neckervd

.... and from Gstaad (between Montreux and Lucerne, luggage lockers in the railway station), a 1 hr bus and gondola ride takes you to Diablerets Glacier (with a famous Glacier suspenion bridge), a viewpoint just in front of Mont Blanc, etc.
But Nancy, with her tight shedule, hasn't time for such things anyway.

nancy_41pr

Thank you! I will continue working on my schedule and will post again.

nancy_41pr

Hello this is an update of my new itinerary. I have changed it several times and could continue to change with the exception of the cities of arrival and returning point Frankfurt and Cologne. These are already purchased due to significant flight fares. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thank you

June 5 Frankfurt Germany arrive and leave the same day to Switzerland
June 5-9 Switzerland Lucerne (2 days) and Lauterbrunnen (2 days)
June 10-11 Viena, Grinzing(noche)
June 12- 14 Hungary Budapest
June 15-17 Poland Krakow, Auschwitz Oświęcim
June 18-21 Czech Republic Prague, Cesky Krumlov
June 22-24 Hamburg
June 25- 26 Cologne, Burg Eltz

Mimar

Much better. However Burg Eltz is not easy to reach from Cologne. It's near the Mosel River. Instead there are a number of castles along the Rhine that would be easier to access. But I liked Burg Eltz the best; it's right up there near the top of my best castles list.

nytraveler

Sorry - you say you don't want to rush but your trip is the epitome of rush.

In no place have you listed the time to get from one place to another, which typically will take 1/2 a day at least. So you have even less time in all of these places than you think.

We don't know - and I don;t know if you do - where you are putting the time to get from one place to another. Will you do 6 or 7 am trains to try to get to the next place in time to spend the afternoon there? Or are you going to take trains at 7 or 8 pm - eating a sandwich on the train - to get to the next city in time to go to bed?

If I were you I would lay the trip out day by day listing where you are starting, any travel that day (with specific times) and where you will sleep that night. For estimating time at sights look at the Michelin green guide, which rates sights by *, and tells you a realistic amount of time to see them.

I think once you do that you will realize how very over scheduled you are and how many places you have to cut or simplify.

PalenQ

With you updated itinerary strongly look at the Swiss Transfer Ticket for Switzerland with half-off Half-Fare card and for central Europe the Eastern European Railpass, first class if not on a starvation budget.

nancy_41pr

Thank you all. I will continue to review my schedule. My trip to Cologne was only because of my return flight and I would really love to visit the Eltz Castle which I canceled from Frankfurt. Regarding traveling from and to each city, I've been checking flights, train night and day. For example, from Prague to Hamburg a one hour flight with no luggage. From Krakow to Prague a night train arriving in the morning. I am considering scenic Bruenig Cog railway from Lucerne to Lauterbrunnen. Any information on that regarding reservations? Would like one more night in Lauterbrunnen and maybe eliminate Hamburg. I am still checking from a train from Lauterbrunnen to Vienna but daytime. I am aware I will loose some time in this trip but it's a nice view. Maybe change plans and not stop in Vienna. However I will continue working with my schedule. Thank so much you guys for all the help!!!

PalenQ

I am considering scenic Bruenig Cog railway from Lucerne to Lauterbrunnen. Any information on that regarding reservations?>

Not compulsory on any train even I believe the official Golden Pass special train - about hourly locals - same scenery over same tracks - just hop on either but if you want an observation car on the official GP you are advised to book one ahead of time - that said the scenery on this line though sweet does not rate going out of your way for an observation car - regular trains have large windows.

Mimar

Remember when comparing travel time for flights vs. the train, you must allow time to get out to the airport, time in the airport before the flight, and time getting into your destination city. Whereas trains run city center to city center. And are more comfortable.

PalenQ

And trains are usually on time -not so planes - you could be waiting at the airport for late flights, etc.

PalenQ

. I am still checking from a train from Lauterbrunnen to Vienna but daytime. I am aware I will loose some time in this trip but it's a nice view>

That's long long haul -down to Interlaken-Ost - to Zurich

Zurich to Vienna via Innsbruck and Salzburg -

Salzburg would make a sweet stopping place and is only a few hours from Munich or about a half day by rail from Prague via Linz and up from there thru the Czech Republic to Prague - going via Vienna would take a lot longer.

Vienna's neat but really needs a few days to appreciate.

neckervd

"I am still checking from a train from Lauterbrunnen to Vienna but daytime"
Nothing is easier than that, however
http://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html
or
http://www.oebb.at/en/index.jsp

PalenQ

I always use www.bahn.de/en for schedules as it is so easy - German railways official site - others neckervd gave may be too and will gives fares- schedules the same on all.

PalenQ

Lauterbrunnen to Vienna - 10.5 hours best possible time without stops except to change trains.

nancy_41pr

Bahn does not give me fares on being to soon. However SBB gives me fares. Not familiar with neither nor familiar with trains. Where I live they're not many trains, in fact just one, one route. What is the difference between both. I think is best a night train and sleep during the trip.

Mimar

Check out seat61.com. Lots of details about train travel in Europe there.

As for night trains, the potential problems: you have to change trains in the middle of the night, you find it hard to sleep with stops and starts, and you have to take more care securing your belongings.

I love trains in Europe. The seats are comfy, the views flow by your large window, and the toilet's at the end of the car.

neckervd

"As for night trains, the potential problems: you have to change trains in the middle of the night"

Certainly not between Zurich and Vienna!

PalenQ

As for night trains, the potential problems: you have to change trains in the middle of the night, you find it hard to sleep with stops and starts, and you have to take more care securing your belongings.>

Yes if a light sleeper there are always noises from inside and outside of the train - PA announcements when stopped in stations - train wheels squealing to a stop -if not in private compartments noise from fellow passengers - like loud snorers or inconsiderate people - if in a shared couchette I always try to book the uppermost bunk and put my valuables up there - not on the floor where someone can open the day and in one fell swoop be aware with your bags (even though couchette doors lock from the insides IME often folks going out in the middle of the night forget to lock the day coming back, etc.

But if on a direct night train with a private compartment and can put up with a modicum of noise night trains can be great - saving daytime travel time even over flying and saving on the cost of a night in a hotel.

nancy_41pr

My itinerary has changed from my previous messages. I will stay in Lauterbrunnen and I am interested in going to Junfrau. I see an early morning special ticket which starts from Kleine Scheidegg and takes you directly to the Jungfraujoch-Top of Europe. Can you tell me how to get to Kleine and how long will it take the travel. This ticket starts at 8:30 am. Please need help!

marg

The train to Kleine Scheidegg leaves from Lauterbrunnen station - couldn't be easier. You'll change trains at Kleine Scheidegg for Jungfrau.