Ice caves near Salzburg

As it happens I've just left a reply about this over on this thread: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/austria/salzburg-9f427101-10c4-419d-8466-e36727e3e04d

The short answer, personally, would be "yes, absolutely worth it".

Thanks travel lover, I've just passed your great suggestion on to my adult kids who will be there in early October!

I’ve done twice. Yes it’s worth it. Be sure to take a warm hat and gloves

Yes, it is totally worth it.

Thank you all for responding. We will put the ice caves on our list of things to do in Salzburg. What is the best way to get there? I see a train or bus to Werfen and also an organized tour from Salzburg. Barbara

Once I stayed in Werfen, but the other time I took a train from Salzburg

We will be in Salzburg with the Rick Steves: ALW062525 tour. Is anyone else in this group interested in going to the ice caves in Werfen? We are hoping to go on Thursday, the 26th of June. The train leaves hourly, and it is a 40-minute train ride. If you sign up for the tour and cable car ride online, it is a little cheaper. If others are interested, then it would be nice to coordinate and go together. We are also hoping to do the salt mine tour, on Wednesday morning, probably with https://www.panoramatours.com/en/salzburg/tour/salt-mine-tour-tour-3a/ I am very excited to meet everyone and to try a My Way Rick Steves tour.

Those of you who did the Ice Caves tour in Werfen, I have a question. The website says no photography, is that really true? I can't imagine going there and not taking any pictures. I understand not using a flash.

Looking back at my photos from that particular trip, that does appear to be true, since I don't have any of inside the caves. I think the reason is mostly for safety- you need to be really paying attention to where you step while carrying a lantern in one hand. But to be honest I'm not sure photos would have really done the caves justice as the lighting isn't set up for good photography.

If I’m remembering there’s no photography while you’re on the walkways, since that would hold the whole tour up.

I have some photos from stops. But the only light is from the guide’s magnesium stick; there’s no other light in the cave besides the hand lamps that every third or fourth person is given.

The website says no photography, is that really true? I can't imagine
going there and not taking any pictures. I understand not using a
flash.

The official policy is no photos, but our guide allowed photos on the day I did the tour. We were there in May before tourist season had fully begun. Crowds were pretty low, which I think played a role in allowing photos. So, expect no photos -- be pleasantly surprised if allowed to take photos.