salzburg, munich and where else?

I am considering a trip to Salzburg and Munich for next year (probably Aug/Sept) and it has been a long time since I have been to Germany and Austria

I would definitely like to spend time in Salzburg and Munich but I am trying to decide on one other area to stay for a few days

I would like something scenic that I can access maybe w/public transport

thanks for any input

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From Munich, you can easily get to Mittenwald or Garmisch, both small and scenic and accessible by train.

From Salzburg, you can choose Zell am See, Hallstatt, St. Gilgen. Hallstatt is better accessed by car, the other two easily accessed via public transport. We don%26#39;t like to rent cars so choose to stay in Salzburg and Munich and make day trips.

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I really enjoyed the Bodensee. We stayed in Meersburg (lots of fun including m favorite wine garden) but it%26#39;s easy to get to some of the other towns on the lake, i.e. Lindau, Uberlingen, and Stein Am Rhein in Switzerland.

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I would add Oberammergau in there too!! Garmisch and Mittenwald are also awesome! You just get such a great view of the mountains in all three towns!

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I was in Mittenwald for lunch yesterday and Garmisch for coffee and cake for a day out. As they are both easily accessible by train from Munich (I drove home from Garmisch in 1hr) and can be easily visited for a day trip I would have thought another area to stay as a centre would be a better choice. Vienna is 3hrs from Salzburg, 4hrs from Munich by train (direct possible). Zurich is also only 4hrs away.

For a mountain/lake experience you could consider Zell am See (1hr 35mins from Salzburg some trains direct).

With ticket offers from www.bahn.de booked in advance it is possible to get tickets for each leg of the journey from as little as 19euros

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Mittenwald is lovely. So is Lake Chiemsee, between Munich and Salzburg, a big lake at the foot of the Alps. Regensburg is a very nice untouristy city as well. All are easily accessible by public transport. Of course there is also Fuessen, home of Neuschwanstein castle, and Rothenburg on the Tauber, a old walled city. Rothenburg is a bit more difficult on the train, but can be done, and is well worth a visit even though it%26#39;s not in the Alps.