london to austria to nor. italy

Austria to Northern Italy ("just across the border") by train sounds like its more efficient and scenic than a flight.
cant see any benefit of flying that stretch

Thank you, wondering how to find out what town would be best to go into by train(from Salzburg) if want to concentrate and stay in Northern Italy. I looked up and saw Varena, any other town i should look into?

elaine, Given the circumstances of your trip I'd suggest using open-jaw flights, inbound to London (LHR or LGW) and outbound from Milan (MXP). That would be the most efficient method. When planning the trip, be sure to allow for travel days (you'll generally arrive in Europe the day after departure, and the last day will be spent on the trip home. If this is your first trip to Europe, I'd recommend pre-reading Europe Through The Back Door as that will provide you with lots of information. Given the short time frame, using a budget flight from London to Salzburg would be the best idea. One possibility would be EasyJet from LGW to SZG (flight schedules may vary by season). You could also check flights from London Stansted, Luton or City airports using Air Berlin or other carriers. Keep in mind that although the flight is only about 3-hours, you'll need to allocate the better part of a day for travel. For the train trip from Salzburg to Italy, you might consider stopping for at least one night in Verona ("Romeo & Juliet"), as the travel time is reasonable (about 6-hours, usually one or two changes). From there you could proceed to Varenna for a few nights (travel time about 3-hours from Verona, change in Milan). IMHO, don't bother with Como, as you'll only have time for Varenna and Bellagio. With only four days, I doubt that you'll have time for Florence either. Is there any possibility you could get more time for the trip? Good luck with your planning!

Thank you for all info. I have to find what open jaw means, however. Surprised to hear not visiting Como, pictures always look so beautiful. any specific things to do/see in Varena area? Did I do the math correctly that Salzburg to Verona is about 9 hour train ride? I will need to do research verona vs verena
Thank you

I have to find what open jaw means, however. Answer: it means departing (back to the US or Canada, for most of us) from a different airport than you fly into. Surprised to hear not visiting Como, pictures always look so beautiful. any specific things to do/see in Varena area? Answer: It's likely the "Lake Como" photos you've seen have been taken from the middle of Lake Como, where Varenna is - it's much more scenic than the town of Como, which is at the south end of the lake. I'd say 90% of people posting here go to Varenna or one of the other mid-lake destinations (Bellagio and Menaggio are 2 other mid-lake destinations), and not to the town of Como. Don't think that town of Como equals "the Lake Como photos" you've seen. Did I do the math correctly that Salzburg to Verona is about 9 hour train ride? Answer: No, it looks more like 6 or 6 and 1/2 hrs. Go here to see the train schedules: http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en

Thank you, I also picked up the book in the library today, so informative so far. Instead ofgoing into Salzburg, Austria has anyone heard of Sieggraben, Austria,south of Vienna, in Burgenland? How would I get there from London, any ideas??(family town)
Thank you for all the above information

Juno, I don't see any need to change usage of the term "open jaw" in replies here on the HelpLine. It's a commonly used term not only in the travel industry but also by laymen. While the air travel websites have adopted different terminology, I still prefer "open jaw", especially when dealing with my Travel Agent. Elaine, For travel to Seiggraben, the method I'd use would be a flight from London / LGW to Vienna using EasyJet. There may also be flights from other London airports, but I didn't check. For travel from Vienna airport to Seiggraben, the only options I could find are rental car and Bus (trip is about 1H:50M, depending on which Bus is chosen). For information on the Bus, have a look at This Website. The results appear to be mostly in German, which I couldn't decipher but I'm sure Lee or one of the others would be able to help with that. I wasn't able to find any lodgings in Seiggraben, but there appears to be some Hotels in nearby communities. In this situation, a rental car looks like the best option. Cheers!

Hello, thank you. If given a choice do people prefer Salzburg or Vienna (trying to decide which trip to do, dont think we have enough time to fly into Salsburg, see salzburg, get to Vienna, see Vienna, get to Sieggraben??? then getting from Sieggraben south to Italy how does that work?
Thank you for all help

Elaine, You're still a little scatter gun, but planning is like that. You haven't decided about Vienna or Salzburg? What do like? Vienna: Large (yet deceptively small within the ring and the centre - and with very good public transport) Tremendous architecture from Hundertwasser(100 H2O) to the neo classical on the ring. Tremendous art and museums Culture, culture, culture and music, music, music Coffee, cakes, pastries, Hungarian influence A little remote to get to ====== Salzburg: Compact yet deceptively complete Music, music, music, loads of culture Terrific setting with a mountain in the centre of town Closer to the Alps Near to Munich Easy to get to Italy Easy inexpensive accommodation Augustiner Brau ===== So Elaine, its up to you to decide which you prefer. For me they're both unmissable.

