Hello Friends out there,
First timer here from U.S. we'll be arriving at FRA Sunday about 11AM and driving to Switzerland for two nights stay there. How long will it take to get to Zurich, or Bern?which autobahn to use better? We'll have to go back to FRA Tuseday night. Really like to make the best of the time there. Any reply/suggestions will be greatly appreciated (also for $200 hotels).

Thanks a bunch!

Junior

Hi thejunior,

I'm posting to bring your message back to the top . . .

I don't often drive on my vacations, but I popped your route into the planner at www.mappy.com. They say the route is 405 km and will take four hours to drive.

You say this is your first trip to Europe, so I'm assuming this is your first experience with jetlag (prior trips to Asia, Africa??). You may not be aware of the effects of your flight, and I'll suggest you may want to re-think driving for four hours on an unfamiliar autobahn after your first international flight.

Just to check, I popped your route into the rail schedule at www.rail.ch, and saw that the train trip from the Frankfurt airport to Zurich is just about the same time as driving: four hours (with one or two changes). So consider doing that -- buy some food and get a comfy seat and just enjoy your first few hours in Europe. There is a train station right at the Frankfrut airport. You can always pick up your rental car for your return to Frankfurt.

Sorry, I can't help with hotels as I usually stay in the suburbs of Zurich. But there's a post current right now that has great information on hotels in Zurich for under $200 for two people -- if the post isn't active when you see this message, just do a text search above.

Let me know if I can help further.

s

Thanks for the info.
We'll have to use the car for later business. now we need some suggestions as to how/where to spend two days in Switzerland. A day in a city and another in the nature/mountains etc.

We stayed in Interlaken. It sits between two large lakes at the bottom of the Alps. Beautiful views! We caught the train up the Alps got off and walked around and caught the train back down. We also hired a Pilot who flew us around the Alps gorgeous!
There are several water sports on the lake, we rented a small motor boat and drove around the lake for an hour. We were there in summer and even took a three hour hanggliding course. Ofcourse I am not an athlete or and outdoorsy type so the hanggliding lessons were on bunny hills. You can drive up to waterfalls and get out to take pictures. There did not seem to be a lot of nightlife, but with so much to do during the day sleep was restful.

Clea

While I am not a fan of "giving in" to renting an automatic transmission car - - I would urge you to do that if it means the ability for the second person in "we" to be able serve as an additional driver. Nothing makes for worse decisions on the road than the combination of fatigue and the feeling of "got to keep going".

Best wishes,

Rex

Thanks for all who replied.
I do have a couple more.
Do anyone have some suggestion for a bed/breakfast place around Schaffhausen area? web site/phone number?

Also, is the power outlet (connector)same in Germany and Switz?

And any good calling card we can use to call back to U.S.?

Again, thanks a Bunch.

Junior