sbp17

I'll have 2 days in December to spend in either location. I'm a 27 year old male who will be traveling by myself, if that helps. I'll be coming from Zurich by train. If I opt for Vienna, I'll take an overnight train. If I opt for Salzburg, I'll take an early morning train.

Shar

Been to both and both are lovely but I would opt for Vienna over Salzburg; its a larger city and more activity. Of course it depends on what you are looking for. Check some travel books also for what to see and do in both and then make up your mind.

nytraveler

Exactly, the cities and regions are very different - and you don;t say what your interest are. Do you prefer a beautiful town in a mountainous area? Or a major city with more cultural/historial activites/pursuits?

sbp17

Thanks for the advice so far. I tend to prefer major cities (though I loved Brughes, Ghent, Stratford but did not enjoy Pisa or Sienna). When I travel alone, I tend to sightsee quickly. I believe my train ticket allows me the luxury of getting off and on so long as I'm on the same route when I get back on. So I also have the option to do a day each instead of 2 days in either.

adnil1962

I have never been to Vienna but Salzburg is one of my favorite places in the world!!!!!

The city is very small, quaint & romantic. I have a trip journal someplace that I can dig up if you are interested - e-mail me at [email protected].

TopMan

I think the udea of at least reading something about both is a good one, either on the internet or in an actual printed guidebook.

You could, depending on interests, easily spend a full day and more seeing the sights in Salzburg and certainly several days in Vienna which has MUCH more to offer in terms of palaces alone much less museums, etc.

In Salzburg there is the magnificent cathedral, the "old town" area, the fortress, the Hellbrun (sp?) with its wonderful water "amusements" as well as the marionette theatre, the evening dinner performances of Mozart music (provide there are any at that time of year) all in rather scenic surroundings.

Vienna with its museums and the palaces: the Hofburg, the Belvedere, the Schoenbrun, the baroque architecture all over the city, and the list goes on and on.

You really need to decide what is more important but either way I think you'll be happy with your choice. Nice "problem" to have IMO!

DAX

I've been to both twice in December and once in August and obviously enjoyed both tremendously, but I was with my family. When I travel alone I also prefer big cities but Salzburg has enough to offer even for solo travellers. If you're a skier, you can take the train to go skiing at ST. JOHANN just about an hour south and rent everything at the resort(except for gloves). With one ticket you can ski to 2 other connected resorts, Wagrain & Flachau,stopping by the small cafes & beerhuts with views of the alpine & Wagrain /St Johan villages & church steeples, it'a great way of sightseeing.

Staying inside the oldtown in Salzburg will make sightseeing quick & easy. The view of Salzburg in winter from the Hohensalzburg Festung is unbelievable. The baroque pedestrian zone old town comes alive as you walk and see everything upclose. The christmas market with gluhwein & street musicians in the Domplatz is quite festive, do join the festivities at some of the local bars. People are friendly and dressed up ready to party for the holidays. The Residenz is a nice small palace museum to visit, and if you're a mozart fan then you may consider visiting his childhood home(I've never been). Schloss Mirabell formal garden is nice but frozen sans color.

Vienna has the christmas market (till Dec 24) and a lot of classical events. Avoid the small ones, they are tourist traps (according to my wife). I'm not big on shows especially when I travel alone. The Hofburg palace has the Vienna boys choir on christmas day for which you have to reserve months ahead. We went without reservation and just stood against the chapel wall. People in Vienna are more formal but still friendly. Hundertwasser is a famous architect much like Gaudi in Barcelona, he built a residential & commercial building complex (shops/ restaurants/ museum) with a really funky architecture. Keep in mind that Vienna is definitely not Barcelona or Paris but it's a lot better than Zurich!

Have fun choosing and enjoy your trip!

Keith

With only two days, I would opt for Salsburg. There is pleanty to fill two days and it is compact.

In Vienna you will be spending more of your time traveling around the city.

Keith

platzman

You're making my little brain go into spasms trying to choose between Vienna and Salzburg. Don't make me do that.
Seriously though, you really wouldn't spend a lot of time having to travel around Vienna. Most "mandatory" sights, except perhaps for Schonbrunn Palace, are clustered in or around the Ringstrasse, which is less than 2KM in diameter. Even Schonbrunn by U-Bahn is only about ten minutes out.
Two days would be minimally adequate in Vienna, and would be plenty of time should you choose Salzburg.