Hi everyone,
We are a family of four, including two adult children age 26 and 22. We are planning a trip in late June/early July, starting in Munich, and ending up in Vienna via Murren and Salzburg. This is our first trip to Germany/Switzerland/Austria.
What are the pros and cons of driving to Murren vs. taking the train? I saw some previous discussion (that I can't seem to find now) that favored taking the train. Given that the train involves traveling for 7 or 8 hours and multiple changes, it seems that driving would be quicker and easier. We will be going back to Munich from Murren, so country drop off charges shouldn't be an issue. What are the disadvantages of driving? Is parking a problem in Murren? If the train is indeed the best option, what is the best way to do that?
Secondly, if we can't find accommodation in Murren, given that it is rather late to be planning this trip, are there other places in the area where we could base ourselves for a few days of sightseeing? Is it feasible to be based in Interlaken and do day trips from there?
I would be grateful for any thoughts that folks familiar with the area could offer on both questions.
Thank you,
Mahesh
Posted by
Florida
1450 posts
For your situation driving from Munich to Murren and back is probably the best option.
Cars have no access to Murren, so you won't be able to park there. Instead, you can park in the valley below at Lauterbrunnen or Stechelberg and take the cable car up to Murren. Your hotel or B&B may offer free or discounted parking in Lauterbrunnen or Stechelberg.
You should still be able to find good accomodations in Murren for a late June visit. If not, try Lauterbrunnen or Wengen. Something will be there.
Posted by
Minneapolis
1261 posts
Hi Mahesh. Yes, driving is a good option, especially with four people. Murren is not accessible by car, but you can easily park the car and take the lift up. Yes, there are many other places to stay near where day trips are easy if you have a car. I would suggest you get Rick's Switzerland book to get a good understanding. The area is very scenic; but be prepared it is also very expensive. Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17422 posts
You will need a 38€ vignette to drive on Class 1 and 2 roads in Switzerland.
https://www.tolltickets.com/country/swiss/vignette.aspx?lang=en-GB
And you will be paying for parking, as well as daily rental fees for the car, for the time you are in car-free Mürren.
Those are the "cons".
Posted by
OP
Buffalo, NY
3 posts
Thank you all for your replies and the information you provided. I have ordered Rick Steves' Switzerland book (and Germany and Austria 😊). I am looking forward to reading them. A follow up question on the vignette: would that not come with the rental car? If not, can I get it at the car rental agency? Any recommendations and/or warnings on gotchas with respect to car rentals and driving in Germany and Switzerland?
Thanks.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
If you rent the car in Switzerland it will come with the vignette already affixed to the windshield. If you rent in a different country you might get lucky and it already have one (but I doubt it). As soon as you cross into Switzerland stop at the nearest petrol station and buy the vignette.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
"You will need a 38€ vignette to drive on Class 1 and 2 roads in Switzerland." - not quite correct, it costs 40 Franks, they use Franks in Switzerland, not Euros. Any you need it to travel on all Autobahns/Autoroutes, but not on other roads. I don't know what "Class 1 and 2 roads" are, there is no such designation in Switzerland.
"As soon as you cross into Switzerland stop at the nearest petrol station and buy the vignette." - If you cross the border on an Autobahns/Autoroutes, you must stop at the border to buy your Vignette. There are separate lanes for vehicles who already have a Vignette, and those that do not. See photo here: http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/45236989.jpg
If you cross the border on a road which is not an Autobahn, you do not strictly have to buy one then and there, but you can buy one at the customs post if it is open, though many lesser border crossings are unmanned. You can buy them at post offices or sometimes petrol stations, though in the second half of the year they may not have any.
Posted by
OP
Buffalo, NY
3 posts
Thank you very much for the information on the vignettes.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17422 posts
Chris F---the price was given in euros on the site I linked, which appears to be German (the company is Tolltickets Gmbh). If they buy it in Switzerland of course they will pay in Swiss francs.
As for the "national class 1 and 2 roads" see this from the Swiss site, www.vignette.ch:
"Seit 1985 muss für das Benützen der Schweizer Autobahnen und Autostrassen (Nationalstrassen 1. und 2. Klasse) eine Abgabe bezahlt werden. Sie wird in Form der Autobahnvignette erhoben, deren Verkaufspreis 40 Schweizerfranken beträgt. Die Vignette ist gültig für die Zeit vom 1. Dezember vor bis zum 31. Januar nach dem aufgedruckten Jahr."