travelcloud

Hello all,

We are arrive at Zurich on 16th May and flying back from Milan on June 1st, which gives us exactly 16 nights/17 days. The main destinations are:
Zurich (3 nt) ->
Salzburg (2 nts) ->
Vienna (3 nts) ->
Venice (3 nts) ->
Milan (2 nts).

With this, I will have 3 nights to spare. How would you split the time? Are there any other places that we should add to our itinerary?

We was originally thinking of using train and local transportation but after reading more, I am curious to find out if renting a car (specially in Switzerland) would be a good decision, specially for day trips.

Looking forward to hearing from you all!

thanks!

gruezi

Dear Travelcloud,

I have visited and enjoyed all the cities you mention and I live in Zurich, so I'd like to help.

Well, my first thought is you are going to be visiting a lot of places and that can be tiring. I would use the trains for most, but the train trip from Salzburg to Vienna is long (7 hours I think) and less than one hour flight with pretty cheap fares... Look into Swiss or Austria for prices...Also, this may make sense for Venice as well. I have found air travel can be much cheaper than train travel in Switzerland and environs. I personally love train travel but it is not always economical.

Personally, I'd rather focus more on one country or region than move around so much, but I think your itinerary is doable if you are looking for a "tasting" of each city...

If I had a night or two to add I might put it on Venice. I was in Venice last year at exactly that time in May and the weather was heaven, it was not yet unbearably crowded...

Also, outside of Salzburg there is some stunningly beautiful countryside. Perhaps you might like to enjoy that for a night or 2. You could even stay outside the city and travel in to Salzburg. Salzburg is very popular with the college set and crowded even in the spring. Also, I find it charming but also a bit touristy. 2 days there is probably plenty unless you plan to take excursions outside.

What kinds of activities do you like?
Do you want art and culture or views and scenery? A combination of both? There is much to see in Switzerland and all of it easy train trips from Zurich, but you need to think about your interests.

Can you share some more details on your plans in each city and your desires for this trip so we can help you better?

gruezi

Cathinjoetown

I would add on time in Vienna, Venice and perhaps a night in Verona between Venice and Milan. I happen to love Vienna--the history, the food, the shopping, the people. Some great day trips are to the Vienna Woods, Melk Abbey and a boat ride on the Danube through the Wachau Valley. To easily and cheaply see the Vienna Woods, I think either Fodor's or Frommer's(sorry) guide recommends taking a tram from the city center and then a bus from to the top of Kahlenberg Hill then walking down to one of the wine villages--I think Grinzing. This was wonderful and an easy walk--I'm no hiker. Saltzburg-Vienna is only 3 hours by train, not 7. Cars are great for day trips and can be cheaper than trains depending on the number of people in your group. Cars are unnecessary and/or useless in every major city you're visiting. Also, watch out for drop-off charges. Have a wonderful time!

bettyk

Instead of staying in Zurich, I would head to the Berner Oberland and stay in Lauterbrunnen. From there, you can do numerous day trips up into the mountains and on the lovely lakes of Thun and/or Brienz. I'd also add one of your extra days here.

I would take those other two days and stay stay on Bodensee either in Lindau or Meersburg and then go on to Salzburg. While on Bodensee you could take a boat trip to the island of Mainau. The flowers will be absolutely gorgeous at that time of year.

travelcloud

Thank you so much!

After reading numerous posting on this message board and visiting several other sites, I definitely want to visit mountain towns/villages in Switzerland and not spend all my time just in Zurich.

If you had total five days on your hands, arriving in Zurich on Day 1 (jetlag!) and leaving for Salzburg on the 5th day, how would you plan it? I am going to have a child with me so don't want too many hotel changes.

Jean

Just to clarify, I think Gruezi meant to say the train trip from Vienna to Venice is long. (Not Salzburg to Vienna as stated.)

Lynn77079

If you prefer scenery, fantastic mountains and charming villages, I'd stay in the mountains above Interlaken. We rented an apartment there for 3 days in May and found it absolutely beautiful. We flew into Zurich and drove straight to Grindelwald, via Interlaken. Jetlag didn't hit till about 8 p.m.

gruezi

Actually, I did mean Vienna to Salzburg but this was a year ago and I don't remember it being only 3 hours. Well, there are so many new high speed trains and so maybe it is a lot faster now. We chose to fly at the time. Maybe my husband who prefers flying to trains was pulling my leg...also, he doesn't use Fodor's so he doesn't always have the latest and greatest information....

sorry if I was wrong.

gruezi

bob_brown

I have visited the areas you describe. Before saying anything, I would like to know more about your planned time in Zürich. Unless you are there for some type of commercial enterprise, I am not sure what you would see there to use up 3 days.

There is quite a bit in the surrounding area, but the mountains, which I prefer, are south of Zürich.

Even as it is, your time is spread thinly. From Zürich to Salzburg is not a short trip by train - just under 6 hours.

The long journey is Vienna to Venice by train, 7 hours.

As for the car, I prefer one but they are not easy to use within a city because of parking costs and difficulty finding parking spaces where you want them.

We will have a car this summer in Switzerland, but not in Munich and Prague.

mjnbrown

I agree with other posters and would recommend spending time in the small villages in Switzerland, particularly in the Berner Oberland area. I am a fan of Lauterbrunnen - the valley is just about as beautiful as it gets.
Martha