Helpful Tips and Suggestions for Planning Your Trip to Austria and Salzburg
Dear Travelers, I'd like to share some advice based on the questions and inquiries I've received over the years as a professional tour guide in Salzburg, Austria. I hope that these insights will be valuable to you as you plan your trip.
1. When is the best time to visit Austria?
Austria is a picturesque alpine country with a wide range of attractions. Each season has its flavor and uniqueness. However, the availability of attractions varies depending on the time of year and weather conditions. Knowing which attractions are open during which months of the year is essential when planning your trip. The summer season runs from May to the end of October, while the winter season runs from November to April. Many attractions are closed or have reduced hours during the winter season. For example, the Ice Caves, the Eagle's Nest and the 5 Fingers viewing platform in Hallstatt are closed in winter. However, Winter means Christmas markets, Snow and skiing. Read more: Public Holidays in Austria.
2. When traveling in Austria, is staying in cities or villages better?
If you don't plan to drive yourself, I recommend staying in larger cities like Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Munich. This way, reaching interesting places and finding qualified tourist services will be easier. If you prefer to stay in the countryside, you should get acquainted with the public transport schedule. If you are staying in a remote suburb, booking a tour from there will be quite a challenge. Remember that Austria is an expensive country, and hiring a driver for many distant trips will cost you a considerable amount of money. Read more: Public transport
3. What are the distances in Austria?
Before planning a travel itinerary, consider the distances between the destinations. Remember that Google Maps does not always calculate the duration of a trip correctly, especially if the way passes through populated areas and country roads. Always add more time for your trip. Don't forget to include coffee / WC breaks and photo stops. For example, a recent request I received: Eugene, we would like to book a tour with you to see Salzburg and Hallstatt in four hours. Is that possible? No. The return trip to Hallstatt alone takes three hours. Read more: Lake District Tour with Hallstatt
4. How many destinations should I visit while traveling through Austria?
Do not exaggerate the number of attractions in one day. Choose a couple of the most significant places along the way; you can always add more if time is left. Try not to limit yourself to attractions that have strict schedules. You should relax and enjoy your vacation instead of running. Also, take into consideration waiting lines during the high season. Neuschwanstein Castle, for example, is a fascinating but long drive from Salzburg. And if you arrive late, your ticket expires and it is almost impossible to buy a new one on the spot for the same day. On a trip like this, organization and punctuality are crucial.
5. Are there any interesting events happening in Salzburg throughout the year?
Before you plan your trip, check out upcoming events and holidays. This can help you participate in memorable celebrations or avoid crowded times if you're looking for peace and quiet. For example, if you plan to visit Austria in mid-November, you might decide to postpone your trip for a week or two to experience the Christmas markets and Krampus processions in the last week of November. And if you are interested in opera and symphony concerts, I recommend the Salzburg Music Festival in the second half of August. By then, all the excitement of the premieres has passed and buying tickets is not so difficult. I have a blog on my website describing interesting events and traditions in Salzburg and Austria. I recommend you take a look. Read more: Salzburg Guide BLOG
6. Is Austria a good destination for traveling with infants and toddlers?
Austria, especially the city of Salzburg, is great for families with children. Salzburg has a Toy Museum, a Puppet Theatre, a Museum of Natural Sciences, a Zoo, a colossal Fortress, the Trick Fountains and numerous playgrounds. You should not fill your days with a busy travel schedule. When traveling with children through Austria, it's essential to check in advance which attractions are suitable for their age. For example, the Salt Mines only allow children aged five and above. Many natural attractions in the mountains involve a lot of walking, and bringing a stroller may be difficult or impossible. For instance, the famous viewing platform Five Fingers near Hallstatt requires a half-hour uphill hike along a gravel trail.
7. Can a child sit on a parent's lap in the car?
All children, regardless of their age, must be seated in appropriate car seats while in a vehicle. It is not safe for them to sit on their parents' lap. I often get asked whether my minivan can accommodate eight adults and a baby on laps, but the answer is definitely NO.
