Austria trip over Christmas

Posted by Gaby (Connecticut) on 08/10/25 12:14 PM

Looking to this well-versed community for some suggestions. My MIL is (very generously!) treating the whole family to a week in Salzburg over Christmas. We will have some time before and after the week in Salzburg and were exploring flying into Vienna before and flying out of Munich after, mainly because both offer direct flights to New York. This would give us 2 and a half days in Vienna and up to 4 days in Munich. We have never been to any of these places are will be traveling with our two daughters (ages 22 and 19). We are also researching day trips from Salzburg, as we will have a week where we are based there.

Would love to hear from anyone who has done a similar trip. Thank you!

Posted by LizM

Nova Scotia

08/10/25 06:08 PM

13 posts

If you have an interest in live theatre and/or The Sound of Music, there will be performances at the Salzburg Landestheater (Salzburg State Theatre) on several dates in November and December including Dec. 22 and 27. It's in German with English subtitles. We saw it a few years ago while spending a week in Salzburg and enjoyed it immensely.

Posted by KGC

Alsenborn, Germany

08/10/25 08:31 PM

2145 posts

I think the Vienna-Munich idea is very good. I've done it the other way, into Munich and out from Vienna with both Prague and Salzburg as mid-trip stops. But do remember that 24-25 & 26 Dec are national holidays. Also 31 DEC-1 JAN. Very little will be open, although in the major cities (Munich & Vienna) there will be more choices. You can work with this, but it takes a bit of work. Expect major fireworks New Years Eve!

It's a bit early, and the dates for the markets are not yet set, but look into those. Some do stay open after Christmas. Some will end on the 23rd.

Take a look at Oberndorf, and see if you can get there on the evening of the 24th.

You'll be too late for Krampus, but there should be some other local events, you'll have to check as you get closer to the trip. Especially as to musical and theater events, because those can be things that you never thought of an yet become excellent memories. Last year I managed to attend, totally by accident, choir practice for the Christmas program at the cathedral in Metz; that stays with you. I would especially keep an eye on the State Theaters and the Opera's as they will have holiday programs. Those may be listed, as I just saw some of the season events in Paris start selling tickets and most of the bigger shows are planned well in advance. Just going to an event in any of those places is a big deal.

Posted by wmt1

08/10/25 08:39 PM

2549 posts

I would switch the times between Vienna and Munich, i.e., 4 days in Vienna and 2½ for Munich.

Posted by wmt1

08/10/25 08:46 PM

2549 posts

You could do your trip the other way, i.e., flying into Munich, have your week in Salzburg, and end in Vienna. This would give you the opportunity to spend New Year's Eve there, experiencing the famous New Year's Eve Trail, a 12 hours festivity in the city (2pm-2am).
https://wienersilvesterpfad.at/en/

Posted by Mignon

Munich

08/11/25 07:36 AM

931 posts

I would also plan more time for Vienna and less in Munich. And since there's certainly more to do in Vienna around New Year's Eve than in Munich, I would try to be in Vienna during that time.