In the fall of '24 I'll be ending a river cruise in Basel SWI and am sketching out a week or so after to travel. Thinking about Munich for Octoberfest, Salzburg, Vienna and Prague? Are these the cities to visit? Do we skip one for more time in another? How much time in each? I see Munich is 1.5 hrs from Salzburg by train so we could HQ there but I don't want to be constantly hopping on/off a train if that makes sense....I have really no clue about this part of Europe.
Posted by
Sweden
6390 posts
Are these the cities to visit?
They are nice cities well worth a visit, but there are many other options as well. It all depends a bit on what you are looking for.
Posted by
1907 posts
Visiting all of them within one week is not reasonable. Pick one of them.
Posted by
Los Angeles
4412 posts
Since you'll be in Switzerland, why not stay there? Head to the eastern part which is less travelled.
As for Austria, get Rick's book and see what you think of Salzburg and Innsbruck. Frankly it's nicer in Switzerland, but hey it's your choice. Neither city requires a whole lot of time, unless you want to get out into the Salzkammergut from Salzburg and see something like the Wolfgangsee or Hallstadt.
I just did the Salzburg to Munich run and in fact yes, it's practically like a commuter route except that it's full of people like me who started in Vienna and were flying home from Munich so lots of luggage. You'll also have to stop at the border for 20 or 30 minutes while the police sweep the train. It can be done as a daytrip, you can even hire a guide to do this with you.
Posted by
Germany
130 posts
When you want mostly direct train connection from Basel
I would go to Lindau on Lake Constance 3hr from Basel one change in Friedrichshafen Lake Constance and stay there for 1 or 2 nights
Then go to Munich direct 2,5 hrs and stay in Munich 1or 2 nights for Oktoberfest
You can go direct to Salzburg then from Munich 1,5 hrs and stay in Salzburg for some nights
Last go to Vienna from Salzburg 2,5 hrs direct connection
Flight back home from Vienna makes sense
Having a week these 4 places would fit into with 1 or 2 nights at each location.
I would skip Prague cause its to much off the way and therefore to much travelling
This all travelling by train
Going by car you can add places like Füssen Chiemsee and/or Salzkammergut and others on your way from Basel to Vienna
From my point of view the more independent way to travel
Avoiding cross border rental Switzerland Germany I would rent a car in Weil am Rhein Germany 6km from Basel on the other side of the Rhine River
Just if you ll change your plan in that case