Best midway point between Munich and Wengen Switzerland

Posted by mherrmann3 on 02/21/26 02:36 PM

Hello

Family of 4 travel in late June from Munich to Wengen Switzerland. Likely staying 3 nights in Munich for day trips there. 4 nights already booked in Wengen then back to the states via Zurich for one night.

The issue is getting from Munich to Wengen. I’d like to spend the night somewhere along the way to not spend an entire day traveling It seems train is the best option for a relaxed journey (but not the most efficient). I’m open to renting a car but the hassle of the drop off and where to do it is pointing us towards a train.

Is car the best option? If so where to drop off before continuing? Lindau? Then take a train to Wengen?
By train all the way? If so where to stop for an overnight? Fastest train seems to be via Zurich but we’re already there on the last leg of the journey

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Posted by johnkalin92

02/21/26 02:43 PM

1 posts

johnkalin92

Posted by CJean

Ontario, Canada

02/21/26 04:14 PM

7016 posts

The fastest route by train is via Zurich, but certainly doesnt take all day. There are trains that take only 6 1/2 (ish) hours, according to Dbahn. You would only be in Zurich long enough to change trains, so I'm not sure why that would be an issue. If you want to break up the trip with an overnight and not travel via Zurich, then take the train to Lucerne and spend a night there. That trip would be about 2 hours shorter that day, plus another 2 1/2 -3 hours the next (on a separate ticket).

Google maps estimates about 5 1/2 hours to drive (via Lucerne). That estimate of course assumes no stops en route and ideal travel conditions with no slow downs at any point. Nor does it include time to pick up the car, get gas, or find parking. You need to add at least 25% more time for a realistic idea (let's call it 6 3/4 hrs). Plus you will need to buy a vignette to drive in Switzerland, and have the very large drop off fee (up to several hundred euros) because you are dropping in a different country. Not to mention the cost of gas and parking.

Posted by l-b_m

02/21/26 04:59 PM

156 posts

Trains are most likely faster than a car - it is high speed in Germany, and much faster than mountain roads in Switzerland. So I would go for that.
As to where: the change heavy part is in Switzerland, Munich to Zurich is a single 3 hour train ride, and you can’t reasonably get by Zurich. So if it were just for splitting at the most convenient spot, I would go for Zurich. It is nice and a stroll at the lake might be a pleasant thing in a June evening when the sun sets after 9pm.