Last checked: October 2026
A good first Austria trip takes five to seven days. Spend three days in Vienna, add Salzburg by train in under 2.5 hours, and use a day for Hallstatt or the Wachau. With ten days you can add Innsbruck and Graz. The country is small and trains are fast, so you rarely need a car.
Train times to plan around
| Route | Typical time | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Vienna Airport to city centre | 16 to 25 minutes | City Airport Train or S7 |
| Vienna to Salzburg | About 2 hours 25 minutes | Fastest Railjet, according to ÖBB |
| Salzburg to Innsbruck | Under 2 hours | Railjet, according to ÖBB |
| Vienna to Innsbruck | About 4 hours 15 minutes | Railjet |
| Vienna to Graz | About 2 hours 30 minutes | Railjet, hourly |
| Vienna to Linz | About 1 hour 15 minutes | Railjet |
| Salzburg to Hallstatt | About 2 to 2.5 hours | Train plus a short ferry across the lake |
| Hallstatt to Bad Ischl | About 25 minutes | Regional train |
Times come from ÖBB, Austrian National Tourist Office and ticket-seller listings, and they vary by service. Check the ÖBB app for the day you travel.
3-day Austria itinerary: Vienna
- Day 1: the historic centre on foot, a coffee house and an evening concert or a walk along the old streets.
- Day 2: Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens in the morning, then museums or markets in the afternoon.
- Day 3: a river or park walk, or a half-day trip to Baden or the Wachau. Leave time for the airport transfer.
5-day Austria itinerary: Vienna and Salzburg
- Days 1 to 3: Vienna as above.
- Day 4: take a morning Railjet to Salzburg, which takes about 2 hours 25 minutes on the fastest trains. Explore the old town and walk up to Hohensalzburg Fortress.
- Day 5: a morning in Salzburg, then travel on or fly home. The Railjet also runs from Salzburg to Vienna Airport.
7-day Austria itinerary: add Hallstatt and the Wachau
- Days 1 to 3: Vienna.
- Day 4: a Wachau day trip with Melk and the Danube valley, using trains or river boats.
- Days 5 and 6: Salzburg, with one day for Hallstatt. Go early to avoid the day-trip crowds, or stay overnight in the Salzkammergut.
- Day 7: travel back to Vienna or onward. Allow 2.5 hours for the train.
10-day Austria itinerary: add Innsbruck and Graz
- Days 1 to 6: follow the 7-day plan.
- Days 7 and 8: take the train from Salzburg to Innsbruck, which takes under 2 hours. Use a cable car for mountain views if the weather is clear.
- Day 9: travel across to Graz, with a change on the way. Spend time in the old town and Schloss Eggenberg.
- Day 10: train to Vienna in about 2.5 hours for your flight.
Getting around on these plans
Trains connect every stop on these plans. Until 12 December 2026, German rail works add about 15 minutes between Salzburg and Innsbruck, according to ÖBB. Tickets, buses, driving rules and city transport are covered in our getting around Austria guide.
Tips that save time
- Group trips by region: east for Vienna and the Wachau, centre for Salzburg and the lakes, west for Innsbruck.
- Book train tickets early for the best prices.
- Most shops are closed on Sundays, so plan sights, markets and cafes instead.
- In winter, add time for snow delays on mountain roads.
- If you travel in late November or December, build Christmas markets into your evenings.
Common mistakes
- Spending most of a short trip on trains. Pick two or three bases.
- Arriving in Hallstatt at midday in summer.
- Forgetting that a long weekend or festival can fill hotels in Salzburg and Vienna.
Planning checklist
- Check your visa and EES details in our Austria visa guide for tourists.
- Book flights and decide whether you will land in Vienna or Salzburg.
- Reserve hotels in your main bases.
- Buy train tickets in advance when you can.
- Save the ÖBB app and your accommodation addresses offline.
FAQs
Can you see Austria in 4 days?
You can see Vienna and Salzburg well in four days. Spend two days in Vienna, travel to Salzburg on day three, and leave day four for a lake or mountain excursion if you have the energy.
Is it better to fly into Vienna or Salzburg?
Vienna has far more flights and is better for a longer trip. Salzburg suits travellers who mainly want Salzburg, Hallstatt and the Alps and can find a convenient route. Compare fares for both.
Do I need a car in Austria?
Not for the main cities, since trains connect them. A car helps in mountain valleys and ski areas with limited public transport. If you rent one, check vignette and winter tyre rules with the rental company.