Hello!
5 adults are going to Switzerland, Austria and Germany for 3 weeks. I have reserved the largest vehicle I could find, a Mercedes Vito. The site says it holds 9 people, 2 large suitcase and 2 small suitcase. Can anyone tell me if it will fit 5 adults, 5 large 50 pound suitcase and 5 small carry-ons? If not, any suggestions on where in Zurich I can rent a van big enough for all of us and our stuff?
Thank you!!

Well, if the Vito doesn't fit all of you plus your luggage, you will hav to rent two cars! It's the largest van on the European market.

Since Switzerland imports all of its vehicles, it also imports some of the US SUV's, mostly those from GM and Chrysler vans. Check with General Motors Switzerland what will be available. For three weeks you may be able to lease a vehicle (similar to the deal that you can get in Europe from Renault).

In any event, whatever you get, try to get the Diesel version. It will cut down on your fuel bill.

Last summer, we rented a Renault Trafic Combi from Budget in Prague using the broker www.autoeuropecom (based in Maine). We had 5 adults and one 12 year old, and we drove very comfortably from Prague through Austria and up into Bavaria (Munich) for about 2 weeks. The Trafic held 9 people in 3 bench seats, and it had a very large space in the rear for luggage. It is a type of people mover - small airport shuttle? But it handled the Autobahn and the mountains well - even the Eagle's Nest!

Depending on how long you will be there, you may also want to consider a short-term lease (17 days or more) from www.renaultusa.com. This option is usually less expensive than a straight rental, you get a brand new Renault vehicle, and the price is inclusive (except for tolls and gas).

We had a great experience leasing from Renault in the summer of 2004 while in France. That time we only needed an Renault Espace minivan (only 4 of us), but the Renault website does list the Trafic as one of the offered vehicles. There are pick up and drop off charges if you are not originating or ending your lease in France.

I believe that Peugot also offers this, but I am not familiar with their vehicles.

One last issue if you were planning to use a credit card to provide CDW insurance: I found out last summer that AMEX rental car coverage does not extend to 9 passenger vehicles.

the vito will be fine but i would also recommend bringng the smallest luggage possible just for the logistics of dragging it in and out of everywhere you are staying.

you may not be able to park such a large van near all your hotels.. so you might be hiking a bit with that bag and carry on.

can't get much bigger than a vito!!!
you should have a dealer somewhere where you can see one, don't you?

I was just driving behind a <b>Mercedes Viano</b>. It looked larger than a Vito. Check out its specifications.

6 of us did 7 days in a Vito in Spain.
2600 km of comfort and lots of room. The Dodge Sprinter(short) is the Vito, you may find it at your dealer. Wow, is it expensive to rent.