"Berchtesgaden" a Berchtesgaden Travel Page by kenbac

Berchtesgaden is a small town in the Bavarian Mountains. It is a very beautiful place, surrounded by magnificent mountains.
The BBC described it as a 'piece of heaven on earth' and they got it just right.
We first visited Berchtesgaden, briefly, in 1996 and again, for 2 weeks, in 1998, both trips being in the summer. Since 1999, we have visited Berchtesgaden every year in January and since 2003 we traveled out in December to be there for the New Year , staying about 14 days. In addition I was there also in May 2006 and June 2007.
In 2008 we went before Christmas and spent 3 weeks there.
We will return again in December 2009 and stay on over the New Year into 2010.
It seems to get better each time.

There has been many changes over the years but this year there was a huge hole in the ground, in the center of Berchtesgaden, where the Hotel Post once stood. This will become the Hotel Edelweiss, due to open in 2010.
The hole is not that attractive but no doubt the new Hotel will add to the town, when completed

This information is also on my Transportation Tips but I think it is far too important a tip for anyone to miss.

The town and surrounding area is serviced by a very good bus service (RVO). Get a local bus timetable from the Kurdirektion (Tourist Office) or print one from the website (http://www.rvo-bus.de/site/rvo__bus/de/start.html) in advance if you know which buses you will be using.
The time each bus is at a stop is indicated at every stop. Be there on time. Do not expect buses to be late.

There was a 6 day Urlabs Ticket from the Tourist Office for 18 Euro that gave you unlimited travel on all local buses (RVO) for any 6 days during your stay
This is now discontinued

Now you get a Kurkarte from your hotel, guesthouse or apartment house immediately upon arrival. There is no charge for your kurkarte.
This will give you unlimited travel free travel on all local buses (RVO) for the duration of your stay (indicated on your kurkarte).
The exception is Salzburg (9540). As the bus travels through Austria you must pay 3e per person each way.
I am not sure but I expect it will not cover toll on the Rossfeld Ring Road or the Obersalzberg to Kehlstein bus (only in Summer).
You just show your Kurkarte to the bus driver and give him you destination and he will give you a ticket.

Now that's what I call looking after tourists

In recent years services have been improved and there are now extra timings and the integration at the Haupbahnhof / Busbahnhof (beside each other) seems better.