I would like to spend a couple of days in Austria after a Danube river cruise and this is the itinerary I am looking at: training from Budapest to Vienna, one night in Vienna then a train or car to Hallstatt for one or two nights. We would then have to travel back to Vienna or another departure point for return flight to Canada. Does this sound like a do-able itinerary and would we be better to take a train or rent a car? Obviously if we rented a car in Vienna that would mean returning there for our departure to Canada. I have also thought of staying in the wine regions near Vienna for the 3 or 4 nights and doing a day trip to Hallstatt. Any thoughts on these plans would be greatly appreciated.

A car makes sense and if you want to visit wine areas then you will need that level of flexible transport. I would recommend the Neusiedler See as a source of interesting wines including sweet white and reds due to the botrytis that comes with the fog off the lake

Note that if you rent a car, you will have to park it outside of Hallstatt as the town is traffic-free, at least during the day. It's not a big deal since you can walk everywhere in Hallstatt, but if you have a lot of luggage, it might be a bit of a problem getting to your hotel.

We were on a driving trip through Austria from Germany, where we were living at the time, so we had a car. But we parked it when we arrived in Hallstatt and didn't need to use it again for the 3 days we were there.

http://www.hallstatt.net/parking-in-hallstatt/

but if just wanting to go straight thru to Hallstatt and then straight back to Vienna it is easy to get there by train - changing off the main line at Attnang-Pucheim to the line that stops at a station across the lake from Hallstatt - boats take you to town or there are buses if no boats or about a long several-mile walk around the lake.

And like longhorn says cars cannot penetrate idyllic Hallstatt and you have to pay to park outside of the town center.

But if you want to hit places in between Vienna and Hallstatt - such as motoring along the Danube's fab Wachau Valley then do it by car.

but if just going straight there and back go by train - probably even cheaper with $8/gal gas and car rental and parking fees.

In the Hallstatt area there is public transportation to whisk you to nearby sights such as the famous Salt Mine tours.

For lots of good info on Hallstatt and trains in Austria check out these IMO fantastic sites: www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.oebb.com - the official site of the Austrian State Railways - look for discounted tickets that to get you should buy as early as possible.

and yes Hallstatt is one of the most idyllic gorgeous places in Europe - the setting on an Alpine lake ringed by snow-bound peaks is awesome.

I was able to drive into Hallstatt, drop my luggage at my hotel on the "main" drag, then park further down at the end of town in the free lot by the Presbyterian church.

You can somewhat see the lot in this picture:

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...ed=0CDgQ9QEwAQ

Thank you for reminding me about cars in Hallstat, I had forgotten about that issue. Any suggestions on where to stay? Bilboburgler, do you have suggestions for places near the Neusiedler See?

Concerning your first possibility, have you considered taking the train to Hallstatt (staying)and then taking to train to Vienna (staying)? You will still probably be on the train about the same amount of time either way, but this way you will wake up in Vienna, which will be your departure city for your flight home.

I personally like your second possibility. That being said, I love Vienna. Hallstatt is a beautiful place. I have spent only one night there.

http://www.austrianwine.com/our-wine...neusiedlersee/

The Wachau Valley is a renown Austrian wine district.

Great info PalenQ.
I'm having the same debate, cas64, car rental vs rail.