Itinerary Help - Vienna and Salzburg + Budapest or Switzerland

I haven't been to those Swiss areas, but I have been to Vienna, Salzburg and Budapest, and liked them all. Combining the 3 would definitely be a worthwhile trip.

Thank you! We were thinking of mixing it up so we're visiting smaller and larger cities with some hiking/outdoor activities. Do you think Vienna, Budapest and Salzburg will be very similar?

I haven't been to Budapest yet, but I think if you like outdoor activities, you and your kids would love that area of Switzerland. It's the most beautiful place I've ever been, and I think with 2 other city stops it would add a nice mix to your trip. I think your trip sounds great though, I don't think you can go wrong!

Go to Switzerland! It is must-see Europe. Even more so if you enjoy hiking and adventure.

Salzburg and Vienna will provide plenty of history, art, museums, and churches. I really like Budapest, but I would choose Switzerland and save Budapest for another trip.

I don't know the train schedules, but you can likely catch a little of Bavaria and a stop in Halstatt in your itinerary if you shave a day or two off the Vienna portion.

As to the question as to whether Vienna, Salzburg and Budapest are too similar: I don't think so. While Vienna is huge, Salzburg is modest-sized and easy to cover in a short time. Budapest has the Danube running right through the center, separating it into 2 parts, while in Vienna the river is on the outskirts. One thing all 3 have in common is great pastries.

Hi,

I much prefer the places under "the other idea." mainly because I don't care for Switzerland You can't go wrong with BP, Munich, Salzburg, Vienna. Your kids will find them captivating . I saw Munich and Vienna the first time at their age, ie, at 21.

19 to 23?! Ohhhhh yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, Budapest Ruin Pubs. Mom and dad you will fit in too. Personally I prefer Wine Bars. Just walked in from my favorite; Kadarka's. Why so early? I have a dentist appointment in the morning. I have a daughter in Germany right now and walking home tonight from the bar reinforced the fact I wish she were here rather than Germany. But we go to visit her tomorrow and she will be here for spring break (unfortunately we will not be here).

Since I am rambling. If the kids like hiking and the outdoors, then ditch Vienna a day early (not a very pleasant place anyway) and head off into Slovakia. You want the High Tatra Mountains. Cheap, beautiful (stunning actually) and accessible for outdoors type,. We head up there once a year to go fly fishing. If that interests you I can pass along a name. Otherwise get a room at the Grand Hotel Kempenski High Tatras (my favorite) or the Hotel Patria. Either hotel can direct you out on hiking trips with or with out a guide.

Or take them out to drive a Russian Tank. www.tank.hu if they are a little warped. My wife loved it which I find a little intimidating.

Thank you all so much! James are you suggesting we skip Switzerland and spend the time in Budapest instead? There do seem to be a lot of activities in Budapest that would appeal to the kids. So, for hiking and outdoor activities, head to Slovakia instead? Are there other nature/outdoor activities in the vicinity of Budapest and Vienna if we decide to skip Switzerland altogether? In terms of accessibility, it does seem to be a better combination.

Maybe try and combine the two itineraries if you don't think you will be back to this part of the world for some time.

Fly in to Zurich, then train to Lauterbrunnen Valley (3 nights)
Salzburg (2 nights)
Vienna (4 nights)
Budapest (3 nights)

I guess my preference would be:

Fly in to Zurich, (1 night )
Train to Salzburg (2 nights)
Vienna (3 nights)
Train to hotel in high tatras (2 nights)
Private transfer to Budapest
Budapest (4 nights)

Even that is a bit of a stretch. Personally I would save Switzerland fy or a trip when you could do it right. Sorry, not much help as I am on cell phone in Budapest today.

We've been thinking about changing the itinerary a bit by adding Florence/Tuscany instead of Budapest and Switzerland since two of us have not been to Italy. So, what do you think of swapping these destinations? If we do 4 days in Florence with side trip to Tuscany for a day followed by 2 days in Salzburg and 4 days in Vienna (we have a total of 12 days not counting the arrival/departure days so these days include travel time bw cities)? Will that be enough time for all the cities? What would be the best way to get from Florence to Salzburg? There is a train which seems to take the entire day with 2 connections (we don't want to take the night train). Are there other options that would make more sense, going to Bologna for example? thanks again for your replies.

Hi - Just wanted to seek some input on our itinerary which I've been refining based on this thread and other feedback -
Day 1: Arrive in Rome (we've been here before so won't be spending time but it's cheaper to fly to than Florence)

Day 2: Spend day in Rome getting over jetlag and walking around and seeing some highlights

Day 3: Train to Florence and rest of the day in Florence

Day 4, 5 and 6: Florence with day trip to Cinque Terre, San Gimignano or Siena (which do you recommend?)

Day 7: On to Salzburg (train to Verona and on to Salzburg) - is this the best connection? Or is it better to go through Venice? We'd prefer not to take the night train.

Day 8 and 9: Salzburg

Day 10: Train to Vienna, rest of the day in Vienna

Day 11, 12 and 13: Vienna (possible day trip to Melk)

Day 14: Depart Vienna

thank you so much for your help!