Our Winter Road Trip Through Germany and Austria—and What I’d Do Differently

There are so many ways to travel through Europe, and in January, I got to experience Germany and Austria by road trip.

Our trip gave us a little bit of everything: big cities, tiny Bavarian villages, a castle that looks straight out of a storybook, skiing in the Austrian Alps, an incredibly sobering concentration camp memorial, catacombs underneath a cathedral, amusement park rides, and ice skating in the middle of Vienna.

And yes, we did all of this in the middle of winter.

As a travel advisor, I spend a lot of time planning Europe for my clients, but actually traveling these routes myself gives me a completely different perspective on what makes sense, how much you can realistically fit into a day, and which places are worth slowing down for.

It also taught me something important: a rental car isn't automatically the best way to travel Europe just because it worked well for us.

One of my friends traveling with us was from Austria and was already familiar with driving there, which made our experience MUCH easier. Depending on the itinerary and traveler, I'd just as easily recommend trains, private transportation, a guided European tour, or even a European river cruise.

Here's how our January road trip went—and how I'd use what I learned to plan an even better Germany and Austria vacation for my clients.

Starting Our Europe Road Trip in Munich

Our trip started in Munich, Germany, where we spent our first night.

One of our first stops was Marienplatz, the famous central square in Munich's Old Town. If you've seen pictures of the huge Gothic-looking building with the clock tower, that's the New Town Hall and its famous Glockenspiel.

The Glockenspiel has 43 bells and figures that perform scenes from Munich's history. It's one of those landmarks you've probably seen in pictures of Munich without necessarily knowing what it's called.

Marienplatz is also a great starting point if you just want to walk.

And that's exactly what we did.

We wandered around Munich and even walked over to the area where Oktoberfest is held—which was especially exciting because Good Trip Travel Co. is planning something for Oktoberfest 2028.

I'm not giving away all the details yet, but stay tuned for that announcement.

We only spent one night in Munich, but if I were planning this trip for a client, I'd slow this portion down.

I'd give you a few nights to actually experience the city. Depending on how you like to travel, we could add a private city tour, a food and beer experience, a great dinner, or simply give you an afternoon to wander around Munich without worrying about getting back on the road.

After our night in Munich, we headed south into Bavaria.

Driving From Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle

Our next stop was one of the most recognizable castles in Europe: Neuschwanstein Castle.

It's located near the tiny village of Hohenschwangau in southwest Bavaria, and the entire area is beautiful.

Once you arrive, there's still the little issue of actually getting UP to the castle.

It's a steep hill.

There are horse-drawn carriages that can take visitors part of the way up, or you can walk it.

We walked.

Would I describe it as a leisurely little stroll to a castle? No.

But there's also something pretty cool about walking up through the Bavarian scenery and then seeing Neuschwanstein towering above you.

We toured the inside of the castle as well, which I definitely recommend if you've already made the trip out there rather than only stopping for pictures from the outside.

Afterward, we spent some time strolling around Hohenschwangau before continuing on.

That's something I loved about this route. We weren't only hopping from major city to major city. We had opportunities to experience smaller places along the way, too.

For a client, we could also make this part much more seamless. Instead of worrying about navigating and parking yourself, we could look at a private driver or guided day trip from Munich, or even build an overnight stay in Bavaria into the itinerary.

Next Stop: Skiing in Kitzbühel, Austria

From Bavaria, we continued into Austria and headed for Kitzbühel, where we stayed for a couple of nights to ski.

And Kitzbühel was SO cute.

If you're picturing an Austrian ski town with colorful buildings, mountain views, ski shops, restaurants, and people walking around in their ski gear, you're pretty much there.

We rented our ski equipment after we arrived, so we didn't have to drag skis and equipment around Europe with us.

KitzSki is a serious ski area, and you could easily make Kitzbühel a much larger part of a winter Europe itinerary.

But one of my favorite things about skiing there wasn't even on the mountain.

The bottom of the ski hill has so many bars.

Once everyone starts coming off the mountain, the whole atmosphere changes.

Skiing all day followed by drinks and a night out in an Austrian ski town?

I'm in.

We spent a couple of days skiing and enjoying Kitzbühel before getting back on the road toward Vienna. If I were building this trip for a client who loves skiing, I'd absolutely consider slowing this portion down. Stay several nights at a beautiful ski hotel.

