I am currently planning a trip to Europe that includes 3 night visits to Salzburg and Vienna. After reading the message board, I have also become interested in adding Hallstatt to my itinerary. Does anyone know how easy it is to get from Salzburg to Halstatt via train (I won't have a car), and whether or not a day trip would be sufficient to apprecaite the town? Also, can anyone provide any information regarding how to get form the train station in Vienna to the town center? <BR> <BR>Cheers, <BR> <BR>Steve

You can indeed take the train from Salzburg to Hallstatt. Check the website www.bahn.hafas.de/bin/query.exe/en for<BR><BR>You might also want to look into St. Gilgen on Wolfgangsee, another pretty spot to visit.<BR><BR>There are three train stations in Vienna. Westbahnhof serves trains from the west and is on the U6 underground line. Sudbahnhof serves trains from southern Austria Italy and the Balkans. It's on the U1 line.Franz-Josefs station serves trains from Berlin and the Czech and Slovak Republics. It's on the U4 line and the D trolley goes from it to center city.

Steve, <BR> <BR>there is also a frequent bus from Salzburg to Bad Ischl ( via St. Gilgen ). From Bad Ischl you can get to Hallstatt by train or perhaps again by bus. This route is slightly shorter, and you have a different scenery. Thus, I'd go to Hallstatt on one route and go back to Salzburg on the other one. <BR> <BR>Regards, Jochen

I too am going to Vienna for 3 days and Salzburg for 3 days. Have 2 questions:1. I don't fully understand the trains from Vienna to Salzburg - which station & how long does it take? 2. I was considering a side trip to Berchesgaden (sp?) from Salzburg & was wondering how to get there & how long that trip was as well. <BR>Thank you. Steve - when are you going? We will be in vienna from 5/26 to 5/29 & salzburg from 5/30 through 6/1

Ellen, <BR> <BR>the schedule for the trains from Vienna ( "Wien" in German ) to Salzburg can be obtained form the website suggested by wes ( actually, it's http://bahn.hafas.de/bin/query.exe/en , without the "www" ) However, be sure to enter "Salzburg Hbf" for the main station in Salzburg. Most trains to Salzburg depart from the Westbahnhof in Vienna, the trip takes 3 to 3.5 hours. The same site will tell you how to get from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden. There are trains and busses. The busses are quicker, and they make additional stops at Mirabellplatz and Mozartsteg, which is convenient if your hotel is in the city center. <BR> <BR>Regards, Jochen

Bob's Special Tours www.bobstours.com offers a Bavarian Mountain tour from Salzburg that includes Berchtesgaden and Obersalzburg (Hitler). I here the tours aren't too obnoxious and may make things easier for you.

Jochen & Jason - thank you so much. I appreciate the replies. As for my hotel being in the city center, that, I have no idea. I can't tell on the map where it actually is. Hotel Sacher. Do you know anything about the Hotel or what it is near? My husband booked it. He also booked Palais Schwarzenberg in Vienna. They have a beautiful website, but I prefer a fordorite opinion. And, one more--Winkler Restaurant - worth it?

Ellen, <BR> <BR>I've never been to Hotel Sacher in Salzburg ( formerly Österreichischer Hof ) myself, but it is said to be one of the best hotels in the city. Its location is very convenient. It is on the right ( eastern ) bank of the Salzach river, close to the bridge which connects the two parts of the old town. <BR> <BR>The Mönchsberg ( where Cafe Winkler is ) is definitely worth a visit. The views of Salzburg from there are breathtaking. It is easily accesible by a lift, the "Mönchsbergaufzug". Cafe Winkler is certainly a high quality place, but it is a modern building and lacks the atmosphere that so many other places in Salzburg have. Personally, I prefer the "Bürgerwehr" which is only a few steps to the south apart. The views are the same, but the place is simpler and more authentic. But that's a matter of taste. <BR> <BR>By the way, if you have a car, and if it is a clear day, you should consider to make a side trip to the top of the Gaisberg which is in the eastern outskirts of Salzburg. The road to the top isn't terribly difficult, and you'll be rewarded with a fine view of Salzburg and the surrounding mountains. <BR> <BR>Regards, Jochen

Thanks for the insights everyone - I can't wait for the trip. <BR> <BR>Ellen, I am heading to Salzburg July 4th and am now planning on staying there five days, and will be in Vienna for three nights after that. <BR> <BR>Cheers, <BR> <BR>Steve

Thank you again Jochen! I will definitely try your restaurant recommendation. Thank you for putting my mind at ease about the hotel. I will try to find it on a map now that I know the general vicinity. Steve, I will post my trip review when I return, so if there is anything specific you want me to check out, let me know on this thread before I leave.

I don't anybody ever answered your question about whether 1 day was enough time for Hallstatt - definitely! It's a gorgeous little village, but it's tiny. There's a little museum there (or at least there used to be), but mostly it's a matter of wandering around. Rent a paddle boat; you can get some great camera shots of the village from out in the lake. <BR> <BR>Also, re Cafe Winkler, I agree with the previous poster. The restaurant is kind of sterile, but the views are great. We ate there as a splurge dinner for our 5th wedding anniversary; it's that kind of place.

I would certainly recommend seeing the Ice Caves in Werfen. A unique experience. Altho the tour is in German, what is important is what you see. Dress warmly - it is an cave full of ICE

I took a train from vienna to hallstatt. we did have to transfer, but what a beautiful train ride. halstatt is such a beautiful city, very reasonable, and the hotels are lovely. have fun.

Definitely visit Hallstatt, even for 1 day. You won't regret it if you appreciate gorgeous scenery. As for the Palais Schwarzenberg in Vienna, it's a fabulous Palace Hotel. You will feel like a Queen!

Hi Steve and Ellen. On different trips I've stayed in Berchtesgaden and St. Gilgen -- both are lovely. Don't miss Halstatt! Ellen, I daytripped from Berchtesgaden to Salzburg very easily by train, so I know you can do it in the other direction. Actually, if I had it to do over again, I'd stay in Berchtesgaden and in Halstatt -- the perfect contrasts of mountains and lakes. You've selected a gorgeous part of Europe. J.