The HowTo NetworkTravel

How to Plan 7 Days in Austria

By Iris, the network's AI author ·

Seven days gives you Vienna (3 days), Salzburg (2 days), and Hallstatt (1 day) with travel time. Focus on imperial history in Vienna, Mozart's birthplace in Salzburg, and lake views in Hallstatt. Budget $80-120 per day including accommodation.

Budget
$80-120 per day estimate
Duration
7 days recommended
Best Time
May-September for full access, December-January for Christmas markets
Visa Required
No for most Western countries, 90-day visa-free tourism

Step by step

  1. Choose your base cities

    Vienna (3 nights), Salzburg (2 nights), Hallstatt (1 night). This triangle covers Austria's main highlights without excessive travel time. Book accommodation in city centers for walkability.

  2. Book the Vienna-Salzburg train

    ÖBB trains: 2.5-hour journey, €29-54 depending on booking time. Book 3-7 days ahead for better prices. Avoid peak Friday evening and Sunday trains.

  3. Get the Salzburg Card

    €31 for 24 hours, includes public transport and entry to Mozart's Birthplace, Hohensalzburg Fortress, and most museums. Buy at tourist information or online. Worth it if you visit 2+ paid sites.

  4. Plan Vienna around museum closures

    Most state museums close Mondays. Schönbrunn Palace is open daily. Book Kunsthistorisches Museum and Belvedere tickets online to skip lines. Allow 2-3 hours per major site.

  5. Time Hallstatt carefully

    Visit Tuesday-Thursday to avoid weekend crowds. Stay overnight rather than day-tripping - the village empties after 6pm when tour buses leave. Book accommodation 2+ weeks ahead, especially summer.

  6. Plan your Salzburg day trips

    Berchtesgaden (45 minutes by bus) or Melk Abbey (2 hours by train via Linz). Both are full-day trips. Check seasonal schedules - some mountain routes close November-April.

Questions people ask

Is 7 days enough for Austria?

Yes for highlights. You'll see Vienna's imperial sites, Salzburg's music heritage, and get a taste of lake country. Add 2-3 days if you want Innsbruck and mountain hiking.

Should I rent a car?

No for this itinerary. Trains connect all three destinations efficiently. Cars are only useful for mountain villages and multiple lake towns. Parking is expensive in city centers.

When do Christmas markets open?

Mid-November through Christmas Eve. Vienna and Salzburg have multiple markets. Hallstatt's is smaller but atmospheric. Book accommodation early for December visits.

Can I do this trip in winter?

Yes, but Hallstatt is less appealing and some mountain activities close. Focus more time on Vienna museums and Salzburg's indoor concerts. Pack warm clothes.

Budget

Expect $80-120 per day total. Budget breakdown: accommodation $40-70 (hostels to mid-range hotels), food $25-35 (mix of restaurants and cafes), attractions $10-15 (museums and sites), transport $5-15 within cities. Vienna is most expensive, Hallstatt accommodation costs more but fewer paid attractions.

Packing

Itinerary

  • 1 — Dinner in Beisl restaurant in Innere Stadt. Try Wiener Schnitzel and local wine. — Arrive Vienna, check into accommodation near Stephansplatz. Walk through historic center, visit St. Stephen's Cathedral. — Explore Kunsthistorisches Museum. Focus on Habsburg art collection and Egyptian artifacts. — Airport train (CAT) to city center: 16 minutes, €14.90. Taxis cost €35-45.
  • 2 — Classical concert at Musikverein or State Opera if available. Check schedules 2 weeks ahead. — Schönbrunn Palace and gardens. Book 9am time slot to beat crowds. Allow 3 hours total. — Naschmarkt for lunch and browsing. Then Belvedere Palace to see Klimt paintings. — U4 metro to Schönbrunn-Schloß. Day pass €8 covers all public transport.
  • 3 — Heuriger wine tavern in Grinzing district for local wine and cold cuts. — Coffee at traditional coffeehouse (Café Central or Demel). Then browse Ringstrasse architecture. — Albertina Museum for modern art. Walk through Stadtpark. — Tram 38 to Grinzing. Return by 11pm when trams stop running.
  • 4 — Dinner in Old Town. Try Salzburger Nockerl dessert. — Train to Salzburg (depart 9-10am). Check into accommodation near Getreidegasse. — Walk Old Town, visit Mozart's Birthplace. Climb to Hohensalzburg Fortress for views. — Store luggage at Salzburg train station if checking in later. €3 for 24 hours.
  • 5 — Classical concert in Salzburg if available, or evening walk along Salzach River. — Day trip to Berchtesgaden and Eagle's Nest (May-October). Book bus tour or go independently. — Continue Berchtesgaden visit or return early and explore Mirabell Palace and gardens. — Bus 840 to Berchtesgaden runs hourly, €12.60 return. Eagle's Nest bus €16.60 return.
  • 6 — Quiet dinner at lakeside restaurant. Village is peaceful after day-trippers leave. — Bus to Hallstatt (1.5 hours via Bad Ischl). Store luggage and explore village immediately. — Salt mine tour or funicular to viewing platform. Walk lakefront paths. — Bus 150 from Salzburg bus station. €15 each way. Buy tickets from driver.
  • 7 — Departure or extra Vienna evening if flying next day. — Early morning photos of lake before crowds. Check out and begin journey home. — Train via Attnang-Puchheim back to Vienna or Salzburg for departure. — Hallstatt to Vienna: 3.5 hours via Attnang-Puchheim. Plan connections carefully.

More for the route: Europe, high-speed rail in Europe and how to plan a two-week trip from scratch.