Hi, I am also planning a Holiday to Austria this summer and have been following this discussion quite closely. It has helped me quite a bit in finalising my plans. However i have a few questions to fellow Fodorites
1. I have 9 days in Austria - would you suggest sticking to Vienna and Salzburg (including its adjoining areas like St Gilgen) or would you suggest adding Innsbruck? I was thinking 4-5 days Vienna and 4-5 days Country side Salzburg basing myself in either St Gilgen or Strobl. Which of the two towns are better connected to areas around it? We do not plan to hire a car.
2. If it is St Gilgen or Strobl, what would be the best mode to travel to it from Vienna? My wife and myself are travelling with a 2.5yr toddler son and thus would prefer an easy mode.
3. would you suggest cutting down days at each place and adding Innsbruck? or maybe even Munich?

There is very little that i can add to the excellent information given by molker.

However, i do have one money saving tip, which is to buy a "sissi" ticket [named after the empress of the same name] at the Hofburg palace, it is valid not only for the Hofburg but also for the whole of the Schönbrunn palace and grounds [apart from the zoo, i think] and there is no need to queue - a great boon at the Schönbrunn where the queues are legendary.

you don't save a lot of money, but you do save a lot of time and stress!

Overall, I would suggest sticking with Austria and keeping to as few destinations as possible; you will actually see more, it will be cheaper, and if my experience with my kids is anything to go by, your DS will be happier.

Have a great trip!

Dear Fodorites,

Thanks for the fantastic insights and suggestions. Please keep them coming.

Based on the very sound suggestions, we are looking at arriving in Vienna. Spending time in Vienna and to do the two day trips i.e. the ice caves and Melk/Krems visit. Any advise is welcome.

From Vienna we will go to Salzburg. Need some clarifications, for Salzburg stay. Do we base ourselves in Fuschl, Strobl and St. Gilgen? Are these connected by train from Vienna? Would it be expensive to travel on a daily basis by train/bus from Strobl etc to Salzburg?

From Salzburg we move to Zell Am See. Should we do Vienna-Zell Am See - Salzburg or Vienna - Salzburg - Zell Am See. From Zell Am See we would like to go to Heiligenblut. How do we do that and is it worth the time spent on travelling in case the Grossglockner road is closed in May.

Is Reutte and Lermoos worth a visit? Can we do Heiligenblut to Lermoos or Reutte? We plan on proceeing to Garmisch from Austria and then fly out of Munich? Any suggestions are welcome? Can we do the Italian Dolomites as a day trip from any of these scenic places using the public transport train/bus?

Kind regards,
SKPKCP11

<Would it be expensive to travel on a daily basis by train/bus from Strobl etc to Salzburg?>

We found the bus tickets to be quite expensive so be sure to factor the cost in should you decide to stay outside of Salzburg. This is based on several day trips over the course of several trips.

St. Gilgen is not accessible by train. Zell am See is and is about 2 hours from Salzburg.

I enjoyed staying in Zell (without a car) and took a bus trip up the Grossglockner and another to the Krimml waterfall in the other direction. My trip report, including Hallstatt and Zell is here: http://wilhelmswords.com/eur2006/index.html

Dear Molker........is it really necessary to correct my spelling of Austrian towns....I was only trying to be helpful...and by the way I really do like Jenbach it is a pretty place without tourists........ENOUGH

If travelers do not have correct town names from posters - how does one expect them to locate them via google or other means to obtain any further information.
This is especially important when posters do not add website address to assist.


example
Mayorhof - actually Mayrhofen -



looking for mayorhof produces no results

Mayrhofen - correct name and thus much info including
website found
www.mayrhofen.at

As you advice that you like Jenbach, I certainly can express my opinion also.
I have been in this immediate area for many years having family and friends still in the Zillertal, so I know a little about Jenbach.


For SKPKCP

note - no ice csves found near to Vienna- you have several choices near Salzburg

Dear Fodorites,

Thanks for your valuable inputs. Much appreciate it.

We are 2 adults & 2 children below 10 yrs who will be using public transport preferably trains (Eifach Raus Tickets) as we are budget travellers.

As per all the above inputs, I am planning our tentative itinerary as below. Please feel free to suggest changes :
Arrive Vienna - Spend 4 nights approx. in a hotel near the Vienna Westbahnhof. Any recommendations for budget hotels? Kindly advise the unsafe areas to avoid. We will keep one day for Melk/Krems.

Move from Vienna to Salzburg. Now I am confused. Just thinking out aloud my thoughts - be based in Salzburg for 3 nights (is that too much?) and see Salzburg. Then move to Zell Am See and cover the Krimml waterfalls and Grossglockner strasse.

From Zell Am See move to Heiligenblut. Please advise if there is anything we can cover from Heiliegenblut.

Is there any way we can squeeze Finkenberg? Have read the reviews and I seem to like the great mountain scenery.

