From Amsterdam to the Alps: Belgium, France, Switzerland, Austria & Germany

Planning a European vacation with kids and wondering if a road trip is too ambitious? After taking our family on two separate two-week summer adventures through 7+ European countries, we can say without a doubt: it’s totally doable — and unforgettable.

I have combined the highlights of our two summer road trips into one kid-friendly travel itinerary! This road trip starts in Amsterdam, winds through Belgium, France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and ends back in the Netherlands via Luxembourg. It’s packed with castles, mountain views, medieval towns, and hands-on experiences that will captivate both children and adults.

In this guide, you’ll find the full 2-week Europe driving itinerary, where to stop, how long to stay, kid-friendly attractions, and practical travel tips for making the most of your family road trip.

Keep in mind that planning a two-week road trip through Europe with kids is no small feat, and this itinerary may not suit every family’s pace or preferences. It’s designed to show how we were able to visit seven countries in just over 2 weeks by staying flexible, keeping our expectations realistic, and embracing the adventure. Use it as a starting point—feel free to slow things down, skip stops, or extend time in places that better match your family’s needs.

Things to Remember

• Strenuous Pace: Covering multiple countries in just over two weeks can be tiring, especially with children. Expect long drives and frequent accommodation changes.
• Flexible Itinerary: Be ready to adjust the length of stay in each location depending on your family’s energy and preferences.
• Omit Stops if Needed: It’s perfectly fine to skip destinations to allow for more rest or exploration time elsewhere.
• Pre-book Accommodations: Book family-friendly lodging early, especially during peak travel seasons.
• Pack Light: Smaller vehicles and frequent movement make light packing essential.
• Include Downtime: Schedule park visits or open afternoons to help kids recharge.

Europe Family Road Trip Snapshot

• Trip Length: 16 days
• Countries Visited: 7
• Transportation: Rental car (picked up and returned in Amsterdam)
• Best Time to Go: Summer (May–September for the best weather and open mountain passes)
• Ideal For: Families with kids aged 4+, especially those who enjoy a balance of city and nature

Pro Tip: When renting a car in Europe you will most likely need an International Driving Permit. This is a translated version of your current U.S. Driver’s License and is required to be able to legally drive in many European countries. It is available at most AAA offices. Check the State Department’s website to determine if the countries you are planning to visit require this.

Full Itinerary: 2-Week European Road Trip with Kids

Day 1: Arrive in Amsterdam → Drive to Bruges, Belgium

After landing at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, we picked up our rental car and hit the road. Instead of staying in Amsterdam right away, we opted for a 3-hour drive to Bruges, Belgium to start the trip in a smaller, calmer city — perfect for easing into the journey.

Travel Tip: Book a flight that arrives early in the day to avoid evening traffic and maximize your first travel day.

Days 2–3: Explore fairytale Bruges, Belgium

Bruges is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe. With cobblestone streets, storybook houses, and winding canals, it’s a fun and safe place for kids to roam. Two full days here gave us enough time to explore without feeling rushed. Read more about our time here in my blog post How to Explore Bruges with Kids: A 2-Day Family Itinerary.

Top Things to Do in Bruges with Kids:

• Take a canal boat tour
• Climb the Belfry of Bruges
• Indulge in waffles and Belgian chocolate
• Visit the Choco-Story (Chocolate Museum) and the Historium
• Play in Minnewater Park

Days 4–5: Strasbourg, France – Halfway Stop to Switzerland

En route to the Alps, plan to spend two nights in Strasbourg, located near the border of France and Germany. This beautiful city has a relaxed pace and is ideal for a pit stop on a family road trip. Check out more about our experience in my blog post A Family Guide to Alsace: Exploring France’s Fairy Tale Region with Kids.

Family Highlights:

• Explore the charming La Petite France district
• Visit Strasbourg Cathedral with its astronomical clock
• Stroll the riverside paths and enjoy open-air cafés
• Take a scenic boat cruise around the city center

Accommodation Tip: We stayed in a wonderful vacation rental apartment that was ideally located for exploring the city. Just a 5-minute walk to Strasbourg’s Old Town and a 20-minute stroll to the picturesque Petite France district, it offered the perfect base for our adventures. The unit features:

• Three bedrooms which was spacious enough to comfortably accommodate our family
• A fully equipped kitchen – ideal for preparing meals during our stay
• A parking spot, which is a rare and valuable find in this central area of Strasbourg

The property owner was incredibly welcoming and accommodating, especially when it came to our kids, making our stay even more enjoyable. If you’re looking for a family-friendly rental in Strasbourg that combines comfort, convenience, and excellent service, this is the perfect choice. Check out pictures and see more details on the property’s VRBO listing.

Days 6–10: Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland – The Heart of the Alps

We spent five incredible days in Lauterbrunnen Valley, surrounded by waterfalls, meadows, and snow-capped peaks. This was the highlight of the trip — a magical setting that felt straight out of a storybook. Dive deeper into our adventures in this beautiful country by reading my blog post Our 5-Day Family Itinerary in the Swiss Alps: Lauterbrunnen Valley and Beyond.

