sm138929

We are planning a trip from Denmark to Austria and Switzerland in Late March .

We are 8 adults with 4 kids aged 3 -6 .

Here is the plan :

March 22nd -Train from Aarhus to Salzburg with break in Hamburg and Munich.Stay night in Salzburg
March 23rd- Sight seeing in Salzburg,Stay night in Salzburg
March 24th- Sight Seeing in Salzburg,In the afternoon visit Vienna by train.Evening in Vienna
March 25th-Sight Seeing in Vienna,Leave for Innsbruck in evening by train.
March 26th- SightSeeing in Innsbruck ,Leave for Switzerland
March 27th-29th -Visit Interlaken,Lucerne,Mt Titlis .

Need to know how much feasible is this plan. Or shall we stick only in Austria..We are bit unsure how costly the hotels will be


Thanks,
Samon,Aarhus ,Denmark

nytraveler

OK - moving 12 people is going to be a major task just by itself - and especially when 4 are young children.

First I wold definitely drop Switz - just too many places in too little time. Plus the hotels are mostly VERY expensive. And March is really only a time for winter sports, and you don;t mention that so I assume it isn't your focus.

Second, you are giving very short shrift to the places you are going, esp considering how much you can see/do in a day trailing 4 little kids.

Not sure what you mean by break In Hamburg and Munich. If this is just changing trains, fine. But if you are planning on actually doing anything in these cities you simply don't have the time since the best time Aarhus to Salzburg is more than 14 hours. This alone is likely to leave you with 4 very grumpy children.

Then to spend just one day in Salzburg will barely give you time to scratch the surface of the town and not to head out to see the mountains/surrounding area.

Similarly you have just 1 day in Vienna (that is actually 2 half days in, again barely scratch the surface). There is so much to see and do - what 2 or 3 things will you pick. Will you miss Schoenbrunn Palace? the Hofburg imperial palace? Lippanzer stallions? The old, quaint part of town?

Suggest you pick out what you want to see and do in each place and then figure out how long it will take to do so - and let that determine how long you need to spend there. The Michelin green guide not only rates sights by * it also tells you how long it takes to see it so that should help in your calculations.

IMHO even seeing the 3 places in Austria is a LOT for the few days that you have - considering the size and make up of your group.

Michael

The Swiss are practically the only ones who would not find Norway very expensive.

Cut out Switzerland not just because of the expense which is a stated concern on your part, but because it will allow you to slow down. I think that this is essential given the age of the children, unless, of course, this has been your type of travel with them and you had no problems.

PalenQ

For your Denmark to Salzburg train check www.bahn.de/en for fares and if you book far enough in advance you can get deep discounts over just showing up and buying tickets - for lots of great info on trains check www.seat61.com- great info on discounted tickets - also available in Austria; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Yes with kids you are biting off more than can be chewed in that time frame - cut Switzerland - Arhus to Salzburg is a long long day - do you have time to stop off in Hamburg?

janisj

I would break the journey from Denmark to Salzburg into two days/one night so you are not on trains an ENTIRE day. I wouldn't want to do that solo let alone with 4 very young children and 8 adults. Where you break the journey/stop over is up to you.

And I would 100% drop Switzerland.

sm138929

Hi All ,

We are taking the day train from Aarhus ,Denmark to Salzburg with stops of 1 hour each in Hamburg and Munich. We plan to spend 2 days in Salzburg .

We have skipped Vienna and chosen Innsbruck instead for one day. Then if we plan to go to Switzerland . Is this ok ?


Thanks,
Samon

janisj

>>We are taking the day train from Aarhus ,Denmark to Salzburg with stops of 1 hour each in Hamburg and Munich. <<

It seems you are set on this -- I personally think it is a bad (terrible actually) idea. The little ones will be stuck on the trains for hours and hours w/ just two short breaks not long enough to see/do anything much.

>>chosen Innsbruck instead for one day.<<

I also don't think one day anywhere with a group the size of yours (and ages) makes very much sense. Traveling with 2 takes longer than solo, four takes more time than two . . . and <i>twelve</i> takes MUCH longer to see/do things. 12 different rest breaks/toilet stops, 12 different walking speeds, plus you likely have at least one stroller, just not easy.

I've traveled with groups as large as 13, (all adults - no children) and herding cats doesn't <i>even</i> describe it . . .

But it is your trip.

PalenQ

>>We are taking the day train from Aarhus ,Denmark to Salzburg with stops of 1 hour each in Hamburg and Munich. <<

Have you looked at schedules - that journey takes 13 or more hours - leave at 7:45 get to Salzburg about 10 pm with NO breaks. Have you looked at schedules - 3, 4 or even 5 changes of trains involved - you will get breaks from trains when you have to change - an hour or so in either Hamburg or Frankfurt will be a waste of time - just time enough to see the train station and a few blocks around it - rarely the nicest part of town.

Have you considered flying?

Or a night train from Hamburg to Munich?

nytraveler

Can only ask if you have experience taking these children on train rides of 7 or 8 hours. Have they enjoyed them - or come off the train cranky and wanting to run around.

Obviously you have decided to do this - I can only hope that my fears do not come true.