47.63° N · 13.00° E
An Alpine corner in the far south-east of Bavaria, with Germany's only Alpine national park. Lake Königssee is toured in electric boats beneath the east face of the Watzmann (2,713 m).
Part of Alps
What to do
Each plan says how long it takes, who it's for and whether you can book.
Electric boat from Seelände to St. Bartholomä (35 min, all year) and Salet (1 h, April to October); €23.40 return.
A one-hour guided visit to the salt mine, active since 1517, with a mine train, slides and an underground lake; €26.50 for adults.
From Salet, 15 minutes to the Obersee and 5.5 km return to the Fischunkelalm and the Röthbach waterfall; only with the summer boat.
Plan the trip
Each choice narrows the next: the season shapes how best to travel, and how you travel decides where you stay and where you eat.
When to go
From the end of April to mid-October, when the boat goes as far as Salet and the Obersee. In winter the boat only goes to St. Bartholomä and the mine has reduced opening hours.
How you travel
Choose how you're travelling and we'll tell you where to stay, how to get around, where to eat and which services you'll need. We only show the ways of travelling that make sense here.
Berchtesgaden is half an hour by car from Salzburg airport, in Austria, which is the most convenient gateway. Munich has more direct flights from Spain and is about two hours away along the A8, or by train changing at Freilassing. Without a car you can get there easily: train or bus to Berchtesgaden and, from there, buses to the Königssee, the Jennerbahn and Ramsau.
A car gives you freedom to combine the Königssee, Ramsau and the Hintersee, the Obersalzberg and trips to Salzburg or the Austrian lakes. Within the district the distances are short, but the Königssee car park fills up in summer: arrive before 10:00 or leave the car and take the bus.
Berchtesgaden works well without a car. The train arrives at the village station and from there buses leave for the Königssee, the Jennerbahn, Ramsau and Salzburg. With the digital guest card that your accommodation gives you, the bus is free.
Who you're with
A trip with a toddler is not the same as one with a teenager. Pick yours to see what works and what to bear in mind.
Berchtesgaden is easy with children: the Königssee boat, the mine with its train and slides and short walks inside the national park.
With children under six, combine a spell on the boat with a short walk. The mine suits from age 4.
Teenagers find two things here: real mountains around the Königssee and a key place for understanding the twentieth century.
Where to stay
We show you what suits the way you travel.Change how you travel
Why we like it: A four-star superior hotel in the centre of Berchtesgaden, with indoor and outdoor rooftop pools, a sauna with views and breakfast included.
Why we like it: A DJH youth hostel in Strub, on the outskirts, with 265 beds in two houses, family rooms with bathroom, a large garden, a playground and free parking.
Why we like it: A family campsite in Schönau am Königssee, a few minutes' walk from the lake and the Jennerbahn, with comfort pitches of up to 110 m² and views of the Watzmann.
Services for this trip
Where to eat
From set lunch menus to Michelin stars. We mark the price level and what to order at each place.
What to order: something hot from the Bavarian menu in the garden, or cake with coffee if you are continuing to Salet.
What to order: a Bavarian dish with beer from the Hofbrauhaus Berchtesgaden; in summer, in the garden.
What to order: stone-oven pizza, or in the afternoon a slice of cake from the house pastry shop.
Nearby
The closest places, whichever country they are in.
47.80° N · 13.05° E
Car-freeLuxuryBackpackingBy plane
47.56° N · 13.65° E
By carCar-freeBy bikeOn footCampingBy campervan
47.04° N · 12.84° E
By carBy motorbikeBy campervanCampingOn footBy bike
Tips
On the way back you stop at St. Bartholomä and wait less.
If the day turns out grey, swap the lake for the salt mine.
It reduces the price of the Jenner and the Dokumentation Obersalzberg.
Since the fire in October 2026 it has been closed, along with the bus and the lift. Check its website to see whether it has reopened before you go.
Fly to Salzburg, half an hour away by car, or to Munich, and continue by train to Berchtesgaden, changing at Freilassing. Buses to the Königssee, the salt mine and the Obersalzberg leave from the station.
The main sights are close together: the Königssee and the Jenner in Schönau, the mine beside the town and the Obersalzberg above it. Note that the Kehlsteinhaus, the so-called Eagle's Nest, suffered a serious fire on 23 October 2026 and is closed until further notice, along with the bus up and the lift. The Dokumentation Obersalzberg, lower down, remains open.
The Königssee is one of the most visited places in Bavaria: in summer and on public holidays there are queues for the boat, so arrive before 10:30. Buy the boat and the salt mine online. Everything else on the day.
Questions
In Berchtesgaden you have the station, the buses and more restaurants. Schönau am Königssee is next to the landing stage and the Jennerbahn: it suits you better if you come by car or motorhome.
No. It closed after the fire of 23 October 2026 and remains closed until further notice.
€23.40 return to St. Bartholomä, according to the fare published in November 2026.
Yes. There is a train to Berchtesgaden and buses to all the sights.
Yes. The salt mine admits children from age 4, everyone enjoys the boat and the Obersee is a 15-minute walk away.
Geocaliahttps://www.geocalia.com/en/germany/bavaria/berchtesgaden
