<BR>Dear Fodorites:<BR><BR>While in Salzburg this summer, we would like to take a day trip to Hallstatt, but we aren't sure of exactly how to get there and back (guide books are rather short on details). I am assuming that public transporation (train, bus) is better than a rental car, since I have heard that only guests in Hallstatt hotels can bring their cars into town. Can anyone let us know what train or bus to take from Salzburg, if transfers are necessary, how long the trip takes, and any other pertinent details? Thank you in advance for your help.<BR><BR>Maggie<BR>

Maggie,<BR><BR>There are regular trains from Salzburg to Hallstatt. Just ask at the counter and they have a separate schedule made up for Hallstatt. It takes about 3 hours and a couple of changes, but it is well worth it. The trains stop running early, about 6:00, so start out early unless you plan on staying overnight. Also, and this is the important one, get off the train and head for the dock!! Hallstatt is across the lake from the train station. The boat runs on the hour, so plan ahead if you are returning to Salzburg. Have fun.<BR><BR>Greg

Maggie,<BR>It's about a two and a half hour train ride from Salzburg to Hallstatt with one change of trains. Trains leave Salzburg every 60 minutes or so. The Hallstatt train station is not in Hallstatt proper, but across the Hallstattsee and you'll have to take a ferry across.<BR>By car, Hallstatt is about 45 miles from Salzburg and an hour's drive. True, you can't park in the town (it's too small and its streets too narrow to accommodate parked vehicles) but you can park just outside town in the public lot just below the Pfarrkirche. From that lot it's a three or four minute walk to "downtown".

According to the &Ouml;BB web site, the last train back to Salzburg with any kind of a decent travel time leaves Hallstatt at <BR>18:17 and gets back to Salzburg at 20:48, an elapsed time of 2 hours and 31 minutes. <BR><BR>For a trip of about 85 miles, the time is long, and you have to change in <BR>Attnang-Putheim. The route back is actually north, and then a little north east, before it turns west towards Salzburg.<BR><BR>Given the roundabout nature of the route, I think you could make the trip a lot faster in a car because the highway route is more direct and shorter by about 30 K If there are more than 2 of you, I think it would also be cheaper to rent a car. If the town is closed to automobiles, I am sure there will be a pay-to-park lot where you can take a bus into the town itself.<BR><BR>There is an Avis agency close to the main station in Salzburg. I dropped my car off there last year and walked with my luggage (on wheels) to my train for Vienna.

Maggie--<BR>I would go along with one of the other suggestions and rent a car, not just because of getting Hallstatt but also to see some of the other villages along the way. If you do drive, you will be coming into Hallstatt along the lake shore. There are a couple of tunnels as you drive by the town, (which will be below the highway) so be on the lookout for a parking lot where you can park your car (free) and walk down (literally down, many steps down the side of the mountain) into town. It's a charming town and worth visiting. Hope you can make it there. Of course, be sure you have a good highway map if you drive.

Dear Greg, Wes,Bob, and Wayne,<BR>Thanks so much for all the great advice about getting to Hallstatt. Now we don't have any excuse not to go!<BR><BR>Maggie<BR>

Hi Maggie,<BR>Another possibility is to take a day trip(bus) from a local tour operator.You'll see these advertised in the bahnhof, in local tourist info magazines, and on "tourist boards" placed outside of local travel agencies.This may be a good option if you don't want to drive. Your hotel concierge can also help you with this. Check to make sure they can do some English - this shouldn't be a problem. One year when we visited Hallstadt there was a wedding in the town. The mother of the bride told us that we must go thru the "receiving line" and meet everyone....they believed that it would be good luck. We did this and the experience has stayed in our memories for many years

Hallstatt was a favorite stop on our Austria trip this last fall. Parking is available nearby with shuttle to town. Don't miss the "bone" house. Do yourself a service and skip the saltmine. Have a great trip!

Maggie:<BR>I am one of the very few that did NOT see what all the hype was with Hallstatt. It was beautiful, but it is one amongst so many beautiful areas in Austria. Still, you have to go to see for yourself. While you have that car, take a drive up to Gossau (Dachstein MTs) and take a walk around a wonder ful lake area!<BR>JOHN