We have a layover in Vienna on our way to Santorini, so I thought, why not just stay in Vienna? So we are, for four nights. I have always wanted to see Hallstatt! On my top 10 must do list! I believe it is a four hour train ride from Vienna to Hallstatt, so I am thinking of staying two nights in Vienna, train to Hallstatt and stay one night, then back to Vienna for fourth night and fly out the next morning. Is that too taxing, do you think? Would it be wiser to take Viator tour from Vienna? Or should I just simmer down and do Hallstatt and Salzburg on a separate trip? It does seem there are plenty of side trips from Vienna that are easily do-able and entertaining, such as Melk and abbey and wineries, Bratislava, Slovakia. Are Salzburg and Budapest easy day trips as well? Vienna itself looks lovely, safe and loaded with tourist attractions, though honestly it seems more geared for shopping and museum-going. I generally am more interested in experiences and scenery. Any advice?
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15582 posts
Use the German train website (bahn.de) for train schedules throughout Europe. When considering travel time, include the time from your hotel to the train station and from the other train station to the sights.
I don't think Salzburg or Budapest are close enough for a day trip, or worth the amount of travel time (and cost) for the limited hours you'll have in either. If Hallstatt is that important, you could certainly do an overnight. Leave your luggage in storage at your Vienna hotel and go with an overnight bag. Realize that you will use up 2 full days to go, leaving you with one full day in Vienna.
I liked Vienna on my first stay (barely 2 days) and when I went back about 5 years later for 4 days I enjoyed it even more. My shopping was limited to a Swatch and stocking up on Body Shop products. There are several good museums but the best of the city is walking through it, lovely architecture and beautiful parks. Also great food, not expensive, and good wine. You can watch a live opera performance outside the opera house on a giant screen. The Schonbrunn is a beautiful palace with extensive gardens.
Posted by
OP
Bay Area, CA , usa
89 posts
Thank you very much for your advice. I think we will just stay in Vienna and save Salzburg, Hallstatt, Munich for a separate trip. Thank you so much. Any advice for short day trips? Are there any Alps or scenic areas within an easy day trip? Or the wine gardens on the outskirts of town in Rick's video look like fun. Is that difficult to arrange? Just trying to stay out of those Swatch and Gucci stores!! :-)
Posted by
USA
29 posts
Shelley,
We were in Austria last summer and loved Vienna. I felt like we could have stayed there for a month. There are tons of awesome museums, try to go to the opera (if thats your thing) and get standing rooms tickets for something like $5 USD/person. Really cool experience. If you want to do a day trip, i feel like salzburg and hallstatt are a bit too far for a day trip. After we left Vienna, we went to the Wachau valley and stayed there a few nights before heading to Hallstatt. If you want a laid back day trip, you could easily train into the valley, have some great wine, rent a bike and go through the vineyards along the water. Dürnstein is a cool little town with a beautiful blue church. Another excellent site is Melk Abbey.