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How to make the best of my vacation in Switzerland and Austria

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Hi
I am planning a trip to Switzerland and Austria in September/October, and would like to consult on a few issues, mainly regarding which attractions are best to do and worth spending time on (and sometimes having to travel quiet far in order to get to).
1) Switzerland - Thinking of about 4 days. Just considering how much time to spend in Zurich and how much in Lucern. My basic thoughts regarding Zurich is the zoo, some gardens, see the city and of course Rhine falls (are there opening times? couldn't find online); maybe also go up the cable care. In lucern I'm debating regarding Mt Pilatus or Rigi, which is best and how long should I take in to consideration regarding amount of time to spend there. Also, thinking about Mt Titlis; Would it be a waste doing both Titlis and also Pilatus/Rigi? Also wondering if there is Snow in Sep/Oct at Titlis. Finally, was thinking about the Interlaken area, Giessbach falls, St Beutus Caves, maybe find also some chocolate factory in the area? What should be a must for these 4 days I'm planning? and has anyone found the Zurich card worthwhile?
2) Austria - Will have to divide this one into a few groups:
• Innsbruck - Thinking about one day.
What would be the best way to spend a day (night too) there?
How is the Innsbruck zoo? are the Swarovski CrystalWorlds worth a see? how about Hall, Ambras/Hofburg?
• Kaprun area -
Thinking Krimml falls are a must? (Any other falls in the area?).
Thinking about going up the Kitzsteinhorn and maybe see some dams in the area. I will have 2 full days in Kaprun, is anything else worthwhile - nature wise or just some other fun attraction?
• Salzburg area - I plan about 4 days in this area, which include:
a day in Hallstatt. I am wondering if I will be able to go up to 5 fingers point, see the caves, and still have time to actually see Hallstatt all in one day? Also, I was wondering which salt mine is better; Hallstat or Hallein? (do they let you take pictures?).
Regarding other days, I am thinking about Werfen; going to the ice caves and Hohenwerfen castle. would that fill up my day or leave me some time for salzburg as well? Regarding the Ice caves, is Werfen better or are the ones up the mountain at Hallstatt?
That leaves me 2 more days for the closer surroundings of Salzburg; maybe salt mine, salzburg zoo, Hellbrun, Mirabell castle, Hohensalzburg. Would I be able to do this in 2 days?
Would love to hear some more things worth doing in the area if I'll have time.
Would it be worth going to Eagles Nest?
• Vienna - 2 days
The things I would like to see for sure are Schonbrunn, which I think will take a full day (including the whole area, park, zoo, palace, maze...), and Belvedere. The rest I am still not sure yet. Has anyone any experience with the Vienna card? is it worth it?
3) What would be the best way getting to Prague from Vienna? I just saw that the train tickets are quite expensive, and I was wondering how much time in advance would I have to buy a bus ticket? Do the bus tickets go up or are they always the same price, unlike train tickets?

I would really appreciate it if you could help with advice on how to best fulfill my trip, and may this information help others too with their future planning. Any other tips would certainly be appreciated.

Thanks,

Nick

Posted by
5458 posts

Vienna to Prague by train is 19 Euro. If that's expensive, then Switzerland is going to be a shock. Train tickets are cheapest if purchased in advance online for a specific train through www.oebb.at. Bus ticket prices don't change.

Posted by
2951 posts

Skip Swarovski, we found it to be pretty much a waste of time. Love Hall in Tirol. We've stayed here 5 times so far. Ambras is worth seeing, as is the Hofkirche. For alpine views, take the Nordkettenbahn while in Innsbruck.

Paul

Posted by
8832 posts

nick, for every sight you want to see, figure at least half a day, and between cities, a whole day. You have to include the getting there and back, not to mention meals, restroom stops, a souvenir or two, and just plain time to enjoy the experience. Heck, it took most of a whole day for me just to visit the zoo in my hometown. So look at your plan again and figure out what you really want to see.

I would skip Innsbruck and Zurich too.

Posted by
8 posts

Hi, Thanks for the replies
Emily, regarding the train to prague, I actually did some research before asking, and found the minimal price range to be 30-40 EURO by train (one way), and that's If I order in advance by like a few months, which is quite impossible for me unfortunately. And of course I have seen the prices in Switzerland which are certainly in a different league, but no matter the case, always best to find the cheapest options when possible. I think the best option would be to get to vienna and when there see what the prices are like, and worst case take a bus (hopefully will be able to still purchase 2 days in advance...).

Paul, is there anything specific that you would recommend seeing in Hall in Tirol? or just walking around to see the town?

