Planning a trip across Europe can be pretty overwhelming, with so much to do, so many cities involved, figuring out different transport options and the fact that it literally involves multiple countries. We went on a month-long winter road trip to Europe and it was nothing short of magical. We did all the research, so that you do not have to, and here is a 15 day Itinerary that has a bit of everything.
This Itinerary includes:
Germany
Czech Republic
Austria
Liechtenstein
Switzerland
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:
For almost all European countries, an Indian Passport holder requires a Schengen Visa. You would have to apply for a Schengen visa well in advance, as wait times can go upto 6 months.
Europe is group of multiple countries, each with its own culture, driving laws, languages, cuisines. So before you plan an Itinerary, decide on the experiences you are looking for and choose countries accordingly.
Europe sees a range of climates. So decide an itinerary based on the time of the year you are visiting. Especially in the winter, if you are planning a roadtrip, it would be good to check the weather forecast and plan your days accordingly.
DAY 1-3 : GERMANY
We landed in Frankfurt, Germany and picked a hotel in the heart of the city so that we could explore it easily.
Frankfurt: You can explore the city on the Gray Line Hop On Hop Off Bus. They offer two options:
Red line (Express) $20 - Haubtbanhof, Paulskirche, Romer, Untermainkai, Mainkai, Zoo
Green line (Skyline - Includes Express) $26 - Haubtbanhof, Eiserner steg, Sachsenhausen, Alte Oper, Palmengarten, Paulskirche, Romer
Picking the Skyline Tour would get you to many more locations than the Express Tour. So start early, as alot of the places such as Oper and Zoo close by evening.
Heidelberg: Next day, take a Flix Bus to Heidelberg, which is one of the prettiest German towns. It would cost about $13 depending on the time. Once you are there, take tram to the Lift Heidelberg, then the Bergbahn funicular (€9 one way ticket, €14 return) which includes entry to the castle grounds, the wine cellar and the German Pharmacy Museum .
Don’t miss places like the Lindt store and Church at Marktplatz; the year round Christmas Store Kathe Wohlfart at Hauptstraße, Alte brucke (Old Bridge). End your day with a short hike to the Philosopher’s way.
You can use the Tram/Bus for internal transport. It costs €1.6 for 4 stops or less. They accept cards as well as cash.
Nuremberg: You can take a Flix Bus to your last stop in Germany, Nuremberg, a city that blends history with quaint charm. Don't miss the Imperial Castle and the historic artisans’ area, Handwerkerhof, where you can buy traditional crafts, Lorenzkirche and Museumsbrucke.
Next morning, we picked up our rental car to kickstart our European Road Trip.
DAY 4-5 : CZECH REPUBLIC
Entering Czech Republic, a €13 vignette got us through tolls. This is extremely important for a road trip and you could be pulled over by the cops if you do not have it. You can get a Vignette at Gas stations or grocery stores near the country border. You can also buy it online. Ensure you purchase the vignette from a trusted source to avoid scams.
Prague: Prague turned out to be our favorite city. It has so much to offer and the city just had an amazing vibe.
In Prague, we parked for €8/day, as it is a historic town and would get difficult to move around the town and look for parking specially because a lot of the streets in the city are Pedestrian only. We purchased a 24-hour public transport pass for €6. The Old Town Square is a must visit. Make sure to also visit the Prague Astronomical clock at around sunset. It costs CZK 250 or €10 + CZK 100 or €4 for lift. The view from up the tower is beautiful with all the red roofs and if you time it well, you can see the city light up at Dusk.
We ended the day with Prosecco cruise in the Vltava River ,priced at €20/person for 1 hour departing from the Czech bridge dock. You can book it online and it is a romantic experience including complementary wine and light snacks.
Next morning, visit Petrin Tower via the funicular (included in the day pass). The ticket cost CZK 150 or €6 + CZK 150 or €6 for lift per person. The timings differ according to the season. The tower offers outstanding views of the city. Don’t miss the iconic Charles bridge, Prague Castle & St Vitus Cathedral. End the day with a walk on Václavské nám, where you can enjoy some cafes and shopping. You can also check out the National Museum at the end of the street.
Cesky Krumlov: The next morning, we visited this beautiful Unesco town of Cesky Krumlov on the way to Vienna. This is not usually heard of in any of the itineraries, but it was so worth it. Do not miss the Seminarni Zahrada, Fountain & Plague Column, Cloak Bridge & the Cesky Krumlov Castle(closed in winter).
DAYS 6-10 : AUSTRIA
After purchasing a €10 vignette, we entered Austria, to spend the next few days here. We were really excited for this leg of the trip as it had so many experiences packed in it.
Vienna: You can book a hotel in the downtown area and explore Vienna by public transport by purchasing a day pass for €12/person. We parked for 24 hours and it cost us €8. The main attraction of Vienna are its numerous palaces, of which Hofburg Imperial Palace, Schloss Schonbrunn Palace , Belvedere Palace are a must visit. Other places to visit include Sisi Museum, Maria Theresin Platz, Karntner Strasse and St. Stephens Cathedral. Another thing that Vienna is known for is Opera and you absolutely have to visit the Opera House. The tour costs €13 per person. If you get a chance, do try to attend a show too.
