Hello!
Leaving Melk on 7 April---I would like to travel to Hallstatt and Salzburg, before going to Munich and flying home 15 April.
I want to take public transportation (not a car rental).
Any advice on the order I should travel and trains or buses?
thank you!
Carolyn
Traveling from Melk to Hallstatt will take an entire day with multiple connections. If you rent a car, it will take a half day.
A train from Melk to Salzburg will take 2h 30m and involves a transfer. A train from Hallstatt to Munich will also take all day but has fewer connections than a train from Melk to Hallstatt.
With that said from Melk go to Salzburg first. Hallstatt can also be a day trip from Salzburg.
Traveling from Melk to Hallstatt will take an entire day with multiple connections. If you rent a car, it will take a half day.
Both assertions are false.
By car you would need about 2:30 hours, by train 3:15 hours.
The most comfortable train connection, having one change only, would be the CJX 5 (8:40am) from Melk to St. Pölten, changing to the D 1018 (9:13am) which arrives in Hallstatt at noon. Sunset is at 8:20pm. If you leave Hallstatt by the train REX 70 (6:32pm), change in Bad Ischl to Bus 150 (6:52pm), then you will arrive in Salzburg at 8:14pm, still at daylight. The bus to Salzburg is not only faster than the train, but is much more scenic. This proposed schedule will give you 6 hours in Hallstatt, IMHO more than enough for this little town.
The train to Hallstatt is fine. Some might be nervous about a 15 min connection and thats fair, then take a taxi and buy the tricket from St.Pölten Hbf.
But six hours in Hallstatt? You are going to spend 90 minutes getting from train station to town and back to train station (or bus).
Just a personal preference, but I would spend the night. Then the train out the next day. Again, one change, no big issue.
Some might be nervous about a 15 min connection and thats fair, then take a taxi and buy the tricket from St.Pölten Hbf.
You seem to have no trust in train schedules. Most layovers have a shorter timeframe.
But six hours in Hallstatt? You are going to spend 90 minutes getting from train station to town and back to train station (or bus).
Had you been swimming from Hallstatt town to Hallstatt train station? :-))
The ferry for the departing 6:32pm train leaves at 6:15pm. When you arrive at 11:54am then the ferry to the town is at noon. The only catch regarding the ferry is that cash is required to pay the boat ride.
I would still budget 90 min. 45 min each way. I know what the boat says, but we waited no less than 20 min, then a 10+ min ride, then the short walk.... then in reverse you show up a bit early to be sure you don't miss the boat. I don't enjoy rushing. 6 hours still short for my taste.
As for the train, I'm okay with a 15 min connections i know OBB never, ever has a late train, I know the connecting station like the back of my hand and I have no issue with throwing someone out of my seat. And if something did go wrong, never happens, I'm fluent in German and can call my brother to come pick me up.
ah...I should clarify,
if I go Melk to Hallstatt, I would spend the night (maybe 2) to see the town and salt mines. My concerns are the train route; arriving in Hallstatt in the evening---I could miss the Ferry; and may miss restaurants for dinner.
So, if I go from Melk to Salzburg (in the evening); this may be better and just daytrip to Hallstatt (and likely miss the salt mines).
Much appreciate the advice and welcome any other suggestions!
The 08:40 Train will get you there at 11:54. Easiest train with just one change which you could skip by taking a taxi about 20 minutes to the next station.
But since you are on the subject, do book your dinner reservations. Not much to choose from and it fills up.
Might go ahead and get the salt mine tickets in advance. Was easier than waiting in a ticket line. Enjoyed it by the way.
And stayed at Seewirt - Zauner which worked out nice.
If the train bothers you, there is Daytrip.com for $279 LOL
