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Last updated on October 24th, 2023 at 09:57 am
It’s hard not to feel small, standing on top of Zugspitze; mountains surround you in every direction, encasing you in awe and wonderment. A pristine glacier rests in the bowl below. In the winter, skiers and snowboarders play in a wonderland, while hikers explore the wild terrain in the summer. Zugspitze Mountain, Germany’s highest peak, is an exhilarating day trip from Munich for the adventurous outdoor lover or anyone looking to experience views unlike anywhere else in the world! Just check my photos and tell me if that isn’t one of the best views you’ve seen! Zugspitze from Munich is one for the bucket list and one of my favorite things to recommend to all my visiting friends and family. This post was updated in April 2022 with all the latest details and tips!
Getting From Munich to Zugspitze, Germany’s Highest Peak
Taking the day and traveling from Munich to Zugspitze is the perfect way to see the Alps in all their glory, especially if you’re not a big skier or hiker. The day starts in Munich with a train ride to Garmisch-Partenkirchen. From there, you hop aboard a classic cogwheel train and climb nearly 3,000 meters to the highest peak in Germany. Spend your day exploring the glacier and taking in the stunning views. Take a break to grab Germany’s highest wurst and beer. You can even cross the border between Austria and Germany as often as you want! This trip isn’t the easiest, but it is certainly worth it. I recently made the journey to Zugspitze for the second time in Sept 2019, and we took 12 types of transportation, so be prepared for a long day with lots of logistics. For those who aren’t independent travelers, I will recommend some tours to book that will get you there and back while relaxing.
Booking Transportation from Munich to Zugspitze
How to Save Money with a Combo Ticket
As I mentioned above, a lot of logistics are involved in traveling from Munich to Zugspitze, including several transit companies. If you want to save money, you can buy the Deutsch Bahn Zugspitze Summer or Winter Combo ticket.
However, this can only be done from the main central train station, a DB ticketing booth, or on the train for a 10% surcharge. That’s right, you can not buy this ticket online.
Buying it from the ticketing booth can be done, though it is confusing if you are not used to German train ticketing. I recommend this option for travelers well-versed in ticketing software. If you want someone to walk you through the process, visit the DB Travel Center (Reisezentrum) in the Hauptbahnhof, where you can buy your ticket in person. Depending on the day, the Reisenzentrum can take a while, so if you plan on buying the tickets in person, I suggest you arrive more than an hour before your train or stop by the train station on a day when you have extra time. It seems like it should be a quick process, but sometimes the attendants don’t speak much English, and it takes them a while to book and print the tickets. Also, there can be a serious line in front of you, which means you will be waiting for a while.
Now that I have thoroughly scared you, I’ll hold your hand and walk you through the process, so don’t worry.
While you’re waiting, think of the beauty that waits for you!
The Deutsch Bahn Reisezentrum is commonly mistaken for its info booth. Behind the info booth and to the left, if you are facing away from the train tracks, is a fancy DB travel service center (you can also follow the signs for the DB Reisezentrum). Here, you can buy tickets, reschedule trips, deal with train delays, etc. This center operates like a giant DMV. You enter, get a number, and then wait for your number to be called. On a Tuesday morning in the summer, with minimal people in the area, we waited for about 20 minutes.
NOTE: The Hauptbahnhof in Munich is currently under construction for the next several years. The Reisezentrum is sort of always on the move depending on construction. Look for signs as you enter pointing you in the right direction.
Local Tip: If you are in a hurry, let reception know; they might squeeze you in ahead of other people.
Once your number is called, you can ask the attendant for the DB Zugspitze Combo Ticket. Your price will vary Depending on whether it is the summer or winter season. The 2022 summer price is 73 Euro a person (discounted rate for children), and the winter price is a wee bit cheaper.
