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Interlaken to Munich by Car

We are excited about a wonderful European trip this summer with our family. There are 5 of us total. We will be utilizing the rail system for most of our trip except we plan to rent a car to travel to Munich from Switzerland. We will be renting and returning the car to Switzerland. Prior to this leg we will be in the Berner Oberland area so the plan is to pick up the car in Interlaken and return to Zurich.

Has anyone done this drive? Is the route relatively straight forward? Would you recommend renting the car in Zurich or Lucerne instead?

What stickers or documentation do we need to arrange to take the car from Switzerland and back?

The trip will take place on a Friday in June incase that has any bearing.

We have driven in Europe before and are comfortable plus we are excited to experience the Autobahn.

Posted by
12040 posts

The route is easy, but it's a long day of driving. The most direct route has one mountain pass between Interlaken and Luzern, but this should not present any troubles driving in the summer. However....

Although driving in most of Germany presents few problems, Munich is the biggest exception. Parking is very scarce and expensive, and even with a GPS, navigating the city center is rather confusing. Unless you know beforehand that your hotel offers parking (most do not), you will struggle to find a parking spot near your lodgings. Your car will likely sit motionless for the duration of your visit, as there is very little need for one in Munich's relatively compact city center. Most tourist sites further afield are easily accessible via public transportation.

Also, certain German cities, Munich included, require automobiles entering the city limits to display an Umweltplakette, which is a windsheild sticker that allows the vehicle to enter certain pollution restriction areas- ie, the city limits. A car registered in Germany will already have the sticker, but a foreign car will not, and will not be exempt. I have seen the Polizei issue tickets on the spot for infractions. I have absolutely no idea how a foreign car would obtain the sticker... it's not sold like the highway vignettes you need to drive on the roads in certain countries, where you simply purchase the sticker at or near the border. If you insist on driving the car into Munich, ask the rental company how to obtain the Umweltplakette. You don't need the Umweltplakette to drive on the German Autobahn network or through the countryside and most towns and cities. This map shows the cities that require one.

Technically, all automobiles operating in Germany must be equipped with warning triangles, an approved first aid kit, and reflective vests. However, this is only inforced if you have traffic-related business with the Polizei and they determine you don't have the necessary equipment. I don't know if a car from Switzerland would come equipped with the required items, but if you're paranoid, you can purchase them at any service station in Germany.

Oh, you will also need to purchase a vignette for driving in Austria, but as noted above, just buy it at the border from a service station. Or, if you cross the border on an Autobahn, there will be a toll station to buy it. Switzerland also requires a vignette, but if you rent the car in the country, it should already have the necessary sticker.

Posted by
32817 posts

plus we are excited to experience the Autobahn

Be aware that Autobahn does not necessarily mean fast. It can often mean excruciatingly slow. If you are intending to go Interlaken > Basel > Karlsruhe > Stuttgart > Ulm > Munich you will be making two sides of a triangle, both of which can make you pull your hair out.

The A5 can have plenty of construction zones and apparently free flowing traffic with Audis and BMWs in the fast lane can just STOP. You have to be very aware and prepared. If you are involved in an accident when you were exceeding 130 kph in an unregulated area the police will presume you at fault.

Look up and be familiar with the word <>. Listen for it on radio traffic reports and on signs .

Traffic around Stuttgart can be - I struggle to find the right word so will simply use - awful. The rest of the A8, IMHO is even worse than the A5.

No matter how fast you go expect your average on the trip to be around 100 km in an hour; if it is more you can be pleasantly surprised.

Or do you intend a different route? The A96 has its own set of difficulties. Remember if the speed limit is posted on an Autobahn you are expected to not exceed it.

Take what was said above about driving in Munich - or trying the impossible dream of parking - quite seriously. I have driven all over Germany and Munich is unlike most cities in Germany. The roads and driving are really hard.

Your question makes me wonder if you are trying to do the whole trip there and back in one day. Oh my. I hope not.

Posted by
7209 posts

If you want to drive then do it in places where public transport is sparse and NOT in cities like Munich. Having a car in Fuessen to see the castles is a good example of when a rental car is useful. Munich is definitely not a place to take a rental car.