As the train chugs and makes its way along snowy wonderlands passing by the traditional Bavarian houses, forest covered in mist, snowy white fields, and trees blanketed with a fresh layer of snow; all you can do from the coziness of your train is gaze out and marvel at the breathtaking scenery. Want to know more about this amazing Alpine experience in Germany? Let’s take you on a day trip from Munich to Zugspitze, Germany’s Highest Peak.
Your journey to the highest peak of Germany starts with boarding the cogwheel train that takes you all the way up to the Zugspitzplatt and then hopping on to a cable car or continuing the journey that takes you all the way up to the top of Germany. The cable car is the faster option, so opt for the cable car if you have limited time on hand.
Zugspitze
Located south of the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Zugspitze stands tall at 2962 meters, is part of the Zugspitze massif and there are many other peaks and plateaus nearby. One of them is Zugspitzplatt which is a high karst plateau dotted with numerous caves. Zugspitze is famous as Germany’s highest peak. It was first climbed in 1820 by Josef Naus.
There are three glaciers, including the two largest in Germany: the Northern Schneeferner with an area of 30.7 hectares and the Höllentalferner with an area of 24.7 hectares. The third is the Southern Schneeferner which covers 8.4 hectares.
How to reach Zugspitze
Day trip from Munich to Zugspitze is very popular. Trains from Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen are convenient and run hourly. It takes 2 hours to reach Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Right next to the Garmisch station, you have the Zugspitze Bahn(station). The train goes to Grainau, Eibsee, and all the way up to the top of the peak.
There are two options –
Option 1: Take the cable car from Eibsee straight up to the top of the peak in just 10 minutes.
Option 2: Continue your journey in the cogwheel train all the way up to the and then from there hop on a cable car which takes you all the way to the summit.
PRICE
The best thing is to buy the Deutsch Bahn Zugspitze Summer or Winter Combo ticket. This ticket includes trains from Munich to the top of the peak including cogwheel trains and cable cars.
Tip: Don’t forget to check the LIVE Web Cams for the exact weather conditions before planning your visit.
If you love skiing and want to choose from other options that are available. Do check the prices of day passes at their official site.
Cable Car from Eibsee
As mentioned earlier, you can opt for the cable car from Eibsee. It is beautiful to see the entire façade of the mountain from the glass-clad cable cars that can hold up to 120 people. The cable car that was opened in 2017 is one of a kind experience. It is the world’s longest free span at 3,213 m offering breathtaking views of the idyllic Lake Eibsee, Alpspitze, and Waxensteine.
THINGS TO DO IN ZUGSPITZE
Apart from taking in the amazing views from the summit, don’t forget to enjoy cuisine from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy and wash it all down with a German beer at the highest Biergarten of Germany at the super cool Panorama 2962 restaurant. It offers impressive views of the valley with panoramic glass windows to take it all in.
Here is a list of things that you can do in Zugspitze.
- Glacier Hike
- Toboggan Run
- Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Stay at Iglo village in winter
- Münchner Haus (only open in summer)
- Zugspitze-Exhibition
- Grab a drink or sample delicacies at restaurants like “Gletschergarten” and the self-service restaurant Sonnalpin.
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In winter make sure you are dressed well as the temperature drops below zero near the summit. A good winter jacket, boots, gloves ( a must), beanies, hand warmers, scarf, sunglasses and don’t forget to wear your thermals. Make sure you also carry your power bank and extra battery for your camera. There are power sockets at the summit near the lift in case you are out of your phone battery.
You don’t need winter jackets and boots in summer though but make sure you wear comfortable shoes for walking and wear a light jacket.
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NOTE
If you do find our article useful in planning your trip, don’t forget to send a note/picture of your trip to us ( Email: thetalesofatraveler@gmail.com) for our Testimonial section.
I’m a complete wimp when it comes to heights, so I’m glad to read this vicariously through your post! I do, however, like the look of the views from the cable car, and in all that snow too! Thanks for the tip on getting the combo ticket, that sounds like a good deal.
I like your winter photos, the contrast of the red jacket and white snow. It is excellent. I want to take a cable car to the top. Views are breathtaking. And would like to eat dinner in the Panorama restaurant. For sure, I would like to make a glacier hike.
I love your photos! The view from the cable car looks amazing. I haven’t experienced snow or winter yet but hopefully someday.
This sounds a lovely trip I’d like to do. Everything looks so pretty in the snow and the views must be spectacular especially if you opt to take the cable car. I think I’d enjoy the sledding before heading inside for some food and beer. I like the idea of extending the trip with a stay at the Iglo village.
I am heading to Munich this summer and I am so thankful for your blog because now I have the idea of what to do while I will be in Munich for a week. I will surely take a day trip to this wonderful Zugspitze. Thanks for sharing information about what to pack and how to reach there. I will prefer a cable car over a cogwheel train for killer views.
This is such a beautiful trip. I felt I was there. All my trips to Europe have been in summer and your post makes me experience during winters.
Talk about a winter wonderland! I was recently in Munich but wasn’t aware of this area. The cable car ride sounds fabulous. I would love to give the toboggan run a go and stay at the igloo village
Your photos in Zugspitze feels like a setting in Game of Thrones it’s just so surreal. I would take the train option though to head there at least there’s lesser time on a cable car as I freak out with cable cars. And oh the church would be a great addition in exploring this wonderful scenery.
Now that is quite a stunning journey. The whole cable car ride must have been something . I wouldn’t mind the cogwheel train too, bet you can see some other aspects of this winter wonderland. I am all for that toboggan…actually you look quite cute pulling it 😀 Loved your pictures as usual. Good and useful tips about how to get there, where to stay etc.
Did you really ride that wooden sled??? SO cute!! I love Germany so much, but I’ve never been in the winter. The Iglo village sounds fun to explore, too. I really want to go to Europe in the winter sometime. I love the boots and coat combo, too. Adorable!
All of this looks so so dreamy. Am simply in love with those pictures that you managed to take from the cable car. Looking at your photos, and seeing the amount of fun you guys had, I also want to experience this for myself. Haven’t been to Germany yet, but now I will visit Germany specially in the winters, and experience this for myself too.
I love Europe in winters the most. Everything looks like a winter wonderland. I just returned from Switzerland and it was as beautiful as your pictures. Too bad I didn’t carry my red jacket as you did 😛 I love the cogwheel trains that take you to the top of the mountain. I am definitely putting this trip for my next year. I loved the pics you took from the cable car.
Your post made me nostalgic as I loved Zugpitze from Munich and also enjoyed the cable car ride. Cable car from Eibsee is the beautiful part of this tour as the view from top is really splendid. I too had hot chocolates at Panorma 2962 restaurant with view of snowy mountains. Staying at Igloo village in winter would also be nice to do here.
Wow that view from the cable car is breathtaking. I am definitely not a person who loves snow. But I can do it for a day or so if we are going on a trip like this. It looks like a winter wonderland . Thanks for sharing all the important information