Hi everyone,
After abandoning my original idea of a weekend break in Switzerland and Kandersteg, I have come up with a new idea for Austria, but I have several questions and I need to know if my 'plan' is feasible, as follows:
(1) A Friday in October
Early morning flight to Munich from the UK arriving Munich approx. 09.00 hrs.
After checking into a hotel, take the train to Fussen to see Neuschwantstein castle
Return to Munich in the afternoon/early evening, and spend first night in Munich.
(2) Saturday AM in Munich before taking the train to Hallstaat in Austria arriving late afternoon/early evening
Overnight stay in Hallstaat
(3) Sunday AM hiking around Hallstaat area, before staying overnight a second night in Hallstaat.
(4) Monday AM departing Hallstaat for Salzburg
Check into hotel and spend Monday daytime in Salzburg, staying overnight
(5) Tuesday morning after breakfast / lunch departing Salzburg for Munich by train.
Lock luggage in train station lockers if available
Rest of day spent in Munich before evening flight home ot UK
Can anyone give me some advice on this itinery - ie if its a good one, any suggestions for a good alternative or other places we could squeeze in on this trip?
Regarding trains between the big cities, I can find trains fairly ok on Rail Europe's website, but each leg of the trip is quite expensive and will amount to a hefty bill. Is there anywhere we could obtain a travel pass/card to make the journeys more affordable?
With regards getting to Fussen from Munich to see Neuschwantstein castle, Rail Europe tells me the train takes 2h 51m and goes via Buchloe. Is this the only and quickest route? Also, for some reason Rail Europe an't give me a round trip (ie Munich - Fussen - Munich). I can only book the return as a one-way ticket, which goes back via Kaufbeuren and then Buchloe. Each way costs £60.00 - so its getting expensive already.
I can find trains from Munich to Salzburg, but Rail Europe won't recognise Hallstaat as a destination, even though it's listed in their drop-down menu. I am assuming there is another rail site for trains WITHIN Austria, where I could book the Salzburg to Hallstaat leg separately - or could this ticket be purchased at the station? According to Rail Europe, Hallstaat back to Salzburg keeps giving me the message that the point of departure is not valid!!
Would there also be an internal German rail site for the trip from Munich to Fussen? In any case, the trip from Munich to Salzburg is another £60 and the rail fares are really mounting up - surely there's a pass of some kind for tourists?
Finally, another route I am considering is flying from the UK into Wien (Vienna) on the Friday, going to Hallstaat for two nights as described above, somehow visiting Salzburg before returning to the UK via Munich. The flights this way work out cheaper, but looking at the map, it makes me think I would have to forget Neuschwantstein castle, and would have too little time in Salzburg, and Vienna for that matter.
One last question :))) When does it generally start to snow in Austria and the surrounding area? Would we need cold-weather clothing in October?
Anyway, apologies for the lengthy questions, but all answers greatly appreciated.
