Hello! we are going to be in Salzburg for 4 nights after our Switzerland Tour! My question is, has anyone taken a day trip from Salzburg to Halstat salt mines. We really want to see the salt mines and the town of Hallstat. I understand it will be a full day and a bit rushed...but is it worth it or should we do it another way, like possible in 2 days?
Posted by
745 posts
We were on the Rick Steves tour (pre covid) and stayed the night in Halstatt as part of the trip. We took the salt mine tour during our free time, and thoroughly enjoyed it. You take the funicular up the mountain; there are lovely views, then an additional uphill walk to the salt mine and an interesting tour. We loved taking the boat cruise on the lake as well. Hallstatt is small, but we appreciated having an overnight, but one night is plenty to cover it all. It could be done in a long full day. We stayed at the lovely Seehotel Gruner Baum. It's such a quaint, charming little village. For some fortunate reason, it wasn't overly crowded when we visited, which I understand isn't the norm. I still marvel when I look at our photos of Hallstatt because it really is so pretty!
I guess I would add that if you stay overnight; you wouldn't necessarily need extra time the next day for additional sightseeing in Hallstatt; you could just get on the road to Salzburg or your next destination, if that helps with your planning.
Enjoy!
Posted by
Los Angeles
4734 posts
Look up 2 tours and see if it makes sense, you can always fake the itinerary on your own.
Have you watched Rick's episode?
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
19484 posts
I am going to Hallstatt in September ... a gift for a friend. Not an easy place to plan for. One night i move on to Salzburg. I didnt want to fool with the train that stops across the lake, so I booked with DayTrip.com to get to Salzburg. Fast, easy and they have a few stops for sightseeing they will make for a $$.
I hope to be pleasantly surprised, but I am expecting an Austrian Disneyland sort of stop (not much real, but a lot of views).
As for the salt mines, you buy tickets here: https://www.salzwelten.at/de/hallstatt includes the funicular up.
Posted by
2141 posts
... but I am expecting an Austrian Disneyland ...
Unfortunately a lot of tourists, especially from Asia, assume that Hallstatt is a theme park (like its copy in China), therefore you may enter every house or garden. Then they are in a bad mood after having had an argument with the owner of the premises because of trespassing.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
19484 posts
My guest on this trip is Asian and I have already received two warnings about how she will be perceived. 1 dealing with Austria in general, the second in Hallstatt in particular. I will count your post as the 3rd warning.
Posted by
San Diego, California
5395 posts
To get to the salt mines, one takes the funicular to the top of the hill. The views from this top area are spectacular ! And- the boat across the lake to the train works quite well. The view of Hallstatt from the reflections on the water as you leave (or arrive) are truly memorable. If leaving, don't buy your train ticket at the kiosk- the whole boat is in line to do so. Buy in the app in advance, where you have good wi-fi. (Per my pre-COVID experience.) safe travels!
Posted by
Los Angeles
4734 posts
As an alternative you could do a daytrip to the Wolfgangsee (I did a trip report on this)