How To Get To Berchtesgaden:

Time From Salzburg: 49 minutes by bus; 30 minutes by taxi/car; or 65-85 minutes by train.
Time From Munich: 2 hours & 45 minutes train ride; or 2 hours by car.
Bus Timetable From Salzburg: Bus 840 (Summer, Winter).
Train Timetables: German Bahn website HERE or Austrian OEBB website HERE.
Trains Inside Berchtesgaden: Bus 838 to Dokumentation Center (Timetable); Bus 849 to Eagle’s Nest (Timetable); Bus 841 to Konigsse (Timetable).

One of the main things that scares people off from visiting Berchtesgaden is figuring out how to get there from either Salzburg or Munich, but it is actually really easy to do.  From Munich, the train is better for most visitors but from Salzburg, which is where most of you are coming from, Bus 840 is the best option.  Our guide below explains each of the options plus driving tips in great detail.  Don’t worry if you have luggage with you as storage lockers are available at the Berchtesgaden Train/Bus Station.




Getting To Berchtesgaden From Salzburg:

1. Bus #840 From Salzburg (49 Minutes):

How To Get To Berchtesgaden From Salzburg By Bus 840
How To Get To Berchtesgaden From Salzburg By Bus 840

Advantages: Not only is Bus 840 the cheapest option, but is direct from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden with no transfers needed and is 21 minutes faster than the train.  There are also some additional flexibility on extra stops you can board Bus 840 in Salzburg which we touch on below and may be closer to your hotel.

Disadvantages: There is limited luggage storage on Bus 840 so you have an usually high amount of bags with you, then you may want to consider either the bus or taxi which are explained below.  On the Weekends Bus 840 doesn’t start running until 8:15am (9:15am on Winter weekends) and the last return to Salzburg from Berchtesgaden each day is at 6:15pm each day while the Train typically runs from 6:15am until 10:10pm in both directions.

Ticket Cost & Buying: It’s 5.80€ for a one-way ticket or 10€ for a Tageskarte All Day Pass which also covers your return trip to Salzburg on Bus 840.  You’ll buy your ticket from the bus driver in cash or from the ticket machines.  This ticket DOES NOT cover other inter-city buses inside either Salzburg or Berchtesgaden, but a day ticket for those inside either city is very cheap.

Route Overview: Taking Bus 840 from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden is very simple as the route directly connects the central stations in both cities.  Bus 840 leaves just across the road from McDonald’s near Salzburg’s main bus depot at the streetside Bus Stall J (Engelbert-Weiß-Weg).  The bus leaves around once an hour and only takes 49 minutes to get to Berchtesgaden with no transfers needed.  Tickets can be purchased from the bus driver in cash, from the Oebb website, or from the outdoor machines at the Salzburg station bus depot.   Please keep in mind other buses from Salzburg go toward Berchtesgaden (Buses 25 & 28), but they only go as far as the German border at Saint Leohard then turn around.  Only Bus 840 goes all the way to Berchtesgaden.  On returns back to Salzburg, Bus 840 will drop you off directly in front of the train station in the main bus depot (Bin G).

Bus 840 Timetable: Bus 840 takes 49 minutes from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden and you can view the timetables here (Summer, Winter).  It leaves Salzburg (Bin J) around once an hour on Weekdays from 6:35am until 6:15pm.  On Weekends in Summer it departs from 8:15am until 5:15pm or from 9:15am to 5:15pm on Weekends in the Winter.  The last returning bus to Salzburg leaves the Berchtesgaden train station at 6:15pm each day with the train as a nighttime backup.

While it doesn’t change often, always check the current Bus 840 Timetable schedules posted at both Salzburg (Bin J) and Berchtesgaden Stations when you get there and check the schedule on Austrian OEBB website (HERE) before you leave.

