TravPa

Austria

Tour Habsburg palaces and art museums in Vienna, follow Mozart through Salzburg's old town, then ride the train and ferry to the salt-mining village of Hallstatt.

Best timeMay to Jun, SepMoneyEuro (EUR)Plugs[plug types and voltage]Main airportVienna (VIE)
Approved by TravPa Editors, Nov 3, 2026
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Overview

Most first trips pair Vienna with Salzburg. Direct trains link the two cities at least twice an hour in about 2.5 hours, and Hallstatt is a day trip from Salzburg by train, with a change at Attnang-Puchheim and a short ferry across the lake.

Late spring and early autumn are mild and good for walking. July and August are the busiest months, with the Salzburg Festival filling the city, while winters are cold and Advent brings Christmas markets to Vienna's squares.

When to go

BestGo with a plan
janColdfebColdmarMildaprMildmayBestjunBestjulBusyaugBusysepBestoctMildnovColddecCold

The Salzburg Festival runs from 16 July to 29 August in 2027, so book Salzburg rooms early. Vienna's Christmas market on Rathausplatz runs from 13 Nov to 26 Dec 2026.

Every month in detail: weather and recent fares

Itineraries

[Photo: Salzburg]
Salzburg in 2 daysMirabell Gardens, Mozart's Birthplace, Getreidegasse, Grünmarkt, Salzburg Cathedral, Hohensalzburg Fortress, Hallstatt salt mine, Hallstatt MarktplatzPacked pace
[Photo: Vienna]
Vienna in 3 daysSt. Stephen's Cathedral, Hofburg, Albertina, Schönbrunn Palace, Naschmarkt, Upper Belvedere, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Giant Ferris Wheel, GrinzingBalanced pace
[Photo: Austria]
Austria in 7 daysSchönbrunn Palace, Upper Belvedere, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Giant Ferris Wheel, train to Salzburg, Mozart's Birthplace, Hallstatt, Hohensalzburg FortressBalanced pace

Where to stay

SalzburgThe old town for first-timers on foot; the right bank around Linzergasse and Mirabell for the gardens and a short walk across the river; near the Hauptbahnhof for early trains.Best areas to stay in SalzburgHotels in Salzburg
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ViennaThe Innere Stadt for first-timers near the main sights; Neubau around Spittelberg and the MuseumsQuartier for restaurants and bars; Leopoldstadt near the Karmelitermarkt and the Prater for a local feel.Best areas to stay in ViennaHotels in Vienna
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Getting around

  • Trains: ÖBB railjets run twice an hour between Vienna and Salzburg without changes, and WESTbahn InterCity trains take about 2.5 hours.
  • Vienna Airport: Railjet and intercity trains link Vienna Airport and the Hauptbahnhof in about 15 min, twice an hour.
  • To Hallstatt: Take the train, change at Attnang-Puchheim for Hallstatt station, then ride the 7-minute ferry across the lake to the village.
  • Salzburg Airport: Bus 2 links Salzburg Hauptbahnhof and the airport in about 23 min, every 15 to 20 min.

Before you go

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Phone dataMobile data keeps your timed palace and museum tickets, live train times and the Hallstatt ferry timetable at hand between Vienna, Salzburg and the lakes.How a travel eSIM works
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