We will be in Austria for a week in early September. We were originally planning to spend three nights in Salzburg, a night in Hallstatt (a stopover while traveling from Salzburg to Vienna), and three nights in Vienna. It is looking like we will lose a night in Salzburg to an overnight train (we will be traveling by train from Italy). Should we still plan to spend a night in Hallstatt, or do it as a day trip from Salzburg?
Thank you!
Doing it as a day trip from Salzburg will, if my understanding of your plan is correct, probably consume more time in transit than you will lose by staying overnight on the way to Vienna. Hallstatt is a lovely place and you'll not regret spending a day and night there.
I would absolutely stay a night in Hallstatt. The town is at its most magical after the day trippers leave. I think you'll appreciate it more if you stay the night.
As much as we enjoyed our overnight stay in Hallstatt, I would opt for three nights in Salzburg instead of two and spend the day in Hallstatt. It's been about 8 years since we've been there, we enjoyed the salt mine tour, which took about 2 hours, and you can tour the entire village in a couple more. So, unless you really want to spend the night on a beautiful lake, which is delightful, I would still spend the day and enjoy an extra evening in Salzburg, which is a wonderful . Absolutely, loved Vienna too. I envy your itinerary.
we spent a two nights in Hallstatt a week or so ago and enjoyed it, it is very busy with bus loads of tourists in the day, that leave in the afternoon. its a delightful place but like most places is great when the weather is sunny, not so when its raining etc. we found that after doing the salt mine tour, walking around the shops and town there is not really that much to do, IF you need to be other places and time is precious.
Another vote for an overnight stay in Hallstatt. It's too beautiful for just a few hours.
I definitely agree with the others - spend at least one night (and perhaps two) in Hallstatt. It's an incredibly beautiful location, and with the travel times involved, one day won't allow you to see much.
Thanks all! Booked a night at Hotel Gruner Baum. Wish we could do two nights, but not willing to cut Salzburg or Vienna to less than three nights each.
We are in Hallstatt right now. I love it! We spent two nights here and I'm glad we did. But our weather has also been perfect so that helps. We rented an electric boat and spent two hours just out on the lake this morning. It was amazing. Then we did Rick's walking tour and then went up to the salt mine - we really enjoyed just walking around up there. It has been an absolutely wonderful day!
