How do I get from Berchtesgaden train station to the Salt Mine? Do I need a tour or can I take care of myself? Can I pre-book tickets online?

Don’t worry! Undiscovered Berchtesgaden has distilled all the essential tips for your visit to the Berchtesgaden’s Salt Mine. Scroll down to find out more.

How to Get to Berchtesgaden’s Salt Mine by Car

A. Berchtesgaden’s Salt Mine is just a two-hour drive from Munich on the A8 in good traffic conditions and only 40 minutes from Salzburg. Pop the following address into your phone or car navigation system:

Salzbergwerk Berchtesgaden
Salzbergerstraße 24
83471 Berchtesgaden
Germany

There is also a salt mine in Austria just 15 minutes away by car in the direction of Salzburg – the Hallein Salt Mine. Whilst similar to the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine, make sure you don’t get the two mixed up. Which is better, the Hallein vs Berchtesgaden salt mine? Berchtesgaden, of course.

Parking at Berchtesgaden’s Salt Mine

A. There is a good quantity of parking on site, however pricing is relatively high. As of early 2024 some of the parking machines do take credit card. If you’re staying locally, your host should have provided you with a guest card. Simply follow the instructions on the parking machine to get a discount using this card. you could also use the Parkster app.

Combining two of the main sights lends itself to those travelling by car. If you haven’t made a start by 1100 in the morning, it will be too tight to manage and many public transport routes from Munich and Salzburg struggle to meet this requirement. If you’re entirely reliant on public transport, our advice would be to experience one attraction per day and take your time enjoying it. 

How to Get to Berchtesgaden’s Salt Mine by Train and Bus

A. Public transport also serves the Salt mine, with busses from Salzburg and Berchtesgaden stopping across the main car park from the mine entrance. The stop is known in German as “Salzbergwerk Berchtesgaden” (Berchtesgaden Salt Mine) and is served by bus line 840, a route that runs between Salzburg and Berchtesgaden. See here for the up to date timetables for bus line 840 (winter and summer seasons differ).

If you’re visiting from Munich you can take the train to Berchtesgaden’s main station, although it’s necessary to change at Freilassing. The train takes about two and a half hours and up to date timetables can be found here. Once at the Berchtesgaden main station the bus stop for the 840 is outside the front doors to the station.

If you’ve got the train to Berchtesgaden you could also walk or cycle along the footpath that runs alongside the roundabout from the centre of Berchtesgaden out to the salt mine in the overall direction of Salzburg. The 2km takes around 30 minutes on foot.

Berchtesgaden Salt Mine Tickets

A. Tickets can be bought online here and don’t have to be printed, simply show the ticket code on your smartphone. Buying tickets online also helps you avoid waiting for tickets at salt mine ticket office and enables your swift passage into the changing area to don your miner’s overalls.

In the summer queues can often be 2 hours upwards, so it’s advised that you pre-book your tickets, especially as you can do so up to 30 minutes before your desired visit time.

There are family discounts and group discounts as well, for up to date offers check out the salt mine website directly here.

Opening Hours and Visit Duration

A. The Berchtesgaden Salt Mine is open all year round:

0900-1700 from 25th March to 3rd November
1100-1500 from 4th November to 24th March

The mine is closed on the following public holidays: January 1st, Good Friday (29th March 2024), Whit Monday (20th May 2024), December 24th, December 25th & December 31st.

A visit to the Salt Mine typically takes around 90minutes: 60 minutes for your guided tour and around 30minutes for you to get into your miners’ overalls & to return them later on.

Is Berchtesgaden’s Salt Mine Worth Visiting in Bad Weather?

A. Yes! If it’s raining, or, if you’ve had enough of the beautiful Bavarian weather outside, head to the remarkable experience that is the underground world of the Old Berchtesgaden Salt Mine. The underground caverns make it a great place to visit all year round.

What should I Wear?

A. A fun part of visiting the Berchtesgaden Salt Mine is opportunity to wear the overalls that the mine provides you with. It’s a cool 12 degrees Celsius (54 degrees Fahrenheit) down in the mine though, so make sure you’ve some warm clothing to wear to put on under these overalls. Sensible shoes (walking shoes or trainers) are also strongly advisable as the tour involves a lot of walking over uneven surfaces.

Are There Good Photo Opportunities?

A. The salt mine states a no photos policy. Instead, as you exit the funicular at the end of your visit, you’ll see the photo kiosk where you can purchase a photo of your slide and/or train ride as a memento of your trip. These are around €6 each.

Is Berchtesgaden’s Salt Mine Child Friendly?

A. Train rides? Boat rides? Slides? Compulsory miner’s overalls? Captive photo opportunity? All over 200 meters underground? It’s fun for all the family.

There is no age restriction for children but the route isn’t suitable for strollers, prams or carry-cots.

Lockers / WCs

A. You’ll need a €1 coin for the lockers, which is returned upon return. There are no WCs in the mine itself; your best bet is to use the facilities next to the changing rooms at the beginning of your visit. Disabled access WCs and baby changing facilities are available.

Disabled Access

A. Please be aware that there’s not much chance to sit down over the 90 minutes you’ll spend at the salt mine.

There is an alternative staircase for each of the two slides en-route and a funicular railway at the end.

Be careful though– little warning is given about the flashing lights nor the dangers of riding the train through the narrow tunnels of the mountain.

Gift Shop

A. Don’t forget the obligatory gift shop at the end; a small cellar of genuine Bad Reichenhall Salt would make a novel talking point for your return home. You might just spot it in the local supermarket for a discounted price, if you’ve the time…