Austria Sept 24-oct 5

You might check with your hotels.

The rain has stopped and the water levels are slowly dropping.
Severe flooding occurred mainly in Lower Austria, including in the region around Melk.

The Salzach in Salzburg and Lake Hallstatt have high water levels but there was no major damage.
Carinthia is not affected. In Bad Gastein it has snowed, but the snow is already melting again.

I would travel but probably skip traveling to Melk.

The issue is going to be how fast does the water get downstream, and how much snow melt will there be. The lake towns had flooding issues earlier this year due to heavy rains, but it takes time for the water to move. If you use this link you can see current conditions: https://earlyfloodalert.com/paw/index.html?commonid=24225000-de

We don’t want to add to the current problem with flooding, etc by
being there.

So Hans, how was your September?
Miserable Uwe, first we got floods then the tourist stayed away out of consideration and we went broke.

If I were you, I would fly into Salzburg and expect the trip to go on, but if I had to make a few changes on the fly, I would. Its a big world plenty of new and beautiful experienes, just be a little flexible.

... and go to Melk, Hallstatt and Carintha ...

Hallstatt, Melk and Carinthia would be the most reasonable order when starting from Salzburg. This would also allow you to skip Melk in case that the trains are still not operated which is rather unlikely. The abbey in Melk is never affected by any flood because it was wisely built on top of a hill high above the river Danube.

@Italybound
I hope you were able to go and your trip went well. How was your trip to Hallstatt, Melk, & Carintha?

We are planning a trip to Hallstatt (Oct 30 or 31) and I am curious if trains are the best option compared to a half a day packaged tour that my wife is considering. The packaged tour is really expensive especially for a family of 6 (~$90/person), wondering if it is worth it?

We are planning a trip to Hallstatt (Oct 30 or 31) ...

Starting from where?

The packaged tour is really expensive especially for a family ...

This is for tourists who are afraid of using public transport because they are not used to it.
By the way, a half day for a tour to Hallstatt is not reasonable, IMHO.

If public transport is scary to you, then just rent a car and drive to Hallstatt. That will be vastly cheaper. You will need an International Drivers Permit from AAA. The village of Hallstatt is just that - a village. You walk around, take photos, ride the swan boats or visit the salt mine. There is zero need for a guide to show you a village. What you are paying for is transportation.

I would strongly suggest to those planning to visit Hallstatt to instead visit one of the lovely villages on the shores of the Traunsee, perhaps Traunkirchen. It's a prettier lake, you don't have to take a crowded ferry to reach the actual town, and you're not stuck with mediocre restaurants who insist on cash. Hallstatt is as disappointing a destination as I've ever traveled to.

I timed it well and thought Hallstatt was beautiful. Really exceeded my preconceived notions. Stopped in Bad Ischl at the recommendation of a RS contributor and it was very okay. My significant other wants to return to Hallstatt in the Spring. We will do it with Graz probably as Salzburg didnt light my fire. But was very okay. As for the boat acrosss the lake from the train station, it wasnt over crowded when I was on it. It was sort of an interesting little trip with the views and all.

@wmt1

| Starting from where?

Salzburg

| This is for tourists afraid of using public.... a half a day tour is not reasonable

The packaged tour is for half a day. Of course if we take the train we would spend the entire day. Perhaps it does take most of the day I think if we take the train, especially with the sunset as early as 4:30 in Nov?

@Emily

I didn't consider driving as we are a family of 6 which means I may have to rent a bigger vehicle. Any suggestions as to what type of vehicles and expected cost for a day?

Thanks

There are two routes from Salzburg to Hallstatt:

1: Salzburg to Attnang-Puchheim (express train), Attnang-Puchheim to Hallstatt (local train).
2: Salzburg to Bad Ischl (bus #150), Bad Ischl to Hallstatt (local train).

The travel time is about the same for both options, between 2:15 and 2:30 hours, depending on the connection. Option 2 is more scenic than option 1. If you choose option 2 and have enough time, I recommend a short visit of Bad Ischl. Walk to the famous "Zauner" café and pastry store and buy the unique "Zauner-Stollen".

The ferry from Hallstatt train station to Hallstatt town runs according to the arrival/departure times of the trains.

Budget and Thrify have an 8 passenger Ford van for $305/day on a random day in November. Found it on Kayak. Public transport would be my first choice as always, but a car rental is half the price of your tour.

Because of the large number of people the price difference between public transport and a rental car is shrinking.

For one person, one-way, the price for option (1) is about €25, for option (2) about €15.

Then you have to buy gas, pay tolls, pay to park it and pay the traffic fine you got. Add a few hours to pick it up and return it and the public transportation or multiple taxis to and from the rental location.

