Mountain town in Bavaria, Germany
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Alpine resort below the Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak, with hiking, skiing and gorge walks plus easy trains from Munich. Excellent in summer and winter; expensive and best with some outdoor fitness.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$2,930–3,940Comfortable, one person · €2,600–3,500Details
- Value for money20/100Better value than 19% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goJun–Sep, Dec–FebWarmest: Jul, 24°CDetails
- Internet104 MbpsFixed broadband, Germany medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableExcellent Alpine tap water; fill bottles anywhere, including at the fountains.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$68–146Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundBayerische Zugspitzbahn rack train and cable carWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards work in hotels, shops and many restaurants; mountain huts, bakeries and small cafés often take cash only.Details
Where to stay in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Garmisch (Marienplatz area) | Shops, restaurants and the Zugspitze train; most visitors |
| Partenkirchen (Ludwigstraße) | Historic painted houses, calmer and cheaper |
| Near Eibsee or Grainau | Lakeside quiet and direct Zugspitze access |
Apps that work in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Lieferando | Limited to central Garmisch |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- DB Navigator: Train tickets, Deutschlandticket and live delays
- WG-Gesucht: Rooms and flatshares for longer stays
- Taxis: No ride apps work here. Book taxis in advance; the village is walkable and local buses cover trailheads.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Germany.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards work in hotels, shops and many restaurants; mountain huts, bakeries and small cafés often take cash only.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs may charge foreign cards a few euros, shown on screen; avoid Euronet and decline currency conversion.
- Tipping: Round up or add 5–10% for table service; tell the server the total when paying rather than leaving coins on the table.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work wherever cards are accepted; PayPal is common online.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen rules: 90 days in any 180 across the whole area; days spent in other Schengen countries count.
- The EU Entry/Exit System is live: non-EU visitors register fingerprints and a face photo at first entry, so expect longer queues.
- ETIAS (a €20 online pre-travel authorisation) is not required yet; its start has been delayed, so check before travel.
Emergency numbers
Police 110 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Carrier shops, drugstores or supermarkets (Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect); ID check by video or in store required. About €10–20 per four weeks. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Germany
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.