Three pieces of paper will print, and the agent will hand them to you in a nice little envelope. DO NOT LOSE ANY OF THESE FOR THE ENTIRE DAY! The first is the round-trip ticket that only gets you from Munich to Garmish on a DB train. The second is a voucher you must turn in later for your Zugspitze pass. The third is a receipt. These tickets will cover you entirely for round trip train, gondola transportation, and cogwheel train, from Munich to the peak of Zugspitze and back again.
The Zugspitze Ticket
If this whole combo business isn’t your cup of tea, or you’re a baller and don’t care about money, you can buy these tickets separately. This option is also for people who don’t need train tickets and want a Zugspitze ticket. If you are in Munich, book your DB train online from Munich to Garmisch-Partenkircehn Hbh. Then, before you board the Zugspitzbahn in Garmisch, you can purchase a Zugspitze Ticket, which will get you up the mountain once and back down using either the cable or train. Buying tickets this way will set you back about 63 Euros per person, but you still need passes for the Seilbahn.
Please Note: Buying an individual pass for the Seilbahn (the large gondola that goes from Eibsee to the peak of Zugspitze) is around 40 Euros per person. If you are not efficient in buying the DB Combo Tickets or the Zugspitze Ticket and do everything separately as you go, you might be spending a lot of money.
What is the Garmisch Classic Ticket?
There is also a third option called the Garmisch Classic Ticket. This option DOES NOT TAKE YOU TO ZUGSPITZE, rather, it allows you to ride Alpspitzbahn to a lower peak. There is a hut for dining and plenty of summer hiking trails and winter views. This option is great for those with limited mobility and those who don’t deal well with higher altitudes. Generally, it is a more accessible option.
The Train from Munich to Garmisch/Zugspitze
With tickets in hand, it is time to board your train if you depart from Munich. Your first leg of the journey will take you from Munich to Garmisch Partenkirchen Hbf. The train leaves from Munich Hbf every hour at 32 past. I always like catching the 7:32, 8:32, or 9:32 train. In my opinion, if you catch it much later than that, you will be rushed for time. The earlier you take the train, the more time you have to explore, not stress about catching the last train back, and relax while drinking Germany’s highest beer at the top of the mountain. Trust me when I say that getting to Garmisch is the easiest and fastest part of your journey; from there, you change trains 2x and take two gondolas, which may only run every 30 min to an hour. The bottom line; earlier is better.
These trains to Garmisch typically leave from platform 27, or 28, but always double-check the timetable. You will look for a train that says Reutte in Tirol, via Garmisch. A friendly DB staff member usually waits outside the trains and can double-check your tickets. Find a seat and sit back and relax. You will reach Garmisch in about an hour and 15 minutes, and the train will stop in Garmisch as it splits, so you have plenty of time to exit.
Zugspitzebahn and Zugspitze Tickets
Leave the train and head down the stairs. You will enter a tunnel and follow the signs for Zugspitzebahn. You will then need to exchange your ticket. Queue in line near the glass building and get your voucher ticket. You will exchange this for a little card that looks like a ski pass. This will be your golden ticket for the entire trip up and back down the mountain, and you will use it four times. If you did not buy the combo pass with the DB train, you could purchase your Zugspitze Ticket or Garmisch Classic Ticket from the booth attendant.
New for 2022: Thanks to reader Gwen for updating me. Previously, you would exchange your ticket in a small yellow building, but with a new updated look, you would exchange your ticket in a glass building.
Once you arrive on the platform, board the blue and white historic Zugspitzebahn cogwheel train or wait for it to arrive. It leaves every 15-30 minutes, depending on the season. This leg of the journey is one of my favorites. You chug along past sprawling green pastures, grazing cattle, charming houses, and churches with mountains as the backdrop – unless it is winter, then you’ll pass snowy white fields and skiers. The train stops at Grainau, where you upgrade to a newer Zugspitzebahn that should be on the other side of the platform. Continue on the cogwheel train to Eibsee – where you can make a choice!
