The highest point in Germany
Zugspitze looms high over the cosy town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen (GaPa) in the Bavarian Alps and, in fact, over all of Germany.
Being “the highest” perhaps shouldn’t be a big deal, but for some reason, it is. Seeing, visiting or even climbing the highest mountain in Germany just sounds cool.
Even though it’s only 2,962 metres high (which isn’t that high by alpine standards), Zugspitze is awesome.
We whizzed up in the cable car and had a great time at the freezing-cold top in October. We also returned on another trip in March, when Alex went downhill skiing.
In this Zugspitze travel guide, we’ll cover what to expect from the mountain, when to visit, what to bring, how to get to Zugspitze (transport, parking, cable car details…) and our best travel tips. Have fun!
Where to stay in Garmisch-Partenkirchen?
- Budget: Atlas Sporthotel – One of the cheapest options for ensuite double rooms in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Free parking.
- Value for money: Biohotel Garmischer Hof – Amazing views, organic food and a spa and wellness centre. Our favourite hotel in GaPa.
- Luxury: Bader Suites – Luxurious, spacious apartments with everything you need. We loved staying here.
- Family: Leiners Boutiquehotel für Familien – All-inclusive children’s hotel with an indoor pool, playrooms and childcare. Where we stayed with our kids.
Search for the best hotels in Garmisch-Partenkirchen here.
Table of contents
- What to expect at Zugspitze
- How to get to Zugspitze
- How to reach Zugspitze by public transport
- Skiing at Zugspitze
- When to visit Zugspitze
- Altitude at Zugspitze
- How long to spend at Zugspitze
- Food and drink at the Zugspitze summit
- Combining Zugspitze with Lake Eibsee
- What to bring to Zugspitze
- Where to go next?
- Minimise your impact
- FAQ about visiting Zugspitze
What to expect at Zugspitze
You can’t miss Zugspitze.
If it isn’t cloudy (which it invariably is in mountainous regions), Zugspitze is easily spotted from Garmisch-Partenkirchen and, indeed, even from Munich on clear days.
Zugspitze is a popular tourist attraction in Bavaria and has been for many years. Who doesn’t want to be able to say they’ve been to the highest point in Germany?
And not only that. The view from up there is incredible.
We also visited nearby Alpspitze, and though the view from there was beautiful in its own right, it doesn’t really compare to Zugspitze.
What makes Zugspitze so special is that you have a clear view in all directions, including towards Austria, where the mountainous landscapes continue as far as the eye can see.
Where is Zugspitze?
Zugspitze is located in the Bavarian Alps in southern Germany, approximately 11 kilometres southwest of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and 90-100 kilometres southwest of Munich, the Bavarian capital.
Zugspitze has two summits a short way apart, and the border between Germany and Austria runs across the western part of the summit.
The highest point, 2,962 metres, is the eastern summit with the golden cross and it lies entirely in Germany. The mountain itself is shared between Bavaria and the Austrian state of Tyrol.
Visitors can easily walk across the border at the summit and enjoy panoramic views extending across both countries, as well as into Switzerland and Italy on clear days.
The mountain is part of the Wetterstein Mountains, a dramatic alpine range known for its rugged limestone peaks, glaciers and spectacular hiking routes.
Scroll down to learn how to get to Zugspitze from Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Everything you need to know including the best experiences, when to visit, where to eat and where to stay
How to get to Zugspitze
As the equally famous and stunning Lake Eibsee sits right at the base of Zugspitze, “how to get to Zugspitze” basically has the same answer as “how to get to Eibsee”.
(Except if you plan to visit Zugspitze from the Austrian side of the border, of course. We visited from the German side.)
You’re spoiled for choice on how to reach Zugspitze.
Here’s a brief overview of how to get to Zugspitze:
- Taking the cable car (“Seilbahn Zugspitze”) is the easiest way to go up Zugspitze.
- The cable car runs from the parking lot at Lake Eibsee.
