Vienna to best Alpine City ? Best City & sights on tight budget?

What alpine city do you wish to visit? That will give us a clue as to giving you train info. How many nights will you be in Austria?

It's 5 1/2 hours to St Anton on the Railjet. You'll get a better price on that train if you book in advance (nonrefundable, non changeable). That's a direct fast train route. There are closer spots with changes to spur lines which take approximately as long. Kitzbuehel, Mayerhofen, Zell am See, come to mind.

Think about lodging, as Alpine resorts are tight around Christmas/New Years holiday. Try the St Anton lodging website to get quotes from properties. PM me for my rec.

Are you going to ski or just there to look? That would make a difference in the recommendations.

What will you be doing in your alpine town? If you want Xmas markets and shopping, Innsbruck would be good. If you prefer skying, small resorts like St. Anton and Kitzbuhel are better.

Innsbruck, by way of Salzburg and perhaps Munich for some Christmas markets.

And as noted earlier, check for your housing choices in Vienna as well as Alpine areas -- may be booked or expensive around Christmas. Look at booking.com to get a feel for what's out there.
FYI, I recently booked train Innsbruck-to-Vienna for €48 for two people for late December, about a 5 hour trip; same trip without advance purchase is about €130.

Thanks for the info. Looking for shopping - not so much skiing.

So you still have not said what alpine city you are considering or how long you will be in Austria. That would really help to give you info...

Innsbruck seems to be the best option. Will go with that. Best train schedules and prices. Will be in Vienna for two full days and Innsbruck for 2 full days before headed to Italy.

If it were me I'd do Salzburg instead, much nicer. Was in Innsbruck this September and was not too impressed. Only two days in Vienna will but scratch a bit of the surface for that excellent city.

Thank you. Did Salzburg two summers ago including Eagles Nest and Sound of Music Tour. I agree would do Salzburg if hadn't already visited there. What are the best highlights in Vienna?

How much time do you have in Vienna? If you are going to Italy you might consider Brixen or Bozen instead of Innsbruck. If you decide on Innsbruck area, I would stay outside in Hall in Tirol instead.

Like others have mentioned, it all depends on what you want to see and do in an alpine village. Several years ago, I went to the Salzkammergut region and visited two of the three Christmas markets in the area--St. Gilgen and Strobl. With the snow on the ground and on the rooftops of the huts, the unusual lighting, the artwork surrounding the huts and the brass band music, these markets were magical. They were like no other I have been to. This area would give you a full alpine experience. You may have to make a bus connection to get to this area, but it would be worth it. If you would like to see my blog with pictures and descriptions of these markets, send me a Personal Message.