Salzburg Stopover between Munich & Vienna?
Apr 29th, 2009, 05:17 PM
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Salzburg Stopover between Munich & Vienna?
I'll be in Munich July 21-25, leaving that day for Vienna (hotels already booked). I'm planning to take a train between the two; I'm a 50ish female travelling alone, and driving alone in Europe to me would be stress, not a holiday.
With that decided, I'm reading guidebooks & websites, including this one of course, and there seem to be a lot of raves about Salzburg--which of course is pretty much in the middle of my journey. So...I've started wondering if I would like to stop for part of the day in Salzburg. According to bahn.de, I can go from Munich to Salzburg in about 90 minutes, and Salzburg to Vienna about 3 hrs. So, leaving around 7:30 a.m., I could stop in Salzburg from 9 - 4, then go on to Vienna and arrive before dark. There are luggage lockers, apparently, in Salzburg station.
Is this a good idea? Is Salzburg a place that one can enjoy for a few hours, or would it just be frustrating? The descriptions sound as if I could go up to the castle, and see the Mirabell Gardens, without too much frantic rushing (HATE frantic rushing!)
But I'm sure there'll be plentry to see in Vienna (I'm planning 6 nights). So, for those who know Austria: is this a good idea, or not?
With that decided, I'm reading guidebooks & websites, including this one of course, and there seem to be a lot of raves about Salzburg--which of course is pretty much in the middle of my journey. So...I've started wondering if I would like to stop for part of the day in Salzburg. According to bahn.de, I can go from Munich to Salzburg in about 90 minutes, and Salzburg to Vienna about 3 hrs. So, leaving around 7:30 a.m., I could stop in Salzburg from 9 - 4, then go on to Vienna and arrive before dark. There are luggage lockers, apparently, in Salzburg station.
Is this a good idea? Is Salzburg a place that one can enjoy for a few hours, or would it just be frustrating? The descriptions sound as if I could go up to the castle, and see the Mirabell Gardens, without too much frantic rushing (HATE frantic rushing!)
But I'm sure there'll be plentry to see in Vienna (I'm planning 6 nights). So, for those who know Austria: is this a good idea, or not?
Apr 29th, 2009, 05:28 PM
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I wasn't that impressed with Salzburg and would not stop over for such a short time. Yes, the castle/fort was impressive and I enjoyed a walk around Mirabel Gardens but only because I hadn't been there before. To me, Salzburg was a disappointment and I wouldn't make an effort to go back.
I haven't been to Vienna but love Munich so I would add the Salzburg consideration to either of those cities.
I haven't been to Vienna but love Munich so I would add the Salzburg consideration to either of those cities.
Apr 30th, 2009, 05:10 AM
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We thoroughly enjoy all 3 cities. Each is very different and has their own charm and appeal. Not sure I'd spend more time in Salzburg than Vienna or Munich, but as noted, different strokes. Salzburg's city center is very easy to navigate on foot and is definitely worth a visit.
Apr 30th, 2009, 05:38 AM
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I would certainly break the train journey to spend some time in Salzburg. If it doesn't appeal I suppose you could get an earlier train on to Vienna.
I enjoyed walking the old town--almost all pedestrian-only, the painted houses, baroque churches, the sites associated with the Sound of Music (you don't need a tour for those which are in the town), Mozart house, good choice of cafes, etc.
I enjoyed walking the old town--almost all pedestrian-only, the painted houses, baroque churches, the sites associated with the Sound of Music (you don't need a tour for those which are in the town), Mozart house, good choice of cafes, etc.
Apr 30th, 2009, 05:44 AM
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You can see a lot in salzburg in a day. However much of my enjoyment in Salzburg is the time spent in the surrounding area and in things like the salt mine and ice caves at Werfen.
The best use of your time might be to take an organized city tour
The best use of your time might be to take an organized city tour
Apr 30th, 2009, 08:04 AM
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Hi nf,
Very good idea.
You can have a very pleasant day wandering through the old town without being unduly pressed for time.
According to www.viamichelin.com, the Hauptbahnhof is about a 15 min walk from the Mirabelle gardens.
You might find the Salzburg Card useful. It gives you free rides on the buses.
http://www.salzburg.info/en/sights/salzburg_card/
Bus routes and scheules are at http://fahrplan.oebb.at/bin/query.exe/en?L=vs_svv&
The bus route map is at http://www.stadtbus.at/media/pdf/pdf347.pdf
Very good idea.
You can have a very pleasant day wandering through the old town without being unduly pressed for time.
According to www.viamichelin.com, the Hauptbahnhof is about a 15 min walk from the Mirabelle gardens.
You might find the Salzburg Card useful. It gives you free rides on the buses.
http://www.salzburg.info/en/sights/salzburg_card/
Bus routes and scheules are at http://fahrplan.oebb.at/bin/query.exe/en?L=vs_svv&
The bus route map is at http://www.stadtbus.at/media/pdf/pdf347.pdf
Apr 30th, 2009, 03:59 PM
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Well, I think I'm going to plan for ita stopover. Thanks for all the opinions. I usually pick urban holidays(I live in a tiny village surrounded by trees)but I think the Salzburg.info site sold me.
May 3rd, 2009, 01:33 PM
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There's no question that Salzburg is a nice city to visit and to wander around. If you would like to consider something different that most people would have never seen, try a stop in one of the smaller towns between Salzburg and Linz. I'm always partial to the feeling that smaller towns provide, wandering around the local markets and shopping areas, and having a meal at one of the local eateries. There are lots of smaller places with their on character on or near the railway route, and a little research will give you an idea of what they might be like.
While I feel you won't go for this idea, maybe you will be interested in trying it out for a future trip. You won't exactly feel like a local resident in these smaller towns, but at least you won't feel like just another of the thousands of tourists who visit Salzburg and other more famous cities every day.
While I feel you won't go for this idea, maybe you will be interested in trying it out for a future trip. You won't exactly feel like a local resident in these smaller towns, but at least you won't feel like just another of the thousands of tourists who visit Salzburg and other more famous cities every day.
