Itinerary advice - 10 day trip in Austria

Question

Hi all,

I'm arriving from US to Munich and have 10 days to explore. Flying back from Munich as well. I will be renting a car, and familiar with the driving permit and vignette. So far i have the following itinerary and not sure what to do with the last 2-3 days. I'm also free to shift the timing/locations around. The trip is just myself and my wife, and we enjoy nature, photography, day hikes, and nice restaurants. Not so much into museums, but like spending limited time in big cities.

Aug 29, 30 - Explore Munich

Aug 31 - drive to Innsbruck, and stop by Neuschwanstein Castle on the way. Explore the city in the afternoon

Sep 1 - Explore in the morning, then drive from Innsbruck to Salzburg, and stop by Kimml Waterfall

Sep 2-4 - Base in Salzburg, and take daytrips to Hallstat, Berchtesgaden, and Grosglockner alpine road/nearby glacier

Sep 5 - Need recommendations

Sep 6 - Need recommendations

Sep 7 - Return to Munuch in the afternoon/evening

Sep 8 - Fly back in the morning

So i have 2.5 days i haven't yet come up with what to do. I'm thinking to drive to Vienna or Graz, but with a 3-4 hour drive each way and having to return to Munich, not sure if it's spreading too thin and maybe make sense to spend more time in Innsbruck area. Or add some additional day trips in the Munich area. What would you do?

Michael S · Accepted Answer

Your itinerary is too rushed, which is why you should simply loosen it, in order to make it worthwhile. And I would certainly not go all the way to Vienna or Graz, which would not make a lot of sense in your situation.

You won't be able to go from Munich to Innsbruck, stopping in Füssen to visit Neuschwanstein Castle and maybe (hopefully) other places, and arrive in Innsbruck in the afternoon for immediate local sightseeing. Because of that I'd spend a full day in Innsbruck, and go on the next morning.

http://www.innsbruck.info

Assuming that the historic City of Salzburg is on your radar as well, you intend to do four activities from your base in Salzburg, even though you have only allocated three days. You need to add at least one day.

Also keep in mind that when driving from Innsbruck to Salzburg via Krimml you will come close to the Großglockner High Alpine Road.

Edited: 1 year ago

roefamilyUk · Answer

I Agree with Michael. Give Salzburg area more time. You need a full day to see the city itself----longer if you want to spend half a day at the Hellbrunn and maybe take in a good beer garden like the wonderful Augustiner Brau.

Take some time to see St Wolfgang and take a trip on the lake. Hallstatt is a full day if you want to see the Salt Mine and the 5 Fingers but Bad Ischl and the Gosausee are alo worth a visit. We often recommend staying out of Salzburg itself and basing yourself in then lakes are thus putting all these sights within easier reach. You can spend weeks here and not see everything.

nakagoli · Answer

clearly we cannot "plan" your trip for you, but it is full of inconsistencies. for instance, you go to innsbruck and seem to believe that seeing the small city is all that there is to the place. how a visit to the stubai glacier, or a trip up to seefeld? why rush away if you are in the area. then a michael pointed out, on your trip from innsbruck you are actually passing by the grossglockner, yet you are not going there, instead planning it as a day out from salzburg? and of course, a visit to kitzbuhel might be an idea? and of course, berchtesgaden could also be visited during your trip from innsbruck to salzburg.

as regards your stay in salzburg, as recommended by roe family, stay in the lakes area, only 25 mins from the city....far nicer. but for recommendations as to what to do with your "free days" ? you shouldnt have any as proper planning etc , you will have your 10 days full, just between innsbruck and salzburg areas.

i suggest that you get a guide book to austria, and you will get a good idea as to what is in each area and what might pique your interest

ReiseBeate · Answer

You know, that Neuschwanstein is not on the direct route from Munich to Innsbruck. It is a detour of 1,5 hours. And if you want to visit it you have to prebook it far in advance.

Same for Krimmler Wasserfälle. This is not a "stop by", it is detour of about 1 hour oneway. And you have to hike it, you cannot see it from the car.

At the time of your trip are school holidays in Bavaria and Austria, so you can expect long traffic jams on the Autobahn and Bundesstrassen.

The suggestion of nakagoli to buy a guide book is a very good idea. If you come back after reading it whe will be able to give much better tips.

shibikot · Answer

Thanks for your input everyone, very much appreciated. I will increase my time in Innsbruck and Salzburg areas, and skip the idea of a trip to Vienna/Graz.

Fearless802748 · Answer

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Itinerary advice - 10 day trip in Austria - Austria Forum

Itinerary advice - 10 day trip in Austria