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Switzerland & Austria Help

We are traveling to Switzerland for the first time this September. We will have 3 adults and 1 toddler (23 months) and will have 13 nights. Our 3rd adult is helping with childcare so 2 of us will have the opportunity to do some child-free activities.

We don’t plan on doing any strenuous hiking, and we’re mainly interested in taking in some beautiful sights, visiting castles, vineyards, old towns, etc. and eating good food.

We land in Zurich late morning and thinking of taking a train straight to Montreux.

Thoughts on the below itinerary? Anywhere you would suggest instead of Lucerne? I wasn’t sure if Montreux and Lucerne are too similar or if we should do one lake and one mountain area. We are trying to be mindful of altitude with the toddler.

Appreciate any and all suggestions!

Montreux (4 nights)
Interested in: Chillon castle, boat ride, vineyards, playgrounds along lake, Gruyère’s day trip
Lucerne (3 nights)
Interested in: exploring old town, ferry around the lake and check out villages
Plan to rent a car at this point and drive to Salzburg, potentially hitting Neuschwanstein castle on the way
Salzburg (5 nights)
Interested in: cathedrals, museums, Eagle’s Nest day trip (2 adults), Munich day trip
Zurich (1 night)
Late morning/early afternoon flight

Posted by
6430 posts

I think you have adequate days that you could carve out some time for Berner Oberland. If you move Luzern/Lucerne to the end, you could be there the night before your flight. It's an easy and reliable train ride from Luzern to Zurich airport. If it were me, I'd wait to get a car until Salzburg, unless you are trying to make a side trip to Neuschwanstein.

Posted by
77 posts

I agree about the rental car, it will be useful for the sites around Salzburg. You are allowed to travel between countries but there can be extra costs by the rental company and country road fees.

Neuschwanstein and surroundings are nice, but your itinerary will have a lot of travel time take it in. Consider Herrenchiemsee Palace as it is between Salzburg and Munich. If you change your itinerary, Fussen is a nice town to stay in.

Berchtesgaden area will take a full day or more. Besides the Eagles Nest, you can take a boat ride on Lake Königssee. our the salt mine Salzbergwerk Berchtesgaden and take in the views of the area,

Posted by
6 posts

@jules m Thank you for the feedback! What would your suggestion be to move Lucerne to the end - Zürich > Salzburg > Montreux > Lucerne

or Zürich > Montreux > Salzburg > Lucerne?
And any thoughts on where you would add in BO?

@Dave A Thank you for the tip on Herrenchiemsee Palace and Fussen! I will research and revisit that part of the itinerary.

@wynoka54 Thank you, that is good to know!

Posted by
6430 posts

Its too bad you can't fly into Munich or Vienna, for that matter, and out of Zurich. Salzburg isn't close to Lucerne or Zurich or Montreaux or Berner Oberland.

If you are stuck with flying in and out of Zurich, probably what makes the most sense is to take the train to Salzburg from the Zurich airport. Then perhaps Berner Oberland, Montreux and ending with Luzern/Lucerne.

It is about a 6 hour train journey to Salzburg, but that would allow some time to rest up from your air travel.

Posted by
6 posts

Thank you Jules! Our flights can’t be changed so that might be our best bet. Appreciate your feedback.