Vienna + Day Trips in September - Itinerary Help

Depending on schedule, it is 2.5 to 3 hours by train to Salzburg. 4 to 5 hours to Prague. Probably similar to Budapest. I guess this depends more on how you want to prioritize those last few days. Personally, I'd find day trips within/around Vienna, of which there are many.

I would take the train to Salzburg and stay there for three nights/two full days. Spend the day with the better weather hiking in Berchtesgaden or Wolfgangsee and spend the other day on Sound of Music. Your half days can be spent wandering Salzburg.

Given that short time frame and your wish to go to Salzburg for SOM, I would recommend skipping all other destinations and concentrate on Vienna.

Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions and help. It sounds like Prague and Budapest will require too much logistically without coordinating travel through a tour agency, which we don't want to do. I think we've decided to spend a few nights in Salzburg and then possibly go to Bratislava for a day.

... Prague and Budapest will require too much logistically without coordinating travel through a tour agency, ...

You are overestimating the efforts. You just need to book train tickets online and possibly an accommodation.

Prague is a bit far. Salzburg and Budapest are both 2.5 hours on the train. I would suggest that since there is somewhat less to do in Salzburg (that is immediatley obvious) that you would benefit from am organized tour or a guide for part of the stay. Budapest on the other hand not so much the case. Bratislava, ehhhhh, spend the time in Vienna.

I would go to the Wachau valley as you can do it from Vienna in a day comfortably. We toured with Venture Vienna last year and had a great time there. They also offer some other day tours in and around Vienna and Lower Austria, so if you decide to stay close by then check them out.

I haven't been to Bratislava yet, but I believe there's a very good deal offered by the Austrian rail company for round-trip transportation and city transit in Brstislava. Idon't know whether it works only for day trips.

Let me know if I should start a new topic, but somewhat related I will be leaving Munich on Saturday 9/28 heading to Vienna. Wondering whether to spend the night in Salzburg, leaving me only a partial travel day on Sunday, all day Monday, and just the morning on Tuesday before catching an afternoon flight out of Vienna,

OR only plan to catch a SOM tour in Salzburg then getting to Vienna before dark on Saturday, giving us two full days in Vienna.

@logeevbe
Both Salzburg and Vienna are cities worth visiting, but I'd prefer Vienna. If you leave Munich early in the morning you have a full day in Salzburg, then traveling to Vienna in the evening. There is no need to arrive in Vienna before sunset, it is a very safe city, no problem to use public transport or walking on the streets in the dark.