Comparing Rick’s 2019 Tours Through Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
Comparing tours is like rating an array of delicious desserts: Deciding to explore Germany, Austria, and Switzerland is pretty easy, but figuring out what to see in a single trip makes the choosing part a lot harder! Let's get you started on the path to clarity by comparing the features of our five tours that are rambling through Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in 2019. And away we go…
Best of Germany, Austria & Switzerland in 14 Days tour: Our classic "G.A.S." tour covers the most destinations in this three-country region, with lots of time in or near the Alps. "I want to see the most — and best — of these countries in a single trip."
Best of Germany in 13 Days tour: Focusing 100 percent on Germany, this tour covers more of this country than our "G.A.S." tour, especially beyond Bavaria. "Germany is what really interests me. If I get the urge to yodel, I'll catch more of the Alps on a separate trip."
Best of Munich, Salzburg & Vienna in 8 Days tour: This is essentially the second half of our "G.A.S." tour. Because of the Christmas markets in these cities, this tour is popular all the way into December. "I only have time for a quick getaway, and these cities are on my must-see list. I'll come back for more of Germany and Switzerland later, I promise!"
Best of Berlin, Prague & Vienna in 12 Days tour: This cities-focused tour is an engaging way to pack lots of great art, museums, historic city walks, and night life into a single trip. And who knew that Prague is farther west than Vienna? "These cities all sound amazing. Bavaria? The Alps? Another time."
Best of Switzerland in 12 Days tour: Focusing 100 percent on Switzerland, this tour covers more of this country than any other Rick Steves itinerary. "I got a tantalizing taste of Switzerland on a previous trip, and now I'm ready for the main course!"
Looking to take two, with no overlap? No problem:
1. Combining a Best of Switzerland tour with any tour listed here (other than the Germany, Austria & Switzerland tour) will have no overlap.
2. Surprisingly, combining a Best of Germany tour with either the Germany, Austria & Switzerland tour or the Munich, Salzburg & Vienna tour overlaps only in Munich/Neuschwanstein.
3. Pairing a Best of Berlin, Prague & Vienna tour with either Germany, Austria & Switzerland or Munich, Salzburg & Vienna will have you visiting Vienna twice, which is a splendid problem to have.
How these five tours compare…
|
|
Germany |
Germany, Austria & Switzerland |
Munich, Salzburg & Vienna |
Berlin, Prague & Vienna |
Switzerland |
|
Number of days |
13 |
14 |
8 |
12 |
12 |
|
Tour cost |
$3,495–3,895 |
$3,795–4,195 |
$2,495–2,795 |
$3,095–3,295 |
$3,795–3,995 |
|
Cost per day |
$269–300 |
$271–300 |
$312–349 |
$258–275 |
$316–333 |
|
Mosel Valley |
|
YES |
|
|
|
|
Rhine Valley |
YES |
|
|
|
|
|
Rothenburg |
YES |
|
|
|
|
|
Munich |
YES |
YES |
YES |
|
|
|
Neuschwanstein |
YES |
YES |
YES |
|
|
|
Hamburg |
YES |
|
|
|
|
|
Dresden |
YES |
|
|
YES |
|
|
Berlin |
YES |
|
|
YES |
|
|
Salzburg |
|
YES |
YES |
|
|
|
Hallstatt |
|
YES |
YES |
|
|
|
Vienna |
|
YES |
YES |
YES |
|
|
Prague |
|
|
|
YES |
|
|
Swiss Alps |
|
YES |
|
|
YES |
|
More Switzerland |
|
|
|
|
YES |