We are flying into Vienna next fall, and we're trying to decide on a reasonable itinerary. I know we want to add on Budapest. We would also like to go to Salzburg. My question: is it reasonable to have an itinerary that includes Vienna, Salzburg, and Budapest? Or is it better to stick with Vienna and Budapest only, since Salzburg is in the opposite direction? We have 12 days total. Would love itinerary suggestions.
Posted by
alameda, ca, usa
2602 posts
My first trip to Vienna and Budapest was for 6 and 4 nights respectively, and I made 2 day trips from Vienna--one by train to see Melk Abbey with a boat ride back along the Danube, the other by train to Salzburg. I arrived by 10 am and immediately got on a HoHo bus to see the outlying sites, toured Hellbrunn and then back to old town to tour Mozart's birthplace, have lunch and poke around, finding a great craft fair going on along the river before heading back to catch a 6 pm train to Vienna. Salzburg is definitely worth more than a long day trip, but it worked for me as my focus that trip was Vienna (museums full of my favorite art and all things Third Man) and Budapest, where I fell totally in love with that magical city--have since returned twice more with my 4th trip coming in May. Budapest lends itself to many day trips as well, so if it were me knowing what I do now, I'd say split your 12 days with 6 in each.
Posted by
Southwest Florida
856 posts
I am leaving on a journey of 18 days that runs Prague - Salzburg - Vienna - Budapest. And I think that feels a bit rushed. So my advice is to not try to pack in too much into too little time. Fortunately, you have short travel times between cities so it does not take up most of the day. I think it is doable to see all three cities.
Consider flying in to Munich and a quick train to Salzburg then fly back out of Budapest to home. Or vise-versa.
Best of luck!
Posted by
1905 posts
The best route would be to fly into Munich, then by train to Salzburg, Vienna, and finally Budapest before flying home from there.
If such an open jaw ticket is considerably more expensive than a return ticket to and from Munich, you might go by train from Budapest back to Munich (five direct RailJet trains per day, 6:50 hours ride).