My brother's family (wife & 12 year old daughter) are visiting Salzburg in May. They have 1.5 days -- arrive Salzburg at 12noon from Munich. They have hotel 5 minutes away from train station. They would like to do the following :
1) Sound of Music tour in Salzburg
2) Visit Halstatt
Request your recommendations on how best to manage this.
Thanks
How are they arriving in Salzburg? Car or train? Traffic is terrible at times
Panorama has a big bus tour that leaves Mirabell Garden, not far from the train station, at 2 pm. I have done that tour twice and liked it. They should be able to make that without trouble if arriving at noon. https://www.panoramatours.com/en/salzburg/tour/original-sound-of-music-tour-tour-1a-28/
A lot of people on the forum report liking Bob's Tours because they are on vans and have fewer people. But the afternoon tour starts at 1:30 and the pick up is across the river that divides Salzburg and on the opposite side of the Old Town from the train station, so I think that would be tougher to make than the Panorama tour. https://www.bobstours.com/som.php
As for a day trip to Hallstatt, that would not be worth it to me. I will allow others to add their two cents. I don't know where else they are going, but I would recommend Königssee toward Berchtesgaden as an alternative. Huge lake. Nice hike on the other side of the lake to a smaller lake and on to a gorgeous alpine meadow and then to a high waterfall. It's gorgeous. Depending on when they are there in May, there will be cows on/around the trail toward its end!
Depending on where they are headed or coming from, Halstatt may be an option along the way.
I have a "maybe" idea. In the past we've taken the Bob's Special Tour SOM half-day tour and really liked it. They also have a full day tour that does both the SOM sights and goes to Halstatt. Although I don't have first-hand experience with that tour it ticks off the boxes. The reason I say "maybe" is that according to their website the company was sold last fall. See https://www.bobstours.com/about.php Hopefully the new owners provide the same experience.
Personally if I had just 1.5 days in Salzburg I'd do the SOM tour and spend the rest of my time, skipping Halstatt. With the Mirabell gardens, the castle, a river ride, the sights of old town, there is plenty to do without the lengthy detour to Halstatt.
I agree with Dave, Berchtesgaden is beautiful and quite easy to access via bus. I think you can buy the bus tickets at the train station , but we bought from the driver.
Many folks think of Hitler's vacation spot when they hear of this area, but don't realize the beauty of the surrounding park and glacier-fed lake, and Alps in the background. Taking a quiet, electric boat to ride across the lake and hiking to the waterfalls is a great adventure.
I also agree that Hallstatt is too much for a day trip, unless they're passing by in route.
Wishing them well.
Thank you Dave, Pat, John.
Appreciate your valuable insights.
Dave - they are coming by train from Munich, hotel is right by the train station (Hotel Hohenstauffen) and they are very accommodating to check-in early.
I will pass on your tips.
Thanks for the info. Train is good. They should definitely be able to make the Panorama tour, I would think. The option of SOM + Hallstatt that someone above mentioned may be worth a try if they really have their heart set on that. Again, I would go to Königssee. More specific directions for the hike: Take the electric boat across the lake to the Salet stop. Walk 10-15 minutes to Obersee. Admire the view there, and then hike around the right side of the lake. Look back across the lake and note the snack hut to hit on the return walk. Ascend to the gorgeous alpine meadow that is surrounded by peaks on three sides and continue across the meadow to Röthbach Wasserfall. It will be a gorgeous hike full of greens and blues at that time of year. And again... cows!
This past September I spent three nights in Salzburg and 2 nights in Hallstatt. The big surprise was that I could live without Salzburg but I really enjoyed Hallstatt. I usually push back hard against places that only exist for tourists, but this one worked, for me at least. I might actually go back. Very out of character for what I enjoy.
You have 1.5 days and you plan a full day trip, it makes one wonder if you are really interested in Salzburg.
I have done all the tours mentioned above. Choices for me come down to the clientele - which in this case includes a 12 year old.
I enjoyed the Bob’s full day tour of SoM sites and Hallstatt; however the stop of a few hours in Hallstatt, especially if crowded, might not be my first choice for kids. I would go with Dave’s suggestions of the Panorama half day tour. If you really need another day tour, then I second Berchtesgaden and boat ride on the Koenigsee (and maybe a salt mine visit). Just my thought - no right or wrong choice.
Hallstatt? First the 12 year old gets to take the boat across the lake from the train station., then up the funicular and into the salt mine, then back down and out on the paddle boats in the lake.
We did the Bob's Special Tours half day SOM tour and loved it! I did look at their website just now and you can be picked p at your hotel for an extra cost. We did it in 2022 and there was no extra cost, but things change:) The tour was excellent though as was our guide.
