travelhookie

Neckervd - Good morning, the majority that replied here, advised point-to-point is less (Greg, Huggy and others Thank You again), I understand and researched it. I just don't want to commit to a certain timeframe for departure, only the Vienna to Venice train, due to it's considerable travel time. But $160 for my travels? I am missing something, I will take PalenQ's advice and reach out to Byron and/or Rick Steve's site to see what I am missing. To your point PalenQ, we are traveling with backpack only and will make sure we are on correct trains-we absolutely ask before boarding, thank you.

Any suggestions for a town to stay in/around Montreux, again-we'd like to do the cheese/chocolate walk?

Thanks again to all

neckervd

" I just don't want to commit to a certain timeframe for departure"
Then it will cost more. Have a look at standard fares with
http://www.checkmybus.ch/
http://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html
http://www.oebb.at/en/index.jsp
http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v
and compare with the prices of the railpasses

PalenQ

cheapest is not always the best IME - the ability to just hop any train anytime in those countries, save Italy, to me is priceless - and how much time do you spend tracking down discounted tickets from several web sites - some like trenitalia.com are notoriously fickle and cause umpteen problems for Fodorites - and then those tickets, sold in limited numbers so must be booked in stone weeks/months in advance often and are often non-changeable non-refundable - if you miss the specific train they are only valid on then you have to buy a full-fare ticket.

Don't judge the efficacy of a pass simply by what may be a few euros in this case cheaper.

PalenQ

Any suggestions for a town to stay in/around Montreux, again-we'd like to do the cheese/chocolate walk?>

I realluy liked Montreux and many folks wax so romantic about nearby Vevey, which sticks out into the lake - no better cities IMO in this area.

cheese/chocolate walk? - the official Cheese Train which uses Belle Epogue Pullman cars - fancy ones and has commentary en route and maximizes your time by not waiting for train en route leaves from Montreux I believe.

travelhookie

Looking forward to a relaxing vacation, being a tourist on the rails! I chose Lauterbrunnen for a 2 day stay after Venice and then 1 night in Gruyeres and our final night in Geneva. A few loose ends to finish, then wait for our departure date! I love the planning, almost as much as the trip! Again, thanks to all for the help-especially you PalenQ!
Safe Travels all