Regarding Zurich, I really am wondering if to spend the time there. The main reason is for the Rhine falls which are an hour away from there. Whatever the case I would not like to skip Switzerland as a whole, as I would really love to visit the Lucern area.

Nick

Posted by
5458 posts

Nick - where were you finding 30-40 Euro fares? Rail Europe perhaps? Again, if you want the best fares, you should buy them in advance online from www.oebb.at, the national rail carrier of Austria. Avoid Rail Europe like the plague. The tickets for this train journey when purchased at the station are always the same - whether you buy 3 minutes, 3 days or 3 months in advance. It will be at least double, however, what you would be able to get online with a SparSchiene ticket using www.oebb.at.

Posted by
8 posts

I actually got the prices from the OEBB website. Checked SEP-OCT and prices start at 29EURO min... and am definitely staying away from rail europe and such... saw their much higher prices.

Would you be able to give your point of view on some of the attractions/sites?

Posted by
6 posts

Zurich zoo is neat but unless your going in the winter its not worth it. In the winter you can walk with the penguins.

Lucerne - Do Mt. Pilatus only a 10 - 15 min bus ride and a 5 min walk. Very easy to get there. (I lived in Lucerne for 3 months went many times).

Also if you definitely want snow almost any time of the year go to Interlaken. The are is beautiful and a nice hike up one mountain to the south and a great look out point. Then catch a train to Joungfrauoch “Top of Europe” the tallest rail station in Europe. Snow is here almost all year round and amazing views.

If your only spending 4 days I would say have to do one day in Lucerne maybe 2 depending on how much you want to do at Mt. Pilatus. Definitely a day or two at Interlaken specially if you will add joungfrauoch to your list there.

Lastly no need for the caves because if you plan to do Austria then the caves there are much better to go to. There are ice caves and normal ones there. If you are only doing one day in each of my suggestions then yes add Rhine falls. Just remember Switzerland does get expensive fast and if you do joungfrauoch then get the swiss card because its half off any train. Joungfrauoch plus one trip anywhere means instant savings.

Posted by
6 posts

One last point be careful when looking at train prices in switzerland because often they show the price for the 1/2 fare card or one way and you have to go in deeper to see real price. The prices add up really quick. Lucerne to zurich is a cheap ticket for 28 vhf but other places to travel in Switzerland are a lot more.

http://www.myswissalps.com/swisshalffarecard/price

Posted by
2951 posts

Hi Nick,

We actually like basing in Hall in Tirol. We do like walking the old town, and we especially love staying at the Gasthof Badl (hard not to love staying here) and it's a great location for doing day trips. For a single day in Innsbruck, visit the old town, the Hofkirche and take the Nordkettenbahn trip. Hopefully the weather is good.

Just my 2 cents on Switzerland... With 4 nights, I'd spend them all in the Berner Oberland. We stayed 4 nights in mid October based in Wengen many years ago. Absolutely magical area. Never wanted to leave.

In Salzburg, definitely go up to Hohensalzburg. To "see" Hallstatt doesn't have to take long. Extremely picturesque location, but very a tiny village.

Paul

Posted by
8 posts

ch160m, thanks for the info - very useful. Though from the sites I checked, the swiss pass gives "just" a 25% discount on the way to jungfrau. Makes me wonder if the half-fare card might be more effective... will have to do the math depending on how many mountains I decide to do - still debating if to do jungrau, titlis and pilatus/rigi, or just 2 of them.
Has anyone had any experience with the "good-morning" or "good-afternoon" tickets? are these OK times to go up jungfrau?

FYI, if anyone is planning on doing the round trip on Mt Pilatus after 1st september, i read on their site that it won't be available (one of the sections won't be active until 2015 - though it is still possible to go up and down with the cogwheel)

Paul, would it be worth the time going up with the Nordkettenbahn with just one day in Innsbruck?

Posted by
2951 posts

Would it be worth doing the Nordkettenbahn on your only day in Innsbruck? That depends on what you like doing. If you had enough of mountain trips in Switzerland, then maybe not. If the weather didn't cooperate in Switzerland, then yes. Even if you don't do the entire Nordkettenbahn, I think it's worth going at least up to Hungerburg for the views overlooking Innsbruck, the valley and the alps. Here's a few pic's of our last 2 trips to Innsbruck, in winter. The Nordkettenbahn is 3 legs, you can do just the funicular up to Hungerburg, or up to Seegrube or to the top at Hafelekar.

http://www.worldisround.com/articles/362561/index.html

http://www.worldisround.com/articles/380135/index.html

Paul

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