Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Trip to germany, austria, switzerland...need advise

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Trip to germany, austria, switzerland...need advise

We are planning a trip for late june for 14-16 days. I have developed several itineries...I am wondering if going to 3 countries is too much to do. I must fly into Munich to pick up a BMW. I would like to see Austria....If I went to switzerland I would like to visit the Berner Oberland(like Murren, or Wegen area)I am wondering if there is another area closer to Austria with beautiful mountains and good hiking (possibly Chur area) that you would recommend substituting. One itinerary I have is: Fly into munich pick up car Salsburg 2 nights Melk 1 Vienna 3 Hallstadt 1 innsburck area 1 Alpenzell 1 Murren(interlacken area)2 luzern 1 Fussen area 2 munich 2. I am thinking it is too many 1 night stays. A alternate one is Salsburg 2, Melk 1 Vienna 3, Hallstadt 2, Innsbruck area 3, Fussen area 2, Munich 2

Connie, I agree that you may have too many 1 night stays. I suggest you visit Melk on your way from Salzburg to Vienna but not stay overnight. You could do something like this: Munich to Salzburg - 3 nights (you'll be jet lagged 1st day) - then early morning departure to Melk. Visit the Abby and continue to Vienna for 3 nights. From Vienna to Hallstatt for 2 nights then Hallstatt to Lindau on Bodensee for 2 nights. From Bodensee to Fussen for 2 nights then back to Munich for a couple of days. I'd leave out Innsbruck unless you have a particular reason to go there. Many areas are much nicer in my opinion.

Is there another mountain resort or village that you particularily like rather then Innsbruck?

Connie, I think Hallstatt is a beautiful mountain village and you can hike up the mountain to the Salt Mine. Check out their website for more information (http://www.tiscover.at/guide/5,en/ob...16at/home.html).

Hi Connie In 1997 we flew into Munich and picked up a car. It was a great experience. Keep in mind that when you get to BMW (at least then) they required about 1.5 to 2 hours for you to spend there, having lunch and meeting with them to give you the run down on the car and logistics. Our plane landed in Munich at about 10:30 (USA to Amsterdam to Munich). We ended up leaving and going to Augsburg (our daughter was doing a semester there and had met us at the airport). Jet lag did not bother us until about 6pm German time (we were in our 40s). Salzburg is not that far so you should be okay. Both Switzerland and Austria have driving permits required for express way routes you should consider getting them, in most cases at least then, you could get them at gas stations, penalties may be high. You are correct in that one nighters are tiring we did alot on that trip. We also went to Murren on that trip. Ours was also aggressive as follows: Augsburg -1 night Rothenburg - 1 night Rhine area - 2 nights Murten Switz - 1 night Murren Swits - 2 nights Lucern - 1 night Salzburg - 1 night (picked up our daughter and went to France) Strasbourg - 1 night Reims - 1 night Bayeau (for D day beachs) 1 night Dieppe 1 night Brugge Belgium - 2 nights Amsterdam - 3 nights and return car. The one nighters early were not bad plus in many cases the drives were not too long. What I would have done differently was give Murren 3 nights. You are at the mercy of the weather. The hotel we stayed at had closed circuit TV to show you what the weather was on top. Murten was a stop so that we would get to Interlaken early and get up to carless Murren. We ended up getting to the hotel about 2pm and it was too late to go up (we were there in late July and to spend the money for the lifts we wanted more time). So we waited till the next day and then the weather was all fogged in. Fortunately the morning of our departure was perfectly clear. We had breakfast atop the Schlithorn and really enjoyed it, delaying our departure and making the drive to Luzern a little more tiring. The full day we had we did hiking and went shopping on the other side. There is enough to do in the area if you enjoy hiking to spend 3 nights for insurance. We are planning to go back this Sept. Have a great trip, enjoy the car. We still have the front license plate on ours. It is the best souvenir, it reminds you of Europe each time you unlock it with its unique sound! Regards, Mary Ann

One nighters are a pain!!!

Do you want to advise or do you want some advice?

Advice.Ha. I realized the mistake after sending the question. I am now thinking of going to just germany and austria. What do you think about this itinery? Fly into Munich, pick up car and leave for Salzburg. Spend 2-3 nights salzburg. 2 nights in hallstadt,1-2 nights Krem/Melk area, 3 nights Vienna, 2-3 nights around Zell am zee, 2 nights Garmish or Fussen area, 2-3 nights Munich.I thought about staying in the Krem melk area so we could bike along the Danube. I suppose I could spend one night longer in Vienna and take a boat down to that area. What do you think? I am trying to keep the total days to 14-16, but it is hard. Has anyone stayed around Zell am Zee and do you like the area better than say the Innsbruck area? What areas would you spend more or less time in?

I was going to also ask mary ann if she thought it would work to go directly from the airport to pick up the BMW or should I stay over in Munich and pick up the car the next day??

Definitely pick up the car the day you arrive, unless you are arriving late. Lunch at BMW was covered in the purchase you have to get into town from the airport, why pay for 2 taxis and tie up another day with picking up the car. The drive from Munich to Salzburg is not that far and from your agenda, you are planning to do Munich at the end. Check out the web site for Euroshell which has a route planner. It allows you to put in cities and will provide a trip tic giving you directions, miles or kilometers between cities and estimated driving time. If you ask for a full page map it gives even further details. Also recommend contacting and at least reserving your first and last night hotels to save time. Then you can check with them as to directions to their specific establishment and where is the best place to park. Most times we found it best to drive to the location (or as close as possible if a pedestrian area) and unload luggage then go park the car. In reality, other than our first trip, we are a strong believers in research and reservations before you go since we usually like an ensuite WC, location near center of activities and reasonable price. We mostly stay at 2*s. Also to aleviate some of the hassel with luggage and one nighters. Plan to have a 21 or so inch bag on wheels and maybe a smaller tote to take in on the one nighters and leave any large luggage locked in the trunk. Places such as Murren, where you have to park below and ride up in gondolas and such, you realistically cannot carry everything if you are a heavy packer. We use our larger suitcase as a closet and transfer clothes as we need them when we hit convenient locations (those that are close, with elevators, etc) Hope this helps, have a great time. Mary Ann

I thought about doing this last summer, but rented instead. However, if you enjoy driving, probably the worlds greatest experience is driving a highend auto on the Autobahn. Go north from Munich and find some of the less travelled autobahn (I can't recall number, but the one between Wurzburg and Rothenburg was empty every time). Then put the pedal to the metal and go 150 mph plus. Its a blast. Austria has speed limits, cops and very hefty speeding fines...payable on the spot. Coachboy

Just curious...what is the speed limit in germany and austria? I am still debating where to go. I have 16 nights so that gives me pretty much time...but it seems like there is so much to see.

On the Autobahn in Germany, there is NO speed limit. You can go 200 MPH, if you want. There are sections, however, that do have speed limits. (due to construction, congestion etc). Pay attention, the fines are STIFF. Austria, if I recall, is around 130 km, or about 80-85 mph. Again, stiff fines. FWIW, I drove about 160 km usually. If you've never driven that fast, up to about 100 mph feels fine. Over 100 starts getting pretty intense - be on the ball, and focus on the road. There's a reason they don't like cupholders in Germany. Coachboy CoachBoy