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Switzerland and Salzburg -Itinerary help

We are flying from NYC to Geneva to visit a friend in September or October, staying in Switzerland for about a week in total. We would like to see other cities, such as Gruyere, as well as the Matterhorn, but have no clue as to which we should visit. We love history, museums, chocolate, and cheeses.

Since we will be in this part of Europe, I would also love to go to Salzburg, since we didn’t go when we visited Vienna six years ago. We can add on a few days. Thank you for your kind and great help.

Posted by
36 posts

We just finished a wonderful Rick Steves Alpine My Way tour - Salzburg; Castelrollo, Italy; Fussen, Germany; Lauterbrunnen . Switzerland, and Chamonix, France. I think you would have loved it. But my point, check out tour itineraries, Switzerland and Alpine My Way. All of these locations were truly beautiful and wonderful.

Posted by
22562 posts

I assume you are staying with friends in Geneva. It is an 8 1/2 train ride from Geneva to Salzburg, and I do not see any direct flights. Flying to Munich and taking a train does not save all that much time with a lot more hassle. If you decide on this, fly home from Munich.

Gruyeres is a doable day trip from Geneva. Zermatt is not too bad, but insuring it is a good weather day to make the trip will be the challenge. A long way to go if the Matterhorn is socked in.

Posted by
1002 posts

https://www.sbb.ch/en

Your friends in Geneva can explain the Swiss rail system better than I, but there are a lot of fine things to see between Geneva and Salzburg, including Luzern, Zurich, Innsbruck, etc. A mid trip stop would make sense to me if you really want to head to Salzburg.

The Lake of Geneva has a bunch of wineries on the north shore too, and Chamonix/Mt Blanc area is a 90 minute bus ride south of Geneva. Have fun.

Posted by
44 posts

Thank you, Sam and Nick B. Everything you both have said is helpful. The pieces of the puzzle are starting to come together.

Posted by
44 posts

Dear Another Steve,

Thank you so much for this great advice. We would stay in Salzburg for more than a day, but, yes, it would be a pain to have to go back to Geneva to fly home. I just can’t seem to wrap my head around the logistics because we don’t usually travel to multiple cities, more like one or two at most. Everyone should have such problems!

Thank you also for the info about Toblerone. My husband agrees they shouldn’t be allowed to use images of the Matterhorn on the wrappers if the chocolate bars are not made in Switzerland!

Posted by
1002 posts

If you want to end up in Salzburg, Munich is a 90 minute train trip away and has excellent connections to the US for a return flight.