15 day Germany Austria Switzerland
 

Hello

We are taking a 15 day trip to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. We have 3 days in the trip to add another location. Should we go from Salzburg to Vienna to Lucerne or should we go to another location in Switzerland? Of course, the days will be switched below when we add another location. See out current itinerary below:

1. Fly in Day 2 Munich
2. Munich day 2-4 Days
3. Salzburg Day 5-6
4. Day 7 in Lucerne
5. Day 8-10 Lauterbrunnen/ Gimmelwald & Grindelwald 3 Days
6. Zurich 11 day
7. Fly out Day 12 Zurich

Thank you in advance for your suggestions!

Welcome to Fodors. I've only been to Switzerland a couple of quick visits so others will probably have better/more detailed advice . . . but if it was me I'd add one day to Munich and two days to Lauterbrunen/ Gimmelwald/ Grindelwald

As you have it now you only have 2 full days in Munich - your arrival day will be mostly arrival formalities, acclimating, and jet lag recovery. And you wouldn't have 3 full days Lauterbrunnen/etc. The trip from Lucerne isn't that long but what with waiting for your hotel room, checking in etc. it will eat up about half a day.

So to make it simple -- keep the itinerary you have and just pad a couple of the stays.

I don't think Salzburg works well in this plan as set forth. While it's a fairly short train ride from Munich to Salzburg, it's a loonngg ride from Salzburg to Luzern... 6.5 hours. I can't tell from your description if this transfer day is the same day you're "in Luzern." At a minimum, I'd want one full, uninterrupted day in Luzern (2 nights). But I also would avoid having to sit on a train for that many hours.

Could you fly into Vienna? There are trains from the Vienna airport to Salzburg that take about an hour longer than from Munich to Salzburg, and they're direct... no going into Vienna to change trains.

I agree with janisj. Don't add any more destinations; increase your time everywhere.

What time of year? Are you traveling by train? How many nights?

As above. the transfer from Salzburg to Lucerne will take almost a whole day (train ride through not too spectacular midlands).

I would either
skip Switzerland and go to the Austrian Alps
or
visit Salzburg in a day trip from Munich and go then to Lucerne/Jungfrau fro Munich
or
skp Jungfrau aea and go to Engadin Valley (Switzerland) instead.

^^^ A day trip to Salzburg is a good compromise

Thank you so much for the suggestions.

May 7 - May 22 14 nights Day 1 flying Day 2 arrive 7:30 am in Munich