3 Weeks, 4 Countries & 2 Teens: Planning & Enjoying an Epic Family Road Trip
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclaimer policy.
Angela’s trip started with a simple idea.
Her family had watched an episode of The Amazing Race that featured Slovenia and they were instantly smitten.
And then, when Angela realized Slovenia is right next to Austria, which is right next to Germany, which is right next to Switzerland…well, 1 must-see country turned into 4, and their family vacation turned into an epic adventure!
Once Angela had had mapped out their trip, she reached out to us for an itinerary review. I was delighted to give feedback on their day by day plans, offer solutions for tricky spots, and make suggestions to make their trip even better (we often help clients with countries other than Germany).
Listen to my conversation with Angela about her trip below or keep reading for a run down of their epic family roadtrip trip, along with Angela’s tips!
This article is also available as the Germany Travel Planning podcast episode 55. Use the player below to listen or continue reading the article below. See episode transcript on Apple podcasts.
Picking Up a Rental Car to Drive Across Multiple Countries
One of the biggest decisions Angela faced was whether to take the train or rent a car. Because several of her accommodations were a bit off the beaten path, she and her husband decided to drive. And she’s glad they did.
She said that in many ways, driving in Europe actually felt easier than driving in the US. Even on the Autobahn, she felt completely safe. There were a few tunnels that went on for what felt like forever (some 15 minutes or more!), but overall the drive through 4 different countries went smoothly.
The only catch was the one-way rental fee for picking up the car in Slovenia and dropping it off in Switzerland. That fee can be hefty, but given the convenience and the cost of four people on trains, it was absolutely worth it for their family.
Recommended: start your rental car search here and watch this video driving tutorial!
Chooseing the Perfect Bavaria Home Base
For the Germany part of their trip, Angela chose Garmisch-Partenkirchen as their base instead of a bigger city like Munich. It turned out to be the perfect call for their trip. Staying in a smaller town gave her family that slower vibe they were after. And Garmisch is incredibly well-located for day trips by car.
Within about an hour of Garmisch, they visited:
- Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak
- Eibsee lake, at the foot of the mountain
- Partnach Gorge
- Neuschwanstein Castle
- The Oberammergau Alpine Coaster (we love this one, too)
- Munich (also within easy reach)
Recommended resource: discover what you most want to see and do using our custom-created planning map in our DIY Germany Travel Planner!
Swimming in Eibsee Lake: The Best Day Ever
It was a crystal-clear August day when Angela spotted Eibsee lake shimmering below the Zugsptize observation deck. The family decided on the spot to go check it out.
They enjoyed it so much that they returned the next day to swim — and even rented a paddle boat with a slide attached to it. That’s the day when Angela’s son turned to her and said, this is the BEST day!
Partnach Gorge: Go Early and Don’t Let Rain Stop You
Angela and her family stayed about a 45-minute walk from Partnach Gorge, so one morning they set off early with tickets already in hand. But…by the time they arrived, it was pouring.
Rather than give up, they sheltered under a small ledge and waited. After about 10 minutes, the rain let up just enough to walk the gorge.
As it turns out, there was an upside to the rain. The water rushing through the gorge was louder and more dramatic than it would have been on a dry day. They were yelling at each other just to be heard over the roaring water!
They also got there early enough that they had the gorge almost entirely to themselves on the way in. By the time they were heading back out, tour groups were pulling up.
The Oberammergau Alpine Coaster (Don’t Skip This One!)
Angela had asked me to give input in my itinerary review on which coaster to prioritize if they could only do 1. I pointed her toward the Oberammergau coaster because it’s one of the longest in the region – a 2.6-kilometer track that you reach via a chairlift ride that itself takes around 15 to 20 minutes.
Aaron and I loved it and Angela’s family did, too. In fact, her sons rode it more than once. Even Angela, who isn’t exactly a roller coaster person, had a blast.
One thing Angela mentioned for those nervous about alpine coasters: they’re actually very manageable because you control your own speed with a hand brake. You just can’t brake so much that you slow down traffic behind you.
Recommended: listen to this podcast episode where Aaron and I talk about our favorite coaster in the Black Forest
How to Get Neuschwanstein Castle Tickets When They’re Sold Out Online
When Angela went to book Neuschwanstein Castle tickets a few weeks out, everything for her travel dates was sold out. So they decided to try for same-day tickets when they arrived at the castle, as they’re sometimes available if you arrive right when the ticket office opens.
So the family got up extra early so they could arrive at 7:45 a.m. and be ready when tickets went on sale at 8:00 a.m. There were roughly 30 people already in line when they arrived, and when it was their turn, there were tickets available for a mid-morning tour! Angela said she’s really glad they went inside the castle rather than just viewing the castle from the outside.
Recommended: our 7 essential Neuschwanstein tips
Where to Eat in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Angela raved about Gasthof Zum Rasen in Garmisch, one of our restaurant recommendations. They ate outside on a little patio and watched people walk by in traditional Bavarian clothes. Then they heard a cannon going off periodically in the distance. Then the cannon stopped…and a full parade came through right past their table!
It turned out a local festival was happening nearby. They had no idea going in, and it ended up being one of those unexpected moments that just makes a trip feel magical. The food was excellent, too.
Bavaria Road Trip Tips
Choose 1 Base and Do Day Trips
Angela and her family chose a home base for several nights rather than moving every night. She said this was one of the best decisions they made. It meant less packing and unpacking and more flexibility to pick the best weather days for outdoor activities. Garmisch was a great home base because so much is located within an hour’s drive, so they could easily mix and match day trips based on what sounded most appealing each morning.
Work In Enough Time to Wait Out Bad Weather
Angela wanted to build in flexibility into their travel schedule so they could choose sunny days for viewpoints and hikes, and cloudy days for things that didn’t depend on the weather. So she build in enough days in each destination so that they could easily shuffle things around the weather. This approach came in handy in Switzerland. Because they were in the area for several days, they could wait out the less than ideal weather and visit the Schilthorn on the1 good weather day they had.
Make Your Photo Book Within a Month of Getting Home
This is such a good tip! Angela made a printed photo book of their trip and recommends doing so within a month of returning home. It took her several hours to create their photo book, but she said if she’d waited longer she knows she never would have gotten to it. And she’s so glad she took the time to create it a photo book because now she has a physical keepsake of the whole trip that she can flip through and share with friends and family.
About Angela Smith
Angela is a Seattle mom of twin boys, retired from a career in non-profit cancer research. In addition to traveling, she also loves camping, hiking, puzzles, and escape rooms!
