Germany's €49 ticket offers ticketholders the chance to travel on regional transport throughout the country for a fixed price - opening up a world of cheap travel destinations for the budding explorer.
If you're based in Munich or visiting the city on holiday, these stunning destinations can all be reached on regional transport in under three hours, making them perfect for a day trip or even a weekend getaway.
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Salzburg
Surrounded by soaring Alpine peaks, the Austrian city of Salzburg is a must-visit if you're ever nearby. Immaculately preserved baroque buildings line the historic streets, giving visitors the sense of stepping back in time to the era of the city's most famous resident: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Visiting Hagenauer Haus - the birthplace of Mozart - is a must while you're there, as is a trip to the city's striking modern art museum and the charming toy museum.
If you decide to stay in Salzburg for longer than a day, it's definitely worth scheduling a trip out to Germany's Königsee. This alpine lake is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful locations in Germany - and if you make it there, you'll see why. Simply hop on the 840 bus from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden and then switch to the 841 to Königsee. The journey takes an hour and a half but with breathtaking views to look at the whole time, the time will fly by.
Incredibly, the €49 ticket will even take you across the border into Austria and as far as Salzburg for no extra charge. Simply take the RB40 from Munich East and then change to RE45 at Mühldorf. The whole journey shouldn't take longer than 2 hours and 45 minutes.
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Schloss Neuschwanstein
Ludwig II's masterpiece of neo-gothic architecture is immensely popular with tourists - and it's no wonder. Surrounded by dizzying peaks and pine forests, Schloss Neuschwanstein is straight out of a fairytale and famously inspired the Walt Disney logo.
Take a walking tour around the castle to hear all about the escapades of mad King Ludwig II and discover why people nicknamed him the 'Swan King'. Just a stone's throw away is Ludwig's equally stunning but less famous summer residence - the colourful Schloss Hohenschwangau - which is also well worth a visit. And if you still haven't had your fill of royalty, you can find out even more about Ludwig and his relatives at the Museum of Bavarian Kings. Otherwise, take a refreshing dip in the nearby Alpsee or enjoy some hearty southern German fare and a Helles at the atmospheric Schloss Bräustüberl Hohenschwangau.
To get to Schloss Neuschwanstein, take the RB70/74/76 train from Munich Central Station to Buchloe and then change to the BRB RB77 to Füssen, which is about an hour's walk or a short bus ride from the castles.
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Regensburg
The university town of Regensburg, to the north of Munich, is an essential day trip for history buffs and lovers of medieval architecture. Located on the banks of the Danube, Regensburg is believed to be the northernmost Roman fort in Europe and the town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2006.
Incredibly, Regenburg's Old Town managed to make it through two world wars unscathed and the town is now considered one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. To soak up the atmosphere, take a meandering walk around the Altstadt and cross the old stone bridge to colourful neighbourhood of Stadtamhof - and keep an eye out for Regenburg's iconic tower houses on the way. If you get peckish, you can stop by at Germany's oldest sausage kitchen, which has been serving delicious Wurst to locals since the 12th Century. You can also learn about the region's Jewish and Roman past at the fascinating Document Neupfarrplatz museum, or see a who's-who of brilliant German men and women in the historic Hall of Fame.
To get to Regensburg from Munich, you have a choice of regional trains. The RE2 or RE25 only take around 1 hour and 20 minutes, while others such as the RE50 tend to take more of a scenic route.
Tegernsee
If you're looking for all the natural highs that Bavaria has to offer, then look no further than the lakeside resort of Tegernsee. This stunning spot has everything from mountain peaks to a crystalline lake - not to mention endless fun activities that the whole family can enjoy. There are some immensely popular hiking and biking trails both around the lake and in the mountains - and for those who want to skip the sweaty part, the Wallbergbahn gondola will take you 1,600 feet above sea level to enjoy the best views of Tegernsee and its surroundings.
During the summer, adrenaline junkies will love taking a ride down the hillside on the summer toboggan at nearby Oedberg or even trying their hand at paragliding. And of course, there are numerous charming Bavaria eateries and swimming beaches dotted around the lake itself.
There are great train connections between Munich and Tegernsee. The BRB RB57, for example, will take you from Munich Central Station to Gmund am Tegelsee in just over an hour.
