Hi there, I am planning a trip with my boyfriend in mid June.
We are flying into Munich and staying for 2 nights, then we are renting a car to go to Salzburg & Bertschgaten for 4 nights.
From here we will be staying in Zell Am See for 2 nights and driving to Grosslockner High Alpine Road.
Following this we will be going to Fussen for 2 nights to see the castles, and then down to Grindelwald in Switzerland for hiking for the final 5 nights.
Is it worth staying in Fussen for 2 nights? Is there much else to do around there, or should we consider staying in another location nearby such as Mittenwald/Reutte?
Also, we are hoping to break up the drive a bit between Fussen and Grindelwald and wondering if there are any recommendations on where to stay and explore for a night between these two locations (Fussen & Grindelwald)?
Any other feedback with respects to the itinerary is also appreciated!
Thank you!!
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16285 posts
Are you flying out of Switzerland,,or driving back to Munich for a flight?
If Switzerland, you may want to return the car in Germany, close to the Swiss border, and do the Grindelwald portion by train. Drop fees for returning a car in a different country from the rental place can be horrendous. You should price it out and make sure the drop fee is included in the quote.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7311 posts
Make sure you tell the rental agent all the countries you'll be taking the car to before he prints the contract, and ask about a toll Vignette for Switzerland and an Umweltplakette for German towns.
Posted by
OP
Toronto
12 posts
Thanks for your tips on the car everyone. We have booked it already for pickup in Munich and drop off in Basel. The one way drop off fee is about $200 euro which we are comfortable with as it gives us more flexibility and also likely is more affordable than train travel to and from Grindelwald!!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
Also, we are hoping to break up the drive a bit between Fussen and
Grindelwald and wondering if there are any recommendations on where to
stay and explore for a night between these two locations (Fussen &
Grindelwald)?
Lindau!
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8145 posts
Let me first address a little of your itinerary: Munich is more of a 4 night town, as there's just so much to see there. Salzburg is more of a 2 night town. Zell-am-See is a high line ski resort, and I don't know if you 'll need 2 nights there. Last time we were in Fuessen, we saw Neuschwanstein, ate lunch and drove on down to Innsbruck.
When I'm traveling the Alps, I stick to Austria. I'm very familiar with the area, and the mountains are essentially the same as Switzerland. It's also cheaper and easier to travel in. (Don't forget to get an Austrian vignette for the car, too.) You'll find the Grossglockner Highway to be absolutely incredible scenery--tough to beat. I especially love the south side of the mountain just north of Lienz which is close to the Italian border. Another option would be to cut your time short in smaller cities and to hit Venice--south of the Grossglockner a couple of hours.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
We have booked it already .... drop off in Basel. The one way drop off fee is about $200 euro
DevN2, I would investigate dropping the car off in Lörrach. This is a suburb of Basel, but in Germany. Frequent trains into Basel (2 per hour, takes about 15 minutes). Or Weil am Rhein (tram or bus to Basel). Your choice - are you prepared to spend a bit of time to save a lot of money?
P.S.: Do you mean $200 (if so which type of $) or €200 (200 Euros), Totally different things.
Edit: If you are driving in Switzerland, you will almost certainly need a Swiss Autobahn Vignette, which a German hire car is unlikely to already have. Cost: CHF 40.