Option 1: Continue on the train to Zugspitzeplatz and the Zugspitze glacier (this is not the peak, but the valley below). Here, you can play on the glacier, go sledding, visit Germany’s highest church, hike, grab a drink, and enjoy the view. You can then take a small gondola (Gletscherbahn) to the peak. Once you’ve explored the peak, you can take the large gondola back (Seilbahn Zugspitze) to Eibsee, board the Zugspitzebahn, and return to Garmisch.
Pros – the gondolas run more frequently than the trains; if you stay on the train the whole time and don’t rely on it to get down, you are less likely to have longer waiting periods.
Cons – you will board the train at Eibsee on your way back halfway during its descent, meaning you might not get a seat.
Option 2: Exit the train at Eibsee. Visit the lake (5 min walk) before boarding the massive gondola and riding it to the peak. Explore the summit, crossing the border and eating the highest wurst before heading down the small gondola to the glacier. When ready, you will board the Zugspitzbahn cogwheel train and continue down – changing at Grainau until you reach the Garmisch train station.
Pros – You will feel more comfortable stopping at the Eibsee Lake timewise. You get straight to the top and can perhaps budget your time better.
Cons – You may have to wait for 30 minutes or so for the cogwheel train, but you can explore the glacier and the surrounding area while you wait.
Overall: Your tickets cover you for complete round-trip transportation, including the gondola one way and the train the other. So, it doesn’t matter what option you choose. Both routes are designed to make sense and work. You can play it by ear, if not many people get off at Eibsee, maybe you should get off to have more space in the large gondola, but you can’t go wrong.
I’ve done both and had no significant issues either way. Though if I HAD to pick an option, I would suggest riding the gondola up and taking the train down.
IMPORTANT: Check the current timetables and information for all trains and gondolas. Currently, for winter 2023, there is some constriction on the trains, and things may change.
Seilbahn Zugspitze
Whether you are riding it up or down, the Seilbahn is impressive. This gondola is brand new! When I took it a few years ago, it was small and dated, but in 2019, I was blown away. This gondola is breaking world records. It has the largest pylon, the longest cablecar span, and the greatest height difference between a valley and mountain station — basically, it’s all-around crazy cool. Once you load up, you’ll be treated to panorama views of the green Eibsee Lake, endless mountains, and cute villages. If you are brave enough, stand on top of the glass bottom in the middle. To be honest, I was a bit sad when the journey ended, but you have lots to look forward to!
Things to See and Do at the Peak of Zugspitze
Where do I start? There are so many things to do and see at the peak of Zugspitze. I suggest first taking a look around outside at the stunning views of the mountains. It is a bit hard to see over the railing on the lower deck, so head to the very top and take all the photos! Grab a coffee if you are a bit chilled, eat lunch at the cafeteria, or head over to the older side of the platform. The Münchner Haus was built in 1897 and was originally a haven for mountaineers making the dangerous journey to the peak. Enjoy the charming Bayerische atmosphere and order beer and German food – or save yourself for the highest Bratwurst in Germany!
If you’re not hungry, you can continue down to the Bavarian/German and Austrian/Tirol border. You can cross as many times as you want. The views from the Austrian side are different, with more towns and fewer mountains, but it is often much less crowded. Don’t miss the snowflake exhibit on this side as well.
Zugspitze Gletscher
You can take a small gondola down to the glacier below, which is also where you catch the cogwheel train. In the winter, this area is mostly full of skiers and a lot of snow, making it challenging to explore too much. However, you can have a snowball fight, watch skiers, visit the igloo village, or try their mini sledding hill. In the summer, you can hike around visit the highest church in Germany, grab a beer, and there is still enough snow left for a mini sledding experience. If you are descending, keep an eye on the train timetable.
Winter vs. Summer
If you live in Munich or nearby I highly recommend visiting in both summer and winter. However, if you are visiting just once in your life they both offer amazing experiences.
