Salzburg to Hallstat - Bus vs. Train

Carrie,

Especially as you're staying at Seehotel Grüner Baum, you may wish you had booked at least two nights. One night is not going to allow much time to see anything.

A few thoughts on your questions.....

1. I'd probably go by train, although as you noted there will be one change at Attnang-Pucheim. I don't know if there's a direct bus. A bus wouldn't be my first choice after a long international flight.
2. A bus would arrive on the same side of the lake as the hotel, however you may have to walk from the bus depot to the hotel, a distance of probably half a mile or more (can't remember the exact distance). The hotel does provide a Shuttle but I don't know how often it runs?
3. If taking the train, you'll make one change at Attnang-Pucheim and then disembark at the small unmanned station at Hallstatt. From there you'll walk down the small trail to the boat dock and take Stefanie across the lake. Boats are frequent and the fare is only about €3 PP so be sure to have some Euro at hand. That's an approximate fare, I haven't checked in awhile. The boat arrives on the same side of the lake as the hotel, and from the dock it's a very short walk to the *Seehotel Grüner Baum" (only about three minutes as I recall). If you expand the map on this page, you can get an idea of the location of the hotel in relation to the dock....

https://www.gruenerbaum.cc/en/useful-information/

Thank you Ken!
I should have mentioned we will be coming in from Geneva and will have been in switzerland for 3 days. A good recovery from our long flight. A bonus we will be flying Business class, so we hope to rest a little easier on the flight.
We will take your advice on the train it sounds to be the smartest of the two sources of transportation. We will be arriving to Hallstatt early by 10 a.m or so. I hope to store our luggage at the hotel as we will be getting there before check-in. We will have that day plus pretty much the following day to site see. We will leave Hallstatt and head to Salzburg. I'm thankful we were able to reserve at least 1 night in Hallstatt.

Would you recommend renting a car in Hallstatt or just get from place to place by public transportation? Ice caves, salt mines and quaint villages. I like photography so any suggestions would be appreciated as well.
Thank you,
Carrie

There is no direct bus from Salzburg to Hallstatt. No matter whether you go by train or bus you have one change. Travel time is about the same.

Train from Salzburg to Attnang-Puchheim, change to train to Hallstatt.

Bus from Salzburg to Bad Ischl, change to train to Hallstatt.

At Hallstatt train station a ferry is waiting to bring you across the lake to Hallstatt town.

Thank you WMT1

No need to rent a car in Hallstatt. The sites you mentioned are easily accessible. It’s a small town.

"Would you recommend renting a car in Hallstatt or just get from place to place by public transportation? Ice caves, salt mines and quaint villages. I like photography so any suggestions would be appreciated as well."

There are no car rental firms in Hallstatt. It's a very small town!

Regarding the sights you mentioned.....

• Ice Caves - I can't remember the specifics for that. One of the others may be able to provide information on that or check the guidebook.
• Salt Mines - you can do that on foot. Walk to the opposite end of town from your hotel and use the Funicular to get up the mountain. When you arrive at the top, you'll see Rudolfsturm, the large castle that used to house the guards for the Salt Mine. There's a restaurant there and a nice patio that provides exceptional views. From the castle, take the trail uphill, about a 15 minute or so walk, and you'll see the entrance to the Salt Mines.
• Quaint Villages - with only one night there, I don't think you're going to have time to see any "quaint villages".

You may find this helpful - http://www.hallstatt.net/about-hallstatt/sehenswertes-en-US/familienerlebnis-salzwelten-en-US/ .

I'm also a photographer. You'll find lots of opportunities for photos in that area, so be sure to have your camera at hand. This view from the end of town is a popular one - https://goo.gl/images/eGHWyC . Be sure to get some shots of the town from across the lake, before you take the boat across. You'll probably also find lots of opportunities while up the hill on your Salt Mine visit. You didn't say what type of camera you're using, but you may want a flash if taking pictures inside the Salt Mine.

From there you'll walk down the small trail to the boat dock

Ken, what kind of a trail? Is it paved, or dirt? If dirt, would it be difficult to navigate with a rolling suitcase?

As for the ice caves, you go up cable cars (several stages, I think) from the village of Obertraun, across the lake from Hallstatt. Take the boat back across the lake and the train south to the next station, which is Obertraun. From the Obertraun Bahnhof it's a long walk, almost 3km, to the cable car, but there is also a 20 minute bus ride.

The bus does arrive on the same side of the lake as the town, but the entire town of Hallstatt is a pedestrian zone. The bus stop is in Lahn, about a km down the lake from Hallstatt. There is a paved road along the lake between Lahn and Hallstatt. I think the road is open to local deliveries only.

I agree with taking the train. The scenery is very nice after the transfer at Attnang Puchheim. The Seehotel Grüner Baum is also very nice, and the staff excellent, eager to please their customers. There should be no trouble storing bags there.

The path from the train station to the boat doc is easily negotiated with a rollerboard.

I used the bus option to get to the ice caves (and other activities) at Dachstein Krippenstein in Obertraun. It's just one stage of the cable cars to get to the ice caves (along with a little bit of an uphill walk). But it's worth taking the second stage up to the Five Fingers viewing platform for panoramic views over Lake Hallstatt.

Thank you Dave!

"Ken, what kind of a trail? Is it paved, or dirt? If dirt, would it be difficult to navigate with a rolling suitcase?"

As I recall, the trail is very easy and it shouldn't be difficult to navigate with a wheelie bag. I don't remember it being exceptionally steep. I found THIS photo, and THIS photo so it should be any problem for any kind of luggage.

The Funicular to Rudolfsturm and the Salt Mines is in Lahn, which is the same side of the lake as Hallstatt. From the Hotel Grüner Baum, the Funicular is about a 15 minute walk from what I remember. This is a photo of the bottom station. This is a view of Rudolfsturm, which is right at the top of the Funicular.

This is the Salt Mines website, which shows some great views!

This is the timetable and prices for the boat, Stefanie.

Thank you everyone for your recommendations. This makes things clear! Carrie D.