Vienna or Switzerland?
 

We're thinking about visiting either Switzerland or Vienna but can't decide. I'm leaning towards Vienna because it looks so spectacular and grand. But Switzerland has some amazing scenery too of course. What place would you chose and where is there more to see and do?

Jump start...
Here are 15 questions which might help you decide.

1. Do you have a limited budget? Are you comfortable with the CHF/USD and EUR/USD exchange rate?
2. Do you like classical music and history? Do you prefer museums, shopping, or entertainment (shows/group tours/operas)?
3. Are you comfortable with walking all day? How active are you? Do you prefer walking on paved roads or grass or cobble stone?
4. Do you like the mountains and nature? Do you like to go hiking, swimming, or ski?
5. Do you have friends or family in either country who could show you around from a local resident's perspective?
6. Do you have any culinary preferences? Any food limitations? Physical limitations?
7. How much time do you have? A week? 2 weeks? A month? A year?
8. Have you considered visiting both countries?
9. Have you done your homework by reading travel guides first?
10. Are you comfortable visiting a place where people may not speak English well or at all? Any problems with possible language barriers?
11. Will you bring young children? Teenagers?
12. Why did you choose Austria and Switzerland? Any particular inclinations to the culture/history of either country? Why not other countries? Have you been there before?
13. Will you be driving or using the train/public transit only?
14. Are you picky when it comes to lodging? Price range? A/C a must?
15. When are you traveling and have you looked at plane ticket prices to either city yet?

How much time do you have? Prefer cities or outdoorsy pursuits? Budget?

We loved Vienna for culture, cafes, music, Hapsburgs....we loved Switzerland for gorgeous scenery. We flew into Zurich, went right to Lucerne, spent 2-3 days there including a venture up to Mt. Pilatus, then headed to Austria, going to Vienna and Salzburg. We did all by train/public trans. After Vienna we headed to Italy. Personally, I'm looking forward to doing a lot more exploring in Switzerland.

You might consider (some would find this a blasphemous suggestion) viewing a couple of travel videos such as the Rick Steves episodes on both areas. I actually find that they give me a useful overview.

If you can say more about your interests and time frame I think you'll get many opinions!

Hi Schnookies,

It would also help to know what time of year this will be -- this summer? Fall? Winter?

I usually vacation in Switzerland, and I think of it as an outdoors-person's spot. People usually go there to hike or stroll or just to stand still and BE outside. We go there to soak up the landscape. So, are you an outdoors-type?

s

Although we are very much outdoors-type people I tend to go towards the "city life" more. I'm both country and city but it sounds more alluring to be able to stroll on cobble stoned streets with coffee shops, more of history and culture. It sounds to me like Vienna has more like that to offer? I would of course like to see both places but for this time start with Vienna. We're thinking about going in mid August. Our plans are not really thought out but we'd also like to go to Northern Italy and see Cinque de Terre and Lake Como. So even though we do like hiking and we are very much energetic people who are always on the go. I think I would enjoy more of a lively place like Vienna than just the laid back scenery in Switzerland right now?

question 7 and 15.

Vienna is a gorgeous city with all the history and architecture on an imperial capital. Swiss cities - Zürich, Luzern, Bern, Basel - are nice, but have more small-town charme compared to Vienna. So if you are looking for urban life and gorgeous museums, Vienna would be the first choice.

If you want a combination of scenery and city life, Switzerland would be the first choice.

Another option would be to combine Vienna with a stay in the Austrian Tirol for some mountain scenery.

If your time is limited, you might find that Vienna offers more. If you have more than a couple of days for your trip, you might want to spend a night or two in Salzburg. It is only a couple of hours by train from Vienna.

I think nancicita's list of questions is great. You might not be able to decide even after answering them, but you should be comfortable in proceeding to make a decision. The problem I have with the original question posted is that it's asking readers to compare a city to a country. That isn't quite fair. Would you be able to compare Chicago with Texas? Austria has every bit of the beautiful scenery that Switzerland offers, and Switzerland has some lovely cities that might come close to Vienna's appeal.

