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

Königssee and Berchtesgaden Salt Mine With Kids From Salzburg

Our Berchtesgaden Salt Mine and Königssee outings · Full film (1 min 41 sec)

▶Watch full film 1 min 41 sec

A recommendation from our friend and staff member Ray took us from Salzburg into this beautiful corner of Germany with all five kids. We tried the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine, got drenched at Königssee, and returned to the lake the next day. Here are the parts we loved, the practical lessons, and the short film from our late-summer 2022 trip.

This portrait film combines snapshots from the salt mine with our rainy first lake visit and clearer return the next day. The mine segment includes photographs, not continuous filming of the tour.

Are you planning to visit Salzburg, Austria, anytime soon?  I’d encourage you to rent a car and add a day trip to Lake Königssee 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 Königssee 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.

*Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. Opinions shared are my own, and I only endorse products I support. By clicking on any of the links below, I may get a small commission if you purchase at absolutely no additional charge to you. I appreciate your support.*

First, The Berchtesgaden Salt Mines

Mine overalls, a train ride, and two slides underground—this stop had a lot going for it with our kids! These photographs from our visit bring back the fun parts, including the bright display of colored salt. I had wondered how this mine would compare with Wieliczka in Poland; below is what felt different for us.

Our salt-mine overalls, slide, and colored salt photographs · Scene from our film (10 sec)

▶Watch scene from our film 10 sec

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. Check what English-language or audio-guide options are currently available.  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 miners 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

• We put on the mine’s jumpsuits for our tour, including the kids. It was cold underground, so I was glad to have warm clothing underneath. Check the current clothing and tour guidance before your visit.

• Our tour had a no-photo rule. Our guide allowed me two quick photographs on that visit, but that was an individual exception. Follow the mine’s current photography rules and your guide’s instructions.

• 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 was another fun reminder of the place we had just explored.

Watch our original related film on Vimeo

Hotels Near Berchtesgaden Salt Mines

• Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden was an option in my original accommodation notes. Check the current location, room arrangements, facilities, transport, and availability before booking.
• Hotel Schwabenwirt was an option in my original accommodation notes. Check the current location, room arrangements, facilities, transport, and availability before booking.
• HomeHotel Salzberg was an option in my original accommodation notes. Check the current location, room arrangements, facilities, transport, and availability before booking.

Visiting Königssee Lake With Kids

Our first look at Königssee ended with all of us completely soaked! We came back the next day, and I am so glad we did. This part of our film moves from that rainy outing to our return and the boat ride past the echo wall. Two visits, very different weather, and the same beautiful lake.

Rain at Königssee and our return boat outing · Scene from our film (20 sec)

▶Watch scene from our film 20 sec

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

Arrive early enough to enjoy the boat trip and your stop. The operator lists roughly 35 minutes each way to St. Bartholomä and just under an hour to Salet; check which stops are served for your date. Our original notes recorded around 70€ for return tickets for our family of seven on our 2022 visit. That is a historical trip cost, not a current fare. Check the operator’s timetable and current fares before you go.

Our trip notes described two ferry stops on the lake with 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.

Check the final return boat from your actual stop and leave enough time to board. The operator warns that there is no road or lakeshore footpath back from St. Bartholomä or Salet. Do not plan on a six-hour family hike as a fallback. If you miss a boat, contact the operator or local assistance for instructions.

The boat time depends on your destination, while stops, queues, and time ashore add to the outing. Plan your return around the current timetable rather than assuming a fixed two-hour round trip.

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 was an option in my original accommodation notes. Check the current location, room arrangements, facilities, transport, and availability before booking.
• Alm- & Wellnesshotel Alpenhof was an option in my original accommodation notes. Check the current location, room arrangements, facilities, transport, and availability before booking.
• Alpenhotel Fischer was an option in my original accommodation notes. Check the current location, room arrangements, facilities, transport, and availability before booking.

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.
• Compare the linked Hallstatt and Dachstein ice-cave tour from Salzburg, 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.

• On our September 2022 visit, masks were required inside the boat. That is a historical note; check the operator’s current travel requirements for your date.

• 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 completely 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

Additional Reading

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