where did von trapp family escape to

The von Trapp family, famously depicted in The Sound of Music , escaped Nazi-occupied Austria in 1938 by taking a train to Italy, where they held citizenship, rather than hiking over mountains as shown in the film.

Escape Route Details

Unlike the dramatic cinematic portrayal of a nighttime alpine trek to Switzerland—which would have actually led into Germany—the real von Trapps left Salzburg openly during the day, posing as tourists on a hiking trip with knapsacks. They crossed railroad tracks behind their villa, boarded a train to Italy just before borders sealed the next day, then continued via Switzerland, France, and London before sailing to the United States.

Initial Settlement in America

The family arrived in New York in late 1938 and toured as the Trapp Family Singers, performing Austrian folk music to support themselves. By the early 1940s, they settled permanently in Stowe, Vermont, purchasing a farm reminiscent of their Austrian homeland, where they ran a music camp and later opened the Trapp Family Lodge in 1950—still operated by descendants today.

Key Differences from the Movie

• Geography Fix : Movie shows mountains to Switzerland; reality was a safe train to Italy.

• Timing and Drama : No covert flight; locals waved goodbye at the station.

• Motivations : Refused Nazi flag, Hitler's birthday performance, and naval command for Captain von Trapp.

Lasting Legacy

The Trapps gained U.S. citizenship between 1944 and 1948, ceased touring by 1955, and their Vermont lodge preserves their story amid modern visits, as highlighted in recent 2025 media like GMA's America tour. Descendants emphasize the site's natural beauty and family history, drawing fans worldwide.

TL;DR : Train to Italy from Austria, then to U.S. and Stowe, VT—not movie mountains.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.