We will be flying into Munich end of may on the 29th we will be staying in Munich for 3 nights and then headed to black forest region thinking Triberg, is that a good area to stay? We will then make our way to Switzerland and want to see Lake Lucerne, Interlakken and Lauterbrunnen, then we will make our way to Lake Como on the way to Milan, Italy; what else should we do in Italy? We will be flying out on June 14 from Milan and dont really have any other set dates in other countries except for Germany and know we want to spend a good amount of time in Switzerland... What is the best way to get around? Should we rent a car or take the train?
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8920 posts
All the destinations you name are easily reached by train, without the expensive rental car fees for dropping off in a different country (and high fuel, parking and driving stress costs). Some people love to drive - your call. But do some thinking about what you really want to see, and read the transportation section under Travel Tips on the menu on the left. It explains better. Then decide.
Skip Interlaken, and keep going up the valley to Lauterbrunnen. Interlaken itself is not in the mountains, but at the foot of them. Its mostly a staging area for transportation and logistics for going further up the valley, not that interesting in itself
Posted by
Atlanta, GA
1131 posts
I agree with skip Interlaken but I would say keep going past Lauterbrunnen to Murren or Wengen! Heaven!!
Posted by
47 posts
Switzerland has a very expensive vinette (sticker for your windshield) for driving in the country - I think it was 36 euro? - but having a car in Germany would be a good (no vinette needed) choice if you want the freedom to go and wander around without being tied to train schedules....when you're ready to head to Switzerland you can drop your car in Germany and take the train at that point.
Note, many car classes cannot be driven from Germany into Italy, so if you do opt to get one for your whole trip rather than train from Germany to your next destination, be sure you get a car that you can take into Italy if that is where you plan to go with it - and get that permission in writing. One nice thing with renting cars in Germany is the insurance is lowest compared with other countries, but there are more stipulations on where you can take various cars you rent.
We were in the Triberg area last fall - while it's a lovely town, you may want to look at a larger city to stay and visit from that base. We stayed in Frieberg and had a fantastic stay there and then day tripped (with car) from there.