Switzerland or Austria: two great agendas, one indecisive parent

[mummarunner]

You know when you go round and round in circles…!

I am taking DD (11) away this summer, just the two of us on a short break before she starts secondary school. We have only 5/6 nights.

She really wants to see Paris, mainly just the Eiffel Tower so we would spend one night there travelling on Eurostar from London.

Then it’s either Switzerland or Austria. For Switzerland we’d get the train from Paris to Lucerne, a few nights there for some lakes/mountains scenery, short hikes and Mt Pilatus for summer tobogganing (the alpine coaster is massively high on her agenda so a must-do). Then over to Montreux (another long train ride) for the final couple of nights, maybe an afternoon at the Bains-de-Levey then fly home from Geneva.

For Austria it would be the NightJet from Paris to Salzburg, spend a few hours there before taking the train to Zell-am-See. We would base ourselves here for the entire duration and take in hiking, alpine coasters, thermal baths just like in Switzerland but with arguably fewer longer train journeys. Than back to Salzburg to fly home.

i can’t decide which option to go for! Ignoring the fact that Switzerland is crazy expensive - I am aware of this but on this occasion it isn’t a factor in the decision making. I’m more thinking about travelling times and incorporating a fun experience for DD whilst also having the chance to appreciate some beautiful mountain/lake scenery myself.

Any thoughts very welcome, thank you so much!

Austria as you’re staying in one place. Save Switzerland for when you have more time. The places you’ve mentioned deserve longer than the time you can give them.

I wouldn’t bother with Montreux after Lucerne, go to Interlaken (or one of the mountain resorts nearby) or Bern/Basel for variety.

We’ve just done the night jet (but from Hamburg to Innsbruck) - we loved it! Super new trains and a fun mini compartment to sleep in (on our route). We’re looking for more night train journeys we can do as it was such a hit (my youngest is 12)

I'd love to do the night jet, and we had a fab holiday in Salzburg and Zell am See last summer so that would 100% work.
Look for accomodation with the free summer card for free public transport, cable cars, entry to lots of things. Totally recommend sledging on the glacier (small area, but was fun anyway), frisbee golf down one of the mountains, swimming in the lidos, Maisie flitzer (pay for this), day trip to the hydroelectric power station in Zell. In Salzburg if you go to the cathedral, they do a short lunchtime concert daily which was great (and free for kids). Hellbrun trick fountains were fun. Sound of music tours (we watched the film just before going).

Thank you! This is just what I needed to hear. I think I’ve been swaying more towards Austria as it all seems a lot more doable with the time I’ve got. The Zell am See area does seem well catered for children too I think?

@Getorfthelawn really interested to hear about your experience on the NightJet. My only concern with this at the moment is guaranteeing a private compartment to ourselves. It’s not very clear but I probably need to do more digging on that. I would t be comfortable sharing a sleeping compartment with a stranger. But it’s great to hear you had a positive experience.

Zell am See has what you need. This morning it looked like this

Beautiful pic @Havanananana

Oh amazing, what a great idea. I vote Austria. Switzerland is so expensive. I have been to Salzburg before, so interesting. We went to a great museum, climbed a mountain to the Eisriesenwelt, and back by cable car. Good beer halls too. And Mozart. Innsbruck looks amazing too. And Lake Constance.

We are actually heading to Switzerland ourselves, via Belgium and Germany on the way, and Italy and Strasbourg and Paris on the way back. But that is because we really want to travel the Bernina Pass.

Private compartment on the nightjet is straight forward: book a private compartment for 2 not a couchette or shared. They vary in quality. I've never been on the new ones. The older ones can be very rickety and run down (broken heating, broken toilets, generally a bit tatty). The staff don't necessarily speak English and can be pretty grumpy. Sometimes you get one with a private shower which is fun. We like the adventure and use them for skiing and summer holidays, but they're neither luxurious nor restful! Don't plan anything serious the next day. The ÖBB website gets my credit card blocked every time too, PayPal works better.

I know you said budget not a consideration but we flew into Geneva for Easter, it was a very last minute choice of mine, and I was under prepared for just how expensive it was. We are a family of 4, but a basic lunch was always £120+, a 20 minute train journey £70 one-way. It adds up very quickly. Austria was more affordable.

The mini cabins we had surprised me when we boarded - in previous night trains (we did Amsterdam to Berlin last year) we were in a cabin with 4- 6 beds in, depending on whether you folded down all beds. This was booked as a private compartment and was behind a closed door but we were all together in the compartment.
The night jet on the route we took was like individual sleeping boxes. These were grouped in 4s, with the 2 top (and 2 bottom) being linked by a mini shutter that you could open or close (presumably it’s kept closed if you don’t know your neighbour!). I initially was really worried as it meant we didn’t have our own compartment (each mini cabin opened to the corridor). But in the end we preferred it and would book again. It was perfect for 2 or 4 (myself and my eldest daughter had cabins next to each other so kept the shutter between us open, and my husband did the same with our youngest) - there’s a fold down seat in the corridor if you did want to sit all talking together (I guess that’s less of an issue if you are just 2). We had enough space in our mini cabins to eat a picnic, and we even managed to play a game (rustling leaves in case you are wondering) with 2 in each cabin. If you like, I can dm you photos/video?
I found OBB to be really helpful - I’m sure if you contacted them they could advise on what cabins would work for you and if they were definitely private.

Austria. We’re going there by train this summer but the days the NightJet runs don’t work for us. Definitely do it if you can.

I think Austria would probably be the better option BUT going on a train ride in the Alps (Switzerland) is breathtaking in terms of scenery! So far from boring!!
But not sure if it's enough to keep your DD entertained.

Just a thought though - I’m not sure the mini cabins are on all routes. I personally would pay more for a private compartment if they aren’t an option, makes for a much better trip, especially with children I think. We would have hated to have shared a compartment (even though everyone we met on the train was very friendly).

Absolutley a fair point, but I was working on the basis that it would be more affordable just for me and DD to go as two rather than go as a family of four, especially as DH and DS not so interested! But it’s a good consideration so thank you.

This is really interesting to learn, thank you so much for this.

Thanks everyone for your input on this. I really appreciate it! I think I am swaying towards Austria, mainly because it sounds an easier option with dd. Just the one transfer from Salzburg airport to Zell am see and back, then it seems that most things we want to do are within easy reach. I am confident we will have a lovely break just the two of us. I’ll save Switzerland for another time - maybe a mini break just me on my own! Thank you all again.

There is a direct bus from Salzburg Airport to Zell am See - the Postbus #260 - so if you're flying to Salzburg rather than taking the train, you don't need to find your way into central Salzburg to catch the train.

There is not much of a journey time difference because the #260 cuts across the corner of Germany on the way to Zell - remember to have your passports to hand in case their are checks at the German border, which happen occasionally.

Whether you take the bus or the train the journey from Salzburg to Zell am See should be free. Your accommodation provider should organise the tourist Mobility Card for you - a scheme that started yesterday and that gives tourists free public transport throughout Salzburgerland. The Card is valid from the day you arrive until the day you leave, so your journey from and back to Salzburg is covered. The "Card" can be accessed on your phone using the app and the link that your accommodation provider sends to you before you arrive.