Important Stops: In addition to the Salzburg Train station, you can get on Bus 840 to Berchtesgaden at the South-bound Mirabellplatz, Rathaus, Mozartsteg (Rudolfskai), or Justizgebäude (Hellbrunner Straße) bus stops depending on where you are staying in town.  You can find these stop marked above on our How To Get To Berchtesgaden map.  We prefer to leave from the train station to get the best seats, but Northbound stops of Mozartsteg (Imbergstraße) and Theatergasse are especially helpful on your return to Salzburg to get off closer to your hotel.

Bus 840 also stops at the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine on its way into town.  Especially if you pre-book your tour, it can be a big time-saver to get out at the Salt Mine on the way or use it as your last stop before returning to Salzburg.

Luggage: If you have luggage you need to get on at the Salzburg Bus Depot/Train Station as Bus 840 often has no luggage storage bins so you’ll want first access to the seats that have better space for bringing your bags.  These limited central seats also have leather straps for securing your luggage.

If you miss the last bus: On your return trip, if you miss the last departure of Bus 840 back to Salzburg from Berchtesgaden at 6:15pm, you still have the option to take the train back.  The train departs hourly as a backup until 10:10pm daily (see info below) and is only 10.50€ each way.  Taxis back to Salzburg, however, will be 60€.

2. By Train From Salzburg (65-85 Minutes):

How To Get To Berchtesgaden From Salzburg By Train Public Transportation
How To Get To Berchtesgaden From Salzburg By Train Public Transportation

While Bus 840 is faster and has better scenery, getting to Berchtesgaden by train from Salzburg is super easy especially if you have luggage.  Trains depart once an hour starting around 6am with the last returning trains leave between 9:30-10:10pm daily.

Advantages: While we primarily take Bus 840 to Berchtesgaden, the train has a couple of advantages.  The biggest one is if you have a lot of bags but not enough people to justify a taxi since Bus 840 has limited luggage space.  The train can also be helpful on weekends as Bus 840 doesn’t leave Salzburg until 8:15am (9:15am on Winter weekends), but the train starts at 6:15am every day.  Also if decide to stay in Berchtesgaden past dinner time you’ll have to return by train as Bus 840 to Salzburg has its last departure each day 6:15pm, but the train returns run until 10:10pm daily.

Disadvantages: The train options to Berchtesgaden from Salzburg is 21 minutes slower than Bus 840 and 40 minutes slower than a taxi or driving.  It is also a bit more expensive than taking Bus 840. The train method also requires a transfer (albeit an easy one) while the other options do not.

Ticket Cost & Buying: Tickets will cost 10.90€ each way (8.90€ if you buy in advance) and almost never sell out so you can pretty much just show up before the train you want to take is leaving and buy your ticket.  For the current schedule visit the German Bahn website HERE or Austrian OEBB website HERE.

Route Overview: The train ride from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden will take about 65-85 Minutes.  From Salzburg Station, you’ll first ride for 10 minutes to Freilassing on the Austria/Germany border where you will switch trains.  At the Freilassing Station, it is a convenient transfer directly across the platform for the local train to Berchtesgaden which takes 50 minutes.

3. By Taxi From Salzburg (30 Minutes):

How To Get To Berchtesgaden From Salzburg By Taxi Car Rental
How To Get To Berchtesgaden From Salzburg By Taxi Car Rental

It only takes 30 minutes to drive the scenic 16 miles (26 km) route from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden making it a little faster than taking the bus and a lot faster than the train.  Taxi service from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden is pricey, but can be a great idea for visitors in groups of 3-4 people or those who have a lot of luggage.

Taxi Advantages: Taxis can be a great option if you tight on time, have a group, or have lots of luggage.  The biggest advantage of driving is that you can get right to all of the main attractions.  You won’t have to continuously backtrack to the train station or waste time waiting to switch buses.  Smart day-tripping groups have a taxi from Salzburg take then right to the Kings Lake, then afterward a new taxi from the Konigsse Visitor Center to the Dokumentation Center for the Eagles Nest, and then end the day returning to Berchtesgaden Station by local bus to get Bus 840 back to Salzburg.

