Zugspitze

The Zugspitze near Grainau is Germany's highest mountain at 2,962 m (9,718 ft) and one of the most rewarding day trips in the Bavarian Alps. The border with Austria runs across its summit, and on clear days you look out over a sea of Alpine peaks. No climbing is required: a record-breaking cable car from Lake Eibsee and a cogwheel train from Garmisch-Partenkirchen take you to the top, where a gilded summit cross, viewing terraces and a glacier plateau await.

Where it is and how to get there

The Zugspitze rises above the resort town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen in southern Bavaria, about 90 km (56 miles) southwest of Munich.

• By train from Munich: regional trains run from Munich Hauptbahnhof to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and a combined rail-and-mountain ticket is available. The cogwheel railway station is only about 200 m from the Deutsche Bahn station's west exit.
• Deutschlandticket: valid on the cogwheel train only between Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Grainau; you need a Zugspitze ticket beyond that.
• By car: park at the cogwheel station in Garmisch (€6 per day) or at Lake Eibsee next to the cable car (€20 for four hours, discounted for cable car guests). Eibsee lots fill up fast on sunny days, so arrive before 10 am.

Three ways up

• Seilbahn Zugspitze: the cable car from Eibsee, opened in December 2017, climbs 1,945 m (6,381 ft) in a single section, a world record, and has the world's tallest steel lattice support for an aerial tramway at 127 m. The ride takes about ten minutes.
• Cogwheel train: about 75 minutes from Garmisch-Partenkirchen to the Zugspitzplatt plateau, much of it through a tunnel.
• Glacier cable car: a four-minute ride between the plateau and the summit.

Your ticket includes one ride up and one ride down, so you can combine routes, for example cable car up and train down.

What to see at the top

The famous gilded summit cross, first erected in 1851, stands on a rocky outcrop; reaching it requires sure footing, so most visitors admire it from the platform. From the terraces you can see deep into Austria and across the Alps on a clear day. Below the summit, the Zugspitzplatt holds the Northern Schneeferner, one of Germany's last and fast-shrinking glaciers. At the foot of the mountain, turquoise Lake Eibsee is perfect for a walk before or after your trip.

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026, summer fares apply until November 22, 2026:

• Adults: €78
• Youth (16–18): €62.50
• Children (6–15): €39
• Family fare: €12.50 per child aged 6–18 with a parent
• Under 6: free

The cable car runs 8:30 am to 4:45 pm from September to June and 8 am to 5:45 pm in July and August, with the last ascent 30 minutes before closing. Note that the entire Zugspitze is closed for maintenance on November 9–13, 16–20 and 23–26, 2026; the ski season is expected to start on November 27, when winter fares take effect.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, on a clear day it is unforgettable. Check the webcams and the weather forecast before you go, bring warm layers even in summer, and plan four to six hours including the journey from Garmisch. It is a classic day trip from Munich and pairs well with a stroll around Lake Eibsee or an evening in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.