Planning A Central Europe Road Trip From Bavaria
Central Europe is a great region for travelers. Switzerland, Austria, Italy and Germany share borders along the majestic Alps in this region, offering scenic adventures and popular tourist destinations. My wife Glenda and I had a memorable weeklong trip back in 2023 at Hilton Grand Vacations (HGV) partner resort MONDI Oberstaufen in Bavaria, Germany. In a previous blog, I wrote about our trips to historic castles and scenic towns of Germany during that visit. Today I’ll write about our trips to locations in Austria and Switzerland from the same resort.
We had booked a weeklong stay at a 1-Bedroom Chalet in MONDI Oberstaufen resort through our Destination Xchange membership within HGV. The chalet-style resort was conveniently located in the resort town of Oberstaufen in the Western region of Bavaria. The town’s proximity to major cities like Munich and tourist attractions in Germany, as well as Austria and Switzerland, allowed us to plan multiple trips to various towns and countries while staying at a single resort!
Arriving At MONDI Oberstaufen In Bavaria
Munich, Germany is the closest major city to Oberstaufen. Munich International Airport (MUC) has daily international flights from major cities in Europe and the Eastern U.S. We had flown into Amsterdam from Atlanta and opted to take the overnight fast train (OBB) to Munich HBF. We then got a rental car right next to the train station for a 2-hour drive eastbound on the fast Autobahn and a network of efficient highways.
Travel Tip: The Hilton Amex card offers discounted car rentals at major European train stations and airports, including Munich.
We arrived at the resort in the late afternoon after making stops at popular tourist hotspots on the way. The staff was very friendly and clearly communicated the unloading and parking process to reach our unit. The 1-Bedroom chalet was roomy, with a gorgeous view of the surrounding mountains that we could enjoy from the balcony or bedroom window. The kitchen was well-equipped for cooking, and the digital TVs in both rooms provided many English channels. We highly recommend the resort's morning breakfast buffet, filled with local delicacies and delicious German bakery treats.
How To Plan A Day Trip To Austria And Switzerland
We knew that driving to international locations in Austria and Switzerland was possible from our resort. Based on our research on nearby attractions, we planned a day trip to the port city of Bregenz, Austria; the charming Swiss village of Appenzell; and the historic city of St. Gallen in Switzerland. Below, I have listed some key considerations and the route map of our day trip.
Rental Car Considerations — When renting a car in Central Europe, Switzerland tends to be the most expensive, Italy the cheapest, and Germany the sweet spot, with plenty of German car models like VW, BMW, or Mercedes at various price points. I recommend getting a car with a German license plate. When traveling to and from Germany, travelers tend to experience quicker processing at border checks than those with Italian or Austrian plates.
International Travel Tips — American and Canadian passport holders typically can move freely between EU countries that honor the Schengen Agreement, including Italy, Austria and Germany. Switzerland also honors U.S. passport holders driving in and out of the country. In reality, border checkpoints are mostly enforced in Germany. Italian, Swiss and Austrian checkpoints are typically unmanned or allow you to just pass through.
Driving to Locations in the Alps — When driving to nearby locations from Bavaria, be mindful of the terrain, even if a location appears to be a short distance on Google Maps. For example, some Alpine towns may take hours longer to reach than hillside or lakeside locations. This may be a difference between hours and days on a road trip!
Things To Do In Bregenz, Austria
Bregenz is Austria’s only major port, located on the shores of Lake Constance bordering Germany. The city was just over half an hour's drive from our resort.
Bregenz offers a great view of the lake on the freely accessible public Promenade and garden next to the ferry dock. We spent 2 to 3 hours exploring the city and had lunch at an Asian restaurant right next to the train station. Some of the notable sites are listed below.
Seebühne (Floating Stage) — Experience the world's largest floating lake stage at the border of Germany and Austria, famous for hosting grand opera productions against the backdrop of Lake Constance.
Pfänder Mountain – Ride the Pfänderbahn cable car up to the 3,200-ft. summit for sweeping panoramic views across Austria, Germany and Switzerland.
