Feedback on My Central Europe Itinerary (Switzerland, Germany, Austria)
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Feedback on My Central Europe Itinerary (Switzerland, Germany, Austria)
Hello fellow travelers,
I'm planning a trip to Central Europe this August and would love your thoughts and any tips you might have on my itinerary. Here's what I've planned so far:
(not the real dates, just examples)
August 10 - Fly to Zurich, Switzerland
August 11 - Lucerne, Switzerland
Arrive in Zurich at ~10 AM, head to Lucerne around 1 PM
Visit Lion Monument, Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), Wasserturm (Water Tower), Altstadt (Old Town), Rathausstrum, and Zytturm
August 12 - Interlaken and Grindelwald, Switzerland
Morning travel to Interlaken
Store luggage and head to Grindelwald
Take the Firstbahn to First, with stops at Bort, Schreckfeld, and finally First
Experience the First Cliff Walk and hike to Lake Bachalpsee
August 13 - Lauterbrunnen and Surroundings, Switzerland
Travel to Lauterbrunnen
Visit Staubbach Falls, hike to Stechelberg, then visit Gimmelwald, Murren, Birg, and Schilthorn
August 14 - Flexible Day in Switzerland
Based on mood, either visit Bern, hike more, or rest
End the day in Zurich
August 15 - Munich, Germany
Arrive in Munich around ~1 PM, check into Airbnb
Explore Viktualienmarkt, Church of our Lady, Königsplatz, Eisbachwelle, and Hofbräuhaus
August 16 - Munich, Germany
Visit Munich Residenz Palace, Alter Peter, Marienplatz, and Englischer Garten
August 17 - Munich, Germany
Visit Alte Pinakothek, with extra time to revisit places or relax
August 18 - Vienna, Austria
Train to Vienna
Explore Naschmarkt, Stadtpark, and Karlskirche
August 19 - Vienna, Austria
Visit Schönbrunn Palace, Albertina, and attend a Vienna opera show
August 20 - Vienna, Austria
Explore Rathausplatz, Volksgarten, Imperial Crypt, Hofburg, and Stephansplatz
August 21 - Vienna, Austria
Visit Belvedere with extra time to revisit places or relax
August 22 - Return to Munich, Germany
Morning train to Munich, fly home around midnight (I know this is a lot of travel but will have time to rest in Munich before the flight)
I'm particularly interested in knowing if this schedule is too packed and if I've overlooked any must-see places. Any advice on navigating these cities, particularly for local experiences, would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you in advance for your help!
---
Some observations:
- I am OK with not visiting Zurich
- I am OK with not visiting Neuschwanstein castle
- I am OK with adding one more day if needed
I'm planning a trip to Central Europe this August and would love your thoughts and any tips you might have on my itinerary. Here's what I've planned so far:
(not the real dates, just examples)
August 10 - Fly to Zurich, Switzerland
August 11 - Lucerne, Switzerland
Arrive in Zurich at ~10 AM, head to Lucerne around 1 PM
Visit Lion Monument, Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), Wasserturm (Water Tower), Altstadt (Old Town), Rathausstrum, and Zytturm
August 12 - Interlaken and Grindelwald, Switzerland
Morning travel to Interlaken
Store luggage and head to Grindelwald
Take the Firstbahn to First, with stops at Bort, Schreckfeld, and finally First
Experience the First Cliff Walk and hike to Lake Bachalpsee
August 13 - Lauterbrunnen and Surroundings, Switzerland
Travel to Lauterbrunnen
Visit Staubbach Falls, hike to Stechelberg, then visit Gimmelwald, Murren, Birg, and Schilthorn
August 14 - Flexible Day in Switzerland
Based on mood, either visit Bern, hike more, or rest
End the day in Zurich
August 15 - Munich, Germany
Arrive in Munich around ~1 PM, check into Airbnb
Explore Viktualienmarkt, Church of our Lady, Königsplatz, Eisbachwelle, and Hofbräuhaus
August 16 - Munich, Germany
Visit Munich Residenz Palace, Alter Peter, Marienplatz, and Englischer Garten
August 17 - Munich, Germany
Visit Alte Pinakothek, with extra time to revisit places or relax
August 18 - Vienna, Austria
Train to Vienna
Explore Naschmarkt, Stadtpark, and Karlskirche
August 19 - Vienna, Austria
Visit Schönbrunn Palace, Albertina, and attend a Vienna opera show
August 20 - Vienna, Austria
Explore Rathausplatz, Volksgarten, Imperial Crypt, Hofburg, and Stephansplatz
August 21 - Vienna, Austria
Visit Belvedere with extra time to revisit places or relax
August 22 - Return to Munich, Germany
Morning train to Munich, fly home around midnight (I know this is a lot of travel but will have time to rest in Munich before the flight)
I'm particularly interested in knowing if this schedule is too packed and if I've overlooked any must-see places. Any advice on navigating these cities, particularly for local experiences, would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you in advance for your help!
