tidy

We plan to visit Austria this May. In addition to visiting Salzburg and Vienna we'd like to visit Melk, Krems and possibly Hallstatt. I know that you can use the train to reach those areas but I was thinking a car may be more convenient to travel between them. Any thoughts would be appreciated and towns/areas to visit would also be appreciated.

zootsi

We did this drive about 6 years ago. As I remember, the driving was quite easy once you get out of Vienna. We got very lost trying to get out of downtown Vienna. We actually drove from Vienna to Weisenkirchen where we stayed overnight at a b&b winery which was one of the highlights of our trip. If you enjoy bicycling, there is an very beautiful, safe, bike trail along the Danube in this area. We drove our car into Hallstatt late at night, and had to park in the lot above the town, and walk down a long stairway to get into the town. There is a gate that requires a security card to drive into the town (things may be different now). This whole area is very beautiful.

bobthenavigator

Do you have a month?
The options are many, but my favorite region of Austria is the Salzkammergut including the Wolfgangsee.

tidy

I have about a month for the entire trip but for driving in Austria we could have anywhere from 4-7 days. That would not include our time in either Vienna or Salzburg.

Michael

With a car you have more opportunity for changing your mind while traveling. You also will not be stuck with the bus or train schedules which inevitably will slow you down when touring from location to location (long distance travel is not considered here).

Wilhering is a site you might want to visit for its church.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57622926792957

browsing through the set might also give you some ideas.

bobthenavigator

Be sure to see the Abbey at Melk going or coming.
I love to stay in St. Gilgen and see Hallstatt and Berschgarten areas from there. You will love Austria.

molker

An auto can be a great addition for your holiday.

Certainly a plus for flexibility- no need to rush sightseeing to make an available connection.
Allows for some " Off the beaten path " sightseeing .

For example:
Gottweig Abbey, the grape vineyards of the Wachau between Krems and Melk
Acenic drive along the Danube .

In addition to Hallstatt - othe rscenic areas of the Salzkammergut

and much more.

some websites for visits

www.krems.at

www.wachau.at

www.duernstein.at

www.stiftmelk.at

www.grein.at

www.wolfgangsee.at

Driving is easy - excelent roads - well maintained and marked - food directional signage-

Gas prices can be a factor - currently diesel and gas about 1,41 euro per liter.

Your rental auto needs a highway tax sticker - most rental agencies have these already affixed.

Most likely an International Drivers Permit ( translation of your regular drivers license .

easytraveler

You really don't need a car in Vienna. Better without it.

Also Salzburg.

A car is better for the countryside.

Can you rent the car only for the countryside portion of your trip?

ira

Hi tidy,

I think that having a car to visit the Salzkammergut, including Hallstatt, would be a good idea.

Are you planning to visit or just a daytrip?

tidy

Not sure how long we would stay at Halstatt etc. Sounds like the car is a good choice so that is what we will do and we will not have the car in either Salzburg or Vienna. We had already planned to see the Abbey at Melk. We were thinking of doing the half day Sound of Music tour while visiting Salzburg. Is that still worthwhile if we went a car? I assum it is, because surely it would be easier then us trying to find exh of the places.Thanks much.