- Driving there in your own car is the fastest option. It’s only 15-20 minutes away from Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
- You can also travel by public bus to the cable car. Scroll down to find our description of how to reach Zugspitze by public transport.
- Or why not cycle or hike if you feel fit?
- An alternative way up the mountain is the combination of the cogwheel train called Zugspitzbahn from Garmisch-Partenkirchen (or several other stops) to the Zugspitzplatt at 2,600 metres and then a cable car (the Gletscherbahn) to the top.
How to get to Zugspitze from Garmisch-Partenkirchen
We drove in our own car from Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Lake Eibsee, parked and then took the cable car to the top, so that route is what we’re focusing on first in this Zugspitze guide.
Further down, you can read about the parking facilities and prices as well as how to get to Zugspitze from Garmisch-Partenkirchen by public transport.
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Read moreZugspitze cable car details
The cable car from Lake Eibsee to the top of Zugspitze climbs 1,945 metres over a distance of 4.5 kilometres.
The Eibsee valley station is 998 metres above sea level, and the Zugspitze top station is at 2,943 metres.
The cable car opened in 2017 and broke three records at the time: the world’s longest unsupported span at 3,213 metres, the highest steelwork pylon for an aerial tramway at 127 metres and the world’s greatest height difference over a single section at 1,945 metres.
The two cabins can transport up to 580 passengers per hour.
Check out the live webcam view here.
Zugspitze cable car opening hours
From September to June, the cable car runs from 8:30 to 16:45.
In July and August, it runs from 8:00 to 17:45.
The journey takes just 10 minutes, with a departure at least every 30 minutes.
The last ascent is 30 minutes before the end of service.
Note that the cable cars are closed a few times each year for maintenance, usually during the low season.
Check the operating times and when the cable cars are closed for maintenance here.
How much does the Zugspitze cable car cost?
A Zugspitze ticket costs 78 EUR per adult (~ 88 USD)*. It includes one ascent, one descent and unlimited rides on the Gletscherbahn cable car on the day of your visit.
For 93.50 EUR (~ 106 USD)*, you can also opt for a 2 Peak Pass that includes a Zugspitze ticket as well as a Garmisch-Classic ticket that can be used for one ascent and one descent on either the Kreuzeckbahn or the Alpspitzbahn cable car.
One-way tickets are cheaper, and there are discounts for children, families and people with disabilities. Children under 6 travel free of charge.
*These prices are from summer 2026.
For up-to-date prices and to buy tickets, visit the Zugspitze website here.
Parking at Zugspitze
It’s possible to park by the Zugspitze cable car right next to Lake Eibsee.
The parking lot is open from 5:00 to 22:00 (night parking is prohibited).
Check out the latest prices and parking rules on the official website here.
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How to reach Zugspitze by public transport
Zugspitze is easily reached by public transport.
You can take the blue Eibsee bus (bus 323, or bus 314 in the low season) from Garmisch-Partenkirchen directly to the Zugspitze cable car at Eibsee in about 40 minutes.
The last return during summer is at about 20:00. For the rest of the year, the last bus returns to town at about 19:10.
From late May to mid-September, extra buses run at the busiest times of day, so there’s one every half hour.
See the current bus timetables (in German) here.
You can also get to Zugspitze from Garmisch-Partenkirchen on the Zugspitzbahn.
The cogwheel train terminates at the Zugspitzplatt at 2,600 metres (via Grainau and Eibsee), where you can take the Gletscherbahn cable car to the top.
You can buy tickets at the train station in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
How to get to Zugspitze from Munich
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the place to aim for, and it’s an easy enough distance from Munich for a day trip. A direct train takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes, and if you’re driving, the A95 motorway runs between the two.
From Garmisch-Partenkirchen you carry on either with the Eibsee bus to the cable car or the Zugspitzbahn cogwheel train. The cable car ride from Eibsee to the top is 10 minutes.
There’s more on getting to Garmisch-Partenkirchen in our Garmisch-Partenkirchen travel guide.
