German Autumn Half-Term: Just Over Two Hours to Toggenburg

The question of where to spend the German autumn holidays in Switzerland often has a surprisingly close answer. From Stuttgart, Ulm or Munich it is just over two hours across Lake Constance to the Toggenburg valley, and if you are looking for a quiet autumn break in Switzerland from Germany in 2026, this is a valley that settles beautifully into late-autumn calm. We are Isabel and Sandro, hosts of two holiday apartments in the historic SutterSport house at Hauptstrasse 36 in Alt St. Johann. Together with our dog Lou, we would love to welcome you, and here is why the drive is worth it right now.

Your 2026 half-term dates at a glance

In Baden-Württemberg, the 2026 autumn holidays fall on 26 to 30 October. Because All Saints’ Day follows directly on 1 November, a little planning turns that into a full week off. Bavaria has its autumn holidays in early November, which gives many families in southern Germany a good, long window.

That means there is a continuous stretch from late October into mid-November when you can travel flexibly, whether you are coming from Bavaria or Baden-Württemberg. One honest note: the whole house books up quickly during this period. If you are planning for a larger group, it is best to reserve early so your preferred dates are still open.

Just over two hours across Lake Constance

The journey is straightforward. From the Stuttgart, Ulm or Munich area, the motorway takes you across Lake Constance, and the border crossing into Switzerland is usually quick. After that it is only a short, well-built mountain road up into the valley, and you have arrived.

There is one dedicated parking space per apartment right at the house, so there is no hunting for a spot. One thing that is easy to forget: to drive on Swiss motorways you need the motorway vignette. It is best to buy it before the border or right at the crossing, so you can travel with peace of mind.

What late autumn offers here

Late autumn has its own particular charm in the Toggenburg. On clear days, a sea of fog settles over the lowlands while the sun shines up on the Chäserrugg. The cable car to the Chäserrugg runs on a weather-dependent schedule in autumn, planned until 1 November, so with the right conditions you can still enjoy the view above the clouds. It is worth checking the current running times before you set off.

If you prefer things quieter, you will find the Klanghaus and the Klangwelt Toggenburg at the Schwendisee, where the valley explores its musical tradition. And when it gets dark early outside, the cosy evenings begin: fondue or raclette in the apartment, and in any weather your own whirlpool, which is especially lovely in autumn when the air turns cool and clear.

Photo: Klangwelt Toggenburg

The whole house for two families

For larger groups in particular, we have an option that suits the autumn holidays well: the whole house with both apartments under one roof, together sleeping up to 11 people. Louisa’s Loft and Louisa’s Gallery are in the same building, and each apartment has its own whirlpool and its own quiet corners.

That gives you the best of both worlds: separate spaces to retreat to in the evening, and a shared meeting point when everyone wants to come together. It makes the house ideal for extended families or for two families of friends travelling together. Because this booking is in high demand, the same applies here: it pays to reserve early.

Quiet, good value, authentic

The off-season is, for us, the most honest time in the valley. There are hardly any tourists about, the prices are fairer than in high season, and you experience Switzerland as it really is, rather than queuing at crowded hotspots. The Toggenburg is not a postcard set piece but a living valley with people who call it home.

And when darkness comes early, that has its own magic. Warm light in the apartment, a book, the whirlpool, the family together: the kind of cocooning that makes an autumn break special. We look forward to showing you the Toggenburg in late autumn. Warm greetings, Isabel and Sandro.