Have your equipment rentals and ski logistics arranged ahead of time.

Build in après-ski.

Add spa time for the afternoon when your legs officially decide they're done.

Make some great dinner reservations.

Kitzbühel could easily become a vacation within your vacation instead of just a quick ski stop.

The Drive to Vienna Was Half the Experience

This is where having a rental car really paid off for our trip.

We could have simply traveled from Kitzbühel straight to Vienna, but instead, we turned the journey itself into part of the experience.

Our route included two very different stops: Salzburg and the Mauthausen Concentration Camp Memorial.

Walking Through Salzburg

We stopped in Salzburg and spent some time walking through the city.

We weren't trying to turn it into a full multi-day Salzburg stay. It was simply one of those places that made sense to stop, get out, stretch our legs, and explore for a while before continuing. I loved having that flexibility.

But after experiencing Salzburg, it's also somewhere I'd consider giving my clients more time rather than simply making it a quick stop.

That's one of the benefits of traveling these destinations myself. Sometimes seeing somewhere briefly makes me realize:

This deserves two or three nights on a client itinerary.

Depending on the trip, Salzburg can easily become a destination rather than a stop along the way.

Visiting the Mauthausen Concentration Camp Memorial

We also stopped at the Mauthausen Concentration Camp Memorial in Austria.

This was obviously a completely different experience from everything else on the trip.

It was heavy.

Visiting a former concentration camp isn't something I would describe as an attraction or a fun sightseeing stop. It's a place to learn, reflect, and actually stand in a location where something horrific happened. I'm glad we went.

If you're considering adding Mauthausen to a similar itinerary, give yourself time for it. This isn't a place I'd recommend squeezing into a quick stop before rushing to the next thing.

It's also important to check seasonal information before visiting because winter access and opening schedules can differ from the warmer months.

From there, we continued on to our final major stop: Vienna.

Vienna in January Was SO Much Fun

We ended our road trip in Vienna, and winter gave us some experiences we wouldn't have had during a summer Europe trip.

Vienna was also one of those places where we had a really fun mix of experiences.

We walked through the city, went underground into the catacombs beneath St. Stephen's Cathedral, rode amusement park rides at the Prater, and went ice skating in front of Vienna City Hall.

That's a pretty solid mix of activities if you ask me.

Going Underground Into the Catacombs at St. Stephen's Cathedral

One of the more interesting things we did in Vienna was visit St. Stephen's Cathedral and go underneath it into the catacombs.

St. Stephen's is right in the heart of Vienna, and the cathedral itself is absolutely worth seeing. But there's an entirely different side of its history underneath the church and surrounding square.

The catacombs are visited as part of a guided tour that takes you underground through historic burial areas beneath the cathedral.

It's definitely a little eerie.

But I LOVE experiences like this when I'm in Europe because you're seeing history in a completely different way.

You can be standing in the middle of modern Vienna one minute and then walking underneath a centuries-old cathedral through historic burial chambers the next.

That's Europe.

And if you're someone who loves history, churches, architecture, or the slightly creepy side of old European cities, this is something I'd consider adding to your Vienna itinerary.

Going to the Prater Amusement Park in Vienna

Then we went in a completely different direction.

Vienna's famous amusement park is the Wurstelprater, usually just called the Prater.

And I loved how it worked.

You don't have to buy one big amusement park admission ticket just to walk around. You can enter the amusement area and then pay individually for the rides you actually want to do.

So naturally, we walked around and rode rides.

Because why wouldn't you go to an amusement park in Vienna in January?

It's one of those random experiences that ended up being such a fun part of the trip.

The individual attractions are independently operated, so prices and operating schedules vary, and some rides may not operate depending on the season.

Ice Skating in Front of Vienna City Hall

And then there was probably one of my favorite winter experiences of the trip:

Ice skating in Vienna.

Vienna's Wiener Eistraum, or Vienna Ice Dream, transforms the area in front of City Hall into a huge ice-skating experience during the winter.

This isn't just a tiny rectangle of ice where everyone skates around in circles.

There are large skating areas and paths that wind through the park, all with Vienna City Hall as the backdrop.

Ice skating outside in the middle of Vienna in January just felt very... Europe in winter.

And I loved it.

