Need help with Austrian Itinerary
 

My wife and I are planning a trip to Austria in early June. We don't plan to rent a car, plan to fly in/out of Vienna. We like a good mix of culture, food and nature hikes.

• I've skipped Hallstatt due to the place being a tourist trap.
• Planning a day trip to Melk from Vienna
• I've included Berchtesgaden's stay to enjoy the hikes in the area. Could I skip to stay at Berchtesgaden and travel from Salzburg multiple days or will it get hectic?
• Should I keep Innsbruck?
• Any other input to the itinerary is much appreciated.

Day 1 - Day 5:

• USA -> Vienna;
• Sleep @ Vienna
• Includes day trip to Melk and Danube Valley

Day 6 - Day 8:

• Vienna -> Salzburg
• Sleep @ Salzburg

Day 9 - Day 10

• Salzburg -> Berchtesgaden
• Sleep @ Berchtesgaden

Day 11 - Day 12

• Berchtesgaden -> Innsbruck
• Sleep @ Innsbruck

Day 13

• Innsbruck -> Vienna -> USA

Thanks in advance!!

This June?!? I strongly encourage to book your lodging ASAP.

I can't help with most of your plans, but I would ask whether you're flight from Vienna is late enough that you are confident that you can get there from Innsbruck in plenty of time. I'm risk adverse and would not try that. Instead, I'd want to be in Vienna the night before my flight. And I would explore options for re-ordering your trip so that all your time in Vienna is a the end. JMO.

You'll see some wonderful things -- enjoy!

What do you plan to do at Innsbruck in 1 1/2 days?

Berchtesgaden is an outlier. If you want hiking there is plenty of great hiking in the Salzburg area.

Oh, my. What are you even doing with this itinerary?

(Hallstatt is not a tourist trap if you spend the night, BTW.)

“Day Trip to Melk and Danube Valley” Are you taking a cruise? Why not see Melk on your way to Salzburg.

Honestly, skip Berchtesgaden and divide the time between Innsbruck and Salzburg. And, make your departure out of Munich. Your Day 13 is fraught with challenges.

Thanks everyone for your inputs. I've modified my itinerary taking in your feedback.

Dropped Berchtesgaden stay (instead opted for daytrip to see Eagle's Nest), dropped Hallstatt but added Munich (2 days) since the suggestion was to fly out of Munich (vs retracing path back to Vienna). We will opt for early trains for departure so we can maximize the time at destination. Day 1 - Day 4:

• USA -> Vienna;
• Sleep @ Vienna

Day 5 - Day 7:

• Vienna -> Salzburg
• Sleep @ Salzburg

Day 8 - Day 9

• Salzburg -> Innsbruck
• Sleep @ Innsbruck

Day 10 - Day 11

• Innsbruck -> Munich
• Sleep @ Munich

Day 12

• Munich -> USA

And by bus from Innsbruck - for example, Stubaital, for one.

It all seems like considerable train travel for the ROI. I get that you want to see and do it all, but with this itinerary you'll spend more time going from place to place than "seeing and doing it all." Which you can't do anyway. (We lived in Austria for 7 years and tried. It can't be done.)

Drop Innsbruck; drop the Eagle's nest unless you have particular reasons for visiting; and spend your time in the Salzkammergut. There's much hiking, food and culture in that area to fill your days.

Good move to be in Munich ahead of your departure.