Ellebella

We're going to Austria the third week of September with two days in Salzburg and three in Vienna after two weeks in Switzerland and France. Would like to spend one day between Salzburg and Vienna in Hallstatt and one in Melk. We're having trouble finding accommodations in either one on the internet. Could we just show up and go to the TI and get accommodations at that time of year? Also, does the boat run from Melk to Krems during the week or only on Sundays?

Thanks, Elle

Sue_xx_yy

Ellebella

You don't mention how you are travelling. If by car, you could try doing as we did and just do Hallstatt as a day trip from Salzburg, where accomodations are more plentiful.

Melk is a small place - try various guidebooks for listings of small places that might not show up on Internet searches. We stayed at Hotel Stadt Melk, www.tiscover.at/hotel-stadt-melk

I know people have managed to wing it via the TI, but bear in mind it is still high season in September in Austria. Whether you should do this depends on your tolerance for the unexpected, both as it pertains to the availability of accomodation and the cost.

The last time I checked the schedule, the boat ran daily, not just on Sundays. Enjoy Austria.

molker

Most schools are back in session by the time of your trip and crowds are much less. No problem finding good accomodations as you travel.Thus you can just arrive where you wish and look!
You will not have a problem finding a good place.
For Melk- look to the Hotel Zur Post- downtown - easy walk to the Abbey and boat docks.
www.tiscover.at/ post-melk
good restaurant.

Danube boats run several times daily until the end of October.The two lines have similar schedules.

www.brander.at
www.ddsg-blue-danube.at

Many nice accomodations along the Danube in the towns of Spitz ( Haus Burkhardt for one) Weissenkirchen ( Raffelsberger Hotel, Hotel Donauwirt and many other nice hotels and pensions) and Durnstein.If you have a car one of these towns offers a perfect quiet setting in the middle of " Wine Country" and excelent dining possibilities.
Look at www.wachau.at for more info
in english also

Chicago_Heather

I stayed at Pension Hallberg in Hallstatt last summer and it was very clean and homey.

http://www.pension-hallberg.at.tf/

We had a large room overlooking the lake and the view was gorgeous.

Sorry, can't help on Melk - we stayed in Durnstein for 3 nights and did Melk as a daytrip.

Also, if you are driving from Hallstatt to Melk, the Abbey of St. Florian is a nice place to stop off and look around. It is about 10-15 miles south of Linz.

bettyk

For accommodations in Hallstatt, check out the following website in English:

http://www.hallstatt.net/besucher/index.php3?lang=en

We have personally stayed at the Zauner, the Seehotel Gruner Baum and the Gasthof Simony. The Gruner Baum has undergone a recent renovation and is probably the nicest and most expensive of the three. It is located right on the lake as is the Gasthof Simony. The Simony is very old with creaky floors and a wonderful owner (who is in her late 70's) named Suzannah. We had the most wonderful breakfast at the Simony but rooms are very basic.

Hallstatt is magical and I recommend staying overnight. It should be very nice in September but avoided in the tourist heavy summer months.