love2travel2008

We're trying to get from Interlaken area to Vienna in a rental car. The question is how long will this realistically take (with stops), and can I do this in one day? We will have kids with us. I'm concerned about driving on unfamiliar roads (our first time in this part of Europe) and mountainous terrain with winding roads.

The second option we have is to halt in Salzburg on the way, is this a good stopping point?

Michael

You can use Google map or www.viamichelin.com to see which would be the fastest route between two points. Add 20% to their time without counting any rest stops you might want to make.

If the car is rented outside Austria and it is dropped off in Austria, chances are that there will be stiff cross-border drop-off fees.

An alternative is a night train from Zurich to Vienna, going couchette.

treplow

I have driven from Interlaken to Prien (about 50 miles west of Salzburg) in one day and decided afterward that it was more than enough driving in one day. I eas alone, without children!

The route I took was Interlaken - Brienz - Sustenpass to Wassen -Altendorf - Klausenpass to Weesen -m Swiss Autobahn N3 to Autobahn N13 going north. Cutting over from Buchs on the N13 to the Austrian Autobahn A-14 at Feldkirch. Arlberg Tunnel and Austrian Autobahn A12 past Innsbruck to Genman Autobahn A-8, going east on the A-8 to Prien (Bernau Exit.

It's not that the km are impossible, but the pass roads are tiringand perhaps "sickening" (in the true sense of theh word) for kids, especiually if everyoine else in the car is tense from driving the pass roads. Even if you were to drive in a more circuitous route, crossing fewer passes, I would stop overnight near or in Salzburg.

Once you are iun Vienna, what will you do with your car? If you drop a Swiss rengtak car in Austria, there is a hefty drop-off charge. Look into it.

love2travel2008

I'm planning a reverse trip too, at some point, to drop the car off at the source, so the drop off fee is not an issue. Thanks for the responses and tips!