Hi
Advanced planning for my trip to Vienna to spend my Christmas there. Family of 4. With kids age 10 and 16. How many days is enough? Prague, Hallstatt, anywhere else ?
Where are the places to visit and stay?
Christmas market, salt mines, museums, lakes, alpine peaks, alps .
Hope to get some advise.
Posted by
San Diego, California
5696 posts
There is a wealth of recent, detailed, info already posted here on the Forum. I'd recommend you conduct searches regarding each question, review posted Trip Reports, and review comments under the respected countries. Also, Facebook has several EuropeanChristmas markets groups that you can join. At present, your questions are fairly broad and general. Please do additional research and come back with our more targeted questions.
You have lots of time, enjoy your planning!
Posted by
3 posts
Agree with above comment. Just one suggestion at this point. Check out Budapest. Easy rail ride from Vienna (2.5 hours assuming trains are running on time) and well worth the diversion. Just finished Christmas market trip to Budapest, Vienna, Prague and Munich and Budapest ranks at the top. Really don't overlook it.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20635 posts
Train, VIENNA TO:
BRATISLAVA, SK. 1:05
SOPRON., HU. 1:10
GYOR, HU. 1:20
BUDAPEST, HU. 2:20
SALZBURG, AT 2:20
GRAZ, AT 2:30
HALLSTATT, AT 3:30
PRAGUE, CZ 4:20 hrs
Posted by
TX, USA
4930 posts
Use all the days you can get. There are plenty of wonderful places to visit - and your major cost will be your airfare.
Once you have how many nights available established, we can better help with how to divide it.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20635 posts
Dates would help a lot, especially at Christmas.
Posted by
OP
Singapore, Singapore
129 posts
Fly in from Singapore to Vienna in Dec 2024
Hallstatt, Salzburg, Prague .
How should I plan? Flew in to Vienna or Munich?
Round trip or?
How many days is enough in each cities? Looking at about 9-10 days
Want to visit the alps.. where? Any day trip tour available?
Posted by
3 posts
Hey Mr. E: Budapest may not have the best Christmas markets, I think that honor goes to Vienna or maybe Prague, but Budapest is the city we would love to return to some day.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20635 posts
Actually the market in Budapest has gotten some recognition as the best in Europe this year and its 4rd out of the last 5 years. But all those awards are at best subjective so I would simply say, much better than the average.
Posted by
Southeast US
4063 posts
My Christmas Market Resource... a post by Vienna local Emily regarding the various markets in 2022 with a link to her 2019 review...
Posted by
OP
Singapore, Singapore
129 posts
Thank you, let me go read up.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20635 posts
Here is an article on some of the better markets according to one poll. https://www.forbes.com/sites/ceciliarodriguez/2023/12/07/the-20-best-christmas-markets-in-europe-with-budapest-at-the-top-by-european-best-destination/
And here is an article just on the Austrian markets: https://www.austria.info/en/things-to-do/skiing-and-winter/christmas-markets
And here is another RS thread that might have something Austrian in it. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/new-christmas-market-destinations