This is a sample plan for 14 days in Austria. You start in Vienna, follow the Danube west, cross the lakes of the Salzkammergut and finish in the Alps around Innsbruck. Swap days around to suit your interests.
At a glance
- Who it suits: one traveller or a couple from Singapore who want cities, music and mountain views in one trip.
- Pace: steady. You change base four times, and most days have one main sight plus free time.
- Route: Vienna, the Wachau Valley, Salzburg, Hallstatt, Innsbruck, then back to Vienna.
- Getting there: you fly from Changi to Vienna. Routes and timings vary, so check when you book.
- Before you go: read MFA's travel advice on the Austria price page for entry rules and any updates.
Day 1: Arrive in Vienna
- Morning: land, take public transport into the city and drop your bags.
- Afternoon: walk part of the Ringstrasse. Pass the State Opera, the Parliament and the City Hall.
- Evening: see St Stephen's Cathedral lit up, then have an early dinner in the Innere Stadt.
Tip: stay awake until local evening. It helps your body adjust to the time change.
Day 2: Imperial Vienna
- Morning: explore the Hofburg, the old imperial palace, and the square at Heldenplatz.
- Afternoon: spend a few unhurried hours in the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
- Evening: book a classical concert. Vienna has many each week, so check listings before you go.
Tip: rest in the Volksgarten between sights. The city centre is compact but the walking adds up.
Day 3: Schönbrunn and Belvedere
- Morning: tour Schönbrunn Palace, then climb through the gardens to the Gloriette for the view.
- Afternoon: head to the Belvedere and see its palace galleries and formal gardens.
- Evening: browse the Naschmarkt area and pick a simple dinner nearby.
Tip: buy palace tickets ahead for a set time. Prices and slots vary, so check before going.
Day 4: Vienna's neighbourhoods
- Morning: visit the MuseumsQuartier, a cluster of museums and open courtyards.
- Afternoon: wander the lanes of Spittelberg, then take the tram to the Prater and ride the Giant Ferris Wheel.
- Evening: walk along the Danube Canal and look at the street art on its walls.
Tip: a day or multi-day transit pass often works out simpler than single tickets. Compare options at the station.
Day 5: Day trip to the Wachau Valley
- Morning: take the train to Melk and visit Melk Abbey above the river.
- Afternoon: travel along the Danube to Dürnstein and climb to the castle ruins for river views.
- Evening: stop in Krems for a walk through the old town, then return to Vienna.
Tip: river boats run in some seasons only. Check the timetable, or plan the day by train and bus.
Day 6: Train to Salzburg
- Morning: check out and take the train west to Salzburg.
- Afternoon: walk the Old Town, including Getreidegasse and Salzburg Cathedral.
- Evening: stroll along the Salzach river and watch the lights come on.
Tip: reserve a seat on the train if your dates fall in a busy period.
Day 7: Salzburg's Old Town and fortress
- Morning: ride the funicular up to Hohensalzburg Fortress and look out over the city.
- Afternoon: visit Mozart's Birthplace, then cross the river to the Mirabell Gardens.
- Evening: climb the Kapuzinerberg for a view of the Old Town at dusk.
Tip: wear shoes with good grip. Some paths are steep and cobbled.
Day 8: Hellbrunn and Untersberg
- Morning: take the bus to Hellbrunn Palace and its gardens with trick fountains.
- Afternoon: ride the cable car up the Untersberg if the weather is clear.
- Evening: have a quiet night in the Old Town and pack for the lakes.
Tip: the fountains and cable car can close for the season or for weather. Check before you set out.
Day 9: To Hallstatt
- Morning: travel to Hallstatt by bus and train, with a short stop in Bad Ischl if time allows.
- Afternoon: walk through the village and along the shore of Lake Hallstatt.
- Evening: stay overnight and enjoy the lake once the day visitors leave.
Tip: book your room early. Hallstatt is small and beds are limited.
Day 10: The Salzkammergut lakes
- Morning: head up to the Dachstein area for mountain views over the lake.
- Afternoon: take a bus to Gosausee and walk the path around the lake.
- Evening: return to Hallstatt for a slow dinner by the water.
Tip: mountain lifts and viewing platforms close in some months. Check what is open on your dates.
Day 11: To Innsbruck
- Morning: take the train west through the mountains to Innsbruck.
- Afternoon: explore the Old Town, the Golden Roof and the Hofkirche.
- Evening: walk along the Inn river and see the coloured houses of Mariahilf on the far bank.
Tip: leave plenty of buffer for connections. Rural services can be less frequent.
Day 12: The Nordkette
- Morning: ride the cable cars from the city up the Nordkette range.
- Afternoon: come down and visit the Bergisel ski jump for views across the valley.
- Evening: eat in the Old Town and rest your legs.
Tip: layer your clothes. It is often much colder at the top than in town.
Day 13: Ambras, Hall in Tirol and back to Vienna
- Morning: visit Ambras Castle and its grounds on the edge of Innsbruck.
- Afternoon: take a short trip to the old town of Hall in Tirol, then board the train to Vienna.
- Evening: settle into a room near the station or the airport line.
Tip: staying close to the airport train makes your last morning calm.
Day 14: Fly home
- Morning: sit in a traditional coffee house with coffee and cake.
- Afternoon: pick up any last souvenirs, then head to the airport.
- Evening: fly back to Changi.
Tip: keep your passport, charger and medicines in your hand luggage.
Getting around and when to go
Getting around
- Trains: the national rail network links Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck. It is the easiest way to cover this route.
- Buses: regional buses reach Hallstatt, Gosausee and Hellbrunn. Timetables can be thin, so check them the day before.
- City transport: Vienna has a metro, trams and buses, much like using the MRT. Salzburg and Innsbruck rely on buses and trams.
- Driving: if you hire a car, winter tyres are compulsory from 1 November to 15 April.
When to go
- Summer: good for lake walks, hiking and long evenings. Popular spots get busy.
- Winter: snow in the Alps and festive markets in the cities. Market dates vary, so check before going.
- Spring and autumn: often quieter, though some mountain lifts close between seasons.
- School holidays: if you travel in the Singapore school holidays, book trains and rooms early.
- Mountains in snow: a continuous snow cover usually brings avalanche danger, and avalanches kill many people in the Austrian mountains every year. Check avalanche warnings before any ski tour or off-piste outing.
Numbers to save
- Emergency: 112, the European number. It works from a locked phone without a PIN, and calls are free.
- Police: 133. Ambulance: 144. Fire service: 122. Mountain rescue: 140.
- Singapore help: Singapore has no embassy in Austria. The Honorary Consulate-General in Vienna opens Tuesday to Thursday by appointment, on +43 664 626-1007. In an emergency, call the MFA Duty Office on +65-6379-8000.
Before you go: travel insurance for Austria
Before you fly, get your travel insurance through Shenton Brokers for your trip. Compare travel insurance for Austria to see today's prices from every insurer we compare, with the destination's travel notes and MFA's latest advice. Or get a quote for your own dates.
Buy it as soon as you book: trip cancellation pays only for events after the policy starts.