how to spend first day of Germany, Austria, Switzerland car trip?

When I arrive in Zurich airport I do one of following:
train to Lindau, Germany wonderful town on Lake Constance. relax get over jet lag, cycle or see sights in Lindau then pick up a car there and this saves lots of $'s over a switz rental also. I have also gone straight to Appenzell from Zurich and enjoyed the town, pictureque. just an alternate to consider.

The main draw of Appenzell is rural hiking, so I can't imagine that would be on your agenda after a transatlantic flight. Stein Am Rhein sounds like a good option (as is Lindau, recommended by the other poster). Only thing I would change is Reutte as your next destination.

Lindau sounds very appealing too but it is a bit farther drive (1.5 hours++ vs. less then 1 hour to Stein Am Rhine). Stein Am Rhine may be more of a change of pace(historic medieval) for us since we live in a waterfront resort town in FL (though, granted no mountains in FL!). We certainly could stop at Lindau on our way to Bavaria the next day or on our way back to ZRH at end of our trip. Any thougths on Schaufhassen and the Rhinefalls? My main reason for using Reutte as home base in Bavaria is RS comments that it is good for drivers.

"My main reason for using Reutte as home base in Bavaria is RS comments that it is good for drivers." That could describe just about any town in the region (perhaps except Füssen). It's also one of the least attractive towns in an area that's chock full of beautiful settlements. Many of us still don't understand why Mr. Steves focuses so specifically on Reutte.

Thank you Tom - I think the specific town is called (pardon spelling don't have my book right now) is called Eberlicht? Other town suggestions that you consider preferable, easy for having a car, fairly close to the castles (it's our first visit to the area) and with some good restaurants and shops not just geared to tourists with Tshirt shops and postcards etc?

Can't comment about Reutte vs. Fuessen, but if you have the time, a stop in Lindau is a good idea and would make a good first day stop too, in my opinion. There's not that much to "do" in Lindau but just wander the very compact old town, have drinks on the waterfront, see the parks. But it's an exceptionally lovely town with some interesting history and I found it very relaxing. It's also easy to drive to, as soon as you cross the bridge to the island there's a parking lot with reasonable prices (doesn't charge between 8pm and 6am, the hourly charge is reasonable...we stayed overnight and our fee was under 6 euro). From there you're right in the old city. Also in my experience Google's suggestion of driving times is a little on the high side. I haven't done the drive from Zurich to Lindau but driving into Lindau was easy-peasy.

Hi Anthony, Just wanted to second Tom's view of Reutte. I don't get RS recommendation of Reutte at all. To each his/her own though. We actually loved our 2 stays (10/01 and 10/03) in Fuessen. We stayed both times at the Hotel zum Hechten. Free parking behind the hotel and the front entrance is right on the pedestrian zone. We had a room with a balcony looking right at Fuessen castle. That's Fuessen castle, not Neuschwanstein. Easy 10 minute drive to Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles. Check out the Tegelberg Sommerrodelbahn (luge ride) and cable car about a mile or so from Neuschwanstein. Paul

Everything Paul wrote I was about to write. Same place, same experience. I don't get Reutte. Been there. I stay with the Hechten (Pike fish). Love Fuessen.

Well.. thanks everyone. The 'near Reutte' town I've been considering is Ehenbichl but I'll take another look at the options in Fuessen. i will also consider a stop in Lindau, either coming or going-- who can argue with 'easy peasy'!!

My preferred place to stay in the region is Garmisch-Partenkirchen. It has the largest choice of restaurants and hotels. Although nobody would mistake it for a quaint mountain village, it still has plenty of Bavarian appeal, and for a resort town, a surprisingly low concentration of trinket shops.

I like your initial idea of going for a hour or so and then relaxing the rest of the day. You (or at least I) can never count on getting to Europe as scheduled. Only 2 of the last 7 times have I made it as scheduled - the last time arriving a day late!

Thanks - that is so true. Couple of years ago we had a horrific experience trying to get to Spain when our first leg flight to Atlanta was late - we didn't arrive in Madrid until 24 hours after planned (and if we had quietly accepted the airlines plan, it would have been 48 hours late!) I also recall on every Europe trip we make that it's very easy to WAY oversleep on that first hotel night in Europe!

I like your plan of spending the first night in Stein am Rhein. It is very reasonable drive from the Zurich airport, the town is very nice with both half timbered and frescoed buildings. Like many of the smaller tourist towns it is a bit crowded in the day time but very quiet and restful in the evening which is what you want on your first night. Last time we were there we there we were introduced to rosti at a small place called the Klosterstubli on the Rhigasse near the river. It was a nice quiet little place where a few locals seemd to drop in to have a beer and munchies to chat about the day. I hope to go back to Stein sometime if only for dinner.

Like a previous poster mentioned, we rent our car from AutoEurope and in Germany. Two years ago, we also landed in Zurich and took a 1 hr train ride to Singen where we rented a car. It was a very short walk from the station to Europcar. Then we drove into the Black Forest and found a zimmer in Bonndorf im Schwarzwald. This worked out so well for us. Like you said, it's so nice to recoup in a quiet, country location. I also agree on Reutte. I just don't get it. We prefer to stay in Lermoos which is not far from Reutte but in the Zugspitze arena where the views are fabulous. There are lots of zimmers/pensions/B&Bs, restaurants, a summer luge for the kids (and husband) and close to the castles. If you want lodging recommendations, send me a personal message. Have a great trip making lifetime memories with the family!