Overview
Sonthofen is a small city of 21,000 residents in the Bavarian Swabian Alps, elected Alpine City 2005. It serves as an excellent and more affordable base for exploring Oberallgäu compared to pricier Oberstdorf or Bad Hindelang, which are closer to the Alps but can be reached within 30 minutes by train or car.
Architecture · Budget Travel · Day Trips · Nature · Trekking
Before you go
Accommodation
Budget options include IllerCamping; guesthouses like Gasthof Traube offer mid-range rates. Prices are notably lower than nearby Oberstdorf or Bad Hindelang.
Money
Germany uses Euro (EUR). Credit cards are widely accepted at hotels and larger establishments; cash is preferred at smaller restaurants and shops.
Transport
Hourly trains connect Sonthofen to München (2h40), Stuttgart (2h45), and Lindau (1h5). Regional trains reach Oberstdorf, Kempten, and Bad Hindelang within 30 minutes.