Day Trip From Salzburg To Lake Königssee and Berchtesgaden Salt Mines, Germany With Kids

Last Updated on April 8, 2024 by Leslie Stroud

Are you planning to visit Salzburg, Austria, anytime soon?  I’d encourage you to rent a car and add a day trip to Lake Kongisee to make your trip extra unique.  You’ll cross the border into Germany quickly and be able to enjoy beautiful landscapes.

We didn’t know about this gem until one of our amazing staff members, Ray, recommended it.  Ray grew up in Europe and said Salzburg and Lake Königssee are his favorite parts of Europe.

Once we experienced it for ourselves, it’s easy to see why Ray would say this.  The natural beauty here astounds you.  In just a quick 45-minute drive from Salzburg, Austria, you are transported to a hidden gem of Europe.

We explored Lake Kongisee with our five kids in tow and had the best time.  It was one of the most beautiful parts of our five-week European train adventures in late summer of 2022.

How To Rent A Car For Your Salzburg Day Trip

We booked a car on Expedia at the Salzburg airport. We need a larger van for seven people; I think it was around $200 daily. We rode the public bus from our hotel to the airport and were off with our car! Easy.

I believe sometimes there is also an option to take bus 840 directly from Salzburg, Austria, but that was not available at the time of our visit.

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First, The Berchtesgaden Salt Mines

On your way to Lake Königssee, or as another day trip, I’d recommend visiting the Berchtesgaden Salt Mines.  We visited the Weilczka Salt Mines in Poland, which is incredible.  I was worried the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine might be a letdown after such a fantastic learning experience in Poland.

While not as expansive or informational, the Berchtesgaden Salt Mines are a different experience and really fun with kids. If you can, time a visit on an English tour.  We were the only English speakers on our tour, and it was sometimes difficult to follow along with the German. Our tour guide would help us with translator headsets and sometimes translated a bit for us, but I felt a little out.

We loved the two slides in the mine (used by the minders to descend into the mine) and the train ride. However, sitting with little kiddos close on the train ride gave me some anxiety that they might fall off.

This is still an active mine, and the salt is mined using water extraction. The entire process is fascinating! 

Some Tips For Your Visit To Berchtesgaden Salt Mines

• You’ll be required to put on jumpsuits before you go on the tour.  They have all sizes, including for kids.  You might be tempted to take off your jacket or sweater under the jumpsuit, but it is cold in the mine.  I’d keep it on.

• Photos and videos are NOT allowed.  Our guide did allow me to take two quick photos but said for safety concerns, and they don’t want people on their phones at all.

• The train ride in and out of the mine is fun but fast!  Keep little kids next to you.  I made the mistake of putting little kids in front, away from me, and I was stressed they might fall off.

• The gift shop is fun at the end, and you can buy the salt mined there, which is also the most popular table salt in Germany today.

Hotels Near Berchtesgaden Salt Mines

• Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden is close to the airport. Watzmann Water Park and Rennbob-Taxi are also worth visiting, especially with families.
• Hotel Schwabenwirt is near the train station. It is also a few minutes away from Berchtesgaden Salt Mine. If you’re going with kids, spend some time exploring at Salzburger Schokolade GmbH and Salzburg Zoo.
• HomeHotel Salzberg is a 7-minute walk away from Salt Mine Berchtesgaden. See nature’s beauty at the nearby Eagle’s Nest and Berchtesgaden National Park. This can be your home away from home!

Visiting Königssee Lake With Kids

After the salt mines, drive another few minutes or so to Lake Königssee. If you like the hike, you’ll love this destination.  It is a hiker’s paradise with miles and miles of hiking trails between stunning backdrops.

Taking The Electric Ferry At Lake Königssee

The lake boasts electric ferries for which you’ll need to purchase tickets.  Arrive early enough in the day to enjoy.  One trip across the lake is over an hour! Everything also closes promptly at 6 pm.  For our family of seven, roundtrip ferry rides were around 70€.

The ferry boat stops at two docks on the lake, both of which have hiking, rock climbing, and small restaurants.

On the boat ride, you’ll experience the “singing Alps,” where one of the boat drivers will play the trumpet, and you can hear the echo loud and clear down the lake.

The tour is in German, which was a bummer, but it was stunning.

We got off on the final stop for the ferry boat and had only 30 minutes to explore. However, we quickly hiked to this incredible lake for some quick pictures.

Pay special attention to the last return ferry time, or you’ll have to make the 6-hour hike back in the dark.

The round-trip ride is 2 hours long.

Exploring The Town Schönau am Königssee

You’ll also want time to explore the shopping and restaurants around Lake Königssee, which boasts clocks, German goods, ice cream, and more.  We ate dinner there twice. Gaststatte Saletalm is a lovely beirgarten with delicious schitzel!

We all loved the cheese soup at the Echostuberl restaurant right next to the Lake. 

Hotels near Lake Königssee

• Berghotel Rehlegg, BW Premier Collection, is situated in the mountains and a national park. It provides a free roundtrip airport shuttle. If you’re up to an adventure, you may like mountain biking at this hotel.
• Alm- & Wellnesshotel Alpenhof is close to Watzmann Water Park and Rennbob-Taxi if you’re going with kids. You can enjoy skiing, ice skating, and sledding. This hotel is in a rural area and the mountains.
• Alpenhotel Fischer is your hotel by the lake. Relax in their on-site spa. Are you looking for an adventure? You may like hiking/biking at this hotel.

Exciting Tours For Families

• Capture the beauty of Austrian Lakes and head on a private tour to Salzburg from Vienna.
• See the film set of Sound of Music & hop on tour at Salt Mines.
• Visit the world’s largest ice cave, Werfen Ice Caves, and capture one of the true wonders on earth.

Other Tips For Visiting Königssee Lake With Kids

• Parking is in front of the luge practice center.

• From the parking, walk around the end of the lake, across the bridge, and into the little shopping and restaurant area.

• Buy tickets for the ferry boat early in the day.

• When we went in September, masks were still required inside the ferry boat.  Have masks, just in case you will need them.

• Grab a window seat.  If the weather is nice, open up for better pictures and filming.

• Public bathrooms are located at the pier for the ferry boats, or you can use the bathroom at the restaurants if you eat there.

• Weather can change quickly!  We were caught in a torrential downpour on our first visit and returned to our hotel complexly soaked.  Rain jackets are a good idea.

• Bring the camera charged! We also enjoyed reading books on the ferry boat when not looking at the incredible scenery.

• Bring cash for use in the restaurants and little shops off the ferry boat.

Enjoy your day trip to Königssee Lake with your kids, and be sure to take lots of photos!

Xoxo,

Leslie

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