Why Lauterbrunnen is Great for Kids:

• Cable car and train rides
• Many Alpine playgrounds
• Easy day trips to villages like Mürren, Gimmelwald, Wengen and Grindelwald

Must-Do Activities in the Bernese Oberland:

• Visit Trümmelbach Falls and Staubbach Falls
• Take the cable car to Gimmelwald and Mürren
• Visit the First Area above Grindelwald
• Consider a day-trip out to Oeschinensee

Accommodation Tip: Rent a family apartment with a kitchen to cook meals and relax. We loved this wonderful rental unit. It’s centrally located, offering easy access to the Lauterbrunnen Valley and surrounding attractions. The apartment features:

• A full kitchen for family meals
• A washer/dryer for convenience
• A balcony with breathtaking views of Staubbach Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in Switzerland

Check out more photos and details about renting this apartment on the property’s VRBO listing for your family’s stay in Lauterbrunnen.

Picture of the apartment (left), View of Staubbach Falls from the apartment balcony (right)

Day 11: Stop at Neuschwanstein Castle → Drive to Salzburg

We left Lauterbrunnen very early in the morning and drove across the German border to Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria. It’s one of the most famous castles in Europe, and it definitely lived up to the hype. After exploring the area for a couple of hours we continued on to Salzburg, Austria.

Visiting Tips for Neuschwanstein Castle:

• Reserve tickets online in advance
• Wear comfortable walking shoes
• Make sure to have water bottles with, especially during the summer, as the walk to the castle is mostly uphill

Days 12–13: Salzburg, Austria – Music and Mountains

Salzburg is compact, charming, and bursting with culture — a perfect stop for families. It’s also famously known as the filming location for The Sound of Music. Curious about our time there? I shared it all in my blog post Discovering Salzburg: A 2-Day Family Adventure with Kids.

Kid-Friendly Activities in Salzburg:

• Take a Sound of Music tour
• Ride the funicular up to Fortress Hohensalzburg
• Walk through Mirabell Gardens
• Visit a Beer Garden (Yes, they are kid-friendly!)

Accommodation Tip: During our Salzburg family trip, we stayed at Villa Elisa Hotel, a family-friendly hotel just a 25-minute walk from Salzburg’s historic Old Town. It was the perfect base for exploring the city, with great amenities for families, including:

• Spacious family rooms with bunk beds
• Kitchenette in select rooms for easy meal prep
• Convenient location close to Salzburg’s top attractions
• On-site parking, ideal for those traveling by car

For more details and to book your stay, check out Villa Elisa Hotel Salzburg on Expedia.

Day 14-16: Rothenburg ob der Tauber → Return to Amsterdam via Luxembourg

We headed north to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval towns, for the final leg of our road trip.

What Our Kids Loved in Rothenburg:

• Walking along the old town walls
• Exploring the Christmas shops in Summer!
• Tasting Schneeballen (snowball-like pastries)

From there, we drove through Luxembourg before returning the rental car in Amsterdam.

Practical Tips for a Europe Family Road Trip

• Driving: European highways are smooth and scenic. Be ready for tolls in France. In Switzerland and Austria you will need to buy a vignette for your vehicle.
• Packing: Bring layers — even in summer, the Alps can be chilly.
• Car Seat Laws: Follow local regulations and rent car seats with your vehicle.
• Food on the Go: Pack snacks and a small cooler. Rest stops in Europe are often clean and well-stocked.
• Entertainment: Download audiobooks, movies and travel games to keep kids entertained on long drives.

The Best Travel Stroller for Exploring Europe

When traveling through Europe with young kids, especially on a longer road trip, having a reliable and compact travel stroller is essential. We’ve been using the gb Pockit+ All-Terrain stroller for years and love how easy it makes getting around different cities and attractions. Its lightweight design and durable wheels were perfect for everything from cobblestone streets to busy tourist spots. Check out my full review of the gb Pockit+ stroller to see why it’s our top pick for family travel.

Why This Road Trip Works for Families

This itinerary balances sightseeing with downtime, nature with cities, and cultural highlights with kid-friendly fun. Drives between destinations are reasonable, and there’s always something exciting to look forward to.

From climbing medieval towers in Bruges to gazing at glaciers in Switzerland, this road trip gave our kids an unforgettable adventure — and gave us the joy of experiencing Europe through their eyes.

Final Thoughts: Is a European Road Trip with Kids Worth It?

Without question. This two-week loop through Europe offered us connection, discovery, and flexibility. We saw more than we could’ve imagined and had the freedom to make memories on our own schedule.

Whether you’re planning your first big family trip to Europe or looking for a fresh way to explore with your kids, this itinerary might be just what you need. Let us know what questions you have!