Top Vienna Day Trips - page 3

Located in the heart of Europe, Vienna is within reach of many worthwhile destinations. But looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best trips from Vienna available right now:

• Wachau Valley Wine Tasting Bike Tour from Vienna
• Hallstatt Day Trip from Vienna With Skywalk
• Wachau Valley Small-Group Tour and Wine Tasting from Vienna
• Hallstatt Small-Group Day Trip from Vienna
• Budapest Small-Group Day Trip from Vienna

Vienna is located in the northeast corner of Austria, about an hour’s drive from Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. The country also borders Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Italy, and Slovenia, with Croatia tucked close behind Slovenia. Because of its accessibility to so much of Europe, Vienna is a popular base for day trips.

Yes, there are several guided day trip tours from Vienna to Salzburg. Some take you directly to Salzburg to maximize your time in Mozart’s hometown, while others make stops on the way in Melk, Hallstatt, or other picturesque spots in the Lake Region, where The Sound of Music was filmed.

Yes, you can easily reach Bratislava in about an hour by car or bus. Guided day trip tours from Vienna show you landmarks like Michael’s Gate, Bratislava Castle, and St. Martin’s Cathedral. Some include lunch, free time to explore, and hotel pickup and drop-off. You can even end the day with a high-speed catamaran cruise back to Vienna on the Danube River.

Yes, the drive to Budapest is about 2.5 hours. For that reason, guided day trips from Vienna are typically 12 hours or longer. Most trips provide an expert guide to lead you through the bustling city, point you to the best restaurants, and give you the history of sights such as Fisherman’s Bastion, the Parliament Building, and St. Stephen’s Basilica.

Most people recommend three or four days in Vienna. This allows you enough time to visit landmarks like Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and the Hofburg, the official home and office of Austria’s president. You may also want to catch a classical concert at St. Peter’s Church or add on a couple of day trips from Vienna.

There are tons of fun tours and excursions in Vienna aside from day trips. According to previous travelers, these are the best activities to book for your next trip:

• Museum Tickets & Passes

• Wine-Tasting Tours

• Nature & Wildlife Tours

• Private Drivers

• Dinner Cruises

Vienna day trip prices vary depending on duration and inclusions. If you’re looking for high-quality experiences on the lower end of the price range, these are the best tours to book now:

• Bratislava From Vienna by Bus With Coffee & Cake

• Bratislava From Vienna by Bus With Lunch

• Bratislava From Vienna by Bus With Lunch & Beer Tasting

• Bratislava Day Trip From Vienna With Catamaran Cruise on Danube

• Trip From Vienna: Visit Bratislava—Transport, Lunch, and Guided Tour Included

Thanks to Vienna’s location in the center of Europe, visiting other countries, such as Slovakia, Hungary, or the Czech Republic, on a day trip is easy. Don’t worry about border crossings and visas, though. Most of mainland Europe is within the Schengen area, which has open borders. When booking a day trip from Vienna, consider which areas you feel uncomfortable driving in. For example, you might prefer not to drive in the mountains and let someone else take the wheel.

Some day trips visit the Austrian Alps, along good-quality but high and winding roads. If you suffer from motion sickness, prepare your medication in advance and ask to sit near the front of the vehicle. Private tours in a car may be more comfortable than large-group tour buses. Wear appropriate clothing for the season and the destination: Vienna is at quite a low altitude, but some other parts of Austria, including Salzburg, are higher, and therefore often colder.

Vienna is enjoyable in any season, but the most popular times to visit—and take day trips—are summer (June–August) and December. The weather is generally warm and fine in summer, which is ideal for day-tripping to the Austrian Alps and other outdoor destinations, but crowds can be heavier. Book day trips in advance, or visit in spring (April–May) or fall (September–October) instead, when conditions are good but crowds are thinner. December brings a rush of tourists for the festive Christmas season.