Lake Königssee: How to get there from Munich, excursion tips, information on boat trips

The most important information about Königssee

• Location: Lake Königssee is located in the southeast of Munich, embedded in the Berchtesgaden Alps near the Austrian border. It is about 7 kilometres long, one kilometre wide and a maximum of 190 metres deep.
• Distance from Munich: Just under 160 kilometres, which corresponds to a driving time of about 2-3 hours. By train, the lake can be reached via Berchtesgaden railway station, from where an RVO bus runs to Königssee.
• Attractions: The highlights at the lake include the St. Bartholomä Chapel (currently closed due to Corona), the Watzmannwand and the Berchtesgaden National Park.
• Boats: Boats run all year round on the Königssee, which also call at the St. Bartholomä Chapel. This can otherwise only be reached by a long hike.

Special highlights: Watzmann, St. Bartholomä

Since 1909, only electric boats have been allowed to roam the waters of Königssee lake, hence the high water quality. Boat tours are offered, which last about an hour and allows passengers get off to explore the St. Bartholomae church and Obersee - another lake at the last stop of the tour. The returning boats run quite frequently, but be sure to check the schedule, since it's a really long trip back to civilization from both stops.

After exploring, you can visit the lakefront village with restaurants offering native Bavarian food, delicious beer, and the opportunity to unwind before your return trip.

Königssee Lake can best be reached by taking the Deutsche Bahn to Berchtesgaden. Just ask a DB employee or call their offices for further information.

Boat trips on the lake Königssee

The best way to discover the mountain scenery around the mountain lake is by boat. In addition to the impressive mountain panorama, you can also experience one of the electric boats on board, and how the boat driver uses a trumpet to lure the famous echo from Königssee out of a rock face.

The highlights of the peninsula can also be explored most comfortably by boat. In the high season, the boats leave every 10 minutes and carry up to 5000 people per day.

Swimming in the lake Königsee

Due to its size, the lake Königssee only reaches a rather fresh water temperature of maximum 20 ° C even in summer. Therefore, there is not much infrastructure for bathers.

If you still want to venture into the water, you will find a few entry points below the bobsled run in Schönau or at the "Malerwinkel" on the northeast side of the lake. Make sure you always keep a sufficient distance from the shipping line; thus air mattresses, inflatable boats and the like are prohibited.

Hiking in the Berchtesgaden National Park

Lake Königssee is often called the "pearl of the Berchtesgadener Land". Since 1978, it has been the gateway to the Berchtesgaden Alpine National Park, a nature recreation area with numerous hiking trails and opportunities for young and old.

Tips for families

• Rent a rowing boat and discover the Königsee on your own and at your own pace. You will find the rowing boat rental in the second boathouse on the lake shore.
• Germany's largest waterfall, the Röthbach waterfall, awaits you at the southern end of Lake Königsee.
• Another highlight for kids in the region: Numerous farms offer farm vacation programs with animals.

Königsee from Munich: Arrival by car and train

By train:

• From Munich main station by train via Freilassing to Berchtesgaden - by bus (RVO) to Lake Königssee
• Journey time: approx. 3 hours

By car:

• A8 direction Salzburg - junction Knoten Salzburg to A10 direction Graz - exit Salzburg Süd to B160 direction Berchtesgaden - via Grödig to Berchtesgaden
• Travel time: approx. 2 hours