Taxis also run 24 hours a day and we have arrived in Berchtesgaden by taxi after a train delay dropped us in Salzburg at 3am after the buses and trains were done for the night.

Disadvantages: The only real disadvantage of taking a taxi from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden is the 60€ price tag.

Taxi Cost: Taxi pricing from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden can be tricky as the journey is supposed to be a fixed rate around 50€ one way plus tip, but drivers often try to vastly overcharge you.  Make sure to ask, negotiate, and understand the price before accepting a ride which in total shouldn’t normally be more than 60€.  Prices for any point to point taxi rides inside Berchtesgaden will cost between 10-12€ a ride.

Where To Get A Taxi: You can get a taxi from outside the Salzburg train station, in Makartplatz in front of Mozart’s Wohnhaus, or from your hotel.  Inside Berchtesgaden, there are almost always taxis directly in front of the train station. Other places in town like the village center, Dokumentation Center, and Kings Lake also have taxis but they aren’t always there.  The Dokumentation Center and Konigssee Visitors Center staff can both help you secure a taxi back to the train station or Salzburg if needed.







4. By Rental Car From Salzburg (30 Minutes):

How To Get To Berchtesgaden From Salzburg By Taxi Car Rental
How To Get To Berchtesgaden From Salzburg By Taxi Car Rental

Like the taxi option, a rental car from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden only takes 30 minutes.  With the cost plus the time to pick up and drop off a rental car you really shouldn’t rent one to drive from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden, but is you already have one then you should use it.  The biggest issue with a rental car in Salzburg is the lack of parking which is why we tend not to use one here even when it is bundled for free with our plane tickets.  While there is plenty of parking in Berchtesgaden, the cost you save on bus tickets by driving will be used up by paying for parking in Berchtesgaden.

Rental Car Advantages: While driving is only a little faster than the bus, the biggest advantage is being able to drive directly to the main attractions.  You will be able to go right to the Konigssee, Old Town, or the Dokumentation Center to get the Eagles Nest bus without having to wait for the buses at Berchtesgaden station.  This effiecency can help give you 1-2 full hours more of sightseeing in a day in Berchtesgaden.  If you are routing to Berchtesgaden and then to other places like Munich after a car can save you a bit of time and hassle with your luggage.

Disadvantages: The extra cost of getting a rental plus the time to pick it up is a reason not to rent a car for the sole purpose of driving to Berchtesgaden.  Parking in Salzburg can also be both expensive and a huge hassle although parking in Berchtesgaden is very easy.

Window Vignette Sticker: Dricing on the Alpenstraße Road directly from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden has no toll stations and a window vignette sticker is not needed on your rental car.  Do keep in mind however that if you are going to be doing further travel on the Austrian A1 and A10 Autobahn Highways near Salzburg then the sticker is required.  Typically a window vignette sticker comes with all rentals in Austria but if you picked your car up in a different country you will need to get one from a gas station before entering the Autobahn to avoid fines.  Simple trips to Berchtesgaden or even Hallstatt you can avoid needing a sticker.

Getting To Berchtesgaden From Munich:

1. By Train From Munich (2 Hours 35 Minutes):

How To Get To Berchtesgaden From Munich By Train
How To Get To Berchtesgaden From Munich By Train

Route Overview: We have visited Berchtesgaden from Munich by train and returned the same day with ease.  The train from Munich to Berchtesgaden will take 2 Hours and 35-45 Minutes, with a 10-minute layover to switch trains in Freilassing.  The ticket will cost 39€ each way, but you can save a lot of money with the Bayern Day Pass (explained below).  Trains run from 6:23am (5:48 on weekends) with returns departing until 10:10pm.  For the current schedule visit the German Bahn website HERE or Austrian OEBB website HERE.

Consider the Bayern Day Pass (more info) if coming to Berchtesgaden from Munich and especially for roundtrip travel.  The pass covers unlimited region trains (excluding ICE) for the day anywhere around Bavaria and even to Salzburg (on the Blue/Yellow Meridian Train) starting at 25€ for 1 person and goes up 6€ per person up to 5 people.  The only downside that on Monday-Friday you can’t start your travel with these special passes until 9am, but Saturday & Sunday you can start anytime.  Make sure to check out our full list of the Best German Train Passes (more info).

