From Vienna to Zürich: A Journey Through Austria and Switzerland
Trip Planning - 24 February 2025 - Planning for the Trip
Most of my travel blogs don't start with the planning process, but for this trip, sharing the preparation steps seemed worthwhile.
About six months out, tracking flights begins using Google Flights. This helps monitor prices for the destination and find the best rates. Once a reasonable price comes up, the flights get booked.
Four months before the trip, the itinerary gets a thorough review—kept as a bullet-point list to figure out what to see and do. A travel bot set up in ChatGPT, matched to my travel style and priorities, helps with suggestions. The next two months go toward fine-tuning the itinerary and researching hotels. My preference is hotels over Airbnb because they offer more services, and many European cities are now limiting Airbnb rentals due to housing concerns. Once a hotel looks right, price monitoring begins until a good deal appears.
About two months out, the focus shifts to admission tickets for museums, historical sites, and art galleries—checking which options are the most cost-effective. For Vienna, the Vienna City Card made the most sense. It covered public transportation and gave discounts on attractions. Since only a day was planned for Salzburg, the 24-hour Salzburg Card made sense, with free admission to select sites included.
For traveling around Switzerland, the Swiss Travel Pass was the clear choice. It covers trains, boats, and buses, making transportation easy. In Zermatt, the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Ticket got booked through the Swiss Travel Center. In Luzern, the Swiss Travel Pass included the Mt. Rigi Railway and the Lake Lucerne Boats. For Zurich, a 72-hour Zurich Card covered exploring the city and the airport transfer on departure day. To keep things economical, a four-day Swiss Travel Pass paired with the Zurich Card for the last day worked out well.
This planning approach ensures good deals and no stress about tickets and transportation once arriving. It takes some time upfront, but it makes the actual trip much smoother.
Travel Day One - 27 April 2025- Leaving BNA
The trip started with a smooth ride to the airport. The Lyft driver and the conversation turned to places we'd both been in Europe. Once at the airport, printing the boarding pass turned out to be a good call. When boarding the flight at BNA, there was just enough space for my bag in the overhead bin since other passengers had already filled nearby compartments.
The flight to ORD landed all the way at the far end of Terminal B. The long walk to Gate B1 included a short restroom stop along the way. At the connection shuttle, they checked the printed boarding pass—turns out the Apple Wallet and United app versions were missing the date, which was an issue that day. Another traveler mentioned that printed passes were recommended due to technical problems with electronic ones.
Eventually, the shuttle to Terminal 5 arrived. A short walk from there to the gate, and while waiting in line, someone else mentioned that passes might need reprinting due to a technical issue. Boarding happened with Group 3, and to my surprise, the seat next door was empty. The food in Premium Economy on Austrian Airlines was pretty decent, and the flight attendants were friendly.
Day One - 28 April 2025 - Arrival and Exploring Vienna
The plane landed at 8 a.m. and deplaned quickly. Passport control went smoothly, then it was onto the train headed for Wien Mitte. From there, the U3 to Herrengasse and a walk to the hotel. After checking in and dropping off bags, the Museum Quarter was first on the list, starting with the Leopold Museum. Some time in the square, then a visit to the architecture museum.
Lunch was at Glacis Beisel. After that, St. Stephen's Cathedral and the elevator up to the north tower for a view. Then back to the hotel to pick up the room key and stay in for the rest of the evening.
Day Two - 29 April 2025 - Palaces, Gardens, and Cake
After breakfast at the hotel, the U-Bahn and Tram 10 led to Schönbrunn Palace. It was crowded, but the rooms were filled with interesting art, statues, and décor. Lunch at Brandauer Beer Garden—Wiener schnitzel and a mixed salad.
Then the tram to the Upper Belvedere. The gardens were impressive, with fountains and sphinx statues. Inside, Gustav Klimt's “The Kiss” was incredible to see in person. After exploring the museum, two large water bottles from a nearby grocery store and back to the hotel to rest.