Maybe your question really is this -- do I want a city vacation or a countryside vacation? Decide that first, then narrow down your choices.

I think with the few days we have that I like the idea of a "city vacation" better. I feel like we need more time in Switzerland. Any hotel recommendations in Vienna?

Hi schnookies, great to hear that you've chosen Vienna!
I love the city and I think you will really have a grand time.
As for hotels, what do you prefer? Do you have a limited budget? Do you require A/C? Do you mind large chain hotels, or small Bed and Breakfasts?

I saw on the Accor Hotels website that they are having a sale. Starting at 49 EUR at the Novotel Wien West. That's a great price for a 4-star hotel. I've stayed at the Novotel several times before, however not the one in Vienna. But I do find their quality pretty much consistent. Their breakfast is worth paying for.

Enjoy! :-)

I love the Lindner am Belvedere in Vienna, for the hotel, the location, and the breakfast. I got a great deal on it through Ameropa.de, but you have to go through the transaction in German, and then vouchers are mailed to you. But no other site had as good a deal on that hotel.

cant really compare the two in my mind

switzerland is so beautiful it hurts to think about being so far away from it ( canadian rockies are the only rival)

im very fond of vienna but wouldnt go again unless we were passing through

Please do not consider the hotel mentioned above . The location is not good- about as far out of the city center as possible and still be considered Vienna. A stay there will involve a long and time consuming transfer to city center and major sightseeing.

Vienna is a fantastic choice for a varied and interesting vacation.
many choices of city center hotels in all price types. While Vienna has an excelent public transport system, many hotels will allow easy walking to many sights, also including good restaurants , shopping etc.

The city center very easy to recognize as it has the postal code 1010 in each address.

The Vienna Tourist office website will offer much good information including a good hotel search list .
their website

www.wien.info

Several good city center hotels in my opinion

Pensions with moderate price

Pension Suzanne
Pension Pertschy

Hotels - with a vienna flair

Kaiserin Elsabeth

Romischer Kaiser


Konig von Ungarn

Deluxe

Grand Hotel

Ring Hotel

LeMeredian

Boutique type

Hollmann Beletage


Many choices for art museums

Fine Arts - Kunsthistorisches Museum

Belvedere Palace

Liechtenstein Palace

Museum Quarter

Some must sees

Schönbrunn Palace

Hofburg palace

Hundertwasser Haus

Depending on time of visit

Music

Musikverein
Volksoper

State Opera

we were delighted with pension nossek
run by two sisters
mozart lived and composed there for a time
it is right in the graben
great breakfast
great room

I would highly recommend a hotel with air conditioning. If you are going in August, you will need it. We traveled through Austria in late June last year and it was very warm. The city is also loud at night if you need to open windows for air. We did not have air conditioning because my DH's Austrian relative made our Austria arrangements. That is the last time I leave my arrangements up to someone else. They are used to not having air conditioning and were shocked that we would want that. My mother in law insisted that their cousin make the arrangements..... :)

Pension Nossek is on Graben- a pedestrian zone that is now in the midst of a large renovation- huge holes in the area to replace underground utilities- later a new surface paving and lighting system.
Due to this work with its noise, dust , inconvenience I did not put it on my list.
The city advises this work will continue most of the summer.
Even the bus service the small city bus 1A that used this area mst be relocated during this time. Chaos for shop deliveries and trash removal etc.
Normally the Nossek is OK but not really during this time.

I've always stayed at Konig von Ungarn, wonderful location and a very nice hotel. With the construction in the Graben that has been mentioned here, the KVU might not be the best location as it is somewhat "around the corner" from the Graben. However, I would probably still stay there anyway.

If you want my second choice, it would be the Altstadt. Good luck.

Konig von Ungarn a good choice as I mentioned above. Fortunately no construction on this small street. Some info on their website - the inner courtyard covered with glass high above makes a good place for a drink too.

www.kvu.at