From there we move to Seefeld and then onto Innsbruck.

Just want some clarifications :
If we base ourselves at St. Gilgen or Strobl instead of Salzburg - is there a free regional transport like in Germany?

Also, similarly if we base ourselves at Seefeld and cover Innsbruck - how many days to keep.

What are the activities that we can cover by being based at Heliegenblut and Finkerberg?

I am confused and any clarity will certainly help. We do not want to save on accomodation and spend on travel.

Molker - appears you are the expert for Austria. Kindly advise us - first timers. Can I squeeze in a farm stay as our kids thouroughly enjoy staying on the farms.

Kind regards,
SKPKCP11

Dear All,

I am back with my queries after a lull. Please bear in mind we will have no car and will use train/bus and other public transport preferably Eifach Raus ticket. Request some more clarity :
1. Any recommendations for stay in Vienna - 3 star hotel, B&B, pension or apartment but should be conveniently located to main train station and the attractions.
How many nights should we consider min. stay in Vienna?
2. Vienna to Salzburg using ER ticket
3. How many nights in Salzburg and any hotel recommendation? To save on stay cost, do we stay out of Salzburg but where? and will we end up spending on travelling more to & from to Salzburg?
4. From Salzburg to Zell Am See. How many nights in Zell Am See?
5. From Zell Am See we want to go to and spend a night or two in Heiligenblut but I do not see any connections using the ER ticket. Are there any nice villages on the Grossglockner Road where we can stay?
6. If there are no connections, we will give it a skip and go to Innsbruck/ Seefeld.
7. From Seefeld we move into Garmisch and then to Munich.

Kindly advise which places I should add/delete?
Between Vienna and Salzburg is there any village where we can take a halt for a night or two. I would like to include Gruenau and Seckau as I have read some very good reviews and also Hallstat but I am unable to locate Gruenau & Seckau places on the oebb site. Can I fit these into my schedule? Any recommendations for a farm stay at a working farm are welcome?

Lastly we do not want to save on accomodation and spend on travel.

Kind regards,
SKPKCP11

I tried to find the number of days that you plan to spend in Austria - did not see this and much advice depends on this and also your list of interests.
some suggestions

1. Vienna has much to see and do - this for adults as well as kids.

I think 3-4 days minimum for a visit - if planning an excursion add a day.

somne nice and good value places

Hotel Austria - this in city center - walk to many sightseeing places - great dining choices

Pension Kraml well located too.

or as recommended above check on the Viena Tourist website.


2. Much is changing regarding tickets and prices between Vienna and Salzburg

the national carrier recently announced a new fare plan- tickets Vienna- Salzburg for 19 euro.

A new carrier is to begin service in December - this known as Westbahn - they plan to make new bus services to various destinations too.

Too soon to recommend the best way and price - but no trouble for you to wait until closer to your trip-
passenger capacity will dramatically increase and probably some price competition too.

example Melk Abbey and Danube boat cruise is really a full day

www.ddsg-blue-danube.at

www.stiftmelk.at


3. Salzburg city sights can be done in 1 day if you wish -

staying outside the city as mentioned above and trsaveling in by bus or train is economical- note recommendation about this before and lower rates for kids too.

Fuschl, St. Gilgen Strobl are nice - scenic and on lakes too.

Staying out of >Salzburg - cheaper - often great value of nice accomodstions -
food tends to be cheasper- greater portions and friendly service
easy access to much sightseeing.

4. Zell - no recommended time - Grossglockner a full day- depends on time you have -
Overall - my opinion- I think you try to cram too much into your trip-
Especially with kids everyone needs a little down time - relax and enjoy where you are - rather than in a rush to get to the next stop

Seckau - is not really directly in your travel route-closer to Graz

www.seckau.at

Grünau is closer to Salzburg and the Lake region-



actually Grünau in Almtal

www.gruenau-almtal.at

accessable by train with a change at Wels on the mainline Vienna- Salzburg

no idea if this practical as do not know your time acailability.

As for a farm stay - website provided above - this is the correct site and works for me.

Perhaps you find a farm in the Salzkammergut - provides value- time to relax yet do your sightseeing.

I can second the Hotel Austria suggestion in Vienna - very central, good transport connections, very quiet and friendly.

Thanks Molker and Annhig.

I will definitely look up Hotel Austria in Vienna.

Any recommendations for hotels in Fuschl, Strobl or St. Gilgen. What are the attractions if we base ourselves in any one of the three towns?

Is Zell Am See same as Zell Am Ziller? What are the attractions that we can do by being based in Zell Am See? Any hotel recommendations are welcome.

What are the attractions that we can cover by being based in Seefeld? Can anyone give recommendations for any hotel in Seefeld?

Molker, we have not decided on the number of days. To be honest, it will depend on the cost of our stay. This is only preliminary ground work which I am doing to zero in our options especially when we will have no vehicle of our own.

