Hallstatt, Austria

Hi Barb, We traveled this area by car a few years ago, so I don't have first-hand experience but some of the couples who stayed at our B&B were traveling by train and didn't seem to have any difficulty making their way around. One couple in particular was spending a whole week at our B&B in Obertraun (across the lake from Hallstatt) and making trips to a different area each day. Enjoy your trip!

Barb, Hallstatt may not the best choice in December, as some of the hotels and other tourist facilities may be closed for the season. You don't need a car in Hallstatt, and in fact cars are not allowed in the main part of the town. You'd have to park in the large lot near the Funicular that goes up to the Salt Mine. I'm not sure what else "around the area" might be worth visiting at that time of year? You can easily get to Hallstatt by train (one change in Attnang-Pucheim), which will get you to the small (unmanned) station across the lake from the town. From there you'll take Stefanie across the lake (which may also be operating on reduced hours). Good luck and happy travels!

While I love Hallstatt (have been their numerous times over the years), in December I think your best bet would be to travel to St. Gilgen on Wolfgangsee. You can get there by bus from Salzburg in under an hour. It is small but they definitely go all out for Christmas with every building decorated for the holidays. We have stayed at the Hotel Schernthaner for several years now in the Fall and would highly recommend it. http://www.hotel-wolfgangsee.com/index.php/en/ http://advent.wolfgangsee.at/en/5-01-0-100380182/advent/wolfgangseer_advent.html

We drove there directly from Salzburg and it didn't take long. Unless the train connections are really difficult, however, you won't need a car. Hallstatt is a nice little town with a compact medieval center, fine for walking only. I don't think it warrants more than a day unless you will be using it as a base for skiing. I like it better than the larger Innsbruck, but wouldn't personally spend time in Innsbruck either, unless as a base for skiing.

Hallstatt is a beautiful little village. I repeat little. We've been there and would gladly take friends there on side trips. You can easily walk around the entire village, making a car very unnecessary. The salt mine tour might be of interest, as are the cute little restaurants and churches (2). I also question the roads in December, but being from Vancouver you're probably accustomed to driving in a little snow. The train and boat shuttle crossing the lake might be the best idea.

Of course, a lot of skiers will be on the roads (in cars, not skiing on the roads) in Austria and Germany in December, so the main roads will likely be kept clear of ice and snow, but it is still possible to get caught in a winter storm. If that is a concern, you might want to look at taking the train to Berchtesgaden and local transport to Königsee. That would be a lot easier to reach than Hallstatt. And you could make the whole trip on a Bayern pass. Or you could take the bus from Salzburg. Even if you rent a car, you would be spending a lot less time on the road. Whichever place you choose, it is cheaper to rent in Freilassing than Salzburg, but be sure to stop and purchase a vignette for the car before crossing the border.