Eagle's Nest: Day Trips and Tours from Munich
4.4Eagle’s Nest is one of the few remaining Third Reich buildings, and with its lofty mountainous position above Berchtesgaden, it makes an ideal day tour from Munich.
Constructed by the Nazis in 1938, Eagle’s Nest was used for government meetings and social gatherings and was sometimes visited by Hitler. Day trips to Eagle’s Nest from Munich are popular with visitors seeking panoramic views and historical insight into this alpine region.
Eagle’s Nest is one of the few remaining Third Reich buildings, and with its lofty mountainous position above Berchtesgaden, it makes an ideal day tour from Munich.
Constructed by the Nazis in 1938, Eagle’s Nest was used for government meetings and social gatherings and was sometimes visited by Hitler. Day trips to Eagle’s Nest from Munich are popular with visitors seeking panoramic views and historical insight into this alpine region.
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Eagle’s Nest is one of the few remaining Third Reich buildings, and with its lofty mountainous position above Berchtesgaden, it makes an ideal day tour from Munich.
Constructed by the Nazis in 1938, Eagle’s Nest was used for government meetings and social gatherings and was sometimes visited by Hitler. Day trips to Eagle’s Nest from Munich are popular with visitors seeking panoramic views and historical insight into this alpine region.
Here's your guide to the Eagle's Nest, one of the most intriguing day trips from Munich.
How to get to Eagle’s Nest from Munich?
Eagle’s Nest perches on the Kehlstein summit, a mountainous outcrop above Obersalzberg near Berchtesgaden. The best way to visit Eagle’s Nest from Munich is by car or train.
From Munich to Eagle’s Nest by car
The journey to Eagle’s Nest by car takes 2.5 hours using the A8 autobahn and exiting at Bad Reichenhall or Salzburg Süd. Next, follow the Obersalzberg road to the Documentation Center parking area above Berchtesgaden.
A shuttle bus then takes you to Eagle’s Nest. Buses depart every 25 minutes, starting at 8.30 am with the last departure from the top at 4 pm.
From Munich to Eagle’s Nest by public transport (train/bus)
Trains depart hourly from Munich to Berchtesgaden, with a change in Freilassing on this three-hour journey. Once in Berchtesgaden, take the 838 bus to the Obersalzberg Documentation Center, then catch the shuttle bus up to Eagle’s Nest.
Guided tour to Eagle’s Nest from Munich
Guided day trips to Eagle’s Nest from Munich last a full day with early morning pickups from pre-arranged departure points around the city.
How much does the entrance ticket to Eagle’s Nest cost?
Entry to Eagle’s Nest is free, but unless you fancy a strenuous hike up the mountain, you will need to buy a ticket for the shuttle bus.
A return shuttle bus ticket up to Eagle’s Nest costs €30 for an adult and €16 for children up to 14 years. The ticket includes a ride in the elevator and admission to the building, terraces, and hiking trail up at Eagle’s Nest.
Discounts are available for families and groups.
What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to Eagle’s Nest from Munich?
Day trips to Eagle’s Nest from Munich last approximately 10 hours, beginning with a pickup after breakfast at a pre-arranged meeting point in the city. Travel is by coach and the journey to Eagle’s Nest through the mountainous Bavarian landscape takes around three hours.
On arrival, you will catch the shuttle bus up to Eagle’s Nest. Some tours also include stops to explore the Documentation Center museum and bunkers at Obersalzberg, as well as the town of Berchtesgaden. If bad weather prevents your Eagle’s Nest visit, an alternative excursion to the nearby Berchtesgaden Salt Mines is offered instead.
What kinds of tours are available to go to Eagles Nest?
Eagle’s Nest is one of the most popular sites in this area, so it can become crowded during the summer. Although there are some information boards available, booking a guided tour of Eagle’s Nest will help you get the most out of your visit.
Guided Tours to Eagle’s Nest from Munich
A stress-free way to visit Eagle’s Nest is with an experienced guide who can give you insider insights into the intriguing history of the building. On this Eagle’s Nest jaunt, you will enjoy a guided tour of the building and have free time to explore the sun terrace and hiking trails.
Private Small-Group Tour to Eagle’s Nest from Munich
Private day trips to Eagle’s Nest are available for groups of up to eight participants. Pickups and drop-offs at Munich hotels are included in this Eagle’s Nest tour price, as well as an experienced guide and skip-the-line entrance tickets.
Day trip to Eagle’s Nest plus Berchtesgaden from Munich
Many Eagle’s Nest day trips also include stops at the Obersalzberg Documentation Center and wartime bunkers, as well as the town of Berchtesgaden. Lunch is not included but can be taken at the Eagle’s Nest restaurant or in Berchtesgaden.
How much does a tour to Eagle’s Nest from Munich cost?
Eagle’s Nest ticket prices vary depending on the type of tour you prefer. Guided tours of Eagle’s Nest offer excellent value because they can be combined with visits to other local attractions for just one price.
Eagle’s Nest day trip prices start at €51 for the standard guided tour from Munich.
For a multi-stop guided trip that includes Berchtesgaden and the Documentation Center, tickets start at €55. If you want to book a small group private tour of Eagle’s Nest, expect to pay around €76 per person.
What will you see and do at Eagle’s Nest?
Eagle’s Nest is perfect for anyone interested in history and scenic landscapes. It is one of the few undamaged buildings dating back to the Third Reich era, and today thousands of visitors come here each summer to take in the views and learn about the past.
Eagle’s Nest
Visitors use the original brass-lined elevator to ascend into the mountain, emerging at the top to explore Eagle’s Nest. The sun terrace has information boards and panoramic views of the Berchtesgaden Alps, and there is a hiking trail offering further photo opportunities.
Historic Restaurant
Today, the building is used as a restaurant offering Bavarian cuisine and unique views of the mountains. Keep an eye out for the marble fireplace that was a gift from Mussolini to Hitler and see where Allied soldiers have chipped off pieces as souvenirs.
Documentation Center
The Documentation Center at Obersalzberg is a museum charting the history of the area and the Third Reich. There are Nazi documents and photographs on display that give context to Eagle’s Nest.
Wartime bunkers
Beneath the Documentation Center lies a vast wartime bunker system with meeting rooms, offices, and tunnels to discover.
When is Eagle’s Nest open during the year?
Eagle’s Nest usually opens in mid-May subject to weather conditions, and closes at the end of October, although sometimes this can be sooner if there has been an early snowfall. It remains closed over winter.
What are the opening times?
During its opening, Eagle's Nest is accessible approximately between the hours of 8 AM and 4 PM.
When is the best time to visit Eagle’s Nest?
The best time to visit Eagle’s Nest is during spring or fall when the summer crowds have dispersed. It is also advisable to arrive early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the queues.
Are there any tours to Eagle’s Nest from other cities?
There are tours to Eagle’s Nest and Berchtesgaden from Salzburg due to the proximity to the Austrian border.
Travel tips
- Book your Eagle’s Nest tours in advance as they sell out fast.
- Wear comfortable footwear as there are quite a few steps at the top.
- Bring extra layers to keep warm as it can get quite cold at this high altitude.
- Make sure you get your shuttle bus ticket stamped with a return time on arrival at the top.
- Pack your camera or charge up your smartphone to capture the beautiful views.