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Itinerary for 2-week trip to Benelux, Germany & Austria

Posted by (Citrus Heights, California) on

My husband and I are planning a 16-day trip to Europe in April/May. I've been reading through Rick Steves' books and website and based on his suggestions, here's our current itinerary using trains and buses only. We're flying from San Francisco to Brussels (on frequent flier miles). Then, we're going to travel by train from Brussels to Amsterdam and stay two nights in Haarlem. Next, we're going to travel by train to Bacharach and stay two nights.

***Question: Does anyone know if we will need to take the train from Amsterdam to Frankfurt and then to Bacharach or is there a more direct way to get from Amsterdam to Bacharach? (I was hoping to slice off some travel time if possible.)

Then, we're going to head to Rothenburg and stay one night there. From there, we'll head to Munich. In addition to seeing Munich, we hope to do a side trip to Dachau.

***Question: We also want to see Mad King Ludwig's castle, but I'm wondering if we should take the train to Fussen and stay the night or just make the trip to the castle another side trip out of Munich.

After Munich and/or Fussen, we are going to travel to Salzburg for two nights and perhaps, one night in Halstatt. Our last stop will be Vienna for one night.

I know my questions are very specific, but if anyone has traveled this route recently, I would love to hear your suggestions. Thanks so much for your help!

Posted by
19274 posts

According to the German Rail website, the fastest routes from Amsterdam to Bacharach are by ICEs via Köln or Düsseldorf to Koblenz and from Koblenz to Bacharach via a local train.

IF all you are going to see in Füssen is Neuschwanstein, you can do that as a day trip from Munich. On the same day trip, you should be able to see Hohenschwangau castle too.

What do you mean by recently? I haven't been there in the last ten minutes, but in the last 8 years I have been to Köln, Koblenz, Bacharach, Rothenburg, Munich, Füssen, and Salzburg. Never been in Amsterdam, Hallstatt, or Vienna.

My opinion? You could start in the morning in Munich, go to Salzburg, see Salzburg that day, spend 2 nights in Salzburg and go to Hallstatt for a day trip, then go on for 2 nights in Vienna. I don't think one night in Vienna would be enough.

Posted by
1 posts

Hi Jennie, Only about 3 hours on the train from Amsterdam to Koln (Cologne) and from Koln it's just another quick train trip to Bacharach.

When you're in Rothenburg you might want to take the Watchman's tour in the evening, he is very entertaining and informative. And, if you like Steiff teddies there is a great little shop with very friendly help.

If you like tulips, while in Amsterdam, look into going to Keukenhof gardens. A million tulips in bloom is hard to beat.

Enjoy your trip. We're going in April and May to Sweden, Denmark & Germany.

Barbara

Posted by
193 posts

We did pretty much the same trip a couple of years ago. It was great and you'll have a wonderful time. I'd see the castle as a day trip. There are organized tours that depart from Munich but it is a full day usually getting back around sunset. I would absolutely make a point of getting to Halstatt.
Enjoy

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