A Day Trip to Hallstatt from Salzburg.
Hallstatt had always been on my wish list, if I ever visited Europe, and in September 2025, we finally made it happen as a day trip from Salzburg. It was a long journey, but absolutely worth it.
We took two trains followed by a boat ride to reach the beautiful village, with a total travel time taking about three hours each way. Our train departed Salzburg Hauptbahnhof at 6:00 am, luckily, we stayed at a hotel within walking distance of the station. That alone made the early start much easier.
Before boarding, we picked up some fresh buns from the station. You can either buy from Anker Bakery or BackWerk, or from the SPAR, however this grocery store opens at 6am. One of the things we loved about train travel in Austria is how convenient it is—you can bring your own food on board, and eat comfortably. We had also booked reserved seats, which meant all 4 of us could can sit together at a table. Small detail, big difference.
The journey was long, good thing was the train was spacious, clean, and very comfortable, with changing landscapes slowly unfolding outside the windows. It was the kind of travel that allows you to relax, chat, snack a little, and simply enjoy the experience rather than rush through it.
By the time we transferred to the boat, the excitement really kicked in. Gliding across the lake toward Hallstatt felt almost unreal— the water sound, scenic, and incredibly peaceful. It was the perfect introduction to a village that feels like it belongs in a postcard.
We had a great time at Hallstatt, great food, sweet, freshly baked pastries, lots of photos and videos.
We had lunch at Seehotel Grüner Baum, which features a beautiful lakeside terrace. It was truly a high-end experience. The hotel is more than just a place to stay; it is a landmark that has hosted Empress Sisi and many other famous figures. Although we hadn't made an advance booking, we walked in to reserve a table for lunch as soon as we reached the village. We tried the Reinanke, a must-eat in Hallstatt. This Alpine fish comes from the pristine, cold waters of Lake Hallstatt, which produce some of the most delicate and delicious freshwater fish in Europe. The fish was simply grilled with butter, lemon, and parsley.
Even with the early start and long travel hours, the day trip was absolutely worth it. Hallstatt was charming, serene, and unforgettable—and the journey itself became part of the experience.
