Train itinerary for Austria

We stayed overnight in Melk and one night was plenty if you’re planning to stay there.

I would switch St. Gilgen with Salzburg, so you could take day trips to St. Gilgen (or St. Wolfgang) & Berchtesgaden, also.

I liked that we stayed 5 nights in Vienna, including the night before flying home. So I would vote for your second option more than the first. It would make easier train connections, also.

Thanks Jean

Did you visit Innsbruck? I thought if we stop there we’ll do mountain lifts/railways for the day, not just Innsbruck itself. Many people say not to bother with Innsbruck, but as we have 11 nights I thought we could fit it in and it would be a shorter trip from Zurich.

I thought of 2 nights in Melk so that we can do the boat trip to Krems without luggage, but I think we’ll do it as a day trip from Vienna as 2 nights in Vienna doesn't sound like enough. I’m still not sure about Salzburg/Salzkammergut though.

I like your first itinerary except that I would take a day from Melk and add it to Vienna. I have not been to Innsbruck but many have told me that it is not interesting. What are you looking for when you think about Innsbruck? Mountains or?? I think you will enjoy staying in Salzburg, Hallstatt and Melk. I tend to avoid back tracking and I'm willing every so often to stay somewhere for just one night as long as I'm staying other places two or three nights and its fun to experience some of these places, like Melk in the morning and evening which you gain by staying over one night. Maybe instead of Innsbruck think about a day trip to Fussen for the Ludwig castles or Munich from Salzburg and add days to Salzburg. Just some thoughts.

We didn't stay overnight in Innsbruck, but we switched trains in Innsbruck. If we were staying near Innsbruck, we would probably stay at Seefeld or similar. Here's a few places where we stayed during a couple of trips that intersect with your itinerary:

Munich - 2 nights (had been there 2 nights previously) (enjoyed returning, recommend the Mike's bike city tour)
Mittenwald - 2 (charming & really enjoyed their violin/town history museum)
Salzburg - 3 (had been there 2 nights previously) (glad to spend more time in this town and could have stayed longer)
St. Wolfgang - 2 (lovely & relaxing - day hikes, evenings relaxing at the lake & roaming the charming village atmosphere)
Melk - 1 (our least favorite stop)
Vienna - 5 (had been 2 nights previously) (glad to spend more time in this old-world elegant city)

Stayed overnight previously during the RS GAS tour @ Munich, Salzburg, Hallstatt, Vienna.

Thanks for your help people.

We’ve decided on 4 nights in Salzburg, 3 in Hallatatt or St Wolfgang and 4 in Vienna.