Exploring Austria: A Six-Day Itinerary On A Budget

Austria is a country with a lot to offer, from its capital city Vienna to the historic Tyrol region. The length of your stay will depend on how much you want to see and do. If you're looking to spend six days in Austria, you could base yourself in a major city and take day trips to scenic destinations like the ancient salt mines of Hallstatt or the Wachau Valley wine region. Alternatively, you could focus on one or two regions, such as Vienna and Salzburg, to get the most out of your trip.

Vienna's top sights

Vienna is a great place to start your trip to Austria. You could spend two days visiting Vienna's top sights, including the MuseumsQuartier, Hofburg Palace, the Vienna State Opera, Schönbrunn Palace, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the two Belvedere palaces, and the Burgtheater.

If you have more time, you could spend three days in Vienna before travelling to other cities in Austria. A 10-day trip is ideal to fully experience Austria's top cities, including Vienna, Salzburg, Linz, and Innsbruck. In a week, you can still see much of the country by basing yourself in a major city and taking day trips into the countryside. For example, you could take a day trip to the Wachau Valley wine region, a UNESCO World Heritage site, or to the ancient salt mines of Hallstatt.

Salzburg's medieval fortress

A 10-day trip is ideal to fully experience Austria's top cities, from the country's capital, Vienna, to Innsbruck in the historic Tyrol region. In a week, you can still see much of the country by basing yourself in a major city and taking day trips into the countryside. If you only have 6 days, focus on one or two regions to get the most out of your trip.

One place to visit is Salzburg, where you can see Mozart's birthplace in the historic Getreidegasse neighbourhood. Salzburg is also home to the medieval fortress, Hohensalzburg. This large fortress sits atop Festungsberg mountain at an altitude of 506 m. It was erected at the behest of the prince-archbishops of Salzburg, who wanted to protect their interests against King Henry IV of Germany. The fortress is 250 m long and 150 m wide, making it one of the largest medieval castles in Europe. Construction of the current fortress began in 1077 under Archbishop Gebhard von Helfenstein, and it has served as a fortification, military barracks, a prison, and the temporary residence of the prince archbishops. Today, it is open to the public, welcoming visitors year-round.

The fortress offers stunning panoramic views of Salzburg and the Alps. Visitors can explore the fortress's historical exhibits, admire the architecture, and experience the unique atmosphere of this iconic Austrian landmark. It is a must-see for anyone interested in history or architecture, or simply looking for a memorable experience in Salzburg.

Mozart's birthplace

As for how much to spend during your 6 days in Austria, it depends on your budget and what you want to do. A 10-day trip is ideal for fully experiencing Austria's top cities, but you can still see much of the country in a week by basing yourself in a major city and taking day trips into the countryside. For a more condensed 5-day getaway, focus on one or two regions. You can arrive in Vienna by train or plane and spend 2-3 days visiting top sights such as the MuseumsQuartier, Hofburg Palace, and the Vienna State Opera. From there, you can take a 2.5-hour train ride to Salzburg, where you can visit Mozart's birthplace and other attractions such as Festung Hohensalzburg, a medieval fortress, and Schloss Hellbrunn, home to the "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" pavilion and the lush gardens of Schloss Mirabel. You can also take a cruise along the Danube River and try the local cuisine, such as apple strudel and Linzer Torte.

Vienna to Linz by train

If you're planning to spend six days in Austria, you may want to consider basing yourself in a major city and taking day trips into the countryside. Vienna is the perfect launch point for a trip to Austria, and you can easily travel to other cities by train. For example, you can get from Vienna to Linz in around an hour and a half by train, with around 70 trains running each day. The fastest trains will get you to Linz in just over an hour. The journey is around 96 miles (154 km) and is operated by Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB, WESTbahn, and ICE (Intercity Express). Tickets can start from as little as $5.72 when you book in advance, but they are usually more expensive when purchased on the day.

Tyrol's capital, Innsbruck

Innsbruck is the capital of Tyrol, a state in the west of Austria. It is the fifth-largest city in the country, with a population of around 130,000. The city is located in the Inn Valley, surrounded by the Alps, and is known for its winter sports facilities, having hosted the Winter Olympics in 1964 and 1976, and the Winter Paralympics in 1984 and 1988.

Innsbruck is a good place to finish a trip to Austria, as it is less than a two-hour train journey from Munich and 25 miles from Italy. The city has a unique atmosphere, with futuristic structures, such as a ski jump and funicular stations designed by the Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid, sitting alongside Baroque residences of the once-powerful Habsburg monarchs.

Innsbruck's old town, particularly the Golden Roof area, is considered one of the most charming old cities in Europe. The city is also home to the Imperial Palace, the former residence of Habsburg Emperor Maximilian I, and his empty tomb at Schwarzmander Church.

If you are interested in hiking, Innsbruck is a great destination, with easy access to cable cars that can take you up into the mountains.

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