In the summer, you have more room to hike or walk around, but the glacier is small, and the snow cover is minimal. Personally, I think the mountains are most lovely with a dusting of snow, but the summer alps have a rugged charm. The temperatures in the winter are well below freezing, and in the summer, you can get away with a T-shirt most days. Prices for the combo tickets are also different.
What to Pack
If you are visiting in the winter, pack a hat, gloves, scarf, winter jacket, and boots. In Summer, you will need a light jacket if windy or a rain jacket if raining and other than that, you can get away with summer clothing. Bring water, good walking shoes, a reliable watch or battery packs for your phones, a book for the train, and some layers.
Book an Organized Tour to Zugspitze from Munich
Getting yourself to Zugspitze and back is a bit complicated. It involves several transportation options that only run at certain times of the day, requiring you to keep an eye on the time so you don’t miss the last trains back into Munich. While I highly recommend the self-guided route for independent and confident travelers, it isn’t for everyone. So, if you don’t like the idea of keeping an eye on train schedules and figuring out how to get from the train to the cogwheel to the gondola and back, consider booking a guided tour package to Zugspitze. Here are two of the best options:
The first option, Full Day Tour to Germany’s Highest Peak: Zugspitze, includes a motorcoach transfer to and from Munich, and the Zugspitze Ticket covers the cogwheel train, the gondola ticket, and ride and sledding adventure in the Alps. Lunch is not included. This is the best bang for your buck, and there are no additional hidden fees, so you can sit back and relax.
The second option, Zugspitze: Full-Day Excursion to Germany’s Highest Peak, appears to be cheaper but does not include the cost of the gondola, which is an extra 49 euros, so it is more expensive in the end. It also does not include the bobsled ride.
Pin to your Germany Planning Board!
I hope you enjoyed checking Zugspitze off your bucket list! This view has no comparison, and no trip to Germany is complete until you’ve experienced this day trip from Munich to Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak!
Looking for even more day trips from Munich?
- Skiing and Snowboarding in the Alps
- Andechs Monastery and Brewery
- Hiking in Tegernse
- Neuschwanstein Castle
Don’t forget to pin to your favorite outdoor or German Pinterest board, so your friends can experience this too!
Yes!! The views are awesome! I feel like this is one of the first articles I’ve read about trips out of Munich that includes skiing, but that completely makes sense and is an awesome reason to travel there!
I love your photos! I’m German and I’ve never been to the Zugspitze but your photos give me itchy feet…
Happy continued travels!
C
As the pictures with those beautiful mountains. We want to visit Hamburg from Munich. Planning an euro trip this summer (by land) and want to visit around Germany. <3 This is epic
Amazing! Wish I’d gone on this day trip when I was in Munich.
These mountains are really breathtaking. I am not that much of a snow person, so I would love to do this trip in the summer and do some hiking!
This looks beautiful, and that train to the peak sounds awesome. I keep telling myself I need to give skiing another go, but I’m such a disaster with everything sports-related!
Wow, this looks amazing. I had NO Idea this was so close to Munich, but I will definitely include this when I visit, hopefully this year. :)
Those views are amazing! It must be a blast hiking among those giants <3 Can I visit you in Munich one day? :-D
I love Bavaria! I was in Munich during the Summer but it looks absolutely enchanting in Winter. I hope to go skiing there one day.
Incredible views! Adding this to my long list of areas I want to ski in Europe. xx Morgan
I took my family to Zugspitze today and we followed your advice to the letter! Your instructions are spot on. From the Deutsches Bahn Reisezentrum combo ticket (60 euros for the winter package!) to the Zugspitze office to the Eibsee hike to the very summit…we followed your advice and had no trouble with anything. Thank you for taking the time and effort to spell things out step by step. I recommend this day trip to everyone! There is access for people using wheelchairs and mobility aids all the way up to the summit. I would talk the DB train people BEFORE taking a train as the gaps between the train and platform can exceed 8 in. and they can bring out a little ramp. Dogs are allowed. Food prices in the cafeteria were very reasonable (same as everywhere). Bring sunscreen! Thanks again, katzechan
Hi Katzechan,
Thanks so much for your comment. I’m so glad you and your family had such a wonderful time at Zugspitze. Thanks for sharing the winter combo price, I’ll make sure you update it; and for including information for mobility and accessibility. It’s great that just about everyone can enjoy this day trip from Munich. Enjoy the rest of your time here in Munich.