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Skiing at Zugspitze
How cool is it that you can ski down Germany’s highest mountain?
Zugspitze has a quite well-developed ski area with 20 kilometres of snow-sure runs suitable for all skill levels.
Because of its height, the ski season at Zugspitze is very long, often starting in December and ending in May.
If you’re not into downhill skiing, it’s also possible to hire bob sledges and wooden sledges to go tobogganing down Zugspitze.
You can reach the ski area either by taking the Seilbahn to the top of Zugspitze and then the Gletscherbahn down, or by travelling there directly on the Zugspitzbahn.
For even more downhill skiing options in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (including some really steep ones!), also check out the skiing at Hausberg and Kreuzeck.
Read more about skiing at Zugspitze (including prices) on the official website here or check out the webcams here for a current update on the conditions.
When to visit Zugspitze
When is the best time to visit Zugspitze?
Well, visiting Zugspitze on the first or last cable car will generally give you the best light and fewest crowds.
It will, however, also be the coldest time to visit.
We visited Zugspitze for the first time early one morning in October, and it was freezing cold up there.
Visiting in winter, you have the option of skiing (as described above).
In summer, there are more people than in the shoulder seasons, but you’ll probably also have a warmer experience.
No matter the season or time of day, just get up there!
Unless the forecasts say it will be cloudy around the top station, it’s beautiful to see the surrounding peaks even if there are clouds lower down.
You can always take a look at the webcams beforehand.
Altitude at Zugspitze
At 2,962 metres, Zugspitze is not quite in the league of the big Alpine giants, but it is still high enough that some visitors feel the effects.
Mild altitude symptoms such as headaches, dizziness or shortness of breath are possible, particularly if you’ve come straight from sea level and whizzed up in the cable car without any acclimatisation.
Most people are absolutely fine (and so were we), but it’s worth knowing about just in case.
The advice is simple. Drink plenty of water, take it easy when you first arrive at the top and do not sprint up the steps to the viewing platform the moment you step out of the cable car.
Give yourself a few minutes to adjust.
If you feel unwell, head back down. Symptoms almost always ease quickly once you’re back at a lower altitude.
Children and older visitors are not necessarily more at risk than anyone else, but it’s sensible to keep an eye on how everyone in your group is feeling, especially on a longer visit.
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How long to spend at Zugspitze
While you can technically visit Zugspitze in under an hour, we recommend setting aside two to three hours at the summit if the weather is clear.
This gives you enough time to enjoy the views from both the German and Austrian viewing platforms, explore the summit area, grab a drink or a meal and soak up the scenery without feeling rushed.
Trying to squeeze everything into an hour isn’t ideal. Between the cable car ride, the walk between viewpoints and potential queues, you’ll spend much of your visit watching the clock.
Given the cost of the ticket, it’s worth taking your time.
In good weather, many visitors end up staying longer than planned as the panoramic views across the Alps are hard to leave behind.
If conditions are poor, however, with thick cloud, limited visibility or strong winds, an hour or so at the top may be enough. If your plans allow, it’s best to choose a day with favourable weather.
Don’t forget to factor in the journey itself.
The cable car takes around 10 minutes each way, and queues can add extra waiting time, particularly during summer, weekends and holiday periods.
Depending on the season and time of day, you may encounter queues both on the way up and on the way down.
If you’re also planning to visit Lake Eibsee, allow half a day to a full day.
Combining a trip to Zugspitze with a walk around the lake makes for one of the most rewarding day trips in the Bavarian Alps.
Food and drink at the Zugspitze summit
There is a self-service cafeteria at the top (called Panorama 2962), and a slightly more sit-down restaurant on the Austrian side.
Both serve typical hearty alpine dishes as well as hot drinks. The prices are what you would expect from a place with a captive audience and no competition within 3,000 metres.
It’s perfectly fine to bring your own snacks and eat them on the viewing platform, which is what we did. Consider bringing something hot to drink in cooler months.
