Germany, Austria & Switzerland Driving Tour

Even with a heavy foot & minimum time on the ground, you have an 8 -9 day trip. Michael has you on the correct path.

Thanks for the replies.

What about going from Munich to Fussen and then onward to Interlaken. Then back to Munich?
We don't mind being a bit rushed...we once visited Rome in only 2 days. We love to be on the road.
I should mention that we fly in and out of Munich...cannot alter that part of the itinerary. Which country
is more worth while our time? We like dramatic scenery and small towns for the majority of the visit.

This seems to be too much in too short a time. You fly into Munich and spend 2 nights. Unless I misunderstand your itinerary, by the time you get to and check into your Munich hotel that will leave you with 1.5 days, not enough time for what you want to see and do. Driving to Hallstatt is about 3 hours. It looks like you are going to spend 1 night there or Salzburg so you could spend a couple of hours in Hallstatt then drive 1+ hr to Salzburg to spend a couple of hours and sleep. One suggestion is to skipp Hallstatt and visit St. Wolfgang instead. It's a bit closer to Salzburg and we thought it was more enjoyable. The next day you plan to drive about 2 hours to Innsbruck for a short visit then drive another 1.75 hrs to Fussen. Do you plan to visit the castles before you sleep in Fussen or on the way to Interlaken? Seems rushed. Spending 2 nights in Interlaken will give you 1.5 days. You can use one day for your day trip and spend the remaining time in Interlaken. It will take almost 5 hours to drive back to Munich. You may want to rethink your itinerary.

Also add in time to cross borders. At each border expect delays and frustration.

Maybe in 4 weeks all the refugee and migrant issues will have been solved and the borders will be wide open again. I wouldn't bet the farm on it.

Another nasty case today of very ill people crammed into a truck found in Austria. This will take time to work through.

Hi guarani. I just drove to these places in July and I like to keep on the move. If you eliminate either Swiss or Salz/Hallstadt it will work if you are OK with moving fast. Keep in mind Bernese O may be cold that time of year, possibly snowing. If still want to do Swiss, consider driving directly to Interlaken after you land in Munich; that drive is almost all freeway and doable in a long day. Then work your way back to Munich via Fussen. Whatever time you have left you can see sights in Munich before you fly out. Or, if you eliminate Swiss, then distances are more manageable; you could do in any order. Enjoy your trip!

If you drive on highways in Switzerland or Austria, you need to stop either just prior to the borders or at the border of Switzerland and buy and affix to the windscreen in the appointed way a tax sticker.

Entering Switzerland the cost is for effectively one chronological year (this year's stickers have a big 15 on them) is CHF40 which is cheaper than the €45 it is for sale at German filling stations near the border.

Entering Austria you have to get it before the border at Swiss or German filling stations and for 10 days it costs under €10, and is available then for longer times. It is not available at the Austrian border.

Driving on either country's highways without one puts you at very high risk of a steep ticket. Swiss cameras along the road check as well as humans, the same in Austria. I have seen flocks of Austrian police near the border just on the side of the road pulling over plenty of cars.

Hello guarani_7. I recommend : ride in trains in Europe. Going to the places that you wish to go to, a car is not needed. If you must go to Switzerland, consider flying from Zurich toward your home. The fee for changing your airline tickets might be affordable because you would not spend money for renting and driving a car from Switzerland to Munich.