🗺️ Holidays in Austria in winter and summer: Vienna, the Alps and thermal spas

Austria fits two different trips into one. From imperial Vienna to the Alpine villages of Tyrol is about four hours by road. In a week you can fit in a museum, a gondola ride, and a thermal pool.

In winter the country lives for ski season; in summer the lakes and hiking trails open up. You don't have to choose between them if you plan your route in advance. Below is what's worth seeing, where to swim, and how to fit it all into a budget.

Schönbrunn Palace is a convenient place to start if you're flying into Vienna.

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Vienna: St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Ferris wheel

💡 In short:

You can walk the center of Vienna in a day; the metro is only needed for the Prater.
Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official website.

Gothic St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna

Vienna is compact. You can walk the historic core in one day. The main sights stand close together: St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Hofburg, and the Vienna State Opera. Come to the cathedral in the morning, before the tour groups arrive.

The cathedral's viewing platforms are split into two: the elevator only goes to the north tower, while the south tower is reached by a spiral staircase. Tickets are sold on site, and before noon you usually won't find a separate line.

Stone relief of the pulpit in St. Stephen's Cathedral

Next, take the metro to the Prater. That's where the Vienna Ferris wheel turns, one of the oldest amusement rides in Europe. The cabins are old and wooden, and the view of the city from the top is wide open. It's easier to buy a ticket for one rotation online (wienerriesenrad.com, as of: 09/2026).

In the evening, head back to the center: the Vienna State Opera sells some standing-room tickets right before the performance starts. Arrive an hour early if you want to catch "La Traviata" or "Carmen".

How to get there: from the cathedral to the Prater you take metro lines U1 and U2, with a transfer in the center.

Salzburg: Mozart and Hohensalzburg Fortress

Salzburg sits between Vienna and the Alps, so it's a convenient stop along the way. Mozart was born here, and a museum dedicated to the composer is open in the family's former home. The old town is narrow; you can walk through it in about forty minutes.

Hohensalzburg Fortress on a hill above Salzburg

Hohensalzburg Fortress rises above the rooftops, one of the largest surviving fortresses in Europe. The funicular leaves from Kapitelplatz square; walking up takes considerably more time. From the fortress ramparts you can see the Salzach River, the cathedral, and the entire city.

Getting there: direct trains run from Vienna, and some services continue toward Munich.
Who it's for: for those who want music and panoramic views without ski gear.
The catch: in summer the main shopping street gets crowded with tour groups and souvenir shops.

Tyrol and ski resorts

Tyrol has hosted the Winter Olympics twice, and it has more ski infrastructure than the rest of the country. Resorts are divided by level: some are geared toward beginners, others toward confident skiers. Rentals and ski schools operate right at the base station of the lift, and instructors speak English.

Street in Innsbruck with snow-covered Alps in the background

The areas are linked by a single ski pass, so you can ride across several valleys of one complex without daily transfers and without buying a separate ticket for each slope. If it's your first time, book a lesson for the morning while the runs are still groomed. Tyrolean villages offer lodging for any budget, from guesthouses to four-star hotels.

Getting there: by train to Innsbruck, then by local buses to your resort.
Who it's for: for skiers and snowboarders, and in summer for hiking on marked trails.
The catch: during February school holidays, hotel prices go up and lift lines get longer.

Thermal spas and Alpine lakes

Thermal Austria begins just outside Vienna. Baden sits on sulfur springs where the imperial court used to come to relax. Today it's a quiet town with baths and a park, easily reached from central Vienna.

In summer the country shifts to its lakes. Lake Neusiedl in the east is shallow and warm, making it a good fit for families with children. In the Salzkammergut the water is colder, but the mountain views open up wide. At Lake Wörthersee in Carinthia, the swimming season lasts the longest.

Bike routes along the rivers here are marked with signs, and bike rentals operate in every resort town and at major hotels. For hiking, moderate-difficulty trails work well, and in summer some lifts also run.

Cost: check spa admission prices on the complex's website; the price depends on the day of the week and the length of your visit.
Who it's for: for those who want to combine rest with wellness treatments and don't want to ski.
The catch: the water in mountain lakes stays cool even at the height of summer.

Tickets and opening hours: what to book in advance

Schönbrunn Palace is open daily. From March 27 to June 30 and from September 1 to November 2, entry runs from 8:30 to 17:30, in summer until 18:00, in winter until 17:00 (palace opening hours, as of 09/2026). Last entry is 45 minutes before closing. The park, meanwhile, opens at 6:30, and admission is free.

Tickets are sold for specific time slots. In high season, slots sell out two weeks ahead, so buying online saves you a whole morning. The ticket office has fewer spots left than the website.

Cost: a Schönbrunn ticket depends on the season and tour type; check the current price on the website.
The catch: Schönbrunn takes half a day, so combining it with Salzburg in one day won't work.

For Vienna's museums and palaces, get a single ticket with a time slot: Vienna museum tickets.

Tours and tickets in Vienna

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

See offers on Tiqets

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When to go and how to get around

The country's climate splits into three parts. In the east, summers are hot and winters mild; in the mountains there's more precipitation and longer winters; between them lies a transition zone. City trips are best planned for May, June, and September.

You fly into Vienna at Schwechat Airport. The S7 suburban train and the City Airport Train both run to the center; the only difference between them is price and speed. Buy intercity train tickets in advance, as seats run out quickly around holidays.

Train: Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck are connected by direct lines; check schedules in the Trip.com ticket search.
Hotels: central Vienna is more expensive; lodging near metro stations costs less.
Car: a car is more convenient for lakes and villages, but parking in cities is paid.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need for Austria?

For a first trip, five or seven days is enough. You give two days to Vienna, one day to Salzburg, and two or three days to the Alps or lakes. That way you cover city, mountains, and water without rushing or extra transfers between regions.

What to see in winter if you don't ski?

In winter, Vienna and Salzburg work well: museums, palaces, and concerts run year-round. In the mountains you can walk on cleared trails and ride lifts without gear. Thermal complexes are also open in the cold season.

Is Austria an expensive vacation?

Austria is more expensive than neighboring Czechia or Hungary, but cheaper than Switzerland. You save by taking trains instead of taxis, staying near the metro instead of the center, and buying tickets online. Lunch in a mountain village costs less than in Vienna's tourist quarter.

When is the best time to visit Vienna?

Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable. July is hot and crowded; December brings Christmas markets. Summer evenings in Vienna are long, which makes for a pleasant time to stroll through the city center.

How do you get between cities?

Between Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck, the train is the most convenient option. Direct lines connect center to center, and trains don't get stuck in traffic. Within resorts, buses get you around, and in winter lifts do too.

In short: what's worth booking

If you have a week and it's your first trip, go with Vienna and Tyrol: city, palace, and mountains fit into one route. Book a hotel in Vienna in advance; rooms fill up fast during school holidays.

With kids, choose Neusiedler See; for a thermal spa getaway, Baden is a good fit. Compare tours on GetYourGuide and check train schedules to connect the towns without transfers.

What to see in Austria: Vienna, Tyrol and thermal spas in one trip