Kunsthaus Bregenz (KUB) – This minimalist, cube-shaped architecture designed by Peter Zumthor, which houses brilliant exhibitions of international contemporary art, is within walking distance of the train station and the ferry dock.
Things To Do In Appenzell, Switzerland
Our next stop was the charming village of Appenzell, across the Swiss border, about a 40-minute drive west of Bregenz. The scenic drive through the Swiss countryside was a treat.
Once we reached Appenzell and parked in the designated public parking area, it felt like stepping out into a fairytale village! Almost every house, shop and cafe looked like a movie set prop, but they were very real, functioning establishments. The Appenzell Castle (Schloss Appenzell) is a historic, run-down fortress that is now a museum and is worth a quick visit. The historic early medieval-era church is a popular attraction in the town center. Also try out the famous Swiss Fondue at a local restaurant.
Exploring St. Gallen, Switzerland
We next drove from the enchanting Appenzell to the most historic town in the region, St. Gallen. A short 20-minute drive brought us to the bustling university town.
The best way to enjoy St. Gallen is to park at one of the free public parking spots on the university campus and then walk downhill to visit the city on foot. Once in the city center, enjoy the wonderful Baroque and late medieval architecture of the Old Town. Then head to the Abbey of St. Gall and its historic library. A short summary of the major tourist attractions is listed below.
Abbey of St. Gall — A massive monastery complex founded in the 7th century. The entire complex of churches, buildings and a medieval-style plaza is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Abbey Library — One of the oldest and richest monastic libraries in the world, holding over 160,000 volumes. There are parchments and books stored here from as far back as the 6th century A.D. At the basement level, a museum showcases even older archaeological relics from Roman times.
Old Town — Pedestrian-only historic center known for its colorful, ornate painted bay windows.
Final Thoughts On Exploring Central Europe From MONDI Oberstaufen
The return drive from St. Gallen through scenic Bavarian countryside back to our chalet at MONDI Resort Oberstaufen took just over an hour. We found the resort to be a perfect balance of traditional German comfort and nature-inspired living while serving as an ideal base for venturing into nearby destinations and crossing international borders. The well-arranged facilities, such as parking, tennis courts, laundry and a restaurant in a rural Bavarian setting are unique. The excursion opportunities, beautiful chalet-style units, and attentive staff ready to help with your travel plans make this location an ideal choice for a dream European vacation for couples and families.
Key Takeaways
Three Countries, One Base: MONDI Oberstaufen makes it easy to explore Germany, Austria and Switzerland without changing accommodations.
Scenic Alpine Drives: The region offers memorable road trips featuring mountain landscapes, lakeside views and charming countryside villages.
Historical and Cultural Experiences: Travelers can enjoy UNESCO-listed sites, centuries-old libraries, waterfront cities and traditional Swiss villages in a single itinerary.
Convenient Cross-Border Travel: Central Europe's well-connected road network allows visitors to experience multiple countries during a day trip.
Comfort Meets Exploration: Spacious chalet accommodations and resort amenities provide a comfortable place to recharge between excursions.
FAQs
Q: Where is MONDI Oberstaufenlocated?
A: MONDI Oberstaufen is located in Oberstaufen,Bavaria, near the borders of Austria andSwitzerland. Its central location makes it aconvenient base for exploring multiple countries during one vacation.
Q: Can you visit Austriaand Switzerland from MONDI Oberstaufenin a singleday?
A: Several destinations in Austria and Switzerland are within driving distance of the resort, making day tripsa practical way to experiencemultiple countries during your stay.
Q: What are some popularday trips from MONDI Oberstaufen?
A: Popular nearby destinations include Bregenz in Austria andthe Swiss towns of Appenzelland St. Gallen, each offering its own blend ofscenery, history and local culture.
Q: Is a rental carrecommended for exploring Bavaria, Austria and Switzerland?
A: A rental car providesthe flexibility to visit multipletowns and attractions throughout the region whileenjoying the scenic routes connecting them.
Q: What makes St. Gallenworth visiting?
A: St. Gallen is hometo the UNESCO-listed Abbey of St. Gall,the historic Abbey Library and a beautifullypreserved Old Town known forits distinctive architecture.