Just got to know one more thing - please confirm. Are tourists dressed casually in Vienna looked down upon? Does one need to be fancily dressed? Is it true?

Once again thanks for your wonderful insights - any info on Finkenberg and Lienz. Are they worth doing? and how do I try to include them in the itinerary?

Kind regards,
SKPKCP11

If a good music venue like the State Opera, Musikverein - better dress is expected - but no actual dress code -
Same would apply to deluxe restaurants.
Locals tend to dress well most times- if tourists are seated in best areas of the venues or visit deluxe restaurants - they are tolerated -
You will see all types and styles by tourists - your choice but no need to " dress up " for regular touring.

Zell am See and Zell am Ziller are two completely different towns - not even ner each other - Zell am See south of Salzburg
Zell am Ziller is east and south of Innsbruck.

The places you ask about all have websites - if you are in a preliminary stage of plans - these are your places to look -

they offer accomodations - sightseeing facts, activities

sites like www.wolfgangsee.at

www.fuschlsee.at
www.fuschlseeregion.com

Hiking , lake activities - summer tobaggans , mountain railways just a few things, museums too.

You do not mention budget
places like Ebners Waldhof, Schuetzenhof - very nice

Furberg by St. Gilgen - quiet by excelent

Again how can anyone give advice on places like Finkenberg etc. not knowing time frame as you already have so much you wish to do-

Finkenberg is in Tirol- in the far end of a valley - a small village - nice enough - but no lake and out of your way - great if you are into mountain hiking - but in May - very quiet - even mountain huts not open yet.

Hi

We are also planning a trip to Austria during August 2012, I found above posts quite useful thanks for providing all the info.

As of now, we have planned the trip as below and will appreciate if you guys can have a look and suggest if any modifications are required to get best out of trip:
We are 2 Families ( 4 Adults + 3 kids - 2,2&3 year old)

1)Aug 17th: Arriving in Vienna in evening (Just stay in hotel to rest after around 9 hours of flying time)

2) Aug 18th: City Tour of Vienna + Visit Schonbrunn Palace

3) Aug 19th: Danube Valley + In Evening move to Salzburg by Train

4) Aug 20th: City Tour (including Sound of Music Tour)+ Gut Aiderbichl

5) Aug 21st: Morning(Untersberg Lift,Celtic Village)+ Ice Caves tour in afternon ( 1 pm to 6 pm) + Move to Zell Am See and reach by around 9/10 pm.

6) Aug 22nd: Grobglockner Trip by car (plan to Rent on the spot)and cover on the way Muhlauer Sawmill (Fusch) and Wildlife adventure park Ferleiten

7) Aug 23rd: Yet to plan for other Sight Seeing near Zell Am See from morning to evening + Move to Innsbruck in eveing and reach by around 9/10.

8) Aug 24th: City Tour covering few Trams and then late evening move to Zurich.

I will appreciate if you can suggest any improvement in plan as we have not finalzied the hotels yet and have another 2-3 days to confirm the hotel bookings.

Let me know if we are missing any MUST SEE places in Austria after above trip.

Thanks in advance.

Rohit

This is an old thread, why don't you start your own?

Trying to see Vienna AND Schronbrunn in just one day is crazy. It's even more crazy jet-lagged and with small kids! And you might want to reconsider those evening train rides.

Gott in Himmel!

that's quite a full itinerary.

your last sentence implies that you have more time available at the end of the trip - why not use those days to give yourselves more time to do the above?

at least one more day in each of Vienna and Salzburg would be much better, and in either Zell or Innsbruck.

i agree that it would be better to start a new thread, but in the meantime, I suggest this:

1)Aug 17th: Arriving in Vienna in evening (Just stay in hotel to rest after around 9 hours of flying time)

2) Aug 18th: City Tour of Vienna + hofburg palace [buy sissi tickets here to cover entrance to Schoenbrunn - cheaper and avoids the queues]

3) Aug 19th: Visit Schonbrunn Palace including zoo.

4) Aug 20th: Danube Valley + In Evening move to Salzburg by Train

5) Aug 21st: City Tour (including Sound of Music Tour)+ Gut Aiderbichl

6) Aug 22nd: Morning(Untersberg Lift,Celtic Village)+ Ice Caves tour in afternon ( 1 pm to 6 pm)

7) Aug 23rd: Move to Zell Am See and reach by around 2 pm. Afternoon in Zell.

8) Aug 24th:Grobglockner Trip by car (plan to Rent on the spot)and cover on the way Muhlauer Sawmill (Fusch) and Wildlife adventure park Ferleiten

9) Aug 25th: Zell am See

10) Aug 26th morning to Innsbruck - afternoon and evening Innsbruck

11)Aug 27th - City Tour covering few Trams then afternoon move to Zurich.

hope this helps!