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Hallstatt - good idea for winter? how fast to get there from Vienna

We are going to Vienna and Prague, and really wish we can go to Hallstatt. However, two concerns...

first of all, it seems that it takes forever to get there on a train from Vienna, and even worse going from Hallstatt north to Cesky Krumlov. Are there busses that make travel more reasonable (mid December)?

Second Hallstatt seems to be a tiny place, not sure if there restaurants are open much less any kind of xmas market, and snow might preclude any hiking?

Can anyone clarify is this a good idea or not? If not, maybe another trip in another season

Posted by
16893 posts

Rick's guidebook listings for Hallstatt do specify whether they are closed in November (between hiking and skiing seasons) or are closed all winter. Some restaurants and hotels will be open. Salt mine, bone chapel, and caves all closed; and the small museum open fewer days/week. The train does require connections, but if you go as far as Linz bus train or bus, then you could arrange one of the shuttle vans that are operated to/from CK.

Christmas market looks like a one-day event. See also: http://www.im-salzkammergut.at/events/hallstatt/christkindlmarkt-hallstatt-4-en-US/

and http://www.hallstatt.net/about-hallstatt/winterzeit-en-US/.