What I’d Do Differently: Austria and Germany Edition

Updated April 2026 | 3 min read

Austria and Germany together make one of the best two-country trips in Europe. Between Vienna, Salzburg, and Munich, you get imperial palaces, Alpine scenery, and beer halls within a few hours of each other. Here is what I would plan differently.

Take the Train, Do Not Drive

Vienna to Munich is four hours by train for 19 to 60 euros when booked in advance. Vienna to Salzburg is two and a half hours. Salzburg to Munich is two and a half hours with frequent service. Driving the same routes takes eight to ten hours with traffic and parking headaches. Trains drop you in the city center. Cars do not.

Salzburg Deserves an Overnight, Not a Day Trip

Everyone tries to day-trip Salzburg from Munich. The two and a half hour journey each way leaves you rushed. Stay one night and book the 9:15 AM Sound of Music tour, which is less crowded and includes Mondsee lake and the church from the wedding scene. The old town is compact and walkable. An overnight lets you enjoy it without watching the clock.

Skip Hallstatt, Visit St. Wolfgang Instead

Hallstatt receives over one million visitors annually with up to 10,000 on peak days. Tour buses and camper vans are banned from the center but the crowds remain oppressive. St. Wolfgang on Lake Wolfgang has the same traditional architecture and Alpine charm with a fraction of the tourists. Bad Ischl and Grundlsee are even quieter alternatives in the Salzkammergut region.

Go to Augustiner, Not Hofbrauhaus

Hofbrauhaus is famous, touristy, and has been running since 1589. Go once for the experience. Then spend the rest of your time at Augustiner-Keller, which is the locals’ choice with multiple rooms, terraces, and live music on Mondays. Augustiner Bräustuben is in the original brewery’s converted horse stables. Both are more authentic, less crowded, and serve better beer.

Three Days in Vienna Is the Right Amount

Day one covers St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Cafe Sacher for Sachertorte. Day two is Schonbrunn Palace and gardens, which are free to enter at 6:30 AM. Day three is the Hofburg, coffeehouses, and the Naschmarkt food market. Vienna’s coffeehouse culture is UNESCO-recognized. Order a Wiener Melange, sit for an hour, and do not rush.

Time It for Shoulder Season

May through June and September through October offer the best weather with smaller crowds. Avoid Hallstatt in July and August. Avoid Munich during Oktoberfest in September unless that is specifically what you want, in which case book hotels six months ahead. Budget 80 to 150 euros per night for mid-range hotels in Vienna and Salzburg, 100 to 160 in Munich.

What I Would Prioritize

Three nights in Vienna for palaces and coffee culture, one night in Salzburg for the old town and Sound of Music, three nights in Munich for beer halls and day trips to Berchtesgaden. Train between each city. May or early October for the best balance of weather and crowds.

Travel Tools We Actually Use

• eSIM Data: Airalo eSIM for Austria — Buy before you land. Instant data the moment you arrive for maps and translation.

Book Tours and Activities

• Vienna Schonbrunn Palace tour
• Salzburg Sound of Music tour
• Munich beer hall experience
• Berchtesgaden Eagles Nest tour

Gear We Recommend

• Packing Cubes (6-Pack) — Three cities, one bag.
• Universal Travel Adapter — Type C plugs in both countries.
• Portable Charger 20000mAh — Long museum days drain phones fast.
• Quick-Dry Travel Towel — Useful for Alpine lake stops.

Book on GetYourGuide:

• Schoenbrunn Palace Skip-the-Line
• Sound of Music Tour
• Neuschwanstein Castle Day Trip

Find Flights to Austria

Plan Your Trip to Austria

Ready to book? Search flights to Austria to compare prices across airlines. And compare hotel rates in Austria to find the best deals for your dates.

Plan your own trip: guides I actually use

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• Best VPN for Travel 2026 — NordVPN vs Surfshark and Why You Need One
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Travel gear I actually use:

• Best Portable Chargers for Travel in 2026: Which Size You Actually Need
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