It can be tempting to visit Berchtesgaden by train for the day on your way to nearby Salzburg, but we wouldn’t do that.  You can get to Salzburg from Munich is just 90 minutes by train then from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden by Bus 840 in just 49 minutes.  It is a better practice to just go right to Salzburg from Munich and the pop down to Berchtesgaden as a day trip during your time there.  We also like to stay in Berchtesgaden overnight to have two days to fully see the sights.

2. By Car From Munich (2 Hours):

Rental Car From Munich to Berchtesgaden
How To Get To Berchtesgaden From Munich By Driving Car Rental Window Sticker

Route Overview: Getting to Berchtesgaden from Munich by car is very straightforward with 3 easy routes all taking only 2 hours.  Not only is it 30 minutes faster than taking the train from Munich to Berchtesgaden, but using a car also lets you drive directly to most of the main sites.  To get to the Eagle’s Nest you will still have to take the special bus up the private section of road from the Dokumentation center, but the Kings Lake Ferry, Jennerbahn Lift, Salt Mine, and Old Town are directly reachable by car.

Very Important: You need to choose your route carefully as one of the 3 options briefly takes you onto the Austrian A1 and A10 Autobahn Highways near Salzburg.  In order to drive your car or rental on these roads, you need to have a European Union travel sticker called a “vignette” in your car window.  Rentals from Austria will have this, but ones from Germany often do not.  You can ask your rental car agency for one or pick one up at a gas station for 10€ for 3 days, but not having one will result in a 200€ fine.  Unless you are also going to Salzburg, you might as well just save the 10€ and take one of the routes that avoid these sections of Autobahn highway.



Getting To Berchtesgaden From Hallein:

1. Bus #41 From Hallein (40 Minutes):

Route Overview: Sometimes visitors want to get to Berchtesgaden from either Hallein or Werfen which can be a little confusing but it is doable even without a car.  From the Hallein Train Station, you take Bus 41  through town past the Luge Course where the route ends just shy of the German Border.  A short walk across the border matches you up with the route of Bus 848 which takes you right into Berchtesgaden.  You may find it easier to just take the train all the way to Salzburg and hop on Bus 840 instead to avoid any hassles, but the Luge can be a pretty fun place to get stranded at.  Mix in the neighboring Hallein Salt Mines and you can always make a day of it, but Berchtesgaden is still a million times more fun.

Bag Lockers & Luggage Storage:

berchtesgaden luggage lockers bag storage
berchtesgaden luggage lockers bag storage

Stopping in Berchtesgaden for the day while traveling between Salzburg and Munich is very popular, however, you will likely need a place to store your luggage.  Luckily there are coin-operated lockers right at the train station along the tracks for you to use.  The bag storage lockers only cost 2€ for up to 24 hours.

They have around 12 Jumbo lockers (90x50x85 cm) and 16 Small lockers (45x35x85 cm).  That may not sound like a lot, but because most people either stay in Berchtesgaden or pop over for the day, there usually isn’t a ton of daily competition for luggage lockers.  While dropping off your bags, consider grabbing some free brochures are the tourist information office and visitor center also located at the train station.

Getting Around Berchtesgaden:

Once you get to Berchtesgaden it is very easy to get around thanks to the compact nature of the village, an efficient bus system, and convenient Alpine lifts.  To make things even easier all of the bus use the Train Station has their central hub.  Whether it’s Bus 841 to Königssee & Jennerbahn, Bus 838 to the Documentation Center & Eagles Nest, or Bus 846 to Ramsau everything is very easy to get to.

So you can get a better idea of which Bus to take, we’ve added off of the most helpful local bus routes to the maps on each Berchtesgaden tour pages.

Local Taxi Company: Website.  Berchtesgaden Bus Company: Website.