HELP! Husband and I have 10 days

Does "ten days" included arrival and departure days? If so, you really only have eight days. Also, you will lose at least 1/2 to 3/4 of a day relocateing. Don't mean to rain on your parade, but three countries in ten days will not do justice to any of them. Suggest you stick to only two places (and the closer together the better), and do some day trips from each place. The time of the year may also be a factor to consider. The two places should be the two you most want to see. Just food for thought.

When? And if you want to enjoy the trip, I'd focus on one country. Safe travels!

Why not begin by looking at the locations on this RS tour: https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/germany/germany-austria-switzerland-tour. We have been on that tour. If you’re trying to do a partial of it, I would fly into Zurich and fly home from Vienna.

If your 10 days includes travel days & you live in the US, you should really concentrate on just some highlights of one country. But, before all of the lists of cities, what are you actually wanting to do & see? Castles, mountain hiking, specific types of museums, Christmas souvenirs, music venues??

we are wanting to go in january or feb. yes the 10 days include travel. not really hiking. we love walking the town, visiting museums eating etc.

So you really have eight days on the ground. If you relocate, you will lose most of another day. That being the case, you might want to consider staying in one place the entire time and doing two or three day trips. As to exactly where, that's just a matter of interest. Anyone can make a case for any of the three countries you mentioned. Personally I'd opt for the southern Germany / northen Austria area. Perhaps base in Munich? A good place to start your research will be the Rick Steves' books for that area.

I recommend Vienna and Salzburg as well as some day trips.

This has 7 hours, almost half a day, in travel time in Europe.

Day 1 depart
Day 2 arrive - Munich, jet lagged mid afternoon
Day 3 holiday - Munich https://youtu.be/JK1PzIofxPM?si=F7PCjnyKlNvIzB_B
Day 4 holiday - Munich to Salzburg [90 min by train]
Day 5 holiday - Salzburg https://youtu.be/X6bGQ1OMk0U?si=cX1bW_lMaBUrh6eh
Day 6 holiday - Salzburg to Hallstatt [90 min by tran] - Hallstatt to Vienna [4 hours by train]
Day 7 holiday - Vienna https://youtu.be/HhuP2_Cf-54?si=a3SvUpE1uO7slWTM
Day 8 holiday - Vienna
Day 9 holiday - Vienna
Day 10 fly home.

This has 2.5 to 3 hours of travel time in Europe.

Day 1 depart
Day 2 arrive - Vienna, jet lagged mid afternoon
Day 3 holiday - Vienna https://youtu.be/HhuP2_Cf-54?si=a3SvUpE1uO7slWTM
Day 4 holiday - Vienna
Day 5 holiday - Vienna to Gyor / Pannonhalma (or Bratislava or Sopron) [45 to 90 min train depending on which]
Day 6 holiday - Gyor (or Bratislava or Sopron) to Budapest [90 to 120 min train depending one which]

Or Day 5 and 6 Stay in Vienna and maybe a day trip to Bratilsava.

Day 7 holiday - Budapest https://youtu.be/1nd5AtZIrTk?feature=shared
Day 8 holiday - Budapest https://youtu.be/0nd9DuDGCz0?si=aa0c19KaJHEtabkX
Day 9 holiday - Budapest https://community.ricksteves.com/users/50322
Day 10 fly home.

6.5 hour travel time in Europe

Day 1 depart
Day 2 arrive - Prague, jet lagged mid afternoon
Day 3 holiday - Prague https://youtu.be/idg6vW3vXtE?si=DJ2W_K_3C1I1KHEb
Day 4 holiday - Prauge
Day 5 holiday - Morning train to Vienna [4 hour train] - Vienna
Day 6 holiday - Vienna
Day 7 holiday - Vienna - Evening train to Budapest [2.5 hour train]
Day 8 holiday - Budapest
Day 9 holiday - Budapest
Day 10 fly home.

I would do 3 days in Munich, 3 days in Salzburg, and 2 days in Vienna. There is a lot to see in Munich and you could do a day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle. From Salzburg a day trip to Hallstatt or from Vienna a day trip to Bratislava. You don't want to spend your whole trip traveling!

thank you all for these suggestions !!

I would do 3 days in Munich, 3 days in Salzburg, and 2 days in Vienna.

I would do 2 days in Munich, 2 days in Salzburg, and 4 days in Vienna.

You can see all three in 8 hours if you fly into Zurich and then travel to Lake Constance. All three countries border the lake. The problem is the area you want to see is going to be in full swing, ski season, and therefore expensive. If that's not a consideration, Fly into Vienna, and out via Zurich. Take the train to Salzburg, Munich, and then Zurich. Figure 2-3 days at each.