We are planning to travel from Paris to Switzerland to visit the Matterhorn. We would like to take the train to Switzerland and rent a car to visit the Matterhorn and travel onward to Austria and Germany. As this is our first trip to Europe, any input would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Karl
No need to rent a car because cars are not allowed in Zermatt. Take the train from wherever you are in Switzerland.
Simply visit www.sbb.ch and buy tickets from Paris to Zermatt. There is no point in renting a car as mentioned.
In your previous posts on car rentals, folks warned you about high drop off fees for returning a car in a different country. You seem to have a hard time letting go of the car notion, and using public transportation in Europe. 🙃 I know, we Americans love our cars, but part of it is because we have not grown up with efficient and user- friendly public transportation systems. Try the trains! Good luck. And - this info is included in the RS guide books, so maybe secure a few - there's a wealth of info!
We have rented cars for our 3 previous visits to Switzerland one of which included a visit to Zermatt where we left our rental car for several days in the parking area at Tasch. That visit was actually our first Europe trip! Except for the one speeding ticket that found its way to me after we were home, I have no regrets that we traveled by car!
Driving in Switzerland is not difficult. Just be sure to have a Swiss Highway Vignette and obey the speed limits. In fact there are benefits over a train in that you can stop to take photos or spend time in one of the many delightful villages enroute. It is also enjoyable to drive some of the twisty, turny mountain passes such as the Furka and Susten. The car train from Kandersteg to Luekerbad through the Lotschberg tunnel cuts some of the driving time to reach Tasch.
Maybe take the train from Paris to Freiburg Germany which isn't far from Basel and return it to the Munich or other German airport. You can purchase the vignette as you enter Switzerland near Basel.
Thanks for your input, but from Zermatt, we will be travelling onwards to Austria and Germany. My destination in Austria is not on any public transportation system so a rental car is in order. In addition, We would like to stay in smaller local Inns as opposed to large hotels in major cities.
Thanks again.
What is your destination in Austria? Perhaps you could rent a car in the nearest Austrian city?
The problem with Zermatt is that it takes a while to reach...
Renting a car to get around an area is often a good idea, but not if the area is not one you use cars to get around in, like Zermatt. In Zermatt that car will just sit in the car park in Täsch the whole time.
Renting a car just to travel longer distances in Europe is often not a good idea. You'll looking at mostly boring motorways. You're looking at high one way fees.
A better solution in your case would be to travel Paris - Zermatt by train, then again Zermatt - (somewhere in Austria) by train, and then rent a car there. Pick a place in Austria on the main East-West train line, so you have an easy (and actually rather nice) train trip there.
Thanks for all of your input. I’ll be considering all of your suggestions.
Switzerland is the easiest and best train country. Don’t be worried or intimidated. They have it down to a science!
Thanks for your input, but from Zermatt, we will be travelling onwards
to Austria and Germany. My destination in Austria is not on any public
transportation system so a rental car is in order.
Then rent a car for the days you need it in Austria.
But "I need a car while in Austria, therefore I have to pay for a rental car to sit and gather gust in a car park while I visit Zermatt" does not make sense.
Have you been to Europe before? Do you realize that it's not as carcentric as North America?
