I'm planning a 12 day trip in June 2025, the focus is Switzerland where we will be visiting friends so those dates are locked in. But we'll be starting with 4 days in Vienna, then making our way to Switzerland via train. If I only have one day to spare is it worth stopping in Salzburg or will I be short changing myself with such a brief visit?
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6676 posts
You don't say where you are staying in Switzerland, but Vienna to Switzerland could be quite a long day. Ideally, one would spend at least two nights in Salzburg, but IMO, you need a stop and it may as well be Salzburg. You can check it out and have dinner and if you like Salzburg, return another time.
Posted by
OP
Michigan
2 posts
Thanks, the first stop in Switzerland is Zürich. The thought was to possibly do a night train so as not to ‘lose’ a day. But I generally plan my travel with the idea “I may never get back here”. Which would be a vote for stretching it out and spending the time in Salzburg.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34207 posts
Salzburg is wonderful and on the way and you have a day, so why not is the question, not why....
One day is dramatically better than zero days
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6676 posts
Can you skip Zurich? It's not as charming as so many of the smaller, more Swiss charming towns. You could add that night to Salzburg. Where do you go after Zurich? On one of my trips, we started in Vienna, then Salzburg for 3 nights and then Luzern, all by train.
Where do you fly home?
Posted by
Oberpfalz, Germany
1410 posts
If you have a short itinerary and visit only the old city highlights to the east of the Salzach, I think you can do it withing 6 hours. You have a longest day.
Sorry should be west of the Salzach.