Later, Café Central. The line was long, but it was worth the wait. Two slices of cake—Tonka Wonka and Vanille-Erdbeer-Rhabarberschnitte—and a hot chocolate.
Day Three - 30 April 2025 - Museums,Art and Torts
After breakfast, the Imperial Treasury. The crown jewels and royal regalia were impressive. Next was the Sissi Museum, which turned out underwhelming—dark rooms and large crowds made it hard to enjoy.
The Austrian National Library was a highlight. The old-book smell was strong, and a lot of people were sneezing, but the room and sculptures were beautiful. A real mood lifter. From there, the Albertina, with works by Leonardo da Vinci, Albrecht Dürer, and others.
Lunch was at l’Osteria—a massive and tasty pizza. Then Café Sacher for their famous Sacher-Torte and another hot chocolate. Later, MUMOK, the modern art museum, but it wasn't too impressive. Two scoops of ice cream at the Veganista stand and more magnets before heading back to the hotel.
Day Four - 1 May 2025 - Train to Salzburg (May Day)
After breakfast, a double-check that everything was packed and ready. Checkout around 9:40 a.m. and the U-Bahn to the train station. While waiting, a berry, orange, and apple smoothie from a juice stand.
The waiting spot was near platforms 7 and 8. The train car ended up being at the far end, so a quick walk to board. Once on, bags stored, settled in. The train left at 11:28 a.m. and got to Salzburg at 1:53 p.m.
It took about 10 minutes to figure out the bus system at the station. Once off the bus, still about a kilometer to walk to the hotel. After checking in and settling into the room, dinner at Gasthof Alter Fuchs—bratwurst, a Caesar salad, and a large mineral water. After dinner, two scoops of strawberry ice cream and a walk to the Residenzplatz area. Many souvenir shops were closed for May Day, which is a public holiday and spring festival in Austria. Then back to the hotel for the night.
Day Five - 2 May 2025 - Exploring Salzburg
After a solid breakfast (not usually a big morning eater, but with all the walking, trips are the exception), up to Hohensalzburg Fortress via funicular. Plenty of time to enjoy the views and snap lots of panoramic photos.
Next, Salzburg Cathedral—beautiful paintings, statues, and architecture. Then a walk through the Altstadt to the Franciscan Church and its nearby contemplative garden. There was even a gray and white cat hanging around.
A pass through a local market, a magnet, and a brief stop in the Collegiate Church, which was under renovation. A Käsekrainer and a roll from a food stand, followed by frozen yogurt.
Afterward, Mozart’s birthplace, more wandering through the old town, and another magnet. A stop at St. Sebastian's Graveyard, where Paracelsus's grave turned up. Then a Spar grocery store for water bottles and back to the hotel to rest.
Later, Mirabell Gardens and dinner at Pizzeria Il Centro II—just a plain cheese pizza labeled as margherita. Then back to the hotel.
Day Six - 3 May 2025 - Journey to Zermatt
Packed up, checked out, and caught the 120 bus to Salzburg's main train station. The train toward Zürich departed on time, but the connection from Buchs was canceled. Rerouting meant taking the IR13 to Sargans, then the IR35 to Zürich HB, then the IC8 to Visp, and finally the RE41 to Zermatt. Arrival around 5:17 p.m.
Checked into the hotel and went to Restaurant Schäferstube for dinner—a lamb burger with raclette, a green salad, and dessert. The meal cost about 70 CHF (~$84 USD). Zermatt is definitely on the pricey side. After dinner, back to the hotel to relax.
Day Seven - 4 May 2025 - Matterhorn and Meeting a Friend
After breakfast, a walk around Zermatt with a stop at a souvenir shop for magnets. Also scoped out where the luggage lockers were at the train station for tomorrow's trip.
Later, a friend arrived at 11:19 a.m., and we headed to the Matterhorn Express Valley Station. The gondola took us up to Glacier Paradise. Incredible being up there at over 12,000 feet—more than twice the elevation of Zermatt.