8. Where can I find a travel guide or travel company?
If you are flying into Vienna or Munich and staying there for a few days, you should definitely look for guides or travel companies that are explicitly based in that city. Try to search for direct contacts with a guide instead of using platforms. These days, with a little more digging, plenty of options are available on the Internet. Either way, the personal location of the guide is essential. I am often asked to pick up tourists at Vienna airport and drop them off at a hotel in Vienna after a tour. But I can't do that. I live in Salzburg, a 3.5-hour drive from Vienna airport. But if you plan to travel from Vienna to Salzburg, I can organize a sightseeing transfer with many exciting stops along the way. It's the same way from Munich.
9. What is the best way to get to Salzburg?
You can reach Salzburg by plane via various cities such as Frankfurt, London, Palma, Istanbul, and Amsterdam. The significant hubs near Salzburg are Vienna Airport, 320 kilometers (200 miles) away, and Munich Airport, 180 kilometers (100 miles) away. Railways are the most common way to travel between cities. There is a direct train from Vienna Airport to Salzburg every hour. The train ride takes about three hours. For budget-conscious travelers, I recommend Flixbus between cities and countries.
10. How can I save money when visiting museums in Austria?
Most tourist cities and areas in Austria and Germany offer their visitors a tourist card that allows to visit museums and use public transportation with discounts or at no extra cost. In Salzburg, it is the SALZBURG CARD. In neighboring Bavaria, there's the Berchtesgadener Gästekarte. In the Lake District, the Salzkammergut Card is used. If you enjoy museums, cable cars, and boat rides, you can save a lot of money with tourist passes. Just check ahead to see if these covered attractions are open that time of year.
11. Which places in Salzburg would you recommend visiting on my own?
After an Informative City Tour of Salzburg, if I were a traveler, here's what I would do:
- Visit Hangar-7
- Hike the Mountains Kapuzinerberg & Mönchsberg
- Have a beer and lunch at Augustiner Bräustübrl
- Go to Untersberg Mountain
- visit Gut Aiderbichl Animal Ranch
- Enjoy live music at the Irish Pub Shamrock
- With a preference for classical music, I would attend the Mozart Dinner Concert.
12. What is Austria's official currency?
The official currency in Austria is the EURO. Most museums, cafes, and restaurants accept credit cards, but there are also exceptions. Some small businesses and certain restaurants may not have credit card terminals, such as Augustiner Brewery in Salzburg or most Austria Guides. Therefore, it's best to have cash on hand for these situations.
13. Are there currency exchange offices in Austria?
The exchange of cash dollars is only possible on weekdays at banks. For example, you can do this in Salzburg at Raiffeisenbank on Schwarzstrasse Street 15. Bank ATMs are available 24 hours a day for cash withdrawals.
14. What is the official language spoken in Austria?
Austria's official language is German, which has many regional accents. However, most people also speak English, at least at a basic level, so feel free to communicate in English.
15. What are the temperatures like in Austria?
Austria is an Alpine country, and the weather can be anything, from sunny and clear to gray in gray. Temperatures depend on the altitude, location, and time of year. They range from +15 to +35 degrees Celsius in summer and from +10 to -10 degrees Celsius in winter. January and February usually bring heavy snowfalls. Read more about Climate and Weather in Austria.
16. Can I visit Salzburg and Hallstatt in one day by train from Vienna?
Yes, it is possible booking a private tour from the statin in Salzburg. But believe me, you will enjoy your trip much more if you spend at least one night in Salzburg. Note the following details. Start early as the train from Vienna to Salzburg takes about three hours. Allow 3 hours for a pleasant walk through the old town of Salzburg and a short lunch break. The way to Hallstatt is a picturesque country road. With short photo stops, it will take 2 hours to get to the town. For the Hallstatt visit, we need at least 1,5 hours (without salt mines, boat trips, etc.). And 1,5 hours for the way back. You should also consider the time of year, as the days are shorter from October to April.
