Last minute trip-please help
 

Hello all. I planned to go to Switzerland/Germany in June of 2027. We got a really good deal on plane tickets and have decided to go in May/June of THIS year. I'm trying to put this together last minute. I'm having trouble nailing down what I want to do. We are renting a car, and we have to fly in and out of Munich. I want to see castles and old towns. My partner wants to see rural areas and anything in nature, so no big cities. I have three days I don't have a plan for. I can't decide where I want to go. There are just too many places. I thought about Lake Como, Austria, and even France. I was wondering if I should go to another area in Switzerland. Does anyone have any ideas/suggestions? I am very open to ideas for non-touristy places to save some $$. Thank you!

May 18-Spend Night in Columubs
May 19-fly to Munich
May 20-arrive in Munich drive to Dachau, spend night
May 21-Dachau and drive to Rothenberg spend night, stopping on Romantic Road
May 22-Rothenberg spend night (possibly visit Wurzburg, Stay in Rothenberg
May 23-Black Forest, Stay in Black Forest
May 24-Black Forest-visit Colmar France possibly, stay Black Forest
May 25-30: Lauterbraunen check out 30
May 30-
May 31-
June 1-
June 2 Fussen
June 3 Fussen
June 4-5 Munich

If you are flying from the U.S., you will not be safe to drive for at least 36 hours after landing. Not safe for you, not safe for anyone else on the roads. If you aren’t willing to spend any time in Munich, then take a train somewhere where you can deal with your jet lag and get acclimated and only then rent a car.

You have a wealth of opportunities for your extra days. Have you consulted some good guidebooks? Your local library should have some.

Have fun!

Not sure if I would be planning a road trip just yet

I agree with not driving right away and suggest spending a night in Munich before hitting the road. It's difficult enough to be driving a car you're not used to in a different country without adding jet lag and missed sleep.

Try to hire an electric car, given the high price of fuel and the real risk of fuel shortages, and maybe slow down a bit! You could add those three spare days to stops you already are thinking of, especially at the start to get over jet-lag.

1) do not drive on arrival day after an overnight flight (assuming you meant Columbus)

2) Until the fuel shortages in Europe are eased I personally would not be planning a road trip at this time. I'd re-think things and work out an itinerary that could be done almost entirely by train.

Electric cars are fine -- but with the fuel issues they are much in demand and expensive, plus their range could be a problem on some legs. Trains

What time is your flight scheduled to arrive in Munich?

PS. Pay no attention to the usual doom and gloom crowd.

My flight arrives at 9am. I know gas is crazy, but we have never used trains to travel. We live in a more rural area where it is not a choice.

Time, then, to learn the joys of train travel!
seat61.com is an excellent resource.

9 AM / 9PM or anytime in between - it is a terrible idea to drive on your arrival day. Your 9AM arrival will be 3AM Ohio time so even IF jet lag and micro sleeps weren't an issue (they are) you'd be exhausted.

Trains could not be easier -- and mostly easier than driving because you don't have to understand the German road signs or European road markings/symbols/rules of the road.

trains are so easy, treat yourself and if it doesn't work for you, use taxis, buses or hire while there

Trains are so easy to use in Europe for many destinations but not all. Would spend the first night in Munich. Dachau is a short train ride from Munich which you could do if you wish for your first day. Germany is not particularly expensive for Europe. Switzerland on the other hand is very expensive and you do not need a car. Lake Como is not inexpensive as well and you do not need a car.

So you plan to drive from Dachau to Augsburg and then all along the Romantische Strasse up to Wuerzburg, back to Rothenburg and via Heilbronn - Karlsruhe - Freiburg - Colmar - Freiburg - Basel - Bern - to Lauterbrunnen parking.
As you plan only 4-5 days for all that, you will have to bypass most of the gems along the itinerary.

Dachau is just 20 miles from Muich airport.
Take either a taxi or commuter train S1 (every 20 min; 20 min ride) plus citybus X201 (every 20 min; 20 min ride).

You tell us that you want to go to non touristic places, buit all the places you mention are highly touristic.
I don't think that's a good idea to drive up to Wuerzburg, just into the wrong direction if your main destination is Lauterbrunnen.

There are tons of castles and medieval fortresses just around Munich and along the direct way from Munich to the Alps (Switzerland or Austria).

It's only 30 kms. from MUC to Dachau by car. Maybe 40 minutes. But I would put the Dachau stop at the end of the trip for other reasons. It's a very easy day trip by train+taxi from Munich, and I wouldn't want to start the trip with Dachau because I had a very strong and emotional reaction that lingered for a day or two.

On arrival, you could train to Augsburg or Ulm, spend the first night there and rent the car the next day. I liked Ulm but haven't spent time in Augsburg

One or two of your driving days are too long for me, but I assume you've researched all the drive times, especially if you want to avoid main highways in favor of exploring small towns. (Google Maps allows you to search to avoid highways and tolls.) In the days between Lauterbrunnen and Fussen, I'd explore the Lake Luzern/Lake Zug area. Take the cog railway to the top of Mt. Pilatus and/or take a long boat ride. Or do both via the "Golden Round Trip."

https://pilatus.ch/en/railway-cablew...den-round-trip

Jean, we have researched the driving times. We are used to taking long road trips. I'll check out Ulm. I thought about Lucerne, but it was quite expensive. I'm also not sure I want to stay in another city. Thank you!

You tell us that you want to go to non touristic places, buit all the places you mention are highly touristic.
I don't think that's a good idea to drive up to Wuerzburg, just into the wrong direction if your main destination is Lauterbrunnen.

Can you tell me some great non touristic places? I think we will skip Wuerzburg. My partner wants to see more rural, small towns.

This already sounds like such a dreamy trip! Since you love castles and old towns and your partner wants nature, I’d honestly use those 3 open days for Austria, especially the Salzburg / Salzkammergut area instead of going all the way to Lake Como.

After Lauterbrunnen, drive toward Hallstatt, St. Wolfgang, or Gosau for two nights. It’s full of lakes, mountain scenery, charming old villages, and feels less hectic than bigger cities. Then head to Füssen, which keeps the castle theme going perfectly with Neuschwanstein.

Another lovely option is staying around Berchtesgaden for one of those nights. It’s gorgeous, very scenic, and close to Munich, with alpine views, lakes, and small-town vibes.