We are planning a trip this summer to Munich and Austria, basically making a big loop during our stay. Munich to Salzburg to Halstatt to Graz to Vienna and back to Munich. (We are exploring Stuttgart and Neuschweinstein also). Is it better to go by train or rent car and can you cross borders with a rental? And also would you advise working our way back to Salzburg then Munich instead of driving from Vienna to Munich bc we have that option also. Thank you for any advice.
Posted by
Paradise
7072 posts
I would go by train. I don't see a purpose for a car in the cities you are visiting.
Posted by
OP
25 posts
We had thought driving might give more flexibility and ability to stay outside of Graz in Styria in a more low key area.
If we take train though, is it easy to navigate?
Posted by
Maryland
909 posts
You don't mention how large your group is, nor do you mention how long your trip will be. Those are useful things to know when thinking about advice. And Stuttgart is in the opposite direction from Salzburg/Vienna. You can drive a rental between countries, but you will need a vignette pass to drive on the roads in Austria which requires a stop at the first opportunity after crossing the border to buy one. You will also need a International Drivers License (you can get them from AAA). Picking up and dropping off in different countries if you are considering it, is also very expensive. The cities you mention are not driver friendly so that should also be a consideration. Finally, remember, the driver will be focused on driving in a strange country in a strange car and looking for driving landmarks... and will not get chance to enjoy the views. I suggest you go to Bahn.com and look up the kinds of train routes and connections that you can find to see how long and how much each part of the journey will take. The trains are generally excellent, they give quick city to city connections, and local trains/buses can do the rest.
Posted by
OP
25 posts
There will be six of us traveling. Total of 13 days. We did think about taking trains and just getting a car while in Graz so we can stay outside of the city in a more rural area where there is not easy access to trains.
Posted by
Greeley, co, usa
2588 posts
Unless you plan on visiting villages, parks, hikes, etc between the overnight locations, a car is not necessary and more expensive than taking trains
Posted by
Maryland
909 posts
The additional information is helpful.. Cars are smaller in Europe. Six people with even just carry-on size luggage would require a van, which I have never tired there, but only you can decide on whether the rates are reasonable. Good luck. Munich to Salzburg and Vienna to Munich are so simple by train that I would certainly do those legs by train. Salzburg to Graz to Vienna might be quicker by car, but you will still need the van and the vignette..
Posted by
OP
25 posts
Thank you all. Good advice and very helpful!
Posted by
8248 posts
I lived for 7 months in Stuttgart and it is hard to get around in that city that is spread out a lot.
Also, traffic is terrible there. It is called Stau city by the locals. A Stau is when the highways are stopped for a considerable time.
The Mercedes and Porsche factories are worth a visit. Otherwise, consider skipping Stuttgart.
Posted by
Paradise
7072 posts
We did think about taking trains and just getting a car while in Graz
so we can stay outside of the city in a more rural area where there is
not easy access to trains.
Styria takes up a sizable part of Austria:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styria#/media/File:Steiermark_in_Austria.svg
You do not mention any specific destinations there besides Graz. Do you have some? Are you informed about which towns are served by rail, and which are not? It probably would not be difficult to choose destinations that have train service. Zoom in on this map of Austrian train lines, which identifies not all but many of the destinations you might target in Styria:
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/55/d3/88/55d38816cf0afb17631fae60c3891319.jpg
