Hi All -- Quick question(s).
We (4 of us) are going to Austria in November. Landing in Zurich on the 20th. We have hotel reservations In Vienna and Salzburg for the last 4 nites of the trip (23, 24, 25, & 26). Since we dont know at this point where we will be the first 3 nites, can we get off the airplane in Zurich with any expectation of being able to find a hotels without any reservations? I really hate to lock down where we go every day. Do people go to these places without any reservations? In my younger days, I would just get off the train in an interesting looking town and never had a problem finding a small hotel. Has that changed and are we crazy to even consider not reserving the first three nites also. Thanks for your advice.

Shrink

In my opinion, I doubt things have changed much. To me it's a matter of how much time you feel OK about spending looking around for a place to stay each night, especially with 3 other folks in tow.

Personally I'd make a 1st night Zurich reservation to avoid tromping the streets tired and jet lagged. After that a list of possibilities for various cities would be helpful so at least you have an idea of the more convenient or appealing areas you hope to stay in.

You'll have little problem save some blockbuster convention is on. The airport has a hotel booking desk but if you take the train into Zurich's main train station there is a hotel board there listing seemingly all of Zurich's hotels, including hostels, and a green and redlight system of indicating availability, with prices, and free phone that calls the hotel. Personally unless there is some reason you want to stay in Zurich three nights i'd go to a more romantic town like Luzern, where the station has a similar hotel-booking board - as most Swiss stations do.

Shrink, I have to admit I hate having every moment planned also, so sure understand how you feel.
But having said this, I always want to have a reservation for this first night.
Don't know what time of the day you are arriving, if you are getting a rental car, traveling by train etc. So these things could make a difference (if for example you are arriving at 10:00 am versus late afternoon).
I do not really get jetlag but after flying from the westcoast (USA) I only want to get to my hotel room, take a long hot shower, change, sit and have a glass of wine and collect myself. The thought of trying to find a hotel room after flying on a long trip just doesn't appeal to me.

We arrive in Zurich about 8AM Sat morning. I dont really want to spend any time particularly in Zurich. Will be boarding a train heading - I guess - for Germany - or possibly down thru Switzerland (Chur or a direction that wont take us too far away from Austria). I do like the hotel/shower/wine idea tho.

If you've traveled Europe before then you know your own style best (and that of your 3 friends hopefully).

To me, the thought of getting off a transatlantic overnight flight (disoriented, tired, jet lagged and time-changed) & immediately taking a train to who knows where and then looking for a hotel room... would be an anxiety attack provoking situation (and I am an EXtremely adaptable and mellow traveler normally).

Please, give me some fresh air, a long walk around the city, a decent meal, a bed, nice room and good night's sleep, and a bottle of wine (not necessarily in that order)!