6 days from Munich through Austria to Zurich -- intinerary help?

Munich is a fantastic place, Wombat's city hostel is a quality hostel if you're quite lively, and do a good beer. You're actually there for the back end of Octoberfest so it might even be worth staying 2 nights in Munich, although you could say that's a tourist trap. During the day there's lots of parks and you can go swimming in the rivers. I haven't been to Austria so can't really say anything about the other places, I did go to Zurich and found it mind-numbingly boring, but then I was 18 at the time so my priorities might have been different back then!

I hope you already have accommodation arranged for Munich. Oktoberfest makes things a little bit tight in terms of available beds, and remarkably expensive.

I am assuming you're flying out of Zurich to Africa, hence why you're heading there. Again, assuming you have accommodation booked in Munich and don't need to be in Zurich first thing in the morning, I'd be inclined to hang around the Munich area of Germany for a few days, then pick up the fast train to Zurich (it'll have you there by midday). You can day trip to Salzburg, should you have a raging desire to be able to say you've been to Austria too.

What you'll probably find is that your African trip is pretty tiring, even on an organised tour. It just isn't an easy place to be. Having a relaxing few days beforehand will mean you get to enjoy your experiences there a bit more. Trekking up the mountain to see the gorillas is one of the most worthwhile things you will ever do, but it's a long, hard day for example. Running around 4 cities in 6 days before getting on the plane is just going to exhaust you.

Consider flying into Düsseldorf and visiting this, then your historical requirements and preparation for the Gorilla Trek will be optimally fulfilled.
And also Not really the tourist type and like to keep away from over-crowded tourist traps. is more Düsseldorf and less München.
From there the sceneric trip to Zürich (a.o. Rhine Valley).

Yes, I will be flying into Munich and out of Zurich and yes our 1st night is booked in Munich. Great advice! Now I think I'll do 2 nights Munich and perhaps 3 nights Austria. What are your thoughts in regards to Dachau? I was considering a day trip there. Many thanks!

Dachau is interesting enough, as concentration camps go. Its been awhile since I was there, but German students used to do free tours of the place in a variety of languages that were well worth waiting for. You don't need to book or anything, just show up. It's pretty well organised, plus you get the perspective of (modern) Germany on the history. It's unlikely to occupy you for a whole day though - you can get round Auschwitz/Birkenau in a day, and Dachau was considerably smaller.

If you want to extend your stay in Munich, I'd be making sure you can do that before changing other plans. It's entirely possible your hotel/hostel doesn't have room for you on any day you're not already booked given you are there right in the middle of the biggest event on the city's calendar.

Hello wanderwoman,

some suggestions for the Austria-Part of your trip, some of my favourite places in Austria:
Route Salzburg to Innsbruck

A) Salzburg
I don´t know much about Salzburg...
B) Sankt Gilgen
On the scenic Wolfgangsee, beautiful landscape around the lake. Try Tandem-Paragliding! (depends on weather-conditions)
C) Stausee Kaprun
Go up with the bus and the Cable Railway, go for a little hike at the man-made lake near the highest Mountain of Austria, the Großglockner
D) Krimmler Wasserfälle
Europes highest waterfalls, amazing!
E) Innsbruck
Buy the Innsbruck-Card (e.g. 31€/24hrs.), there are a lot of benefits!
For me, one thing is a MUST in Innsbruck: go with the Cable Railway " Hungerburgbahn "! It´s included in the Innsbruck-Card, designed by Star-Architect Zaha Hadid, the best views over the town. And: you can easily climb a mountain peak in the alps in a few minutes.
Go to the Theresien Bräu near the City Center, enjoy typical Tyrolean Dishes (it´s not a tourist trap, very popular for Innsbruck people). Have a local beer (and compare it with the american Bud ;-) )

For this route I would recommend the local busses, the timetables are not always easy to check but you can ask the locals - Austrians are the best hosts in the world! (although our english is not the best as you can see in this post...)

Have fun in Austria!

best wishes
momo

Edit: Link to Hungerburgbahn

While in Salzburg (where theyy know what to charge) consider staying onn the german side of the border and -- sunshine required -- visit nearby Königssee/Hitler's lair -- plan one day.

In Austria train fares are extortionate, exept if you are in a group of 2-5 when you can get a "Einfach Raus" tickets good on local trains (which are fast enough) at € 28 for the day, valid from 9 am.

Something similar exists in Bavaria (the Southern state Munich is in) called "Bayern ticket" cost € 28 for a group, € 21 for single travellers. As it is actually faster to travel from Salzburg to Innsbruck by way of Germany consider this and simply get a onward ticket Austrian border to Innsbruck.

Same may apply for Innsbruck--Zurich but check the bahn.de and www.sbb.ch

Thanks so much for all of your replies. A lot to think about and consider. I'm now inclined to visit less places as from these posts Africa will be very tiring. I am used to traveling non-stop as I am very active and don't like to keep still for very long. I think I will skip Salzburg all together and go from Munich to Lucerne via Innsbruck. Many thanks and cheers!