📷 Sami Ullah / Unsplash (Unsplash License)
Eight days from the imperial capital to the Alpine lakes, without repacking your suitcase every morning. Vienna gets two full days, the Wachau unfolds along the Danube and its vineyards, and the second half of the journey belongs to Salzburg, the Salzkammergut, and the mountains. You travel by car, so you set the pace yourself.
Want navigation through the entire route?
Open route in Google Maps
Your first encounter with the city: the Ringstraße, Hofburg, and the narrow streets around Stephansdom. The first day is not about rushing — Vienna is best discovered on foot.
Imperial Tour is the best choice for a one-day tour of Vienna, while the gardens and panoramic viewpoints are available free of charge.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Sisi Ticket (Imperial Apartments + Sisi Museum + Treasury + Schönbrunn) - 47 EUR (valid for all 4 attractions). Hofburg only - 19.50 EUR.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Upper Belvedere (where the Klimt collection is) 17.50 EUR. Lower Belvedere (special exhibitions) 13.50 EUR. Combo ticket 25 EUR.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Park entry is free. Riesenrad (Giant Ferris Wheel) 14 EUR per ride. Other attractions 3-8 EUR per ride.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Tour 13€ (45min, several languages). Standing ticket for the performance 13-18€ (purchased 80min before the performance). Season September-June.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Walking through the complex is free. Leopold Museum €17, MUMOK €15, Kunsthalle €8. MQ Combi Ticket (3 museums) €28.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Exterior free to view. Interior is private.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Schloss Schönbrunn and the MuseumsQuartier in the morning, then a Viennese coffee house and Belvedere in the afternoon. The same accommodation as the night before — one city, two days.
The Wachau valley unfolds with terraced vineyards and a string of small towns along the river, at its heart Dürnstein with the ruins of a fortress rising above the rooftops. The afternoon continues upstream towards Linz.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
The morning is spent along the Danube, taking in the main square and the modern side of the city. In the afternoon, transfer to Salzburg, where the second half of the journey begins.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
The Old Town beneath Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mozart's legacy, and the Mirabell Gardens. No transfers needed — this city calls for walking, not riding.
The ticket includes the cable car ride (Festungsbahn), access to the fortress and museums. Online purchase in advance is recommended, especially during the summer period. The cable car departs every 10 minutes.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
It is advisable to purchase tickets online to avoid queuing, which can be up to one hour. A combined ticket with Mozart's residence (Wohnhaus) offers savings. An audio guide in Serbian is available.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Entrance to the cathedral is free, but access to the crypt and cathedral museum is charged (around 3 EUR). It is open daily, except during religious services. The rich interior includes frescoes and an organ played by the young Mozart.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
The ticket includes a tour of the water games and tricks, as well as a view of the palace and the baroque gardens. Purchasing online in advance is recommended, especially during the summer period when crowds are common.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
A day at Lake Wolfgangsee: strolling along the promenade, taking a boat trip, and, weather permitting, ascending the Schafberg. In the evening, continue to Hallstatt, where you will stay for the following day as well.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
The ticket covers the permanent puppet and marionette collection. It is advisable to check the opening hours in advance, as the museum may operate on seasonal schedules.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
A village wedged between the lake and the rockface, salt mines above it, and viewpoints rising over the rooftops. Late afternoon departure towards Zell am See.
The ticket includes a cable car ride to the top and a guided tour of the mine. Online booking in advance is recommended as spots fill up quickly, especially during the summer season.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
The ticket for the cable car (Salzbergbahn) includes transport up and down and access to the viewpoint. The viewpoint is free if you also plan to visit the mine — purchase a combined ticket for a better price.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
A symbolic ticket of around 2 euros. The charnel house is located right next to the Church of St. Michael in the center of Hallstatt and can be combined with a visit to the church.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
The price includes a gondola ride to Krippenstein mountain and access to the Five Fingers viewpoint. Advance reservation is recommended, especially during peak season.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
A finale of water and altitude: the shores of Zell am See, Kaprun, and the ascent towards the glaciers above the valley. The last night is spent in the same place, with no rushing about.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Tickets can be purchased at the station or via the ÖBB app; the Salzburg Card, which includes free public transport, is recommended. The train runs between Zell am See and Krimml through a picturesque alpine landscape.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Prices and availability are on the partner's website.
Everything you need for Austria for the First Time — 8 Days in one place
