SAres

Our family is planning a trip to Vienna in two weeks. We will be travelling with two younger children, age 8 & 10. We are considering visiting Salzburg and possibly Prague. Is this feasible within the 8 days ?

nytraveler

How ar eyou counting the 8 days? If this includes te day you land and the day you depart - ot you can't do all that.

If you have 8 full days (9 nights) without arrival and departure days you could do it but it will be a rush. And at this time of year the the days are short, so seeing any of the countryside around Salzburg will have to be the middle of the day. Plus traveling with 2 kids can slow things down.

If you clarify your days people can help you make a better decision.

SAres

Thank you for your reply. We will have 8 full days. Our kids are used to traveling and can keep up with a tight schedule but at the same time we want to make it fun. Can you please suggest an itinerary?

traveller1959

The train from Wien to Salzburg takes around 3 hours, from Salzburg to Praha 6 to 7 hours and from Praha to Wien 4:10.

fourfortravel

Knowing the dates of travel would be helpful, as would knowing what your interests are beyond seeing the usual tourist sights. Austria is generally "closed" on Sundays (stores and many restaurants), and many museums in Europe are closed on Mondays. It is the Advent and Christmas market season here, as well, and there may be special activities to enjoy in both cities.

SAres

We will be arriving in Vienna on 12/18 and leaving on 12/27. This will be our first trip to these cities so we would want to see the
the highlights. We enjoy music and historic places.

nytraveler

OK - wherever you are a lot of places will close early on 12/24 and many (most) places will be closed on 12/25.

I think first you need to determine what places, if any will be open on the 25th - that may help shape the order of your trip. In any case you will have limited time in any place - since I would want at least 3 full days each for Vienna and Prague and 2 full days for Salzburg - leaving you with only one day for travel when you need at least 2 and you have to deduct at least 12/25.

Based on you new info I would pick 2 places to realistically see much of anything - and fly into Vienna and then out of your final city.

oscarandpenelope

We went to Prague and Vienna last Christmas and New Year and I agree that you need to find out what is open on Dec 24-26 first. Last year part of the castle complex in Prague was open on Christmas Day.

fourfortravel

Indeed, knowing your travel dates is helpful. The Christmas and Advent markets in Vienna will be open through 23 December; some open for part of Christmas Eve. Many stores will close early on 24 December. A few New Year's markets will start to open after Christmas, but they are really little more than stalls offering Good Luck tokens for the New Year--I wouldn't make them a highlight of your holiday.

Vienna will essentially be closed from 25 to 27 December. (Christmas Day, St. Stephan's Day, and the usual Sunday shutdown for stores and grocery). If there are museums of interest, be sure to check their holiday schedules, as well as the schedule for sights of interest in Salzburg.

If you are self-catering, keep in mind that grocery stores are closed on Sunday (the ones at train stations being exceptions). If you are planning dinner out over the Christmas holidays (24,25,26, 27 December) you may want to secure reservations sooner rather than later.

Be sure to dress appropriately. Central Europe is cold in the winter; and the cobblestones can make ill-prepared feet cold in a hurry.

SAres

Thank you for all your replies. You have been very helpful and informative. Happy Holidays!!!

SAres

I am trying to decide how to pack for this trip. Can you please offer some pointers. I have found mixed information online as to what the weather will be during our stay.

oscarandpenelope

Not sure where you're from and what kind of temperature you're used to, but last year the daily high when we were there hovered around zero degree Celsius. We drank a lot of hot wine to keep warm! My sister, who is not used to the colder climate, wore snow pants (that she could take off when we went indoors) on some of the days when we were there. However this year seems to be a little warmer, but still might be considered cold to some.

fourfortravel

We are now into our fourth winter in Vienna. Proper footwear is essential; you don't need snow boots, but expect cold and damp (the cobblestones are remarkably good at staying cold!). Dress in layers, as many stores, restaurants and museums will be overheated and you'll want to deposit coats, scarves, hats etc. in the available cloakrooms.

Temperatures for the upcoming week are averaging 5°, but that really doesn't mean much. It's winter in Central Europe; therefore, it is cold. The sun sets early at this time of year, as well, between 1600 and 1630, which can be upsetting if you are not accustomed to early darkness.