Austria is one of the most beautiful countries I have ever traveled to, and all the cities and towns in the country are so unique. I think the perfect amount of time to spend in the country, especially for a first time visitor, is to follow a 5 day Austria itinerary.
In this itinerary, you will visit two or three cities, depending on your pace of travel, learn how to get around Austria, and see the best things that this beautiful country has to offer.
Keep reading for the ultimate 5 day Austria itinerary, which maximizes your time in the city to make sure you see the best places and eat the best food.
Published: February 14, 2025
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Here are more guides to use to plan a great trip to Austria:
- How many days to spend in Vienna
- Tours from Vienna to Hallstatt
- Vienna IG captions
- Vienna Travel Tips
5 Day Austria Itinerary
You can see a lot of Austria in 5 days, and getting around the country is easy thanks to their trains, public transport, and even private car hires, if that’s what you prefer. I’ve broken down the Austria itinerary into 5 day-by-day breakdowns.
On day three, you will have the chance to visit Hallstatt, one of my favorite small towns in the world, but it is optional, and you can just go straight from Vienna to Salzburg. Either way, you will visit at least two incredible European cities, which couldn’t be more different in the best way, despite being in the same small country.
Here is your ultimate 5-day Austria itinerary:
Day 1 in Austria: Welcome To Vienna
Welcome to Austria! You’re starting off your adventure in the captila of Austria, and possibly one of the grandest cities in the world. Everything in Vienna is BIG, and there is no way to explain just how massive everything is in Vienna until you’re in the city yourself.
Take a walking tour around Vienna to get a good feel for the city on day 1. I love taking a walking tour in a new city to get some local recommendations and learn about the history and architecture.
After your walking tour, head over to St Stephen’s Cathedral, one of the prettiest buildings in Vienna. You can take a tour of the inside, including an audio guide, climb up over three hundred steps to the top of the building, or take an elevator part of the way up for a different view.
If you still have time and energy to explore Vienna, head to one of the many museums. All the museums in Vienna are grand, and my personal favorite is the Sisi Museum, which gives you a look into life as a royal in Austria and the life of one of the most beloved royals in the country’s history.
Make sure you try some Sacher Torte today, which is a famous chocolate cake special to Vienna. You can grab some with your dinner or get some in the afternoon as a break after your walking tour!
Day 2 in Austria: Vienna
Another day, another day of exploring Austria’s royal history! Today, get up early and head to Schönbrunn Palace, another former home of the Austrian royals.
You can tour the palace at your own pace, which takes approximately an hour. After the tour, you’ll be shocked to know that the rooms open to the public make up just a small portion of the Palace, and it’s much bigger than you could ever imagine.
After your tour, head outside and explore the endless gardens at Schönbrunn Palace, which are beautiful and offer some great views of the palace. The gardens are best in the spring and summer when everything is green and in bloom.
Or, if you visit in late November or December, there is a Christmas market at the palace with amazing gifts, food, and a big tree. The gardens are still open to explore in the winter, just be sure to bundle up!
If you have more time today, go to another museum. If you didn’t make it yesterday, I recommend the Sisi Museum!
Day 3 in Austria: Vienna To Salzburg, Optional Stop In Hallstatt
It’s time for day 3 of your 5 days in Austria itinerary, and it’s time to leave Vienna and head to Salzburg. There are tons of trains from Vienna to Salzburg every day, and the ride takes about two and a half hours.
If you want more time to explore Vienna, take a later train so you have the morning free. Or, if you’re itching to explore Salzburg, you can leave Vienna as early as 5 AM most days.
However, there’s a third option: a stop in Hallstatt, one of the most magical towns in Europe. There is a limited number of nonstop trains from Vienna to Hallstatt every day, so if you want to stop here on day 3, try to book the earliest nonstop train possible to maximize your time there.
Spend the day exploring Hallstatt, which sits on a lake surrounded by mountains. After the train ride, you need to take a ferry across the lake – which is super easy and BEAUTIFUL – the ferry runs in conjunction with the train schedule – read more about the Hallstatt ferry!
Then, continue on to Salzburg (which requires two trains, although it is very easy to transfer!) or spend the night in Hallstatt before heading to Salzburg in the morning.