Next day,on the way to Salzburg, we visited the offbeat towns of Traunsee & Traunkirchen. They were the most pretty towns and just strolling around felt so good. You should definitely check them out if you have the time.
Salzburg: Start your day by visiting Altstadt (Old Town). You can park your car there at €2/hour and explore the town on foot. It is the birthplace of the music legend Mozart and how much he meant to the town is pretty evident across the city. You can check out Mozart’s Birthplace, Mozartplatz, take a stroll at Salzach river promenade, Love lock bridge and Schloss Hellbrunn Palace. If like us, you too are F1 fans, do not miss the Redbull Hangar - 7. It houses the real F1 cars used by Redbull and much more. If you have been fans of the Sound Of Music while growing up, Salzburg is where alot of the movie was shot and some of those places are the Mirabell Palace & Gardens, The Sound of Music Pavillion and end the day with a hike to the fortress.
Hallstatt: On our way to Hallstatt, we took a stop at the Sound of Music Trail in Werfenweng and it was the most picturesque. It being winter, we could not do the trail, but the views were absolutely worth the steep drive. You will be in awe of Hallstatt, a beautiful village on the banks of the lake. You can easily explore the whole village on foot within a few hours and every frame will feel like a painting. Do not miss on capture all those postcard landscapes. It is a pedestrian village, so make sure your hotel has parking.
Next morning, take the funicular to the top of Hallstatt. It costs €40 per person including the Salzwelten Salt mine, Skywalk and Funicular which runs every 15 mins starting at 9am. Make sure you check the timings online, as it may be closed for winter or maintenance. It was a great experience. Getting to the Salt mine is a 650m hike, followed by a 90 min tour including 2 wooden slides and miner’s train ride which were super fun.
Innsbruck: Innsbruck is a city in the Alps that's long been a destination for winter sports. When you are in the city, you will most likely be surrounded by the Alps on all sides. You should stroll around Altstadt Innsbruck, it has all the pretty European vibes. You can walk along the Inn River or splurge on some shopping at Maria Theresin Strasse. You should check out the Swarovski Crystal Worlds, which is a beautiful store and do not mistake it for Swarovski Kristallwelten which is an experience center. The ticket costs €23 per person and you would need at least 1.5 hours.
DAYS 11-15 : SWITZERLAND
On the way to Switzerland, we visited Liechtenstein, which is Europe’s 4th smallest country. We took a day trip to explore this quaint country, visiting Vaduz Castle and enjoying the peaceful ambiance.
We made Merligen our base and all other destinations are easily accessible by day trips.
Interlaken: Nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, Interlaken is your gateway to outdoor adventures in the Jungfrau region. Take a funicular ride up to Harder Kulm for a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and lakes. Adventure seekers can indulge in paragliding, skydiving, and canyon jumping for thrilling aerial views of the landscape. Parking will cost you approx. €2/hour.
Grindelwald: This charming village is a starting point for numerous hikes and the famous Eiger Trail. The highlight here is the First Cliff Walk, a suspended walkway that offers exhilarating views. Don’t miss the opportunity to take the cable car up to First, followed by activities such as the First Flyer zip line or the mountain cart descent. It costs CHF 75 including 3 levels lift and Zip lining. Don’t miss out dining at Berggasthaus First, which offers a chance to savor local dishes while enjoying the alpine panorama.
Bern: Switzerland’s capital boasts a UNESCO-listed old town. Explore the Zytglogge, Parliament Building, and Bundesplatz. Enjoy views from the Bern Old Town Viewpoint. Parking is CHF 2 per hour.
Blausee: Relax at Blausee, a small but enchanting lake known for its stunning blue color. Entry costs CHF 8, redeemable at the café, with parking at CHF 2 per hour.
Lauterbrunnen: Known for its 72 waterfalls, explore Lauterbrunnen’s Staubbach and Trümmelbach falls, the latter accessible via a funicular inside the mountain.
Thun: Visit Thun, where the historical Castle of Thun offers panoramic views over the lake and town. Enjoy a stroll through the old town’s cobblestone streets.
Spiez: In Spiez, explore Spiez Castle, set against vineyards and the lake, offering insights into regional history and architecture
Adelboden: Check out the beautiful town of Adelboden. It is primarily a ski destination and has one of the best backdrop landscapes.
Gruyeres, Veytaux, Montreux, and Vevey: Finish your Swiss journey by exploring these charming towns. Gruyeres is famous for its cheese, Veytaux for Chillon Castle, Montreux for its jazz festival, and Vevey for its links to Charlie Chaplin and beautiful lakeside promenades.
This road trip is the perfect blend of urban exploration and natural wonders, offering comprehensive insights into each city’s must-visit sites, local secrets, and cultural highlights. From Germany's historic depth to the Alpine beauty of Switzerland and Austria, and the charming towns of the Czech Republic, prepare to be enthralled every step of the way.
WHAT TO PACK:
Packing for a winter trip to Europe requires careful planning to ensure comfort, warmth, and convenience while navigating the continent's varied climate and activities.
Some Packing Essentials would be:
Thermal Layers
Waterproof Outer Layer/ Winter Jackets
Waterproff Footwear
Hats, Gloves, and Scarves
Warm Socks
Umbrella
Sunglasses:
Backpack
Travel Adapter
Water Bottle:
Pack your bags, set your itinerary, and get ready for a European road trip of a lifetime!
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