Salzburg to Lauterbrunnen

Keep in mind we are aware of drop-off fees when dropping off in a different country than pick-up. We are considering driving from Salzburg and dropping car off close to border of Austria & Switzerland, and take remaining leg to Lauterbrunnen by train.

It is a beautiful drive and quite easy as well. Going by car gives you the chance to stop along the way and savor some of the great sights. It is a long haul for one day, Innsbruck is a good stopping point, cutting the trip about in half. Having a car will also let you explore the area around Lauterbrunnen hopefully including the Ballenberg open air museum, Last time we stopped in a little town south of Innsbruck called Telfes and stayed at the Hotel Montana just to be a bit different having been to Innsbruck previously.

If you do decide to drive, there are a couple of things to remember. 1) make sure your rental has a valid Austrian autobahn vignette or plot your route to totally avoid the autobahns ... they have a very effective camera system to check on compliance. 2) You need a Swiss autobahn vignette, easy to get as you approach the border. 3) You need and International Drivers Permit in Austria ... quick and easy to get at AAA for about $15 and two passport photos.

Which ever way you travel, have a great trip. We'll be back n Lauterbrunnen in September.

Nah, its autobahn most of the way to the Swiss border in the Inn Valley. On the Railjet, you can kick back and watch the scenery go by. You'll be in Zurich in 5 1/2 hours and Lauterbrunnen in 8. You probably can't beat the train in a car to Zurich, and the only time saving is short cutting over the Brunig Pass from Zurich to Lauterbrunnen, where you will go faster than mountain narrow gauge trains.

Thanks for the replies! Any other scenic route options? Neuschwanstein maybe?

Scenic options...you'll be arriving into a drop-dead gorgeous valley as your train pulls into Lauterbrunnen. And there's nothing better than stepping off the train and knowing "i don't have a stupid rental car to deal with". Swiss Transport is amazing and if you go to the alpine villages of Murren, Wengen, Gimmelwald or visit the Schilthorn or the Jungfrau you'll have to do it by public transport because no cars are allowed there (it's heaven).