Ah those views are ideal. This only reiterates that fact that we need to move to Munich. We know it’s expensive and all, but at the same time, it looks perfect!
And doing this as a day trip <3 omg, it's perfection. Even more amazing that you can just take the train, so no need to drive
Oh wow, those views!! It does sound like a perfect day out – a bit of train journey, a bit of hiking and a bit of coffee/food… Definitely something to put on my wishlist!
So pretty! I like that you mention that it’s for all skill levels… I’m a decent hiker, but pretty awful at snow sports ! And you’re able to cross between Germany and Austria?! That’s really cool…. I love sneaky borders that aren’t marked- it really shows how arbitrary they are
Wow!! The Alps are so beautiful and I had no idea this was so close to Munich or that this was the highet peak in Germany. Also glad that its not just for skiers or snowboarders because I don’t do either very well. Love your descriptions too. Made me feel like I was there!!
Gorgeous photos and great detailed useful information! I haven’t been to the German side of the Alps, only the Italian side, but it looks like I should try it out. Love the idea of igloo village!
I love your photos! I was in Zugspitze once but only in summer, but your pics make me wanna re-visit in the colder months as well :) I still remember these magnificient views, definitely one of my favourite hikes in the Bavarian Alps!
Thanks k you for this excellent travel guide!
I will be using it for my visit next week.
JB
Thanks for the valuable information. It is highly beneficial .
I was only wondering about two things:
1) would it be easier if we took the day trip with a tour from Munich where it is 90 Euro per person?
2) is the village Germisch far away from Garmisch Hbh?
Thank you
Best Regards
Hi Rasha, Garmisch town is very close to the Hbf, the downtown area is just a short walk, about 5 min from the train station. It really depends. If you like to plan and schedule your own adventures, then you can do this on your own. If you worrying about train times, departures and the planning stresses you out, then it might be a better option to sit back and relax and enjoy the trip with the help of a guided tour. I can recommend two, and if you purchase either and use the links I provide I will receive a commission at no additional charge to you.
This option is more expensive, but includes more like the tram ride I talk about in my post. https://www.getyourguide.com/munich-l26/full-day-tour-to-germany-s-highest-peak-zugspitze-t72667/?partner_id=V08RVKA
This option is cheaper, does not include the cable car, but you can add the cable car if anyone wants to. https://www.getyourguide.com/munich-l26/zugspitze-full-day-excursion-to-germany-s-highest-peak-t23215/?partner_id=V08RVKA
Feel free to email me if you have any additional questions. I am happy to help. skelly@wanderingchocobo.com
Those views are gorgeous, definitely something I would have done if I knew it was doable in 8 hours from Munich!
I went last century on a school trip and loved it …. time to revisit!
Great idea! When we were in Munich we did a brewery tour and a trip to Neuschwanstein! If we go back, we know where to go now!
Thank you for such a detailed guide on how to do this day trip from Munich! <3
Hi! Thank you so much for your post. I had the hardest time figuring out the different trains, tickets and paths up the mountain. Your post was so clear and concise. The information is still accurate as of Oct 2018, except that the Zugspitzebahn (cable car from bottom to the peak) was out of service when i went. Thanks again…and, for your readers, I recommend stopping at Eibsee after descending the mountain and checking out the lake there. It’s a short walk from the train station and the view is gorgeous!
I’m so happy I was able to help you have an awesome day. It is great to hear from one of my readers who also tried this trip. I’ll check and see how long the cable car is out of service and look at updating my post as needed. Stopping at Eibsee is such a great recommendation. I’ll have to add that tip into the post as a recommendation from a reader. Hope you enjoy the rest of your time in Germany!
