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2 nights in Vienna or 2 in Salzburg

Posted by on

Hi-

We are traveling Switzerland/Austria - 2 weeks with majority in Switzerland (fly into Zurich; out of Vienna). We will have a car in Switzerland and we will train from Switzerland to Salzburg on to Vienna.

Our perplexity is if we should stay in Salzburg 2 nights or Vienna? We will try to do a SOM bike tour which means we will leave Zurich fairly early. We are from a big city and are more mountain/hiking/walking people (as opposed to Museum type). With our limited time and train reliance, would you recommend 2 nights in Salzburg or 2 in Vienna as that looks to be our back end limits right now?

TIA

Posted by
873 posts

Either…..they are both wonderful though Salzburg probably is truly #1 for me…….just smaller and so charming…….Vienna is big and busy……but lovely

Posted by
1550 posts

A fine conundrum. They are both well worth visiting, and Vienna needs more time than Salzburg. Salzburg gives you the option of splendid alpine scenery and hikes close by. Since you are flying out of Vienna, I think it's more practical, timewise, to head there for your two days. Hikes around Vienna can be found here:
https://www.wien.info/en

Do spend some time in the old core, and try to make it to Schönbrunn.

Posted by
4706 posts

A little off topic, but why do you need a car in Switzerland, with that country's efficient and user- friendly train system? Many of the mountain villages are car free.
Where are you staying in Switzerland?
Both Salzburg and Vienna are charming, are very different, and two nights equals one day, which is shorting either city.
I am confused- you are flying out of Vienna but only staying there a very short time?
Have a great trip! Safe travels.

Posted by
5384 posts

If you are flying out of Vienna, presumably in the morning, then you definitely want to spend your last night in Vienna. It is a 2.5 hour train ride from Salzburg to the Vienna airport.

Posted by
3 posts

Thank you all for the suggestions;
- we are driving in Switz so we can hop to places quickly/easily but will still take trains from anchor spots
- ideally, we'd have more time in Vienna but trip just doesn't allow.. and Salzburg is my request as SOM was my fav growing up..

Posted by
32212 posts

Both Vienna and Salzburg are wonderful and they both have some great sites to visit. However if it's a choice between one or the other, I'd definitely choose Salzburg. It's one of my favourite places in Europe.

You may get more replies if you repost this in the Austria section of the forum.

Posted by
3 posts

Ken, thanks.. it actually won't let me post in both places.. maybe I have to change the wording a bit..

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