What is the scenery like from Switzerland to Austria

If you go here click and input your from and to cities, click Search, when the schedules come up, click Maps/Route near the top and it will draw a map of the train's actual route. I think what you're going to see is that the train goes way north of the Swiss and Austrian Alps. If that's true, then you won't see the scenery that it sounds like you have in mind.

Thanks so much, I appreaciate the tips.

Happy Travels.

Jeanette

Lots of mountains, picturesque villages, castles and fortresses, lakes in Switzerland, flower-filled meadows, Innsbruck, Salzburg, broad farm fields, the Danube Valley, Melk abbey, Dürnstein, more fortress ruins, and some wildlife. . .

Did I miss anything? You will on the night train.

Thank you so much Martin!

With so many decisions to be made, I have started to second guess some of them...

Happy Travels.
Jeanette

Not only should you take the day trip, but.....make some stops along the way. Especially Salzburg.

We are going the same direction only by car from Luzern to Salzburg. It appears that the best route to take is up to Munich then to Salzburg staying on the main highways...any thoughts for a better/shorter way?
Joanne

I consider Switzerland to be one of the most scenic countries in Europe, Period, sleep through it,, never!

We drove that route last summer and enjoyed Switzerland and Austria scenery but was not fond of our particular route through Germany.

Steve

The scenery is well worth it. Switzerland is beautiful. Austria also. Go in the daytime if at all possible. An extra day would be even better if you can arrange your schedule to stop along the way for a night.

Thank you to everyone!

Still looking at the train during the day; but wow it takes a long time. Maybe I have been spoiled with the high speed trains, but Zurich to Vienna on train #163 takes almost 9 hrs and there are no stops.
I sent Eurrail and email and they confirmed it is the fastest train.

Any other suggestions?
Jeanette

Jeanette: Have you clicked on the Map button of the Bahn website to verify that the actual route of the day train you're considering is going to give you the scenery you are thinking of? The normal route from Bern to Vienna would take you too far north of the Swiss and Austrian Alps to see any of the big mountain range, you'd only see the foothills--not the same at all.

Hi Jeanette,
... skipping ahead to your destination, Vienna. We suppose you will arrive at Westbahnhof. When you step off the train, you'll probably find that you were too late to get a trolly there on the platform. Solution:- Have your partner sit on the platform bench with the luggage while you walk leisurely into the station, get a trolly and come back for the bags (don't forget your partner). The trolly probably will put on the brakes when you release the handle...so squeeze on the handle so the wheels will roll right. Inside the station, ask Information where in Westbahnhof you may purchase 72 Hour Vienna Tickets, one for each of you. You can use busses and subways, etc. with that ticket. You simply push the end of the ticket into an "ENTWERTER" apparatus on the side of the streetcar (or inside). It marks the time your 72 hours began. You may need to show your ticket now and then, so keep it handy. Hope you enjoy yourselves - Vienna is wonderful. Gute Reise! P

Joanne -
The best route from Lucerne to Vienna is not over Munich. Check your maps. You will find that the train route takes you to Bregenz or Feldkirch (Austria) and then you continue on to Innsbruck. From there you will have many train options traveling through the center of Tirol and Salzburg.

As nice as Bavaria is, once you get out of the little bit of its Alps, you will see mostly open fields and pretty flat terrain into Munich and then down toward Salzburg. There is much more dramatic scenery taking the Austrian route.