My day started in early morning at 6:00 AM from Ingolstadt. It’s totally worth it for what turned out to be an unforgettable adventure! 🚆
From Ingolstadt Hbf, I took a regional train (covered by my Deutschlandticket, yay for free travel!) all the way to Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The journey took about 3 hours and 36 minutes, with beautiful views along the way. Once I arrived, I took the bus 9840 straight to Eibsee Lake. Tickets cost just 6 € for adults (or 3 € for kids aged 6–14). 📅 Check the bus timetable here and find more bus info here.
By 11:30 AM, I arrived at Eibsee — and wow, it is even more beautiful in person! I set off on a hike around the lake, using Komoot to choose a trail that fit my time schedule. Since I didn’t have a full day, I picked a shorter route that still circled the entire lake. Along the way, I kept stopping to take in the incredible views of the lake and mountains — and of course, take a ton of photos. I even enjoyed a little picnic lunch by the water. Pure serenity. 🌊
After enjoying in the beauty of Eibsee, it was taking the Eibsee cable car up to Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain at 2,962 meters. 🎢 The round-trip ticket is 75 €, and honestly, it’s worth every cent for the experience.
👉 Here’s all the info about the cable car and tickets.
The ride up was breathtaking, but the view from the top? Absolutely jaw-dropping. On a clear day, you can see across four countries — Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy!
There’s so much to do at the summit:
🏔 For adventure lovers: Ski at Zugspitzplatt, visit the highest church in Germany (Maria Heimsuchung Chapel), or even climb to the very peak of Zugspitze. Just make sure to bring proper gear — hiking shoes, warm clothing, gloves, and if you’re climbing, a via ferrata set and helmet. Safety first!
☕ For chill travelers: Sit back, relax, and enjoy a meal at one of the mountaintop restaurants or cafés. Traditional Bavarian food + Alps views = perfect combination.
Whether you go for hiking, skiing, climbing, or just sipping coffee with a view, a day trip to Zugspitze is truly magical. ✨ If you’re in southern Germany, this is one destination you cannot miss!
Make sure to check the last cable car time for the ride back down (usually around 4:45–5:00 PM in winter and slightly later in summer). Missing it means you’ll be stuck at the top! Also, check the schedule for the last bus 9840 back to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, so you don’t miss your train back home.
I caught the bus back, then my train connection, finally arriving back in Ingolstadt around 11:00 PM. It was a long day, but so worth it!