---
Some observations:
- I am OK with not visiting Zurich
- I am OK with not visiting Neuschwanstein castle
- I am OK with adding one more day if needed
#3
Welcome to Fodors.
You have thirteen total days home to home and are spending nine of those in transit somewhere. The only places you are spending any time at all really are in Vienna and Munich. I'd cut back on the number of places in Switzerland . . . or drop Vienna and add those days to Switzerland
You have thirteen total days home to home and are spending nine of those in transit somewhere. The only places you are spending any time at all really are in Vienna and Munich. I'd cut back on the number of places in Switzerland . . . or drop Vienna and add those days to Switzerland
#5
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Hey, thanks! It only takes around 30 minutes to get from Interlaken to both Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald, so I thought it was doable. One thing I was considering is heading straight to Interlaken instead of Lucerne on the first day, and then visiting Lucerne on the "leisure day" on my way to Zurich. I'll probably be dead tired on the first day anyway, but it will give me a head start for the day trips to First and Schilthorn.
#6
Any 30 minute train ride to a new location really eats up a big part of the day. Packing/ checking out/ walking to the station/ / waiting for the next train/ train ride/ walking to next accommodations/ checking in/ unpacking . . . when the distance is really short it is usually better to just stay in one place and do day trips.
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You're right; I may be a bit too optimistic. I'll stay in Interlaken instead of Lucerne, add an extra day there, and take day trips from that base. This should allow for a more relaxed pace.
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#8
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Any 30 minute train ride to a new location really eats up a big part of the day. Packing/ checking out/ walking to the station/ / waiting for the next train/ train ride/ walking to next accommodations/ checking in/ unpacking . . . when the distance is really short it is usually better to just stay in one place and do day trips.
So, adrianespinola7760, I actually thought your original plan quite reasonable -- assuming you are aware (as you seem to be) that you are moving around a lot. And Lucerne is so much nicer after day trippers leave....
If you have any interest in art, consider adding the manificent Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.
I wonder -- can you fly home from Vienna instead of backtracking to Munich?
#9
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I can pack/unpack and check in/out in well under an hour total
If you have any interest in art, consider adding the manificent Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.
I wonder -- can you fly home from Vienna instead of backtracking to Munich?
#10
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Did you consider going Zurich -> Vienna -> Munich? The train from Zurich to Vienna is great and not expensive. Only trouble is that it's an 8 hour ride. But doing this you could 1) keep your Switzerland itinerary (which I like), 2) avoid traveling to Munich twice but keep Munich as your departure city, and 3) still include a few days in Vienna (which I also like). Plus, if you can swing it, you could stop in Salzburg on the way from Vienna to Munich.
There's so much to do and see in this part of Europe that it pays to make your land travel as efficient as possible.
There's so much to do and see in this part of Europe that it pays to make your land travel as efficient as possible.
#11
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Did you consider going Zurich -> Vienna -> Munich?
August 10 - Switzerland
- Fly to Zurich
- Arrive in the afternoon to Interlaken
August 13 - Switzerland (Interlaken)
August 14 - Switzerland (Interlaken)
August 15 - Switzerland (Interlaken -> Lucerne/Zurich)
- Arrive in the afternoon in Zurich
- Arrive in the afternoon in Vienna
August 18 - Austria (Vienna)
August 19 - Austria (Vienna)
August 20 - Germany (Vienna -> Munich)
- Arrive in the afternoon in Munich
August 22 - Germany (Munich)
August 23 - Germany (Munich)
- Fly home
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