My summer vacation is coming up and I am looking into a road trip to Austria…but since I’m far less of a driver than a flyer, I wanted to discuss it here first.
Basel To Vienna: By Car, Plane, Or Not At All?
We will be summering with my in-laws in the Basel region, but I booked some pre-devaluation nights at the Park Hyatt Vienna, which is a city both my wife and I love. As we consider our options, we want to maximize the time with her parents and other family members, but usually do take one trip in the midst of our stay so as not to overstay our welcome.
It’s a long drive to Vienna…about 10 hours. Airline tickets are expensive, but then again so is fuel and car rentals (plus the cost of renewing my international driver’s license…). We could stop along the way…maybe for coffee in Vaduz, Lichenstein and then for a night in Salzburg, a city I have never been to. Maybe a visit in Neuschwanstein Castle on the way back, a place I have wanted to take my family to for some time (even my German-born wife has never been).
Then again, our time in Germany is shorter than normal this year. My kids do not see their German grandparents often enough as it is. Thus, I also consider leaving the kids with my in-laws and flying with my wife to Vienna for a night or two, sort of like our date night in Paris last year.
If time was not an option, I would love to do an extended trip with stops in Interlaken, Lake Constance, Munich, and Salzburg, but noting our time constraints I do wonder if driving is just pushing it a bit too much?
I welcome your thoughts on this. Is there something I am missing? I’d love my cake and to eat it too, but with time at a premium it seems that flying is the best route…or scrapping the side trip to Vienna altogether. I hear the city is extremely crowded this summer…I guess I’d prefer to go on a cold November day.
If we just stay closer to home, maybe we will do a night away in Verbier or Crans-Montana.
Your thoughts are welcome!
> Read More: Denied An Avis Car Rental In Germany By Provincial Clerk!
As someone who lives right in the middle (in Innsbruck): Take the train. Trains in Switzerland are spectacularly good, and in most of Austria they are pretty decent, and especially the Railjet that runs from Zurich to Vienna not only has really nice trainsets, but it will also provide a really great view.
Make sure to book the Business class, which is better than the normal 1 class and has seats that are very similar to US airplane 1 class seats. No included menus, but a nice dining car.
If you also plan to stop over somewhere between Zurich and Innsbruck the one Eurocity on the route (which later turns to Graz, another really beautiful route) might also be an option, it has a swiss panoramic car in 1st class which gives you an even better view.
I agree with Chris 100% – the train is always option #1. They are great, the scenery is spectacular and they are always on time. The SBB railway company is well run and proud of their business. I have taken this train between Basil and Geneva many times and it never disappoints.
I think, in general, Americans hate trains but love cars.
I do not hate trains.
How long is your trip in total? 10 hours each way means 2 days spent on driving, so you’d need 4 total to make it work. If your in-laws are willing to take the kids for a long weekend, it’s doable, but I’d probably pass if the kids are coming with you (that’s a lot of driving for such a short turnaround).
The other thing to keep in mind is, rental cars are NOT cheap right now. I’m in the midst of planning a road trip across Switzerland in early November, and three days is well north of CHF 300 after factoring in taxes/fees. It’s very likely going to be cheaper for you to fly.
Just came back from 2 amazing weeks in Europe (Italy and France) so here are my thoughts. Take it at a high level since we are talking different countries.
– Car rental are expensive: absolutely outrageous!!! Shitty cars (got a car from Sixt with 60k miles and the list of damage on the car that was checked under my rental agreement prior my rental was 2 pages long). Knowing how they will find ways to charge you for damages, I bought full insurance. Guess what? On the return, they told me they found 2 new scratches on the wheels. The insurance I bought from them covered it.
– International driver’s license: I have been renting cars in several EU countries in the past 15 years. I was never, ever asked for that. I had it with me a few times and showed to the rental counter and they looked at me like I was from a different planet. They happily take the US DL. I know you had an issue before but that was an exception in my opinion.
– At least in Italy, there are speed cameras all over it. Last time I rented there I received 6 tickets on the mail and for sending me each one, Avis charged 50 euros per ticket. I then had to deal (or ignore) each ticket with each location that issued one. What a nightmare!!!
– Big cities are extremely crowded in Europe. Insanely crowded!!! Also, you don’t need/want a car in a big EU city. You won’t find parking and if you do you will pay a fortune for that.
Thus, unless you will have time to enjoy the road trip and do those amazing stops you mentioned above, do not bother. Fly in and out and enjoy it.
Can you take a sleeper train? Those are always a fun family experience, where the kids have a new/strange environment that’s still conducive to sleeping. As a kid, I took one of those trains with family (probably when I was around Augustine’s age), and I still remember it fondly. If the train option isn’t feasible, I’d recommend flying over driving; that’s a long time to be in the car with your children.
There is indeed a night train from Zurich to Vienna. It tends to be fairly expensive and booked out ahead of time a lot, though. Note that the daytime Railjet trains actually have a little play and cinema area for kids, it’s at the very end of the train in the 2nd class section, though. Unlike the older European trains, including the night trains, and all American ones I’ve been on crossing between cars is completely painless on modern trains like the Railjet or ICE, though.