Good morning who can we contact for a booking for the guided tour package to Zugspitze
Hi Martel, as you will see in my post I recommend two options for booking a guided tour.
“The first option, Full Day Tour to Germany’s Highest Peak: Zugspitze https://www.getyourguide.com/munich-l26/full-day-tour-to-germany-s-highest-peak-zugspitze-t72667/?partner_id=V08RVKA , includes a motorcoach transfer to and from Munich, the cogwheel train, the gondola ticket and ride and even a bobsledding adventure in the Alps. Lunch is not included. This is the best bang for your buck and there are no additional hidden fees, so you can just sit back and relax.
The second option, Zugspitze: Full-Day Excursion to Germany’s Highest Peak https://www.getyourguide.com/munich-l26/zugspitze-full-day-excursion-to-germany-s-highest-peak-t23215/?partner_id=V08RVKA , appears to be cheaper but does not include the cost of the gondola, which is an extra 49 Euro, so it is more expensive in the end. It also does not include the bobsled ride.”
Hi can you please guide for
1) Trekking option to zugspitze?? With all details about camping/ tent and Guide facility
2) how would it be to visit in September? Good views/snow ?
September is generally a great time to go hiking, there should only be snow surrounding the Zugspitze glacier. There is no legal wild camping in Germany, and you must stay at Alpine huts. There are about 5 hiking trails up Zugspitze, most of them take around 8-10 hours one way and require a slightly advanced hiking skill level. Most people who do this stay overnight at one or two huts. One such example is Knorr Hut. I suggest you plan this type of hike with a more professional service or reference outdoor active for various hikes or contact one of the huts for assistance in booking your stay.
About the combo ticket vs Zugspitze ticket.
I’m planning to go there next year but I need you help clear these points
– Both of them don’t limit for using Gletscherbahn, right?
– Both of them can use once for Seilbahn and Zugspitzebahn , right?
Yes, I believe that is correct. The only thing the combination ticket adds is Deutsch Bahn train from Munich to Garmisch RT.
Hi! Thanks for all your information.
My husband and I are planning to go this November!
We actually plan to buy the combo tickets online even if it’s a little more expensive but we can’t seem to find the winter combo tickets.
Do you have any link to share? Or do they strictly sell it over at the train stations only?
Hi, you can’t actually buy the combo ticket online. It must be purchased from the Munich Central Train station, or one of the Deutsch Bahn ticketing booths.
However, if you want to book online for a little bit more money. Book your round trip tickets from Munich to Garmisch online https://www.bahn.com/en/view/index.shtml THEN once you are in Garmisch, you go to the Zugspitze Bahn and can purchase your Zugspitze tickets from the booth there.
I hope that helps.
Hi! My husband and I are looking at doing this when we go to Munich in December because it looks so fantastic! One question though, can we buy the combo ticket from the DB Reisezentrum a few days in advance? We aren’t really morning people so it would be a huge stress relief if we could buy the tickets a few days before and then just have to wake up and get on the train.
You should be able to buy the tickets in advance, just let the agent know what day you want to travel and they should be able to take care of you!
Hi, is this trip doable without a guide in December? The tours you linked to do not seem to have openings then.
Thanks for the info!
The guided tours might be booked for the time you are looking, or they may be taking a holiday break. However, Zugspitze is open year-round and you can do the trip on your own in the winter if they don’t have availability. You should be able to do it by following all the details in my post!
Thanks for the detailed information – haven’t tried it yet, but seems to be exactly the info I was looking for.
Excellent Informative Elaborative.. Thanks a ton.
This is exactly the guide & advice that helped my wife and me enjoy one best trips we’ve had. Thank you for taking the time to write this step by step guide, you have no idea how much it helped!
I’m so glad this guide helped you two visit Zugspitze and have a wonderful day. That makes me so happy! Enjoy the rest of your time in Germany!