It might not be easy getting a table during peak hours in summer. If you’re visiting in July or August, eat early, eat late or pack enough to get by without relying on the cafeteria.
If you’re willing to venture a little below the summit, another interesting option is Gletscher 2600 on the Zugspitzplatt.
The modern glass pavilion is at 2,600 metres and has spectacular mountain views in a more contemporary setting than the restaurants at the top.
What really caught our attention is that Gletscher 2600 serves exclusively vegetarian and vegan dishes, with a focus on organic and fair-trade ingredients. It’s on our list for next time!
Combining Zugspitze with Lake Eibsee
The cable car departs from the shores of Lake Eibsee, which means you’re already there, so it would be a shame not to make the most of it.
Eibsee is one of the most beautiful lakes in Germany, with its extraordinary turquoise colour and the Zugspitze massif reflected in it on calm days.
The circular walking path around the lake takes 1.5-2 hours at an easy pace and is suitable for families with children. Set aside more time if you like taking photos – there are sooo many pretty spots.
Our suggestion is to walk around Eibsee first thing in the morning, when the light is best and the crowds are thinnest, then take the cable car up to Zugspitze late morning.
That way, you get the lake largely to yourselves before the day-trippers arrive, and you reach the summit in time for lunch.
In summer, you can also go for an afternoon swim in the lake after visiting Zugspitze.
If you’re driving, parking is available right by the cable car station at Eibsee, and if you’re coming by public transport, the bus from Garmisch-Partenkirchen drops you at the same spot.
Make sure to check out our Lake Eibsee guide for all of our tips and more pictures.
What to bring to Zugspitze
- Travel insurance (adlink). Never travel without it!
- A good camera – here’s a guide to the gear we use.
- Sunscreen (adlink). The sun can be strong up there in the summer even if it’s cold. Also remember that snow is highly reflective.
- Hiking shoes or winter boots.
- Warm clothes. At the top of Zugspitze, you’re more than 2,000 metres higher up than in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. That means it’s going to be a helluva lot colder up there.
- Water and snacks are always a good idea.
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Where to go next?
The Partnach Gorge (Partnachklamm) is 702 metres long and up to 80 metres deep, cut through the rock by a stream. We walked it and loved how the view kept changing and how clear and blue the water was.
Alpspitze has its own cable car and gives you a different angle on the mountains than Zugspitze does, and we were impressed up there too. Walking out onto the AlpspiX skywalk was exhilarating, and we’ve written about it in our Garmisch-Partenkirchen travel guide along with the rest of the town.
We also went on a canyoning tour from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, abseiling, jumping and sliding our way down a mountain river. It’s not for everyone, but with certified guides we felt safe and had a lot of fun.
If you’re spending the night nearby, we’ve put together a guide to where to stay in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Across the border in Austria, Innsbruck is also worth checking out.
Minimise your impact
To minimise your impact during your visit to Zugspitze, follow these guidelines:
- Bring your own drinking water in a refillable bottle.
- Avoid single-use plastics, including straws.
- Dispose of waste properly. While putting your trash in a nearby trash can is convenient, wrappers and other small items are prone to being caught by the wind.
- Take only photos, leave only footprints. Let everything stay in its natural place.
- Be considerate of other visitors.
- Respect wildlife.
FAQ about visiting Zugspitze
Is Zugspitze worth visiting?
Yes, on a clear day. From the top you can see in every direction and far into Austria, and we’d give it two to three hours when the weather plays along.
The ticket isn’t exactly cheap, so there’s no reason to rush back down.
If the top is in thick cloud or the wind is up, an hour may be all you want.
Can you walk into Austria at the top of Zugspitze?
Yes. The border crosses the summit, and there’s a viewing platform on the Austrian side as well as the German one.
There was passport control up there once, but not any more. The highest point, the one with the golden cross, is in Germany.
What should you wear on Zugspitze?
Dress warmly. The top is more than 2,000 metres above Garmisch-Partenkirchen, so expect it to be far colder than in town.
We went up in October and wore the warmest things we had.
