I've been researching for a few days and I'm giving myself a migraine. Figured it was time to just ask for help. My husband and I are planning a trip next May. Austria & Switzerland. I lean more towards the city while my husband enjoys the mountains. So I'm trying to do a mix of both. We are planning on going from Vienna-Hallstat-Salzburg-Murren-Lucerne-Zurich. My question is, what is the best way to get from Salzburg to Murren? From what I can tell, it will take 7 hours just to get to Interlaken by train. Is it better to just rent a car or should we just buck up and do the train trip overnight? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16401 posts
That is not an overnight train trip, as you have to change trains several times (at least 4). I would suggest you put Mürren after Luzern, so you go from Salzburg to Luzern, a trip of 6.5 hours with one change at Zürich. After several days at Luzern, you can take the scenic Golden Pass route to Mürren. That journey takes under 3 hours and is very enjoyable. From Mürren you can head to Zurich, again in just under 3 hours.
Posted by
OP
Concord, NC
3 posts
Awesome, thanks so much. I was thinking about moving Murren after Lucerne. Makes sense. Thanks again for the super quick reply!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32921 posts
KTD, Its more like 7 and a half hours, Railjet to Zurich, train to Bern, change again for Interlaken Ost. That's 7:26, then its up the hill. I can't see it any faster. I don't see any overnight trains on that route; only 14 hour routings including 4 or 5 layovers all night in Germany. Driving you will be 6 to 6 and a half hours, plus tolls plus lots of long toll tunnels, plus rest stops (I've done it). Train is easier. Sorry it takes too long but you are going a long way.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16401 posts
You are very welcome. Enjoy Switzerland; it is still my favorite place. May is a bit early for Mürren; the wildflowers won't be out yet, but you should find good prices on lodging and the views from there are always fantastic.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
My question is why are you going from Austria to an isolated region of Switzerland? If it's just for the Alps, there's tons of that in Austria.
Posted by
OP
Concord, NC
3 posts
We are heading towards Zurich for the flight home, so I figured we would explore some of Switzerland. Of course I watched my Rick Steves video and Murren looked gorgeous. Is there somewhere you recommend instead, that wouldn't be as far away? As I mentioned, this trip has a decent amount of city time, so I'm looking for somewhere we can relax, perhaps be off the beaten path and have a great view.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32921 posts
If you will be in Zurich anyway the BO is not very much further. That's the long bit, if by train or by car. The train from Zurich to Bern to Interlaken Ost is fast and direct. The route via Luzern and over the pass is slower and very scenic, including a turn around at Meiringen where over 100 years ago a man named Holmes fought another man named Moriarity on the waterfall just out of town. Very, very scenic. I would do one route one way, the other the other way...
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
"perhaps be off the beaten path and have a great view." It's probably a little easier to reach via Salzburg, definately less frequently visited (by non-Swiss, at least), so I'll give a shout out to Flumserberg, which is about an hour southeast of Zurich. It sits at a comparable elevation to Murren and the views are fantastic. You will probably have more dining and lodging options in early May.