Austria is one of the most beautiful countries I have traveled to, and one of the things I love most is how different each place feels. Vienna and Salzburg could not be more different, and smaller places like Hallstatt feel like a completely different side of the country. 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.
This Austria itinerary for 5 days takes you through Vienna and Salzburg, with the option to visit Hallstatt, one of the most picturesque lakeside towns in Europe.
Keep reading for the ultimate 5 day Austria itinerary that helps you see the best of the country, maximize your time, and plan a smooth and unforgettable trip.
Last updated: May 26, 2026
Published: February 14, 2025
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🏨 Top Hotels in Austria
- Budget-Friendly: Austria Classic Hotel Wien — a family-run hotel near Prater Park, offering spacious rooms and a peaceful atmosphere that combines traditional charm with modern comforts.
- Best Value: H2 Hotel Wien Schönbrunn — centrally located in Vienna, just a short walk from Schönbrunn Palace and Mariahilfer Street. With a relaxed atmosphere, offering breakfast and a wide selection of food and drinks throughout the day.
- Luxury: The Ritz-Carlton — A grand hotel set in four historic palaces in the city center, offering elegant rooms, fine dining, and a spa with the largest indoor pool in Vienna.
🎟️ Best Tours & Activities
- Vienna: Skip-the-Line Schonbrunn Palace & Gardens with Guide
- Vienna Woods Tour with underground lake and wine tasting
- Or explore more tours in Austria.
🚗 Travel Essentials
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5 Day Austria Itinerary Overview
This 5 day Austria itinerary focuses on Vienna and Salzburg, with an optional stop in Hallstatt. It’s designed for first-time visitors who want to see Austria’s most iconic cities while keeping travel simple and efficient.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what your 5 days in Austria will look like:
- Day 1: Arrive in Vienna + walking tour + St. Stephen’s Cathedral
- Day 2: Schönbrunn Palace + Vienna museums
- Day 3: Train to Salzburg (optional stop in Hallstatt)
- Day 4: Explore Salzburg Old Town + Hohensalzburg Fortress
- Day 5: Day trip from Salzburg or more time in the city
This itinerary balances imperial history, charming old towns, and stunning alpine scenery, which are all connected by Austria’s easy and efficient train system.
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 capital 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.
A walking tour usually takes around 2 to 3 hours and is one of my favorite ways to get familiar with a new city.
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.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral sits right in the center of Vienna, so it is easy to explore nearby streets and cafés afterward.
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
Today is all about exploring some of Vienna’s most famous landmarks. 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. Hallstatt ended up being one of my favorite small towns in Europe. The mountain views, lake, and ferry ride into town actually lived up to the photos.
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.
- Book train tickets early: Since this itinerary includes travel between Vienna and Salzburg, booking train tickets ahead of time can help save money and guarantee your preferred departure times.
Where to Stay in Vienna
If you’re following this itinerary, Vienna makes a great base for the first part of your trip. The city has excellent public transportation and easy access to many of the places included in this itinerary.
Budget: Vienna Hostel Ruthensteiner – Vienna Hostel Ruthensteiner is a good choice if you want to keep costs lower while still staying somewhere convenient. The hostel offers both dorms and private rooms and sits close to public transportation connections.
Mid-range: Austria Trend Hotel Savoyen Vienna – Austria Trend Hotel Savoyen Vienna is a comfortable option near Belvedere Palace with spacious rooms and easy access to central Vienna. It works well if you want a balance between location and price.
Luxury: Hotel Sacher Wien – Hotel Sacher Wien is one of Vienna’s most recognizable luxury hotels and is located near the Vienna State Opera. If you want a classic stay in the center of the city, this is a great option.
To make the most of your time in Austria, you want to stay somewhere with good reviews in a good location. For even more, check out these great hotels and home rentals at the best prices in Vienna:
Where to Stay in Salzburg
Salzburg is compact and easy to explore on foot, so staying near the Old Town or train station can save you time. Here are a few places to stay depending on your budget:
Budget: Yoho International Youth Hostel Salzburg – Yoho International Youth Hostel Salzburg is a solid option if you want an affordable stay with a social atmosphere. The hostel has dorms and private rooms, plus extras like walking tours and bike rentals. Its location between the train station and Old Town also makes getting around simple.
Mid-Range: Altstadt Hotel Hofwirt – Altstadt Hotel Hofwirt is a good pick if you want to stay close to Salzburg’s main attractions without spending too much. The hotel blends traditional Austrian style with updated rooms, and many of the city’s top sights are within walking distance.
Boutique/Luxury: Hotel Goldener Hirsch – Hotel Goldener Hirsch is one of Salzburg’s most well-known luxury stays and sits right along Getreidegasse in the Old Town. The hotel combines historic character with modern comfort and puts you within easy walking distance of Salzburg’s major sites.
Conclusion: 5 Day Austria Itinerary
Five days gives you enough time to experience several sides of Austria. You can explore Vienna’s grand palaces and history, walk through Salzburg’s Old Town, and even add places like Hallstatt along the way. Even though Austria is a smaller country, every stop feels different and offers something unique.
Austria quickly became one of my favorite countries in Europe, and this itinerary gives you a great introduction without trying to cram too much into a short trip. If you have extra time, consider adding more day trips or extending your stay to explore even more of the country.
Before your trip, be sure to check out my other Austria guides below for more travel tips, itineraries, and ideas for your trip.
- Four day Vienna itinerary
- How many days to spend in Vienna
- Tours from Vienna to Hallstatt
- Vienna IG captions
- Vienna Travel Tips
FAQs: 5 Days in Austria
Is 5 days enough in Austria?
Yes, five days is enough time to get a good introduction to Austria, especially if it is your first visit. This itinerary focuses on Vienna and Salzburg, which lets you see two very different cities while still leaving room for places like Hallstatt or a day trip.
Should I visit Hallstatt on a 5 day Austria itinerary?
If you can fit it into your schedule, yes. Hallstatt is one of my favorite small towns in Europe and feels completely different from Vienna and Salzburg. If you are short on time, I would prioritize Vienna and Salzburg first, then add Hallstatt if possible.
Is Vienna or Salzburg better?
It depends on what type of trip you want. Vienna is larger and known for its imperial history, museums, and grand architecture. Salzburg has a smaller feel with mountain views, charming streets, and connections to Mozart and The Sound of Music. I loved both because they felt completely different.
Do you need a car in Austria?
No, you do not need a car for this itinerary. Austria’s train system makes it easy to travel between Vienna, Salzburg, and many popular day trip destinations. Unless you plan to visit smaller villages or spend time deep in the Alps, trains are usually the easier option.
Is Austria expensive?
Austria can be expensive compared to some nearby countries in Central Europe, especially in Vienna. Hotels, attractions, and restaurants can add up quickly, but you can save money by using public transportation, staying in hostels or mid-range hotels, and booking train tickets early.
Should I stay overnight in Hallstatt?
If you have extra time, staying overnight in Hallstatt can be a great experience because most day visitors leave in the evening. However, if you only have five days in Austria, a day trip is usually enough and fits better into your schedule.
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