Wear hiking shoes or winter boots, and put on sunscreen, since the sun can be strong even when it’s cold and the snow reflects it.
Is it worth going up Zugspitze if it is cloudy?
Usually, yes. If the cloud sits lower down, the peaks around you poke out above it and that’s a fine sight in itself.
The day to give a miss is when the forecast has cloud sitting on the top station. Have a look at the webcams before you set off.
Can you visit Zugspitze from Munich in a day?
Yes, the distance is manageable in a day. The direct train from Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
If you’d rather drive, it’s roughly 90 kilometres from Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen on the A95 motorway.
From there it’s the Eibsee bus or the Zugspitzbahn, then a 10-minute ride in the cable car.
On a clear day, give yourself two to three hours at the summit before heading back down.
Thanks for reading our Zugspitze guide
Thanks for reading our travel guide to Zugspitze in Germany. We hope it has been useful!
What do you think about Zugspitze? Is it just the highest mountain or does it have any other appeal?
If you’ve been, it would be fantastic to hear your best tips for visiting Zugspitze in the comments.
If you haven’t been to the top yet, please don’t hesitate to ask us what’s on your mind. We’re happy to help you with your planning.
Our favourite travel resources:
- Booking.com for hotels and apartments.
- Momondo for the best flight deals.
- AirHelp for flight delay compensation.
- GetYourGuide for great tours everywhere.
- Airalo for reliable eSIM.
- Discover Cars for transparent car hire.
- SafetyWing for travel insurance. We also like True Traveller. Compared here.
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Thanks for the article! It is so useful for me!
However I got one question, I saw you mentioned that the cable car only operating
“From September to June, the cable car runs from 08:30 to 16:45.
In July and August, it runs from 08:00 to 17:45.”
Cable car service is not available in October/November? If that is the case, then how do we get to Zugspitze during Oct/Nov? Thanks in advance.
That’s great to hear! And yes, don’t worry, the cable car runs all year from 08:30 to 16:45 – except for July and August when it runs from 08:00 to 17:45. So visiting in October and November is no problem at all 🙂
Thank you so much for the reply!
Very glad to know that, It is very helpful to me!
Hello!! Your post is very informative, thank you very much! I would you like to know how to get from Zugspitz to Alpspitze, and what to do and see in both attractions?
Thanks!!
Hi Fernanda, we’re glad you think so!
The easiest way to get between Zugspitze and Alspitze is surely with a car as there is ample parking space at both cable car stations. Buses also run frequently to both, but we’re not 100% sure if a bus goes directly between the two. Connecting in GaPa would definitely be doable, though.
For the best things to do at Alspitze, check out our complete guide to Garmisch-Partenkirchen where we have written about our experience there.
What an detailed article ! Kudos ! Exceptionally well documented.
Thanks a lot Pawan!
Thank you alots. full of helpful information. Planning to go tomorrow and you have saved us alots of time.
Hi! Thank you for the insightful guide! Really helpful for my trip-planning!
Are there car park lots at Lake Eibsee?
Hi Melanie, that’s lovely to hear! Yes, there are indeed several car park lots at Eibsee (all with the same prices, opening times etc., though). You can read more about parking by the lake here.
Hi guys wonderfully noted details in your article. Just wanted to know if visiting in late Dec/early Jan will be a good idea? We will be travelling with our 5 year old son! Thanks
Thanks Savani! Visiting Zugspitze and Garmisch-Partenkirchen in late December or early January can be a magical experience, especially with a child. This is the heart of winter, so you’ll find plenty of snow-covered landscapes and winter activities to enjoy with your son.
If you’re considering a trip up to Zugspitze itself, the cable car ride is a highlight offering stunning panoramic views. Be prepared for cold weather at the summit, though. Layered clothing and good winter boots are essential for keeping warm.
As with most other places, the town and surrounding area might be a bit crowded with tourists during the holiday period, so booking accommodations and activities in advance is a good idea. Hope that helps!
This article is very useful, thank you for making a good article