from October to April.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Königssee and St Bartholomä
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Bus 841/842 from the station to Königssee, then the electric boat
First boats fill fast in summer; the boat stops at St Bartholomä and continues to Obersee.
Salzburg
goDoor to door: 1–1.5 h
Train via Freilassing, or the direct bus
Easy half-day or full day; bring your passport, the border is open but ID checks happen.
Bad Reichenhall
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Train or bus north
Spa town with its own salt works; pairs well with a wet day.
Door to door: About 3 h
Train via Freilassing and Salzburg, or bus connections
Too far for a day return; sleep in Munich instead.
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.
Town centre (Marktplatz and Maximilianstraße)
Walk to restaurants, the salt mine bus and the station; best for a short stay without a car.
Bahnhof area
Cheapest beds and the bus hub for Königssee and Obersalzberg; 10 min walk to the market.
Schönau am Königssee
5 km (3.1 mi) south, at the lake car park; go here if the Königssee is your main reason.3.1 mi (5 km) south, at the lake car park; go here if the Königssee is your main reason.
Bischofswiesen and Ramsau
Village guesthouses and Ferienwohnungen; needs a car or bus timetables.
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
- €70–110 (≈ US$85–130) excl. bed
- Mid
- €110–180 (≈ US$130–250) excl. bed
- High
- €180 (≈ US$250)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or hotel double room1 × 2 nights × €140 | €280 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €120 | €480 |
| Königssee boat to St Bartholomä, return2 × €22 · check | €44 |
| Kehlsteinhaus bus from Obersalzberg, return2 × €32 · check | €64 |
| Documentation Centre entry2 × €3 | €6 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €10 | €20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €89 |
| Trip total≈ €246 per person per day, bed included | €983≈ US$1,200 |
2026 estimate in euro; travel to Berchtesgaden 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 brewery tavern | €4–6 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Plate of Knödel or Schweinehaxe in a Gasthaus | €12–22 (≈ US$14–30) |
| Döner or sausage with bread, takeaway | €5–8 (≈ US$6–10) |
| Bus single ride within the valley | €2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5) (check) |
| Salt mine tour | €20–25 (≈ US$25–30) (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | €8–15 (≈ US$10–18) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Kehlsteinhaus buses and the Jenner cable car stop in winter and in bad weather: check the operator's site the morning you go.
- The Rossfeld panoramic road is a toll road; the Austrian motorway vignette is separate and needed if you drive via Salzburg.
- Avalanche risk rises February–April on steep slopes; check the Bavarian avalanche report and do not go above 30% slopes without a local guide.
- Snow on a 15% road gradient is genuinely dangerous: chains or winter tyres, or take the bus.
- Many guesthouses close in November and some restaurants shut one day a week: confirm before booking.
Emergency numbers
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
- Police
- 110
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
BerchtesgadenBerchtesgaden
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Zu dieser Adresse, bitteTo this address, please
Emergency
- Fire and ambulance112
- Police110
Embassy
No embassies in town; the US consulate general is in Munich and most embassies are in Berlin. Austrian and Swiss consulates are in Munich and Salzburg.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Salzburg → Berchtesgaden, bus: about 40 min, direct (check)
- Salzburg → Berchtesgaden, train: about 70 min, direct (check)
- Königssee boat, return: about €22 (≈ US$30) to St Bartholomä (check)
- Kehlsteinhaus bus, return: about €32 (≈ US$40) from Obersalzberg (check)
Say or show
- Grüß Gott — Hello (gruess got)
- Danke schön — Thank you (danke schoen)
- Die Rechnung, bitte — The bill, please (dee rekh-noong, bit-teh)
- Eine Fahrkarte nach Königssee, bitte — One ticket to Königssee, please (eye-neh far-kar-teh nakh koenigs-zee, bit-teh)
- Ist die Bahn heute geöffnet? — Is the lift open today? (ist dee bahn hoy-teh geh-uef-net)
- Kann ich mit Karte zahlen? — Can I pay by card? (kan ikh mit kar-teh tsah-len)
Kurtaxe is charged per night by your host and comes with the guest card.
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 Berchtesgaden. 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 the lake; Jan–Mar for skiing · avoid Nov (closed lifts, grey valley), peak August weekends · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for MUC and SZG: last train and bus times, taxi fallback, late-arrival rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Marktplatz, the station and salt mine, Königssee and Schönau, Obersalzberg.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Documentation Centre, Kehlsteinhaus, salt mine, Jennerbahn) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and avalanche fixtures so the page can flag closed lifts and roads.
Sources
- officialBerchtesgaden municipality
- officialBerchtesgaden tourism
- officialObersalzberg Documentation Centre
- officialKehlsteinhaus
- officialBerchtesgaden salt mine
- officialRossfeld panoramic road
- officialWatzmann Therme
- secondaryWikivoyage: Berchtesgaden, revision 5245755 (CC BY-SA 4.0)