Nervous Car Passenger in G/A/S - how scary are the roads?

Libby---how much time are you spending in Switzerland, where do you plan on staying, and how old are your teens? Kids under 16 travel free in Switzerland on the Family Card, so it may not be as expensive as you think to take the train. And it may save your marriage. . . or at least let you keep your peace of mind.

In four trips to Germany in the last five years, I have always found the cost of the trains to be much less than renting a car. A lot of your travel will, apparently be across Germany (Bavaria).

Assuming that one of your children is over 14 and the other 14 or younger, you can get an advance purchase Europa-Spezial Schweiz ticket from Freilassing (just across the river, about 8 minutes, €2,10 pP fare) from Salzburg to Interlaken Ost, for €117 (for all four of you). ViaMichelin estimates the cost of tolls, fuel, and road taxes to be more than that. And that doesn't include the cost of a daily rental plus insurance.

Or, you could go from Salzburg to the Austrian border at Bregenz for €28, total (all four) on regional trains with a Bayern-Ticket (regional all day pass).

Hi Libby,

We driven in Germany, Austria and Switzerland (9 trips so far, 6 times in the last 9 years) and it's really no different than driving here in the U.S. I really like the fact that for the most part, cars stay to the right except to pass... we should try that here!

That said, I guess if you're a nervous passenger here, you'll probably be a nervous passenger anywhere you go.

Sorry.

Paul

I've driven and trained in the area.

The trains are great and the best option for going from city center to city center because you avoid all the traffic and parking hassles. I like trains because I'm the one who has to drive and it's nice to relax instead.

A car is the better option for traveling on your own schedule. You can start and stop when, and where, you like without delays and figuring out connections.

Driving is about as close to driving in North America as any place on Earth I've visited so far, probably better - great roads, great signage. The big difference, stay out of the fast lane unless you are actively passing someone. Any time you pull into the left lane, pass quickly and get back over or you will have upset people up your tailpipe.

What is it that is scary?

Narrow roads?

Tunnels?

Two way roads?

People have said you will be in Bavaria. You might not be, and you might drive straight through Austria once you are through the corridor. If you do you will find lots of long tunnels. They're wide and well lit, but if you don't like tunnels you should be aware.

Fast cars? If in Germany you may be passed at great rates of speed, perfectly legally. Large stretches of German Autobahn do not have a legal maximum speed, just a suggested maximum of 130 kph. Germans have great lane discipline, previously noted above, but some find this a little scary.

You don't like construction areas? I don't either, but the Autobahn network is full of them. Well labelled, tightly speed controlled, but they are there.

That being said, I work on the railway and have free or inexpensive rail travel in Europe yet every year my wife and I drive to Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, BeNeLux, and France, only taking the trains a couple of times a year.

Whichever way you decide to travel I hope you have a wonderful time and don't let all the worrying get you down!

If you´re looking for re-assurance... sorry, can´t give it. You have two options going from Salzburg to the Berner Oberland, one through Austria and one through Bavaria (with a tiny pinch of Baden-Wurttemburg). The route through Bavaria is mostly over rolling hills, but it goes on secondary roads, so it´s rather slow. I don´t know too much about the route through Austria, other to say that it´s autobahn only, so shouldn´t be that bad apart from the inevitable construction. In Switzerland, however, the only approach to the Berner Oberland from that direction is over several winding mountain passes and tunnels. The scenery is stunning at times, and the roads are usually in good condition (this is Switzerland, of course, those high taxes pay for something!). With the exception of one steep hill on the way from Interlaken to Wilderswil, the roads within the region itself are fairly normal. But you can´t escape twisting mountain roads to reach Interlaken.

Austria, Switzerland and Germany are VERY easy and civilized to drive in. Probably the easiest in all of Europe in my experience. Definitely easier than most US cities. If you're planning on the Murren/Lauterbrunnen Valley area in the Berner Oberland like most folks on this board, you don't even encounter mountain roads, since you park in a garage in the valley and take cable cars up. These are amazing areas, you'll have a great time.

Many thanks for all your words of wisdom! I think we've decided to skip the Berner Oberland region and Switzerland altogether (seeing the Bavarian Alps instead) and we've decided on the trains.

Thanks again!
Libby

Libby, I sympathize,, I am a bit like you.

Anitvan or Gravol. Ok, its drugs, but it can save a marriage, LOL.

Good choice. You'll find plenty to do and have more time to enjoy hiking and other activities.

Make sure to treat your kids to the Spaghetti-Eis (or Pizza-Eis or other variations) if you stop in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. I've found it elsewhere, but the best is at the Dolomiti Eiscafe in GP.