With the combi ticket can we stay a night in Garmisch-Paterkirchen and get the train back to Munich the following day using the kombiticket? I think it might be good to get a bed in a hostel and have a bit of mountain apres ski atmosphere and not be too stressed about the descent from the Zugspitze and missing the train? What do you think?
I think that sounds like a great idea! Garmisch is a super cute town and there are a few bars at the foot of the ski resort that will have Apres Ski from about 5 pm onward in the winter. Just make sure you book the right days with the Deutsch Bahn and you should be good to go.
Hi, nicely written. Simple and easy guide. I liked the part where you mentioned not to get confused with info center to the ticket center in the MUNICH STATION, happened to me i stood in the line for 45 mins at the info center hahaa realized later…thanks again.
Oh no, I’m so sorry you stood in line for so long, but I hope you had an amazing day at Zugspitze regardless!
Hi Susanna,
Thank you so much for writing such an informative article. Beautifully written! We followed option 2, first to visit Eibsee and then to ascend to the peak. This way, as you mentioned we could manage time easily and had a place to rest in the cogwheel train during the return. Thanks a lot!
Hi Navaneetha,
I’m so glad you enjoyed your Zugspitze trip! Thank you for your kind words.
Susanna
Thank you for detailing every bit .. Saved us a lot of effort
So glad you had a great time at Zugspitze.
Thank you for such a detailed explanation. We especially appreciated the info on how to buy the combo ticket in the Munich station. One thing I would add is that the yellow building is no longer where you exchange your voucher for the little card. I was there in March 2022 and would be happy to send you the photo of the big glassy building where we exchanged the voucher for the little card. Also, the sledding was off the charts fun. You have to take a chair lift to the top. Highly recommend!
Hey Gwen, thanks so much for updating me on the newer building! I knew they had plans in the works and it is nice to know it is finally done and in operation. I’ve updated my post. I’m so glad you had fun at Zugspitze and got to go sledding.
Thank you so much for such details itinerary to Germany’s peak. Can we purchase the combo ticket by using Munich to Garmisch one day then Garmisch to Zugspitze for the next day? We plan to stay at Garmisch for a couple of day for skiing.
To my best knowledge, you should be able to – either buy a flex ticket for the DB or request specific days as you buy the ticket. Just let the attendant know that, so they make sure to help you out with your needs. The passes that get you up and down Zugspitze are only valid for one day though, so make sure you set aside a day just for that experience.
Thank you so much for detailing every step clearly! I’ve been scouring the internet for all the steps we’d need to do, especially clarification on whether we could take the cable car both up and down, or whether we’d only be allowed to use it for one leg of our round trip. Thanks–we’ll be following your directions in a few weeks!
Hey Sarah, so glad you found this helpful. The Zugspitze combo pass will allow you a full RT and you can choose how you want to ascend and descend, so you can even decide last minute what you want to do.
Excellent article. Especially the details. Of the ticket procuring and change of trains / Gabdola is terrific.
The recommendation of getting down at Eibssa saved a lot of time and was perfect to enjoy the Trip much better.
Thanks a lot for the details in the blog.
So glad you found it helpful! Hope you had a blast at Zugspitze!
Hi Susanna, I’ve emailed you a while back, asking for advice for this trip. Could you please kindly respond to it? Thank you so much
I just visited Munich in October 2022. My brother had his heart set on going to the top of Zugspitze, and none of the tours worked with our schedule, so I followed your advice exactly and we had a wonderful day! Thank you for making it so easy and also outlining the pros and cons of various options. I probably would have figured it all out on my own, but your guide saved me HOURS and we had a wonderful day. It was a trip highlight!
So glad you and your brother had a great time at Zugspitze and that you found my guide helpful. Enjoy those lasting memories!
I had a day stop in Munich and I decided to visit this place. I am from US and have not traveled across Germany or Europe so logistics did appear daunting at first, but this post explains the logistics step by step in such a lucid manner, that someone who is a newbie was easily able to follow the steps & execute this trip.
