Car travel from Amsterdam to Germany to Switzerland????

Most people do Switzerland by train. You could rent the car for the Germany part and return it somewhere like Basel or the suburbs of Zurich, depending on your last Germany stop. Since you are doing 4 days, you are a perfect candidate for the Swiss Travel Pass, either 3 or 4 days depending on what you want to do in Switzerland. You don't say how old your daughters are - if they are 16 or under, they can ride free with you with a family card addendum to the pass. If they are 26 or younger, they get a discounted travel pass.

Absolutely doable. Important to know that some German cities have a low emission zone that require a green environmental badge on the car. As long as you rent the car in Germany it will be on the car.

Also take care of

• driving permission requirements
• special seats for small kids (child safety in cars)
• traffic signs and rules (e.g. no turn on red and keep right lane on Autobahn)
• winter tyres if temps lower 5c.

Good rental car providers are Sixt, Europcar and Avis. Tip: rent the car not at an airport or a major station - surcharge of 10-20%. Very often a better price is available 5-10 mins per bus / taxi.

Returning car: I would drop it in Germany; x-border rentals can be much more expensive. Just check with price engine.

Some other basic tips for traveling in Germany including our special letters for entering addresses (see #3).

Finally a map with scenic routes in Germany for inspiration.

You can catch a train down to Cologne, and pickup a rental car there. Then drive up the Rhine River Valley going south. After you tour what you want to see in Germany, turn the car in on the east end of a huge lake in Lindau, Germany. A train will take you right into Zurich, Switzerland where you can connect to go south into the mountains.