Lunch at the café near the top, and the altitude started to hit, but it wasn't too bad. At the panoramic viewpoint, for a short time, the clouds cleared just enough to see the Matterhorn and Breithorn. That moment alone made the trip worth it.
Day Eight - 5 May 2025 - Gornergrat and Travel to Lucerne
The day started with breakfast, bags packed, checkout, and luggage stored at the Zermatt train station. Then the Gornergrat Railway up to the top. The view was mostly clouded over, but for a minute, one of the peaks peeked through.
The ZOOM interactive exhibit about the area, then the train back down to Zermatt. A pre-lunch at McDonald's and another souvenir—this time a bandana with Gornergrat on it.
At 12:37 p.m., departure for Visp, then transfers to trains heading to Bern and finally Lucerne. Arrival around 4:01 p.m., hotel check-in, and out for dinner at Zunfthausrestaurant Pfistern in Lucerne's old town. On the way, the historic Chapel Bridge and several other old buildings came into view. Dinner was good, and after eating, back to the hotel to relax.
Day Nine - 6 May 2025 - Mt. Rigi, Luzern, and Train to Zürich
After breakfast and one last check of luggage, bags stored at the train station and a walk to the boat dock. The 9:12 a.m. boat to Vitznau was packed with Viking River Cruise passengers, but a seat turned up and the ride was enjoyable.
At Vitznau, the cogwheel train to Rigi Kulm. It was almost full—mostly tour groups—but a seat with a solo traveler from Florida and a couple from Singapore worked out. Once at the top, the Florida traveler and my path led to the summit despite the freezing 36°F (2°C) weather. Couldn't see anything because of the fog, but getting up there was still worth it.
Back down to the bistro—he had a beer, sparkling water for me—and waiting for the next leg of the trip. Then an overcrowded gondola down to Weggis and the boat back to Lucerne. After docking, we went our separate ways.
Exploring Lucerne's Altstadt, the Lion Monument, and a few more souvenir magnets. At Migros, a veggie wrap and a berry smoothie, then luggage from storage and the train to Zürich.
The Zürich train station was huge and a bit overwhelming. Getting turned around trying to find the right exit, but eventually made it to the hotel.
Day Ten - 7 May 2025 - Exploring Zürich
After breakfast, waiting until places started opening and then a walk to Lindenhof for a great view of Zürich. A wander over to Grossmünster Church, some photos, and a few more magnets.
Then Kunsthaus Zürich, with a mix of classic and modern artwork, including a Miró painting. For lunch, Da Raffaele-Pizza & Panuozzi and a really good margherita pizza. After that, pistachio and strawberry gelato from Dieci Gelateria.
In the afternoon, the Natural History Museum at the University of Zürich—tons of dinosaur skeletons and taxidermy animals. Then the Swiss National Museum before picking up water and chocolate at Migros. After dropping everything off at the hotel, Läderach for three more bars of chocolate to bring home. The day finished with packing up and resting before the flight.
Travel Day Two - 8 May 2025 - Heading Home
On the platform by 6:09 a.m. and the train to the airport, arriving at 6:44 a.m. After security, made it to the gate. The short flight to Frankfurt meant an exit row with great legroom. Then, on the Frankfurt to D.C. leg, a surprise upgrade to United Polaris—definitely appreciated.
The flight was delayed by 25 minutes, and in D.C., TSA flagged the bag to swab the chocolate bars. Really?
The final flight to BNA was cramped. Thirty minutes on the tarmac waiting for a gate. Then the ride-share pickup area was a complete mess—drivers from different services driving recklessly. BNA used to be a decent airport, but at peak times it's become a headache. Most international arrival connection flights seem to come in right during the worst hours. Honestly, calling it a “shit show” would be generous.
Summary
No trip ever goes perfectly. If 97% of things go well, that's a win. You can plan all you want, but airlines, hotels, Google Maps quirks, delayed trains, or travel illnesses can throw things off. Even ended up catching Flu Strain B—though the symptoms didn't show up until getting back home. Still, things like that don't have to ruin the trip.