It's exactly the kind of experience you miss if you automatically assume Europe should only be visited when it's warm.

And that's what I really liked about Vienna.

In the same city, we went from walking through catacombs underneath a historic cathedral to riding amusement park rides and ice skating outside in front of City Hall.

You can build a Vienna itinerary around history, food, art, architecture, music, or just really fun experiences—or mix all of it together like we did.

Would I Recommend Europe in January?

Absolutely—but January Europe isn't for everyone.

You're going to have shorter days. It's cold.

Winter weather can affect your plans. Some attractions have reduced winter hours, and certain seasonal experiences won't be available. But there are also some pretty big advantages.

We got to experience ski season in the Austrian Alps. We ice skated in Vienna. We saw these destinations during a completely different season than the typical summer Europe trip. And honestly, there's something about little Austrian and Bavarian towns in the winter that just works.

If you're someone who doesn't mind bundling up and wants a Europe trip that mixes cities, skiing, history, and winter experiences, I wouldn't automatically rule out January.

What Is Driving in Germany and Austria Actually Like?

I want to be very clear about this part because our experience renting a car was probably easier than it would be for the average American traveler.

One of my friends traveling with us was from Austria. She was familiar with the roads, knew what she was doing, and understood driving there. That made a HUGE difference.

Germany and Austria drive on the right side of the road like we do in the United States, but that doesn't mean driving feels exactly the same.

Distances and speed limits are in kilometers. Road signs and driving rules can be unfamiliar. Parking can be a completely different experience. Austria has motorway toll and vignette requirements, and winter driving adds another layer you need to be prepared for.

Then there are the rental car rules.

If you're picking up a rental car in one European country and driving it into another, you need to know exactly what your rental company allows before you leave.

Cross-border travel can come with additional restrictions or fees depending on the rental company, vehicle, and countries you're visiting.

And then there are tolls, vignettes, traffic violations, and other charges.

Don't assume that because you returned your rental car and walked away from the counter that you're necessarily done with every possible expense. Depending on what happens during the rental, notices or additional charges can sometimes come through the rental company later.

This is NOT something where I'd recommend grabbing the cheapest rental car you find online and assuming you're good to go.

Research the rules. Know where you're allowed to take the vehicle. Understand what documentation you need. And make sure you're actually comfortable driving there. This is something I spend quite a bit of time talking through my clients with.

Would I Rent a Car in Europe Again?

For this particular itinerary, yes.

Having the car gave us flexibility between the major stops and let us turn travel days into sightseeing days.

Look at everything we were able to connect:

• Munich.

• Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau.

• Kitzbühel.

• Salzburg.

• Mauthausen.

• Vienna.
  

But I wouldn't recommend a rental car to every client simply because that's how I did this trip. If you're a confident driver, you've researched the rules, and your itinerary includes smaller towns or places that aren't as convenient by train, a rental car can be an awesome way to experience Europe.

If the thought of driving in another country already makes you nervous?

Don't spend your vacation stressing behind the wheel.

There are so many other ways to experience Europe.

You Don't Have to Drive Yourself to Experience Europe

This is something I wish more people realized when they start planning Europe.

You don't have to choose between renting a car and figuring everything out yourself or joining a huge tour where every second of your day is scheduled.

There are so many ways we can build a European itinerary.

Travel Europe by Train

Train travel is one of my favorite options.

Europe's rail system makes it possible to connect many major destinations while you sit back, enjoy the scenery, and arrive without worrying about navigating unfamiliar roads or parking a car in the middle of a city.

We can build a custom itinerary using rail, arrange your hotels and experiences, and still give you plenty of freedom to explore on your own.

Use Private Drivers and Transfers

For certain routes, we can arrange private transportation or drivers so you're picked up at your hotel and taken directly to your next destination.

Depending on the itinerary, we can even look at incorporating sightseeing or stops along the way.

You get some of the flexibility we had with our rental car without actually having to drive the car.

Take a Guided or Escorted European Tour

If you want someone else handling the logistics from beginning to end, guided and escorted tours are an awesome way to experience Europe.

Your hotels, transportation, sightseeing, guides, and many of the logistics are already arranged.

You get to actually enjoy where you are instead of spending every travel day figuring out where to park, which train platform you need, or what road you're supposed to be on.

And escorted tours don't all look the same.

