We are looking to spend 8 nights total and would appreciate any tips on how to best get from one location to next and any off the beaten path things to do. We will not be renting a car and really love to use public transportation. We will fly into Vienna and stay 3 nights, then to Salzburg for 3 nights (want to do Sound of Music Tour, Eagles Nest and do some hiking) and then head to Paris for 3 nights and then fly home. Thank you.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5381 posts
You say 8 night, but your details add up to 9 nights Which is it?
Assuming you meant 9 nights, I guess your itinerary looks something like this:
Day 1 - Arrive in Vienna - sleep in Vienna
Day 2 - explore Vienna - sleep in Vienna
Day 3 - explore Vienna - sleep in Vienna
Day 4 - travel by train to Salzburg via Westbahn train (buy tickets on the train for 24.50 per person) - sleep in Salzburg
Day 5 - explore Salzburg area - sleep in Salzburg
Day 6 - explore Salzburg area - sleep in Salzburg
Day 7 - fly to Paris via Munich or take a 10 hour train ride - sleep in Paris
Day 8 - explore Paris - sleep in Paris
Day 9 - explore Paris - sleep in Paris
Day 10 - Depart Paris for US
So you are looking at two full days in each location. That wouldn't really work for me, but to each his/her own.
Posted by
alameda, ca, usa
2602 posts
I agree that you would be cheating yourselves with such limited time in such fascinating cities as Vienna and Paris--I spent 7 in Vienna with a long day trip to Salzburg by train and that was quite satisfactory. Paris I just spent 6 days and barely cracked the surface of all there is to do and see.
Maybe consider 4 days in each city, fly to Paris?
My long day trip from Vienna to Salzburg by train was quite easy--3 hrs, roundtrip ticket was about $30 US, arrived at 9:30 am and got right on a HoHo bus that really helped me make good use of my limited time. There are other tours departing the train station that focus solely on the Sound of Music; that was not my main reason for visiting, though I did spend time at Mirabell and toured the garden and house at Hellbrunn, got a great overview of the city and immediate environs and then spent the rest of the afternoon in the charming Old Town, touring Mozart's Gebursthaus, having an excellent lunch and exploring a craft fair along the river--I was there on a Sunday so many traditional shops were closed. I caught the train back to Vienna around 5. I would love to see the Eagle's Nest and expect to return at some point and spend more time in that area, logistics didn't work that way for me that time but overall I was pleased with my long day in Salzburg.
Posted by
Southwest Florida
856 posts
I agree - you are really spreading it thin in a short amount of time. I have been known to chrunch through Europe and even I would find that pace hectic for such wonderful cities. Consider a Vienna/Salzburg journey or a Paris/Brugge trip. Or even 8 nights in Paris with a day trip or two.