Switzerland, Dolomites

Posted by marie (boise) on 02/26/25 03:38 AM

Plans to travel to Dolomites and Switzerland in September for about 15 days.
Looking at travel times getting to and from areas, do we have enough days?
Best travel ideas - Start in Dolomites and end up in Switzerland? or vice versa?
Better to take a train over northern part of Switzerland, into Austria and down to Ortisei? Or BO area, south to Milan and over to Verona and up to Ortisei? Would you do either in 1 day or break it up and stay say in Verona or in Austria somewhere?
Looking at flying into Munich but not sure yet which to fly out of - depends on which area we are in last.

Thanks for your thoughts and help.

Posted by Sam

Green Bay

02/26/25 04:19 AM

21709 posts

Is it worth a stop in Liechenstein just to say you've been there...:)

No. Its a waste of your time. If you are traveling between Innsbruck and Zurich, you will pass through it, so just look out the window and say "Look, its Liechtenstein!"

Posted by MarkK

Schwerin

02/26/25 06:21 AM

3513 posts

Avoid Austrian Brenner Autobahn A13: construction on the new Lueg Bridge will likely create some traffic jams (details).

Posted by Cat VH

London

02/26/25 08:49 PM

182 posts

I thought Vaduz was pretty fun, especially the national museum, where you can learn all about one of the world's smallest countries... but I am generally fascinated by micronations.

You could definitely spend more time in the Dolomites- it depends how much of it you want to see, as with the mountains driving times between places can be long.

Posted by jasonindenver

02/27/25 11:25 PM

335 posts

You are visiting two of my favorite places in the world.

I almost always fly into Munich or Milan and open jaw out of another city so I would recommend the Munich -Salzburg- Dolomites - BO route.

One full day is enough in Salzburg unless you want to do some evening concerts. I loved Hotel Wolf.

I would plan on at least four days in the Dolomites and highly recommend Ortisei as it is convenient to Salzburg and offers great lift-served hiking for as many days, or difficulty, as you want. Plan on taking a lift up, walking around for as long as you legs wish, have a nice lunch at a rifugio and then take another lift down to a neighboring town. From there, you just hop on a bus back home. We loved Hotel Gardena Grodnerhof.

Ortisei to Interlaken, Wengen Or Lauterbrunnen is a long train day. Not sure if an overnight train is an option.

I would think 4-5 days is just barely enough to see the sights in the BO. If you don’t mind packing I would spend a couple nights in Wengen and another couple in Lauterbrunnen.

Have fun!!!

Posted by Pat

San Diego, California

02/28/25 12:30 AM

6054 posts

Check the Dolomites for Winter Olympics construction. I don't remember the specifics, I just saw it mentioned here.
Five days in the Berner Oberland is heaven. Ten days is heaven. No one is ever ready to leave. I wasn't. I wouldn't change lodging, tho, as traveling around on the lifts is part of the adventure.
I love Salzburg, much more than Munich. ( Are you going for Octoberfest?.) Please don't shortchange the Salzburg area, and don't forget about Berchtesgaden !
You'll be traveling at a great time for the Alps. Do note that the cities will be hot, but the Alps will be just right.
Pack your layers.
Are you flying out of Zurich? It's easy to stay in charming Luzern and take the one hour train directly into Zurich airport.
Have a wonderful trip!