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Garmisch and Zugspitze
For fans of winter sports, Germany's highest mountain should need no introduction. In summer, however, the popular ski resort of Garmisch-Patenkirchen and its famous peaks are no less captivating.
With its historic alleys lined with chocolatiers and cafes, Garmsich-Patenkirchen is worthy of a day trip in itself. But for lovers of the great outdoors, the hiking and cycling opportunities in the surrounding Alps are what really makes the area special. From Garmisch, you can ascend approximately 2,600 feet to the top of Zugspitze by cable car, where you can follow adventurous hiking trials and experience a real glacier up close. Beyond Germany's highest mountain, Garmisch is also a good starting point for a trip up the hilariously named Mount Wank, another soaring mountain with panoramic views of the valley.
Due to a tragic train derailment, a part of the railway between Oberau and Garmisch is closed. Currently, passengers can get the RE6 from Munich to Oberau and then change to a bus to Garmisch. The journey takes about an hour and a half.
Nuremberg
From fascist rallies in the 1930s to the courthouse where prominent Nazi figures were put on trial in the aftermath of WWII, nowhere quite represents the darker side of German history as much as Nuremberg. If you visit for the day, the exhibition at the Documentation Centre - housed in the old site of the famous Nazi rallies - will help you understand Nuremburg's unique role in the far-right's rise to power. You can also visit the Memorium Nuremberg Trials, which is housed on the top floor of the Palace of Justice where the trials took place.
It's also worth taking a walk around the historic centre, which was largely destroyed in the Second World War but subsequently rebuilt in all its medieval charm.
The ICE fast-speed train is by far the quickest way to get from Munich to Nuremberg, but if you want to use the €49 ticket, the RE1 will take you there in 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Taufkirchen
Just south of Munich in the unassuming suburb of Taufkirchen, you'll find the ultimate pilgrimage site for German adrenaline junkies: the Jochen Schweizer Arena. For those who don't know, Jochen Schweizer is a German stuntman and extreme athlete who made his fortune by setting up an 'experiences' business which sells every type of gift experience imaginable, from wine tasting to skydiving.
At his flagship arena, you can try anything from indoor surfing to bungee jumping and body flying - otherwise known as indoor skydiving. On sunny afternoons, adults and kids alike can have hours of fun clambering around the outdoor high-ropes climbing course and whizzing through the air on the 'Flying Fox' zipwire.
Getting to Taufkirchen from central Munich couldn't be easier: it takes around 20 minutes on the S3.
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Dachau
Spending a morning or afternoon at the former concentration camp at Dachau is a heart-wrenching experience, but it's also a powerful way to keep the atrocities in living memory and bear witness to the stories of those who were incarcerated there.
The former factory at Dachau was turned into Germany's first concentration camp in March 1933 - just a few months after Adolf Hiter was appointed Chancellor of the Reich. It acted as a prototype for similar death camps elsewhere in Germany and housed about 200,000 Jewish and political prisoners during Nazi rule.
To get the best understanding of the history of the camp, it's a good idea to book a guided tour, though walking around the site alone can be equally moving.
It takes about 40 minutes to get to Dachau from Munich city centre. Travel north on the S2 or the RB16 regional train, and then transfer to the 726 bus from Dachau train station.
Oberammergau
Nestled in the mountains and just a stone's throw from the Austrian border, you'll find Oberammergau - a tiny alpine town with an incredibly vibrant cultural history. For almost 400 years, the people of Oberammergau have had a tradition of putting on a series of passion plays - historic performances of biblical stories - every ten years. Since 2020's performance had to be postponed due to Covid, you can catch this once-in-a-decade experience this summer.
Even if you don't manage to snap up tickets to the passion play, the town still has plenty to offer. Walking around, you'll see facades emblazoned with colourful frescoes and traditional wood carvings. For the full alpine experience, head to the Erlebnisbad Wellenberg - a huge outdoor swimming pool surrounded by breathtaking mountains. Another exciting way to see the mountains is to take a ride on the Alpine Coaster, a summer toboggan run that speeds down the hillside through meadows and pine forests.
The quickest way to get Oberammergau from Munich is to take the RE6 or RE60 towards Innsbruck and then change at Murnau to the RE63. This route takes about an hour and 40 minutes.
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