Please sign in to post.

Summer in Austria with 13 and 10 year old

Hello! We are planning an 8 or 9 day trip to Austria in August.

I think our best bet with kids is to spend 4-5 days in Vienna and Salzburg and take day trips from there.
I am wondering if we should rent a car to do day trips to Hallstat, Melk, Berchtesgaden? Or are these easily accessible by train?
Any other tips as well for itinerary from people who have travelled with this age group are welcome!
Thank you so much.

Posted by
3938 posts

We enjoyed taking the train from Vienna to Melk and a scenic boat ride back to Vienna. It was a great day trip. For our day in Hallstatt we took the train round trip from Salzburg then ferried over on the boat that met the train at the station. It was fascinating and seamless. These kinds of trips are relaxing and scenic for kids and adults. Highly recommend this mode of travel for these locations. I can’t believe I haven’t been to Eagles Nest near Berchtesgaden. There are other good reports on the connections to Berchtesgaden if you use the Search function, above.

Posted by
5362 posts

I’m a mom and I’m raising my kids in Austria. Honestly, I think Vienna can be boring for kids. Lots of museums and music. Take them to the Alte Donau and rent boats. Visit Schonbrunn and go to the zoo. Eat some schnitzel and cake. Then do what Austrian families do in August and head to the mountains. Spend as much time as possible there. I suggest staying on a farm (https://www.farmholidays.com/) in the Wolfgangsee area (see Hallstatt, do hikes, swim; rent a car). Then stay a few days in Salzburg (fortress, Hellbrunn, Red Bull Hangar). Alternatively, go instead to the Tirol. Stay in a town like Seefeld for a few days and then spend the rest of your time in Salzburg.

Melk as a town would be boring for kids. If you want to visit the Wachau, spend your time at Burgruine Aggstein and Duernstein.

Posted by
3938 posts

Personally I love Emily’s ideas even better if you have active, adventurous kids.