There are different travel styles, group sizes, activity levels, hotel categories, and itineraries. Finding the right tour matters just as much as choosing the destination.

See Germany and Austria on a European River Cruise

Another AMAZING way to experience this part of Europe is a Danube River cruise.

You obviously aren't going to ski Kitzbühel from your river cruise, but if Germany and Austria are what caught your attention in this itinerary, there are some incredible river cruise options.

A Danube cruise can take you through Germany and Austria with stops in places like Vienna, Linz, Passau, and the Wachau Valley. Depending on the cruise and itinerary, you can also find excursions to Salzburg or combine your cruise with land stays in Munich.

There are even itineraries that can combine Munich, Neuschwanstein Castle, and a Danube River cruise through Austria and Vienna.

So if you're reading about our road trip thinking:

This sounds incredible, but I have absolutely no desire to drive myself around Austria...

A river cruise might be your answer.

You unpack once.

Your ship becomes your hotel.

You're traveling between destinations while you're sleeping, eating dinner, having a glass of wine, or relaxing onboard instead of spending hours in a car.

And depending on the river cruise line, many of your excursions, meals, drinks, and other experiences may already be included.

The biggest difference from our trip is the time of year.

The main European river cruise season gets going in the spring, with many Danube sailings beginning around March, so you're not going to recreate this exact January ski-and-ice-skating itinerary on a river cruise.

But if skiing isn't your priority, traveling from spring through fall opens up an entirely different way to experience Germany and Austria.

And if you still want that wintery European feeling?

Christmas market river cruises are another option later in the year.

You also aren't limited to only the destinations directly along the river.

We can add land stays before or after your cruise.

Imagine starting with a few nights in Munich, visiting Neuschwanstein Castle, boarding your river cruise, sailing through Austria, spending time in Vienna, and then continuing into places like Bratislava and Budapest.

That's one of the reasons I've become so excited about European river cruising.

You can see a LOT of Europe without constantly packing your suitcase and changing hotels.

So What's the Best Way to Travel Through Europe?

There isn't one. Sometimes the best trip is an escorted tour.

Sometimes it's a custom itinerary with beautiful hotels, trains, private drivers, and tours along the way.

Sometimes it's a European river cruise.

Sometimes a rental car gives you exactly the freedom you're looking for.

And sometimes the best itinerary uses a combination of all of them.

My job is figuring out which option makes the most sense for the way you want to experience Europe—not just finding the cheapest way to get from Point A to Point B.

How I'd Plan This Trip Differently for a Good Trip Client

This is probably my biggest takeaway from traveling the route myself.

I loved our trip.

But I wouldn't necessarily copy and paste exactly what we did for a client.

I'd take what I learned and build a version around you.

• Maybe that means three nights at a beautiful hotel in Munich instead of one.

• Maybe we arrange a private driver to Neuschwanstein so you don't have to think about navigating or parking.

• Maybe we turn Kitzbühel into a four-night ski stay with equipment rentals, ski passes, spa time, and dinners planned ahead.

• Maybe Salzburg gets two nights instead of a quick stop.

• Maybe you travel between cities by first-class train.

• Maybe we add private sightseeing and drivers between destinations.

• Maybe we find a guided tour that already includes several of the places you've been wanting to see.

• Maybe we build the entire trip around a Danube river cruise and add Munich before you board.

Or maybe you look at all of this and say:

“Hannah, I want to see Europe, but I don't want to think about ANY of these logistics.”

Perfect. That's exactly why you work with a travel advisor.

Want to Plan A Germany & Austria Vacation?

If Germany, Austria, or a bigger European itinerary is on your list, you don't have to figure out all of the logistics yourself.

And you definitely don't have to travel Europe the cheapest way possible to have a great trip.

We can build something completely different.

Beautiful hotels. Guided tours. European ski stays. First-class rail. Private drivers and transfers. River cruises. Curated experiences. Or a fully escorted itinerary where someone else handles the details.

The goal is to figure out how you want to experience Europe and build the trip around that.

And if Oktoberfest in Munich is on your list, definitely stay tuned.

Good Trip Travel Co. has something coming for 2028.

Until then, reach out to Good Trip Travel Co. and let's start planning your Europe vacation.

Send over your trip request here: www.goodtrip.biz/bookwithhannah

Be a Good Tripper.