Thank you everyone for your replies!
I am leaning towards option 2 suggested by @wmt1 (Bus+Train)

However, when I try to book the tickets on OBB, it is not giving me an option to book round trip, unless OBB doesn't offer that option on this route....
In any case, if I book the 6:45 bus the arrival time is 8:47. If we want to take the return train at 16:32, would that be enough time in Hallstatt? Which means, we may have to take the ferry at 15:30 to cross the lake.

Also, I know it is going to get cold at this time of the year (Oct 31st). Do we really need to bundle up or is a winter jacket too much since we will be walking around quite a bit?

However, when I try to book the tickets on OBB, it is not giving me an option to book round trip, unless OBB doesn't offer that option on this route....

This is not correct.

If you search on https://www.oebb.at/en for the connection from Salzburg to Hallstatt (e.g. on October 30, 6am) you will find the route Bus 150 at 6:45am, connecting in Bad Ischl to train R3406, arriving 8:47 in Hallstatt. (If no connections at all are shown, uncheck "Direct trips only".)

On that page there is a button (on the left, below the travel date) "Add return journey". Activate it and enter date and time (e.g. 4pm aka 16:00), press the search button and the return connections are shown as well, further down in the list.

You need to buy the tickets for each direction separately by clicking on "Tickets and Fares" next to the respective connection.

It is advisable to buy the tickets in advance, although you could buy it from the bus driver and from a ticket vending machine for the train. I discourage it because the layover in Bad Ischl is only 4 minutes, i.e. you must be familiar with the ticket vending machine to make it in time.

For the ferry between Hallstatt's train station and the town you need cash; it is €3,50 per passenger.

If we want to take the return train at 16:32, would that be enough time in Hallstatt? Which means, we may have to take the ferry at 15:30 to cross the lake.

The schedule of the ferry is synchronized with the train schedule. For the 16:32 train the ferry departs at 16:15.

If you follow your suggested train/bus connections, you will arrive at 9:15 in Hallstatt town, leaving at 16:15, resulting in 7 hours time for visiting.

As astronomical sunset (not complete darkness) is at 17:05, you may choose the 17:07 train (ferry at 16:45) for going back.

I really appreciate the detailed response wmt1!
I booked those exact routes and times. All set!

Thanks a bunch!

Just remember to bring tons of cash to Hallstatt.

Thanks for the reminder Mr. E.

Would you suggest getting the currency from US or buy locally (Vienna or Salzburg)?

Would you suggest getting the currency from US or buy locally (Vienna or Salzburg)?

Get Euro currency from ATMs in Austria; they are everywhere, having this green-blue sign: https://www.blende7.at/images/Bankomat/bankomatlogo.gif
Best is to use a debit card, but credit cards work as well.

At most places you can pay with your credit card, only Hallstatt is a bit cash loving.

I think wmt1 is correct. Salzburg also had more cash only places than I am used to seeing. Very much like rural Germany in that regard. And do remember when budgeting that Austria is among the most expensive countries in Europe (and Hallststt probably is the most expensive place in Austria), so budget accordingly or research the deals.

I was in Hallstatt about a month ago. Lovely. But for some reason not too crowded. And the ferry that is timed to the trains ... I waited 20 minutes.

@wmt1 - Thanks for that picture. For a first timer these little things will save a lot of time and stress!
I plan to use my Amex credit card as there is no exchange fees, though I will confirm it applies to cash withdrawal as well...

@Mr E - Thanks for that insight. I am finding Salzburg to be expensive, especially finding hotels/airbnb. 'Weisse Taube' was my first choice for my budget and location (for 6 people) but I waited too long (for a reason, as one couple was waiting for their visa).

They don't have the room that would accommodate 4 people anymore (my family together).
I would appreciate any suggestions.

I hope the ferry delay doesn't make you miss the train out of Hallstatt!

Thanks

The ferry delay was on arrival. We drove to Salzburg so didnt have to use the ferry to get back. Austria is expensive. Just a fact of life. But with some creativity its not a deal breaker. Cant help with airbnbs sorry.

I plan to use my Amex credit card as there is no exchange fees, though I will confirm it applies to cash withdrawal as well...

Please keep in mind that Amex will add a cash advance fee and start charging interest from the date of withdrawal. So it's a case where a 3% foreign transaction fee on a debit card could be the better deal.

You can avoid the interest by moving cash into your AMEX account every night. Hassle, but it works. I pay as many reoccuring bills as possible on a credit card, but at the first of the month I transfer the funds from my bank account to the credit card to cover the charges. The transfer and all of the charges are automatic so I could be dead for years before i quit paying my bills. Or I could be in an Albanian hospital for a month and no harm with any of my creditors.

Austria is expensive. Just a fact of life.

Yes, when compared to Hungary. You need to travel to Switzerland or the Scandinavian countries to get a feeling what expensive means.

wmt1 I didnt want to go down an off topic rabbit hole, so I started a thread: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/which-countries-are-cheaper-to-visit-which-are-expensive-to-visit