Another option is to book a transfer from Vienna to Salzburg, with stops like Hallstatt along the way.
Here are some transfers that take you from Vienna to Salzburg:
If you have time when you arrive in Salzburg (likely only if you skipped Hallstatt), take a walking tour if you have time. It’s a great way to get acquainted with the city. Check out GuruWalk for free walking tours!
Otherwise, save the guided walking tour for tomorrow and just spend some time strolling around the neighborhood you are staying in. Salzburg is such a cute city, and you can find so many hidden gems just strolling around, including some great spots to get Austrian food for dinner.
If you are here in December, make sure to check out the Salzburg Christmas Market.
Day 4 in Austria: Salzburg
Today is a full day in Salzburg, where you’ll get to know the city and dive into its history. Start your day with a walking tour—always a great way to get familiar with a new place. Check out GuruWalk for free walking tours!
After your tour, pick up a Salzburg Card (or get one online). It covers admission to attractions and museums, plus access to public transportation. Depending on how long you’ll be in the city, you can choose a 24-hour, 48-hour, or 72-hour card.
The Salzburg Card is great because it lets you explore at your own pace. You can visit everything in one day or focus on just a few highlights. When I used it, I made sure to hit my top three must-see spots and then used the extra time to visit other included attractions.
Check the full list of what the Salzburg Card includes and choose what interests you most. At the very least, I recommend visiting the Hohensalzburg Fortress (take the funicular up!) and one of the Mozart-related attractions.
Your day will be packed between the Salzburg Card and a walking tour. For dinner, try some Austrian food and head away from the main tourist areas to find more local spots.
Day 5 in Austria: Salzburg
Ready for your final day in Austria? I have two different recommendations depending on if you have the whole day free, or if you are leaving today.
If you have all of day 5 to explore, I recommend a day trip out of Salzburg! If you missed Hallstatt on day 3, I would go today, as it is one of the prettiest places I have ever been. Or, if you are a Sound of Music fan, take a tour to see where the movie was filmed.
If you have a car, you can easily do a day trip on your own. Towns like Hallstatt are also easy to reach by train.
Otherwise, you can book a guided tour without worrying about transportation.
Here are some great guided day trips from Salzburg:
On the other hand, you may have limited time left in Austria on day 5. Use up any time remaining on your Salzburg card in the morning. If the weather wasn’t good on day 4, make sure you go to the top of the Fortress for can’t-miss views of Salzburg.
When it’s time to leave, you can quickly get back to the Salzburg train station from anywhere in town.
As you saw on the way to Salzburg, getting between Vienna and Salzburg by train is easy enough, so if you are flying out of Vienna, you can easily take a train back there today to fly out.
You can also easily head to cities in other countries like Munich, which is just an hour and a half train ride away.
Tours to Book in Austria
Booking a tour in Austria is a great way to maximize your time there and see the top sites. Plus, there are a huge variety of tours, so everyone can find something that interests them!
Here are the top tours in Austria:
Tips For Your 5 Day Austria Itinerary
Ready to make your 5 day Austria itinerary the best ever? Here are some tips to make your trip the best yet:
- Take Advantage of the Efficient Public Transport: Austria’s public transport system is excellent. Trains and buses connect all major cities and towns, and local trams and subways make getting around easy. Consider purchasing an ÖBB ticket for regional travel.
- Have Cash for Smaller Purchases: Credit cards are widely accepted, but smaller bakeries, markets, and some rural areas may only take cash. The currency is the euro (€), so it’s handy to keep some on you.
- Plan for Varied Weather: Austria’s weather can change quickly, especially if you’re heading to the mountains. Dress in layers and always bring a rain jacket or umbrella.
- Make Restaurant Reservations: Popular spots, especially in cities like Vienna and Salzburg, fill up fast. Book ahead to secure a table at well-known restaurants and cafés.
- Explore Beyond the Cities: Austria is known for its natural beauty. Take time to visit lakes, mountain villages, and hiking trails—you’ll get a completely different perspective of the country.
Where to Stay in Austria: 5 Day Itinerary
To make the most of your time in Austria, you want to stay somewhere with good reviews in a good location. Check out these great hotels and home rentals at the best prices in Vienna: