We are family of 4 persons, and have 7 nights that we can spend in Munich and Austria in early August. In Munich we wish to spend 2 nights and then move on to Salsburg and visit Hallstat and stay at both these places in family owned properties in that area. Vienna would be for 2 days. We are more interested in the scenic part of Austria and not much into castles and churches.
Please advise if the number of nights is enough, what are the best places to visit and what's the best way to travel between these cities.
Would renting a car may be a good option to travel from Munich all the way to Vienna?
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8139 posts
To avoid very expensive drop off fees, you need to rent the car in the same country that you're dropping it in.
You could take the train from Munich over to Salzburg, and then rent the car there.
Anytime there are mountain vistas to see, it's going to be travel by automobile for me. We especially like the area around Munich for a circle trip--down to Fuessen area, south into Western Tyrol, east to Innsbruck, and back up to Salzburg. It's an area that just flows well. We also absolutely love going over the Grossglockner High Alpine Highway (after June) from south of Zell-am-See down to Lienz, Austria. This gets you down on the Italian border, and you can return by Cortina and the Dolomites.
If you're looking for a great place to stay in Vienna, try K&T Boardinghouse's new location. They're 1 subway (metro) stop from the Ringstrasse, and the neighborhood is very lively. The subway entrance is about 100'. $79 euros for a huge room. KTBoardinghouse.AT
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
All of the towns on your list are served by train and it sounds like you don't have time to add other stops. The regular, 2nd-class train ticket prices for Salzburg-Hallstatt-Vienna are about $85 per person. Scenery is also good out the train windows, and everyone can relax together, instead of navigating.
Tickets are easy to buy in train stations and reservations are not required (and not available on the regional train connecting Attnang-Puchheim to/from Hallstatt). However, advance booking could get you a small discount and perhaps secure seating for 4 at a "Saloon carriage with table." Be sure to add seat reservations to get seat choices, but not to claim any other discount cards that you won't have.
Posted by
OP
15 posts
thanks David. I am currently looking at K&Tboarding. But I believe there are 2 K&Ts and am a bit confused as to which one to go for. Would like to be in an area which is more easily accessable by train and bus to all the major sightseeing areas.
@Laura, thanks for the tips on train travel.