A nice fact about the Zurich to Vienna trains (day or night) is that they cross through two countries (Liechtenstein and Germany) without stopping.
I just rented a car in Sweden for two and a half weeks. It cost me $500 for the cheapest car (Renault Clio), which wasn’t crazy for such a long rental, but the next largest class car (compact) was double the price (and it went up dramatically from there). Very tight fit with two kids in the back and all our luggage, but we made it work. Also can’t remember the last time I had a rental car with a manual transmission!
We’re talking a very manageable day trip in a car. If you want to drive, drive. If you don’t, don’t. Like, what’s the question?
Going W->E is far easier than S->N this time of year.
It sounds to me like time is in short supply on this trip. Accordingly, I vote for leaving the kids with their grandparents and the 2 of you flying to Vienna. Save the road trip for a visit when you have more time.
Agree with the masses. Train and this will probably help you find the least expensive option. Good luck and its a train journey well worth taking.
https://www.thetrainline.com/book/results?journeySearchType=single&origin=d74c9c54d8512b56cf170dd52524271f&destination=28a32316fa46c4d0f71644892b1236d4&outwardDate=2023-07-31T08%3A00%3A00&outwardDateType=departAfter&selectedTab=train&selectExactTime=true&splitSave=true&lang=en&transportModes%5B%5D=mixed&dpiCookieId=R0UIGYV0AESS1RRZ8FFHNU104&selectedOutward=FUlTCbvao3o%3D%3AEjdtryn2d2w%3D%3AStandard
The kids are the perfect age for the fantasy feel of Neuschwanstein. When doing a road trip years ago, we had a lovely stop over in St. Gilen.
I had my first trip to Germany then extended it to see family and where my fathers heritage came from Train was best way to go for sure.
A trip to Castle is a amazing, kids would love it.
SALZBURG is a fabulous city. Go places you and the kids have not been. You and wife can visit other places after kids are in college. Loved Lucerne and Grindelwald not so much with Interlaken. My dad gave us choices of what and where we wanted to camp and visit around the whole USA. Great memories and lots of fun
Our vacations were month long every year.
Just my input.
I like the idea of Liechtenstein. I’ve visited other villages in Liechtenstein, including Schaan, Balzers, Schellenberg, Triesen, etc.
In Schellenberg, there’s a memorial to the Russian National Army. A local man saw me and explained it to me in English after I asked him in German where the monument was located. The Russian National Army sought refuge in Liechtenstein. Liechenstein was poor but put up the men for a few years before they got asylum in Argentina. Other units of the Russian National Army sought shelter from the British. However, the British fed them afternoon tea then turned them over to Stalin. Stalin had all of them shot in the head, execution style.
I’m with many others here – take the train. Many options, with the fastest being Basel – Zurich and then the Austrian Railjet Zurich – Vienna to make the journey in one day. Another is Basel-Zurich-Innsbruck, stay overnight, and have your choice of Innsbruck-Garmish Partenkirchen-Munich (a more local train) and then to Vienna (Railjet), or Innsbruck-Salzburg-Vienna (Railjet), and others. No worry about driving, gorgeous scenery, and the Railjets have a dining car and the trains have instantly available toilets. You also avoid having to purchase a vignette to use the Austrian Autobahn.
Take a train. I know you want to make all those other stops, and the train may not accommodate those wishes, but the views of the Alps from the train are worth it all.
Trains are excellent. I agree. Super fun for kids. Get a big table for card games drawing eating etc.
10hrs is too much. I’d max out at a 4-6 hr trip over a few days if that’s your time constraint. Vienna is wonderful. Would be a beautiful date weekend. Although there’s probably a small spa town or similar near Basel that would be extraordinary for a day or two as well. As long as you get a break from kids anything is wonderful imo
Summer on Europe’s freeways, risk of Stau, those stationary traffic jams which stretch for miles. Then you need to deal with those thieves – I mean the rental car agencies. And you need to pay for a sticker to even use the freeways.
Vienna’s a fantastic place, regularly named #1 livable city in the world, just get over there as quick as you can. Train to Zurich airport, fly to Vienna, CAT train to the city and you’ll be at the Hyatt by lunchtime.
I would recommend trains too. I was going to suggest also considering LCC flights to BTS, but I looked at the wiki and there doesn’t seem to be anything from Switzerland or even France (plenty of Greek islands and even a route to DXB though!).
Great ride, do it!
Check for award flights on OS from BSL to VIE. One way Economy starts at 6k and $22 ish. As you know good star alliance Gold lounge at BSL.
Take the train. Interlaken and Salzburg are definitely worth the visit. Last fall we traveled all over Italy and then through Switzerland to Vienna by trains (business class). Totally worth the time and money.
If you drive, I’d recommend staying the night (or two ) in Feldkirch, AT. It’s just across the border from Vaduz, has guest houses and grocery stores, and will also be cheaper. Vaduz has some fun walking trails, so you could actually stay two nights in Feldkirch and enjoy the area. It won’t be crowded. I really like this town and the greater area.