Hallstatt Day Trip - MCM Tours OK?

We visited Hallstatt on our own from Salzburg via train. Involved a change of train and a boat ride across the lake which was wonderful! Beautiful village.

Tom, Thanks for the tip. For some reason, it never occurred to me to take a train. It makes perfect sense, because we're most interested in Halstatt, and not the towns in between (we already visited some of the other lakes on the S.O.M. tour). I'll check the train schedule.

You didn't say how many people, but since you said "we" can I assume 2-5? Austrian Rail sells the Einfach Raus ticket which is a pass for unlimited use of regional trains in a day (after 9 workdays) for €28 for 2-5 people. Most of the trip from Salzburg to Hallstatt is by regional trains anyway. It takes about ½ hr longer, ave, by regional train. Does a 6 hour tour mean 6 hours total or 6 hours in Hallstatt. If 6 hours is total, figure 2 hours each way, that doesn't give you much time in a town where I spent almost 48 hours last year. I'd much rather be free to come and go as I wished.

Lee, Thanks for your help, We are a family of 4. It's funny, but I had checked train connections before and blocked this option out of mind, because I thought the time commitment getting there was somewhat prohibitive. However, car travel will take long enough, and I'm sure overall time in Hallstatt with the tour will be limited . We'll take your tip, enjoy the scenery from the train, and save lots of money in the process.

Keith, As the others have mentioned, taking a day trip to Salzburg via train is certainly an option. You'll need to change trains in Attnang-Pucheim, and then take Stefanie across the lake once you arrive (that provides one of the best views of Hallstatt). The small rail station in Hallstatt is unmanned, so be sure to get return tickets! Although the train journeys are not long, I found that with waiting times for connections, it will take ~3 hours each way. Be sure to verify the time of the last train back to Salzburg. I don't have any information on MCM Tours so can't offer any comments. You could also have a look at www.bobstours.com as they also offer a trip to Hallstatt. If you're planning to take the Salt Mine tour, I'd probably allow about 3 hours, as you'll have to walk to the far end of town, take the Funicular up to RudolphSturm and then hike up to the Mine. Happy travels!

Ken, Thank you for the information. I appreciate the details about the rail travel time, connections, and return ticket suggestion. We will definitely plan our own trip utilizing the train. We're spending 3 nights in Salzburg, and will check into the salt mine option (although my daughter visited one a few years ago on a student ambassador trip to the region).