The snow covered peaks made it for a magical experience that will stay with me for a long time. Thanks a lot for putting this together.
Thanks so much for your comment. I’m thrilled you had such a lovely experience and found my Zugspitze guide helpful.
Enjoy those lasting memories.
-Susanna
Hi Susanna
Thanks for such a detailed and useful guide!
Would you be able to share what are the train timings that we can use the Munich to Garmisch combo train tickets for? Are we limited to travel from 9am as with the Bayern tickets, or we can travel anytime as we wish eg 7+am?
Thanks!
If you buy the Bayern ticket to Garmisch with the limited travel times, I believe you will still need to buy your Zugspitze pass separately once you arrive in Garmisch from the booth. If you purchase the Combo pass, ask the booth attendant, but I belive you have flexibility on the DB trains that you catch. Just double check with them as you buy the tickets to confirm with them.
I am just returning from Zugspitze. Every step mentioned in this guide is as is. And it is completely doable within 8 hours. Thank you so much for the guide made an awesome memory of a lifetime at Zugspitze because of your article❣️ date of visit: January 22nd 2023
Amazing, I am so glad you had a wonderful time at Zugspitze!
Thank you for the detailed explanation! We have visited the Zugspitze before, but by car. This time we went on a citytrip to Munich with our family and we really wanted to show them this beautiful place. Thanks to your guide we managed to visit by train! It is really worth the travel and I suggest not to skip the Eibsee lake! We visited in April 2023 and before during summer, both visits were great. We bought the train tickets one day before visiting, to prevent any delay and stress (it was also Easter). We waited about 40 minutes for our turn on a Saturday. Thanks again!
Hi, just wanted to check on the Zugspitze official; website it mentions the Zugspitze Round Trip already includes the cogwheel train, Gletscherbahn cable car and the Cable car Zugspitze to get back down to lake eibsee. Will we still require Seilbahn Zugspitze ticket? Isn’t the Cable car Zugspitze and Seilbahn Zugspitze the same thing?
Hi Ria, they are the same thing. However, you can purchase individual tickets for the cable car that are not part of any of the combination packages. Some may prefer to just purchase this ticket separately, which is why I mention it. If you get the combo ticket you are covered for round trip on the transportation method of your choice.
Hi Susanna,
Thank you for the great info! It really helps me to plan for my upcoming trip to Zugspitze. One question, can I get the combo tix which departs from Munich to GAP online? If yes, do I have to select a specific time to depart or is it flexible?
Hey there, you can not buy the combo ticket online. This must be done from the electronic ticketing computers, or in person at the travel center – both found at the Hauptbahnhof. I you are just looking for DB train tickets to Garmisch, you can get these online, but it does not cover your transit to and from Zugspitze. Happy travels!
Hi! Thank you so much for all the info! We would like to do a day visit from Munich on December 24 or December 25th Christmas days
Do you think it’s a good idea? We are planning to take the train or rent a car.
Thanks!
Hey there,
To my knowledge everything is open and running and Chrismtmas Day – a true rarity in Germany. I would only suggest you double check the schedule for that day and when you purchase the tickets, double check everything is running as advertised. Sounds like a great way to enjoy the holiday!
Have the best time.
Excellent guided. In 2023 I followed and it worked perfectly, I was able to get the ticket from the Munich HBF ticket machine with the assistance of the guy keep in mind it only takes MasterCard from the Reisezentrum so it saved me a lot of time, also download the DB zugportal to check the time of the trains there is one with a lot of stops and I takes 1:55 mins I believe is the R6 the R61 only have 3 stops and it takes 1:22 mins.
Hey Mike, thanks for sharing your experience. I’m glad you were able to get the ticket from the ticketing machine easily. Thanks for sharing the time it took you as well along the way. Hope you enjoyed visiting Zugspitze and the rest of your time in Munich!