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Salzburg, Bad Ischl, Hallstatt, etc - Help with Itinerary please!

I'm planning a trip to Austria next spring and am unclear how to spend 3 of the nights. We ideally want to visit Bad Ischl, 5 Fingers, Hallstatt and Salzburg. I know it's a lot, but we don't mind having a few packed days. Here is what I know so far:

Tuesday: ~noon arrive in Bad Ischl
Wednesday: early start to Obertraun to access 5 Fingers, then 2-3 hours in Hallstatt. Afternoon in nearby villages. Back to Bad Ischl for the evening.
Thursday: Bus 150 to Salzburg.
Friday: Train to Vienna (will probably get the type of ticket where we can hop on any train that day).

I guess my main question is where I should stay. Should I do 2 nights in Bad Ischl and one in Salzburg? Or perhaps Bad Ischl the first night and take a train or bus to Salzburg the second night? Is there somewhere I should go instead? Somewhere I shouldn't go? (I should note that 5 fingers and at least a quick stop in Hallstatt is necessary for my photographer travel companion).

Any advice appreciated as I am confused by the order in which to do things, as well as the most efficient transit options.

Thanks for any advice you may have.

Posted by
14507 posts

Hi,

What you have listed above is what I would do. If you skip Obertraun and Hallstatt, then I suggest staying the two nights in one place...Bad Ischl or Salzburg.

Where are you coming from to get to Bad Ischl? The bus stop in Bad Ischl is just opposite of the train station. I have been to Bad Ischl twice mainly to see the Kaiservilla, which is a ticketed area to enter. Visiting the Kaiservilla is by guided tour only given only in German. It's ca 25 min walk to the Kaiservilla from the train station.

Posted by
9 posts

Hi. We can't skip 5 fingers or Hallstatt because that's the whole reason we are going to that area! (My friend is a photographer and really wants to see those places). So would you suggest 2 nights in Bad Ischl and 1 in Salzburg or vice versa? Or neither? We will be coming from Prague.

Posted by
703 posts

what you wont know is the weather? we have stayed in Hallstatt and nearby Ramsau am Dachstein ( very close to 5 fingers)
and on both occasions ( in June) the mist did not let us take 'good' photos on a particular day. which is what you are intending to do.
we have not been to 5 fingers , but can highly recommend the der dachstein, with the ice cave, walk,ski field, etc
www.derdachstein.at/en/dachstein-glacier-world/glacier-experience/skywalk
we have a photo of us on the 'stairway to nothing' completely surrounded in fog., so its a gamble weatherwise. the ice cave/carving was great.

to experience good weather in the alps ( at altitude) you need to stay for a number of days and hope for good weather.
hope this helps.

Posted by
9 posts

Yes, very good point about the weather. Worst case, I think we would just cut our losses and hang out in the thermal pools or just go into Salzburg. They have beer too, right? haha

Posted by
14507 posts

Since you're coming from Prague, you can go directly to Linz depending on the departure time from Prague, change in Linz to Salzburg. I don't know if Prague to Salzburg is direct or not. I would suggest staying the two nights in Salzburg, take the bus outside of Salzburg Hbf to Bad Ischl.

Posted by
14507 posts

Hi,

On Salzburg beer...They have their own brew in Salzburg. It's called "Salzburger Stiegl."