Vienna - Salzburg - Munich - Lauterbrunnen - Zurich itinerary

How important is Munich to you for this trip? I ask because I might tend to bypass it and go via train from Salzburg to Innsbruck and then (stay one night?) continue west via the Arlberg train route to Switzerland - probably end in Zurich and then go on to Lauterbrunnen.

Read about the Arlberg route at Seat 61.

I can't contribute a hotel recommendation for Zurich as I have never overnighted there. In Innsbruck, I have stayed at the Goldener Adler.

Staying anywhere near Zurich main station will allow you to easily arrive directly into the airport in only a few minutes.

I agree with the advice to pass on Munich this trip. It is a very long transfer and will eat up most of a day. It is challenging to get from Austria to Switzerland because of those pesky mountains.

Having been to all of your planned locations, we enjoy Lauterbrunnen (a place we return to often) the most and I would encourage you to go right from Salzburg to Lauterbrunnen in one long day (8 hours by train) and spend those extra two nights in the lovely Jungfrau Region. The frequent complaint is insufficient time there, i.e., “I wish we’d had more time.” 5 nights there is perfect. And you’ll still want to go back!

As to private drivers, we use exclusively public transportation in this part of the world. The trains are amazing.

We stayed at the Radisson Blu Zurich Airport hotel on the night before our morning flight to the U.S. It worked out very well. The hotel is an easy walk to the airport since it is on the airport property. The staff were excellent and allowed us to check into our room early. We also enjoyed being able to walk around the airport shops and restaurants the evening before. Have a wonderful trip!

Thanks to everyone for your help! I didn't know about the Salzburg-to-Zurich train. Skipping Munich as suggested and taking this scenic train is the missing puzzle piece. Thanks also for the Zurich hotel advice.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Airport Hotel in Zurich the night before an early morning flight. Their shuttle to the airport in the morning worked very well ( just book it the night before). The room was great & bed comfortable , no complaints at all.
We have been to the Lauterbrunnen Valley as well . We have stayed in the valley and in Murren (Bellevue Hotel) overlooking the valley. Staying in Murren was like being on top of the world! Highly recommend it! We were there in late Sept 2015 , the days were sunny & warm, cooling down in the evening. Last morning we woke up to frost on all the rooftops. Magical place, would love to go back.
Happy travels
PS - we loved Vienna & Salzburg as well but haven't been to Munich