Please comment--Swiss/ Bavarian11 night itinerary

Take train /bus to Germany (what is closest place to rent a car in Germany?)

Lindau. A lovely little town on an island on Bodensee (a lake). Worth a few hours. It is also on the main train route from Switzerland, first stop over the border. Click for photo, and here for another photo.

Drive to Munich for night #11. Fly out early the next morning.

Munich deserves more than a night, but a car there is useless. Dump the car and spend 2 nights in Munich (steal a night from Berchtesgaden). Easy trip out to the airport by S-Bahn (train).

Why rent a car in Germany, the country in Europe which had the absolutely best system of rail transportation augmented by a very good bus system? Instead of coping out with a car rental, learn to use the public transportation system.

Doesn't sound too bad to me. Can you fly into Zurich? We have been to Germany 9 trips and have spent a total of 2 nights in Munich. Didn't care for it and it's simply not for everybody. I'd never take a night from Berchtesgaden area for Munich. Everyone has different likes and dislikes. We always rent a car in Germany. Driving is easy. Again, everyone has their preference for transportation, To visit the castles, I'd stay in Fuessen, not Garmisch. Love the Berchtesgaden area. We've stayed 18 nights so far. Salzburg is an easy drive of under 30 minutes. Park in the Monchsburg underground parking garages. Very close to the pedestrian zone old town. We've driven to Salzburg to simply have dinner and walk around in the evening before heading back to our base near Berchtesgaden. You can also drive to St. Gilgen in about an hour. Here, visit the village and take the lake ship on the Wolfgangsee to St. Wolfgang and Strobl. You'll also find mountain train rides and cable car trips. Very nice way to spend a day.

Near Berchtesgaden, we love staying at:
www.mayringerlehen.de

Paul

I am normally a train guy, but after my last trip to Fussen, I agree a car would be an asset to get around and visit those sights. Add a day to Munich and drop the car off when you arrive.

OK, I've had to make a few adjustments. Two nights in Fussen instead of GaPa, as Gapa hotels are really expensive and very difficult to find accusation for a family (I don't want to have to book 2 rooms!). Is 2 nights Fussen ok?

Also, I'm questioning whether we should split up staying in the BO area to 2 nights Wengen and 2 nights Murren, versus 4 nights Wengen. Thoughts??

• Julia

Also, I'm questioning whether we should split up staying in the BO area to 2 nights Wengen and 2 nights Murren, versus 4 nights Wengen. Thoughts??

Don't bother. They're on opposite sides of the valley, barely a few kilometers apart. Pick one and go for it. You can easily visit one from the other, although the mountains are the real attraction here, not the towns themselves.

2 nights in Fuessen is perfect. Stay all 4 nights in 1 place in the Berner Oberland. Not worth moving.

... very difficult to find accusation ...

accusation ?

You must be using an Apple device that fills in the word it "thinks" you want. I think you really wanted "accommodations".

I've been planning a similar trip for this coming summer with my 19 year old son. We're landing in Zurich and then driving to Fussen (actually staying in Hohenschwangau) for 1 night. The next day we're visiting the castles and then driving to Munich for 2 nights. Then we're driving to Salzburg for 2 nights with a visit to Berchtesgaden in route. After Salzburg, we're coming back to Switzerland via Italy to the BO (4 nights). Have you priced out renting a car for the entire trip (including drop fee in Munich) against the cost of the train?

Check Deutsche Bahn's wonderful website for Europa-Spezial Ticket deals. They can offer huge savings over the regular fare if bought in advance - they will mail them to N.America in a few days - and even a conductors questioned how cheap it was.
These are for travel INTO Germany from elsewhere in Europe to attract the tourists.
Also check out the Family Passes on the train system, you might find a Regional Bahn (local train) deal for all of you for peanuts.
Austria is cheaper than Germany, but any ski resort (Garmisch is in Germany, I know) will be more expensive at any season.
Munich has great (window)shopping, lots of art galleries, the Nymphenburg palace with its haunting portraits of beautiful people that your daughters might find fascinating, and a beautiful park to walk around. There are wonderful cafes and restaurants. See Munich and pick up some discounted Oktoberfest traditional clothing in one of the department stores - look for 'Tracht' clothing.
A day trip into Salzburg can probably be arranged by train, to leave the car at home. Salzburg has a huge train station in the centre.