day trip with car or overnight in Hallstatt?

Thanks everyone - i didn't even think of bad weather --that's another reason to support optional daytrip. Since we're driving we should be able to arrive early and leave late if we really like it (fresh local fish dinner sounds awesome!) but I know my wife and daughter would prefer not have to pack and unpack in a new room just for one night.

James has a point. We drove there from Salzburg in the morning, parked in the pay lot above town, had lunch when we arrived, took the funicular and toured the salt mine, jacked around with some farm goats up by the mine (and no, I didn't check that on the landing card), checked out the bone house and cemetery back in town, walked around the town, walked down by the lake, had a pizza for dinner, and I think that was about it. This was a stop as part of a longer trip, so we were ready for a relaxing evening of doing nothing. The scenery is beautiful, but there's just not much to do there. So, I will suggest that your daytrip idea is reasonable, and the drive is very nice. If you do want to stay the night, check out Helga Lenz Guest House – she only has two rooms, but ours was in the top of the house...it was like a small apartment without kitchen facilities...way up at the top of town...excellent views over the town and lake. BTW, we were there in early June...not sure what was up, but there were no tourists...place was empty day and evening. It's very rain forest-ish up there in the mountains...lots of ferns, slugs, and other plants that like alot of rain. It rained most of the day when we were there. Based on the vegetation, I would say that's probably pretty normal...might want to bring an umbrella or two.

Keep in mind Hallstatt is all about R&R. Take a boat ride on lake, visit the salt mine, walk take in the serenity. have a long dinner and decompress. It is beautiful, quaint and calm. If this is not what you are interested in or the weather is bad then best make it a daytrip or one night only.

I've done both. I have spent a night in Hallstatt, and I've day tripped there from Salzburg on a different trip. Hallstatt is not so overrun with tourists that you can't enjoy it as a day trip. Really, pretty much everything closes down in the late evening so you really won't miss anything by not spending the night. You can easily see the town and do the salt mine tour in a day. We did have a very memorable dinner there of the local fish caught fresh from the lake - so if you can stay through dinnertime then you won't miss out on a thing:)

Anthony, My suggestion would be to stay the night in Hallstatt, even though it means booking a room for just one night. If you arrive in about mid-morning, you can check-in and deposit your bags in the Hotel. Two Hotels to consider (depending on your budget) are the Seehotel Grüner Baum or Gasthof Simony (having a balcony overlooking the lake is an an advantage). There are others listed in the Guidebook and on Trip Adviser. Take the Funicular up the hill and tour the Salt Mine. It's always a challenge to try and beat the Guide's speed sliding down the wooden banister. After the tour, walk back down the hill to the Funicular station and stop at Rudolfsturm, which is the large Castle that used to house the soldiers that protected the Salt Mine. Have a "cold beverage" and perhaps some lunch on the balcony - the view of the lake and scenery is incredible! When you get back to town, have a look at the Museum, which is directly opposite the T.I. office. You could also have a look at the "bone collection" in the Catholic Church (although that didn't appeal to me). You could also perhaps take a short boat trip on the lake. After enjoying the tranquility and beautiful scenery of the town, return to your Hotel for a late dinner overlooking the lake, with a bottle (or two) of Wine (of course). IMHO, that will provide a much more enjoyable visit to Hallstatt than rushing through a visit and then driving back to Salzburg after dark. Happy travels!