Thank you. We think we want to actually see all.... Salzburg, Vienna, and Sieggraben, (very close -day trip). Choices are fly to Vienna (and see sieggraben), get to salzburg then to italy (milan) or fly into Salzburg go to vienna, sieggrabben fly out of vienna to italy. Yikes this is a headache! Planning on serious computer time today. guess wondering where is easier to get to Italy from and better pricing.
Thank you for all info!!

elaine, If I read your post correctly, you only have three days for the Austrian portion of your trip? IMHO, it's not going to be possible to see Vienna, Seiggraben and Salzburg during that time. As Nigel mentioned, Salzburg will make it a bit easier to reach Italy, so that's one factor to consider. I suppose if this is really important and you don't mind a very BRIEF visit to each of the locations, one possibility would be something along these lines: > Fly to Vienna. Stay one night and have a brief look. > Rent a Car and travel to Seiggraben for a few hours. > Drive to Salzburg. Drop the rental car and spend your remaining time here. > Train to Italy. You might want to spend one night in Verona, as the travel time from Salzburg is about 6H:05M (getting to other locations in Italy will have longer travel times - travel to Varenna on Lago di Como will add about three hours!). With a travel time of about six hours, train is absolutely the best option, as air travel will take the same (or longer) and will be more of a hassle. Cheers!

is the correct way to determine which low cost airlines (easy jet, ryan air) goes to places is on their websites, put in areas desired 'in the "go to and from" in the drop down menu? Example Ryan air doesnt go to Milan or Italy in general from Salzburg? but can get from Milan to London. Easy jet - no Salzburg or Vienna to Italy??
Thank you

Since you are interested in Como and Verenna, you want to go from Austria to Milan. One of the least expensive ways to do this is with a Europa-Spezial Italien ticket from German Rail. You can go from Salzburg to Milan with a local ticket from Salzburg Hbf to Freilassing, Germany, just across the river (8 min) from Salzburg Hbf and the Europa-Spezial ticket from Freilassing to Milan for as low as €49 with advance purchase. You don't have to change trains in Freilassing. As soon as possible, buy the Europa-Spezial ticket for RE 79024 from Freilassing at 12:24. In Salzburg, buy a ticket for €2,10 on RE 79024, leaving Salzburg at 12:09. It stops at Freilassing at 12:17 on it's way to Rosenheim, Germany, at 13:28, where you catch EC 89 from Munich at 14:12. EC 89 goes directly to Milan, arriving at 21:03. In Freilassing you change tickets, not trains. This routing gives you a daylight trip over the scenic Brenner Pass and down through the Alto Adige region of Italy, past the Dolomites. There is also a night train from Vienna direct to Milano via Villach and Venice (not Salzburg) strarting at €59. You can book that train at Austrian Rail, www.oebb.at.

Very specific! thank you , so overall train ride about 10 hours?? Even though flight about 3, I am thinking general consensus is the train is better?

After reading through your conversation on your upcoming trip, I thought I'd stick my oar in the water. I agree with the previous post about Vienna vs Salzburg, but I'd personally more highly recommend Salzburg for the exact reasons he listed. Also, look up Rick's suggestion of "St. Sebastian Institut" for lodging ~ right across from Old Center and most affordable ~ have used it on 3 different trips successfully! As far as Verona, etc. ~ my advice would be to strongly consider Venice ~ it is THE most magical/romantic/unusual spot I have yet to visit in the 23 or so countries I've traveled. Verona, etc. are fine, but not nearly as unique. Hate to muddy the waters or add more confusion, but couldn't let that one go unmentioned. You will NOT regret it!! ; ) As far as quaint/lovely/unforgettable, my top 3 in central Europe are definitely Wengen, Switzerland/Salzburg, Austria/Venice, Italy. You could do 2 nights in Venice and then last 2 in other northern Italy.

Thank you. The reasons for Salzburg (which I would prefer to see over Vienna) vs Vienna is to see Siegraben (family history) which is close to Vienna. then how to get from Austria to Italy. Which is the best route to see Venice, didnt even think about that. Have to do more homework to see where it is in relation to Verenna, and Lake como
Limited time frame.... arrive Italy on Monday/Tues (in mid March) and leave that Friday

reading alot about venice. how far is it from lake como area, could we fly from salzburg into venice, would we fly back to ny from venice or still mxp (milan)? will be researching this evening, hoping to get fast answers. Thank you!

Elaine, I admire your enthusiasm and desire to see so much, but it looks like you are going to be on the move most of the time. Any reason for flying into London, when it is so far from the other cities you are interested in? I've spent 10 days there, a week split between Salzburg and Vienna, and 8 days split between Venice and Milan, on 3 trips. Can you stay longer or open jaw into Vienna/out of Milan or Venice ?( Likely more changes of plane from the smaller airports like Salzburg or Venice) Also, does anyone else think Lake Como will be very cold in March, and not as pretty as the summer pictures? I' d vote for Venice for a first trip also.
Glad you are reading the RS books. He's not steered me wrong yet-- nor has the forum.

great trips! London because to see family member. I was also thinking about the Lake Como weather issue, researched and basically cool spring weather, which is fine. As long as no snow or can still walk around, its probably fine. Lake Como sounds more relaxing than doing a Venice/fabulous history kind of trip but I am thinking still alot to try and pull off