Selection of amazing day trips from Vienna

Distance from Vienna: 2h 30min by train or 3h 20min by road.

Price: Natural History Museum around €9.50 adults €7 kids

What to bring: Comfortable shoes

Expert tip: If you visit between May-October you can tour the Salzburg ice caves

Salzburg is located near Austria’s western border with Germany. The city is surrounded by mountains and has the Salzach River running through its heart, making for some stunning views over the waterfront. If you’re looking for nature exhibits in the city centre, the Haus der Natur is an excellent start. This natural history museum has exhibitions about ancient and modern species, as well as sea life exhibits and information about space and the solar system. If you’re travelling to Salzburg by car during the May-October period, you can also drive roughly 50 minutes out of the city to tour the Eisriesenwelt ice cave. Meanwhile, for spectacular views, visitors in Salzburg can take the cable car up the Untersberg mountainside. Once you’re at the top, you can enjoy a scenic hike or simply take in the breathtaking panorama. If you plan to go hiking, remember to take comfortable shoes and some warm clothing, even in the summer months.

Distance from Vienna: 40 minutes by car or around 1 hour by bus.

What to bring: Snacks and water

Expert tip: Book a guided tour of the Carmel Monastery to learn more about it’s history

Mayerling is a perfect day out for nature lovers who want to escape the city for a few hours. A visit to Mayerling is ideal if you want to enjoy a relaxing day away and soak up some stunning scenery. If you’re travelling by car, you can reach Mayerling through the Vienna Woods, which has plenty of places to stop for a picnic or a wander in the forest. Once you reach Mayerling, you can explore the historic Carmel Monastery. As well as gorgeous rural surroundings, the monastery has a fascinating history. The hunting lodge connected to the chapel is the place where Austria’s Crown Prince Rudolph died in mysterious circumstances in 1889. The monastery is open to visitors throughout the weekdays during summer and at weekends during the off-season.

Distance from Vienna: 3 hours by bus, or 2h30 by car or train.

What to bring: Your passport

Expert tip: Visit Budapest around Christmas to see lots of festive winter markets

Given its central location, Vienna is an excellent jumping-off point to visit other famous European cities and take in diverse European cultures. One of the easiest European cities to reach from Vienna is Hungary’s capital, Budapest, which is connected to Vienna via a direct bus service. This journey takes around 3 hours and may take slightly less time by car.

Once in Budapest, you will find no end of cultural and historical exhibits to explore. Popular options include the fairy-tale castle spires of the Fisherman’s Bastion, the majestic interiors of St Stephen’s Basilica and the 3D Gallery Budapest. You can also try some Hungarian cuisine at Beerstro 14. This high-rated bistro and steakhouse serves a range of traditional dishes, such as goulash and schnitzel with a fine dining twist.

Distance from Vienna: 2h 15min by road and around 2h 30min by train.

What to bring: Shopping bags

Expert tip: A Universalmuseum Joanneum card for about €27 gives you access to a range of Graz museums and to Graz zoo

If you’d rather stay within Austria, you will also find plenty of entertaining culture in the nearby city of Graz. Visitors can explore the historical Altstadt old town, which is one of the most well-preserved historical areas in Europe. The old town is a rich World Heritage site, with plenty of delightful historical buildings and tons of cafés and restaurants where you can grab lunch.

After lunch, you could visit the historic Uhrturm clock tower, which has an observation deck with panoramic views of the whole city. Graz is also home to the bustling Sporgasse shopping district and Schloss Eggenberg Baroque Castle, which can be reached in around 15 minutes via the Eggenberg tram from Graz Main Street.

Distance from Vienna: 3h 30min by car.

Price: Hallstatt Salt Mine around €40 (£34,20) adults €20 (£17,10) kids

What to bring: Comfortable shoes

Expert tip: Buy tickets online to avoid queues

If you plan to visit Hallstatt, you will need to hire a car, as direct public transport links are hard to come by. Nevertheless, if you’re prepared to get up early for the roughly 3-hour drive, Hallstatt is a fantastic spot for a fun day out. One of the most popular attractions in Hallstatt is the Hallstatt Salt Mine, where visitors can explore the mineral caves and have fun on the slides located inside the tunnels. Visitors should be aware that there is no on-site parking at the salt mine itself, so you will need to leave time to park in the town and then meet your tour group at Salzberghan Station. From the station, a railway takes you up the steep slope to the mines. The visuals are incredible, and kids will love the experience. If you’re travelling with very young children, however, be aware that kids under four years old are not allowed inside the mines.

Distance from Vienna: 1 hour by car and just under 2 hours by bus.

Price: Around €34 (£29)

What to bring: Suncream

Expert tip: You might need a change of clothes for the water rides

Burgenland Familypark is one of Austria’s biggest amusement parks and is a thrilling day out for young travellers and family groups. Located in a scenic, woodland setting, the park has rides for older kids, a fairytale village for little ones and exciting water rides that will cool you down on a hot day. If you’re visiting in summer, it’s a good idea to take some water, snacks and sun protection with you, as you may spend time queuing for rides outdoors.

Distance from Vienna: 1 hour by car or by bus.

What to bring: Flat shoes for the vineyard tour

Expert tip: Visit the farm shop after your tasting

Hollabrunn is located in Austria’s Weinviertel wine region and has a great range of vineyards where visitors can sample local beverages. If you want to pair some vintages with delicious local produce, Weinviertler Heuriger and Farm Shop in Hollabrunn makes for a perfect day out. Meanwhile, if you’re a beer lover, you can taste some brews at the Braukuche 35 brewery and take a guided tour through the brewing process.

Distance from Vienna: 30 minutes by train and around 1h 15min by road.

What to bring: Your bike for local cycling trails

Expert tip: Go inside Sankt Polten cathedral to see the amazing interior decor

While you’ll find a diverse range of restaurants serving varied cuisines in Vienna, if you want to try local, traditional foods, the nearby town of Sankt Polten is a great spot for you. Sankt Polten is an ancient, historical town and is one of the best day trips from Vienna by train due to its non-stop connecting service. Inspired by local ingredients and the freshest seasonal produce, restaurants like Gasthaus Nährer and Vinzenz Pauli are excellent places to try modern Austrian food. The menus are paired with local wines and European vintages to create a full culinary experience.

If you’re looking for a day trip from Vienna that combines cultural attractions with unique, family-friendly experiences, a visit to the historical city of Linz is the perfect day out for you. This is how I would organise a day out with family in Linz.

1. Take the train at 8:30.

• 1h 15min journey.

2. Take the tram from Linz Station to Linz/Donau Tiergarten.

• 30-minute journey.

3. Explore Linz Zoo.

• 25-minute tram journey.

4. Have lunch at Paul’s Steak & Veggi.

• Walk for 10 minutes.

5. Visit Schlossmuseum.

• Walk for 8 minutes.

6. Enjoy dinner at L’Osteria.

• Take the train at 20:30 to reach Vienna by 22:00.