Switzerland or Austria for short break with young kids?

[Katy Tonbridge]

We've been invited by Australian friends to join them for a short four day break next summer during half term, and they've asked if we'd prefer to go somewhere in Switzerland or Austria. Unusually, I have never been to either country. I have two young children (4 and 8). Does anybody have any suggestions for where would be a good place to go for a short break in one of those countries? Because of the kids I guess the emphasis would be on scenery/activities rather than culture.

Here are my first thoughts:

What about Salzburg for the Sound of Music tour etc. ? (my 8 year old likes the film)

Vienna - historic city, but is it not really a place to take young kids?

Switzerland - great mountains but really expensive?

If anyone has any tips, especially for a rental place, that would be great.

(p.s. there's also the question of transport - a city break means we don't need a car, a countryside rental means car rental, which adds a lot to the cost)

[oimissus]

can't really help on whether suitable for children or not, but watch out for the heat. I went to Vienna a few years back (pre-child) in, I think, September, and it was boiling. So I would head for the hills rather than the city.

[vez]

Have you looked at Carinthia in Austria? I have heard it's a real family destination.

[damzel]

There are some amazing train journeys through Switzerland and the scenery is fantastic. Our daughter was 4 when we spent 10 days travelling by train through Italy and Switzerland earlier this year. Highly recommend it, although I should mention that my daughter is quite happy to sit in the same place, drawing or whatever, without needing to run around much.

Search for the Glacier Express for example.

[enjoy]

Hi,

we have been to both places.

Switzerland is beautiful, my sister lives near Bern, really stunning scenery. And stunning prices.

It really is expensive.

Last summer we went to Austria with our children (5+9).

It's beautiful (but not as stunning as Switzerland), very good value for money and there was sooo much to do.

We stayed near Salzburg, bought a Salzburg Card (60? pp) and with that we had free access to some attractions like the castle and cable car in Salzburg City, Wild Animal Park, some cable cars in the mountains, swimming pools, boats on the lakes ... the list is endless.

You can do beautiful walks, we went to the highest hanging bridge in europe, the world's biggest ice cave, stayed in a lovely small hotel (half board), went hiking and stayed in the mountains over night, went to the local lido... ah, it brings back lovely holiday moments.

Plenty to do in Austria - without breaking the bank.

Oh and the food is good too.

[ClareC]

I second that Austria far better value! Both countries lovely but the current exchange rate makes Switzerland v expensive!

[Katy Tonbridge]

Thanks everyone, really helpful.

[lucyA1308]

Italian Swiss borders are beautiful. I can't remember how old i was - possibly older than 8, when I first went on a family holiday there, but I can remember romantically thinking that would be where I would go if I got married and went on honey moon. Many years later it was where I had my honeymoon.

italians are great with kids, children are loved and made a big fuss of, they can eat as much gelati as you will allow.

[keane]

Hi there do u remember the hotel u stayed in would u recommend? Also what is best time of year to visit do u think?