Family trip to Germany, Switzerland and Italy

Sounds like a lovely trip! You should check the rental car prices as it may be better to drop it in Germany and travel into and around Switzerland by train. There are usually large drop fees associated with taking the car to another country and dropping it there.

Or if you want to keep the car in Switzerland, find a place in Germany with good train connections to your airport ( Zurich might be better than Geneva for this). Drive back into Germany to drop the car and then train to the airport.

Looks pretty good to me, except as a hedge against bad weather, I would add an extra night in Mürren. This gives you two full days and reduces your chances of the entire visit being a waste socked in by fog and rain.

Cindy,

While your Itinerary sounds possible, it's very ambitious and far too "busy" (IMO). You mention 11 different places to be visited in a 16 night time frame, which seems like a bit much. A few initial thoughts that occurred to me....

• Renting a car in Germany and dropping in Switzerland could come with a huge drop fee. Have you checked the costs on that?
• For driving in Switzerland, you'll need the compulsory highway tax vignette. Huge fines if you're caught without it!
• You have a number of one-night stops which are pretty much a waste of time. By the time you get there, check into your hotel and get organized, you'll only have a few hours to actually see anything. The next morning after breakfast, you'll be driving again.
• Two night stops will only provide one full day of sightseeing and three night stops only about 2.5 days. Each change of location will have a cost in both time and money, and each change of location will require an average of four hours when all is considered (sometimes more, sometimes a bit less).
• Some countries (France) require an International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. Were you planning to get one?

This might sound like an idyllic meander through Europe, but in reality it's more likely to be a rushed and tiring experience, one in which you'll see more of Europe through the windows of a car, train or aircraft. I'd suggest paring down the Itinerary somewhat, but I'll defer to the collective wisdom of the forum on that point.

Good luck!

Thank you for your comments. Yes, I've looked into rental costs and there will be an additional $200 drop off fee. I'm ok with that as I think it will a lot easier having a car with logistics and being more flexible. I agree, it will be a lot, but I think it will work out. :)

Hi Cindy,

I also think this itinerary is overly ambitious for the amount of time you have. There is no question it is doable but you will be spending a lot of time in the car/train to see everything on your list. I understand the urge to see as much as possible when you get the opportunity to go to Europe but I'd strongly encourage quality over quantity.

Since you are tied into flying in and out of Frankfurt, I would focus on Germany and Switzerland and leave Italy for another trip. Alternatively, if Italy is a must-see (and it is for many people) I'd focus on Germany and Italy ... but I'd only do this if Italy is an absolute must.

I'd add a night to Bacharach, at least one and maybe 2 nights to Staufen/Strausbourg, at least one night to Murren, then loop through Lucerne for two nights before driving to Fuessen/Garmisch or another town in this area for 2 nights before heading to Munich. Between Munich and Frankfurt I'd plan to stop for another night or two, if you still have time.

A word of caution ... although you can search driving distances online they can vary significantly when you get there depending on the traffic/construction. The drive between Munich and Frankfurt, which the internet says is roughly 3.75 hours, once took us over 7. because of traffic and the drive between Interlaken and Heidelberg, which the internet says is roughly 3.5 hours, once took us almost 6. So, make sure you factor in enough time for unexpected delays.

Whatever you decide to do. Have a great trip!

" I think it will a lot easier having a car with logistics and being more flexible" - in Switzerland I don't think that will be the case. The trains and buses and boats and funiculars are all a part of the highly integrated Swiss Travel System (which is half the fun of traveling in Switzerland). Your 7 year old will travel free, of course, the train in Lauterbrunnen will make a seamless connection with the gondola to Grutshalp -> Murren. Everything you do in this area will be trains, gondolas and funiculars, your car will be of zero benefit while you still continue to pay rental fees, cross border drop fees, petrol, vignette fee, parking fee, etc. Upon your departure from Murren -> Geneva the train will take you exactly to the entrance of Geneva Airport. A car will be of no benefit to you there.

Thanks for your comments. I am now planning to drop off the car in Freiburg and then take the train to Murren and then onto the Geneva airport. Should I reserve train seats before or wait until we get to Germany? Thank you!

You really don't need reserved seats in Switzerland unless you're on one of the specialized scenic trains that require reservations such as the Glacier Express.