Questions about the trip to Königssee
How long does the boat trip take and how often do the boats depart?
The journey time from Seelände to St. Bartholomä is approximately 35 minutes one way and just under an hour to the final stop at Salet.
The published timetable is a basic framework. It shows the minimum service offered from Seelände Königssee.
In principle, the service on Königssee is based on the number of passengers. This means that boats depart from Seelände at least every 30 minutes (in bad weather) to every 10 minutes (in good weather during the holiday season) from the departure time of the first boat.
You can interrupt your journey to Salet in St. Bartholomä, either on the way there or on the way back. You can return on any boat. Please allow yourself enough time to enjoy the pilgrimage church, the beer garden, the National Park information centre or simply the surroundings on a pleasant walk.
Is there a discount on guest cards for students or senior citizens?
Unfortunately, no.
Is smoking permitted on the boats?
Smoking is not permitted on the boats.
Are there lockers at the Königssee boat trip?
We provides a limited number of free lockers (e.g. for motorcycle helmets, etc.) at the ticket office Seelände. The lockers are located at the rear of the ticket office building and are accessible to the public.
Is the echo played on every boat?
The famous Königssee Echo is created by the boat captain using a trumpet on the echo wall, which is passed during the boat trip to St. Bartholomä. The boat stops briefly for the echo. As a rule, an echo is played on every trip. In individual cases, for example if the echo player is ill, it may happen that the echo is not played on individual trips. Incidentally, the Königssee echo is a voluntary service provided by our employees.
Questions about the lakes Königssee and Obersee
Am I allowed to take a rubber dinghy, canoe, SUP or air mattress onto Königssee?
No! Königssee is located in the middle of Berchtesgaden National Park, which is why inflatable boats, canoes, SUP boards, air mattresses, etc. are prohibited. However, you can hire a rowing boat when the weather is nice.
How deep are the Königssee and Obersee lakes?
- Königssee: 190 metres, approximately 8 kilometres long
- Obersee: 51 metres, approximately 1.3 kilometres long
Does Königssee regularly freeze over in winter?
In principle, Königssee boat trips operate all year round. However, in January and February, Königssee can sometimes freeze over. However, the ice rarely reaches a thickness that is safe for pedestrians. The last time this happened was during the winter of 2005/2006. At that time, Königssee was officially opened to the public for several weeks. The landlord of St. Bartholomä even drove a car across the ice to deliver supplies to his restaurant.
Questions about the walks and places of interest
Is there a walking trail to St. Bartholomä?
Königssee is nestled between high rock faces like a fjord. There are no roads or footpaths along the lake to St. Bartholomä or Salet. The world-famous pilgrimage church on the St. Bartholomä peninsula and last stip at Salet can only be reached by boat. For fit, sure-footed mountaineers, a rope-secured trail leads up to Kühroint (1,403 m) and down via the Grünstein to Seelände (pure walking time approx. 5 3/4 hours).
Is it possible to hike from Salet to St. Bartholomä?
There is no path connecting St. Bartholomä and Salet along the lake shore.
When are the pilgrimage church and restaurant in St. Bartholomä open?
Open when the boat service is running.
Is there an admission fee for St. Bartholomä hunting lodge?
No, the former hunting lodge now houses a restaurant. The pilgrimage church can also be visited free of charge.