Need Advice! Salzburg or Innsbruck??
 

I am leaving from Venice going to Austria, and was planning to go to Salzburg for three nights. However, my flight plans changed, which left me with an extra day, before I go on to Munich. My question is ..... should I just add the extra day in Salzburg or should I instead first go to Innsbruck for a day, then on to Salzburg??

The entire Salzburg area has so much to offer---I would use the time there and day trip to Hallstatt or St. Gilgen.

What time of year? How are you traveling?

Without further info, Innsbruck seems out of the way for one night.

You won;t need all that time for Salzburg - it's not a very big town and 1.5 to2 days is penty. But, there is a lot to see in the nearby mountains - butyou need to organize a car or train/bus or whatever - depending on what you want to see. How do you plan on getting from Salzburg to Munich - train? Stopping for the day (not night) is OK - it's a cute town - but you might prefer to see more sights in the area around Salzburg.

And agree that time of yer is vital. In winter the mountains can be a lot trickier - based on day by day condiitons.

Ssuggest you do some reearch on the area around salzburg to determine which sights you want to see.

OK more info....planning ahead for next September. Here are my parameters....going by train from Venice to either Salzberg or Innsbruck (sounds like Innsbruck is a prettier train ride?). I had planned to be in Salzburg until Thursday (day trip to Berchesgaden) and then train to Munich. I have gained a day, and decided to arrive in Munich on Friday, which adds a day to my plans. So I thinking either...1)train directly to Salzburg and stay the extra day there with a potential day trip; OR 2) first go to Innsbruck for a day then train to Salzburg for the three days as planned.

What would you do?

For some reason, I read that you were starting in Vienna... OK, the question is whether to spend an afternoon and evening in Innsbruck before heading to Salzburg. Did you have things you wanted to see in Innsbruck, or is it all about the train ride?

In my memory, the train route between Salzburg and Venice via Villach is more scenic, but that could just be my personal preference surfacing. Here's a train video that gives a glimpse in real time of the ride from Salzburg to Villach:

http://www.bahnvideos.net/220_01.html

I second Bob's recommendation, use the extra day to visit the Salzkammergut lake region, at least take a day trip by train from Salzburg to Hallstatt (google for pictures to appreciate what it is) and St Gilgen. Innsbruck is just OK for me nothing spectacular.

I really appreciate your insights. I've never traveled out of Venice, and I need all the help I can get!!