Ultimate Travel Guide: Munich to Budapest
(10 Day Trip from September 2025)
Download the Rick Steves Audio Europe App for guided tours to enhance your trip. Make sure to bring extra phone chargers if you like to take photographs.
Day 1: Departure (Saturday, September 7)
Flight: Depart from SLC with a two-hour layover at JFK.
Day 2: Arrival in Munich (Sunday, September 8)
Flight: Arrive in Munich.
Transportation: Pick up a rental car (Enterprise at the airport).
Day Trip Highlights:
Ettal Abbey: A stunning Baroque monastery founded in 1330, featuring intricate frescoes and the famous Ettal liqueur.
Lunch: on the Bräustüberl Terrace across from the Abbey.
Oberammergau: Explore this charming village known for its Passion Play and woodcarving traditions.
Hohenschwangau Castle: Be on time for your pre-booked tour at 2:30 PM. The neo-Gothic childhood home of King Ludwig II. You will walk to this castle.
Marienbrücke (Queen Mary’s Bridge): Take in breathtaking views of Neuschwanstein Castle and the surrounding Alps and waterfalls.
Neuschwanstein Castle: Tour the iconic 19th-century fairytale castle. Pre-book tickets and arrive on time. We took a horse wagon up to the castle. When we left the castle we walked back down since it was late.
Village Shopping: Explore the shops below the castles for souvenirs.
Dinner: Hotel Müller Restaurant in Hohenschwangau village (request a table in the Octagon Room).
Accommodation: Courtyard Munich City East (check-in after the day trip).
Day 3: Munich Exploration (Monday, September 9)
Breakfast: Bakery Café Rischart am Marienplatz.
Morning: Follow Rick Steves’ Walking Tour (2-3 hours) starting at Marienplatz. Highlights include:
St. Peter’s Church, Viktualienmarkt, Jewish Synagogue, Asam Church, Frauenkirche, and more.
Watch the Town Hall Glockenspiel at 11:00 AM or 12:00 PM.
Lunch: Tambosi Café, near a large park.
Afternoon:
Dachau Concentration Camp: Allocate ~2.5 hours, including a 1-hour Uber drive. A powerful, reflective visit.
(Optional) Alte Pinakothek Art Museum if time allows.
Evening: Take the train to Salzburg (arrive by 8:00 PM).
Dinner & Strolling: Enjoy Mozartplatz. You can also eat dinner in the Hotel.
Accommodation: Mayburg Salzburg, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel.
Day 4: Salzburg Highlights (Tuesday, September 10)
Breakfast: Reichartseder Bakery. Best Bakery I have ever had.
Morning: Sound of Music Tour, visiting iconic filming locations like Mirabell Gardens and Leopoldskron Palace.
Lunch: Your choice; plenty of quaint local options.
Afternoon: Rick Steves’ Salzburg Tour. Key stops:
Explore the Old Town and Hohensalzburg Fortress.
Evening Dinner:
Attend a Mozart Dinner Concert in the Marble Hall of Mirabell Palace, Fortress Hohensalzburg, or St. Peter Stiftskulinarium (book in advance).
Accommodation: Mayburg Salzburg, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel.
Day 5: Day Trip to Hallstatt (Wednesday, September 11)
Transportation: Pick up a Budget rental car near your hotel.
Morning:
Drive to Obersalzberg/Eagles Nest (arrive by 8:30 AM; buy bus tickets immediately).
Enjoy breakfast at the Eagles Nest Restaurant and explore nearby hiking trails.
Afternoon: Hallstatt: Visit the picturesque UNESCO World Heritage village.
Salt Mine (Salz Welten) you can book online or buy there.
Explore the Bone Chapel and stroll along the charming streets.
Dinner: Hotel Grüner Baum (book ahead and request seating on the dock).
Evening: Return your rental car.
Accommodation: Mayburg Salzburg, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel.
Day 6: Vienna Arrival (Thursday, September 12)
Breakfast: Wake up early to eat at Reichartseder Bakery again.
Morning: Take the train to Vienna, arriving by 11:32 AM.
Afternoon: Follow Rick Steves’ Walking Tour visiting:
St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Hofburg Imperial Palace, and the Spanish Riding School. Demel Treats and Hot Cocoa “ Kaiserschmarrn”
Lunch: Bitzinger Wurstelstand just outside the museum
Explore the Albertina Art Museum, featuring works by Klimt, Dürer, and others.
Dinner: Plachutta Restaurants Wien “ Get the Potato Foam Soup” The Schnitzel & Apple Strudel and Kaiserschmarrn are good.
Accommodation: Vienna Marriott Hotel.
Day 7: Vienna Sightseeing (Friday, September 13)
Morning: We ate at the Hotel
Tour Schonbrunn Palace, the Habsburg summer residence, and its lush gardens.
Lunch: Choose your own
Afternoon:
Shop at Kärntner Strasse.
Dinner: Choose your own
Evening: Attend a Four Seasons Concert, showcasing works by Vivaldi and other classical composers. Best concert I have been to. Book online far in advance.
Accommodation: Vienna Marriott Hotel.
Day 8: Budapest Bound (Saturday, September 14)
Morning: Take the train to Budapest (~2.5 hours via RegioJet).
Afternoon Highlights:
Bike Tour: We used Bike and Relax Tours to see iconic sites like the Chain Bridge, Margaret Island, and the Parliament Building. You can leave your luggage there during the tour.
Lunch: VAJ Rákóczi · bakery & café
Relax at Széchenyi Thermal Baths, known for Neo-Baroque architecture. Over 100+ years old.
Dinner:
River Cruise on the Danube at night
Accommodation: Courtyard Budapest City Center.
Day 9: Budapest Exploration (Sunday, September 15)
Morning: breakfast in the Hotel
Church At the LDS Pest Ward Church. (Uber)
Day Highlights:
Tour the Parliament Building, a Neo-Gothic masterpiece.
Visit St. Stephen’s Basilica and climb to its dome for panoramic views.
Lunch: Depending on time you can check out some of the local restaurants in between tours
Explore the House of Terror, a museum documenting Hungary’s fascist and communist regimes.
Stroll Andrássy Avenue for history and shopping.
End with a visit to Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, & Matthias Church home to museums and galleries. If you are lucky you can catch them playing the organ.
Dinner: Lots of great restaurants near Fisherman’s Bastion
Accommodation: Courtyard Budapest City Center.
Day 10: Departure (Monday, September 16)
Flight: Depart from Budapest with a 2.5-hour layover in Amsterdam.
Arrival: Return to SLC.