Itinerary Help - Southern Germany, Austria, Switzerland 14 Days in May

It looks like you're planning on picking up the rental car in Austria, but returning it in Switzerland? Have you priced out what the drop-off charge will be? Typically, it's pretty high... I have no problems with your itinerary up until the driving part; I have no experience with driving in that area.

Looks good to me and the driving will be fine. There's not much to see in Liechtenstein after the first hour. I'd put Freiburg and Staufen way above Baden-Baden. Dropping the car in Switzerland rather than ditching it in Austria is going to stiff you an extra five hundred bucks -- maybe more. I'd noodle that one a bit.

I'd pick up the car in Germany just after Salzburg and drop the car in Freiburg or wherever for sure to avoid the drop-off fee in Switzerland. You'll also avoid vignette fees. If you're diligent, you can get advance-sale tickets from Freiburg all the way to Luzern for 19 Euros at http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de by going online 92 days in advance, right when they go on sale. You might reconsider the car altogether. Train and bus travel within the Black forest region and to Baden-Baden and Freiburg is free is you stay in Staufen or one of the other towns on this list: http://www.schwarzwald-tourismus.info/service/konus/was_ist_konus/uebersichtskarte/hier_erhalten_sie_ihre_konus_gaestekarte

Too bad you can't spell. The capital of Kentucky is Frankfort. The largest city in south central Germany is Frankfurt.

If you have a car and the purpose is to be near the famous castles at Schwangau, there is no reason to stay in Reutte unless you're a Rick Steves completist. There's dozens of better options within an hour's drive. Likewise, I would only visit Baden-Baden if you are a Russian aristocrat addicted to gambling or if it lies directly in your direction of travel.

I am planning a similar trip in May...see here. http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/58651 Not sure when you want to go, but I'll be posting a report upon my return that you may want to read. I've never been to Germany before, so I'm afraid I can't answer too many of your questions. Good luck! Dave

Off of the original topic, sorry, the last poster mentioned posting trip reports. Is there an area on this site for posting trip reports?

" Is there an area on this site for posting trip reports?" No, people just post them like any other thread. Not sure what the webmaster's policy is on that, but we haven't seen any trip reports lately. Could be that we're just in the middle of the usual winter lull.

Hi Larry, Is there something in particular you want to see or do in Liechtenstein and Reutte? This is just my opinion (I've been to both)... You won't see anything in Liechtenstein you won't see in bavaria or Austria. Concerning Reutte, I agree with some other posts, too many nicer, more interesting places to stay than Reutte. If you are mainly interested in Austria and Bavaria and are only spending 2 nights in Switzerland (Luzern and Zurich), don't bring the car to Switzerland. By the way, depending on your departure time home from Zurich, you may consider staying in Luzern your last night (total 2 nights) and skipping a night in Zurich. It's an easy and short trip by train from Luzern to Zurich airport. I can't comment on the Black Forest (never been) but without it, I'd suggest something like this: Arrive Frankfurt and train to Rothenburg for 2 nights. Train to Munich for 3 nights. Pick up car when leaving Munich and drive to the Berchtesgaden area for 3 nights. On the drive, stop and visit "Mad" King Ludwig's Neues Schloss (Herrenchiemsee). Visit Salzburg (30 min. away) from the Berchtesgaden area. Also in the Berchtesgaden area are: Eagle's Nest (Kehlsteinhaus), Konigsee boat trip, Salt mine tours, Jennerbahn cable car, Rossfeld Panorama Road (scenic drive), etc. Drive to Mittenwald/Garmisch area for 4 nights. Visit Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau and Linderhof castle, Ettal Monestary, either the Zugpitze (Garmisch) or Karwendel (Mittenwald) cable car trip, Oberammergau, etc. Drop car in Garmisch and train to Innsbruck (1 hr away) and on to Luzern for 2 nights (or Luzern 1 night and Zurich 1 night). Just some thoughts. Paul

Depending on how much driving you want to do you could just get a car at the Frankfurt airport and drive the Romantic Road, then to Munich and on to Salzburg. I have done this a few times and it is a beautiful drive, then after exploring return the car to the aiport in Frankfurt, or possibly Munich and take the train on to Switzerland.

Of course this is just my opinion, but I would spend one night in Salzburg and add another night to a different city. I was in Munich/Fussen/Salzburg in mid October. While Salzburg is certainly a must see... it was incredibly touristy (even in October). We did a day trip from Munich and saw everything. The express train from Munich only takes a bit over an hour. Have a great trip! Beautiful area! :)

Thanks to all for great advice. We have modified our plans per your suggestions. Will limit our driving mostly to Germany, certainly picking-up and dropping our car in German cities. Will avoid Baden-Baden. Considering going to Salzburg from Rothenburg ob de Tauber and then back to Munich via train. 3 nights in Munich then beginning drive portion of our trip--Thoughts? Will certainly train to Switzerland Thanks again for the great suggestions. Larry