Star Trips in Austria
Where to Stay on Star Trips
The most convenient way to travel as a family in Austria is by basing yourselves in a single vacation rental or holiday village for about a week, taking day trips to destinations up to an hour and a half drive away in each direction. It is ideal to stay at a charming farm house in a magical mountain town—a serene and pastoral setting on one hand, yet close to a main transport artery on the other, making it enjoyable to return to at the end of the day or even spend a whole day relaxing nearby without driving at all.
Those who can afford a 10-day to two-week trip in Austria would do well to split their lodging between two destinations: first, stay 5–6 days in the heart of the Salzburgerland region (for example, in the town of Flachau), and then move to stay another 4–5 days in the Tyrol region (near Innsbruck). However, if you only have one week, it is preferable to base yourselves in one central location from which you can comfortably explore both the main attractions of Tyrol and Salzburgerland.
An ideal starting base for exploring these two gorgeous and attractive regions is the town of Kufstein, situated right by a major highway connecting Salzburg and Munich with Innsbruck.
♦Car rental via the reliable and convenient Booking website: Booking.com
The Town of Kufstein
Recommended Accommodations in Kufstein:
Stadt Kufstein
A 4-star hotel offering 73 rooms. Located in the pedestrian zone in the center of Kufstein, just 300 meters from Kufstein Fortress.
Best Western Hotel Alpenrose
A 4-star hotel located in the suburbs of Kufstein with 22 rooms, featuring a high-quality spa, an award-winning restaurant, and free parking for guests.
It is also very pleasant to stay in the nearby town of Ebbs:
Pension Apartment Hödner
A renovated and modernized guesthouse offering 7 vacation apartments and guest rooms accommodating 2–5 people. Includes a rich breakfast and a half-board option.
Kufstein is a beautiful and welcoming town featuring an impressive fortress, a rushing river, an impressive glass factory, and a vibrant, colorful center. It is definitely worth dedicating a full day to visit. However, those who prefer vacation apartments rather than hotel rooms would do well to stay in one of the adjacent villages rather than in town itself. This gives you the best of both worlds: staying in a central location with easy access to most family attractions in Tyrol and Salzburg, while enjoying a spacious apartment in a quiet environment, surrounded by nature and spectacular scenery.
Kufstein also serves as a great starting base for exploring some of Southern Bavaria's attractions, such as:
The castles of "Mad" King Ludwig, the wonderful "Alpamare" water park, the Zugspitze summit, the Eagle's Nest, Lake Königssee, visits to Munich, and more.
The drive from Kufstein to Munich Airport takes about an hour and a half (130 km), so there is no need to lodge near the airport on your first or last night. Driving time into Munich itself is even shorter.
Suggestions for Star Trips in the Salzburg Region:
♦ Eisriesenwelt Ice Cave.
♦ Dürrnberg Salt Mines and, right next to them, the longest alpine coaster slides in Austria.
♦ Hellbrunn Palace with its famous trick water fountains.
♦ A visit to beautiful Salzburg: ascending by cable car/funicular to visit the fortress,
a tour of the Old Town, the Old Market Square, the main pedestrian street, strolling along the river, and visiting Mirabell Gardens. A tour following "The Sound of Music" film locations.
Salzburg - Booking recommended guided tours from the excellent Viator site:
♦ Guided walking tour of Salzburg Old Town and Mirabell Gardens - Salzburg Old Town Walking Tour, Mozart, Mirabell Gardens
Duration: 2 hours.
♦ Salt Mine Tour
Skip-The-Line Salt-Mines and Bavarian Mountains Tour from Salzburg
An experience for the whole family: landscapes, caves, miner slides. Skip-the-line entrance. Duration: about 4 hours.
♦ Trip to Hellbrunn Palace (with the trick fountains) and scenic river cruise in the Old Town
River Cruise to Hellbrunn, Palace & world-famous trick fountains
♦ Private tour following "The Sound of Music" film (approx. 4 hours) - Original Sound of Music Private Tour
♦ Combined tour of historic sites and "The Sound of Music" film locations (approx. 4 hours):
The Original Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg
♦ Dinner with a Mozart Concert - Best of Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg
Appropriate evening attire required for the event (no jeans, athletic shoes, or shorts).
♦ Scenic excursion to the "Eagle's Nest" -
Skip-the-Line: Eagle's Nest in Berchtesgaden Tour from Salzburg
This is Hitler's famous mountaintop vacation retreat. The tour departs from the bus terminal at Mirabellplatz in Salzburg and lasts about 4.5 hours. Skip-the-line entrance (passport required as you cross the border into Germany).
Additional Destinations:
♦ Rosenburg Castle featuring eagle flight demonstrations.
♦ Visiting the picturesque preserved town of Hallstatt, cruising on its magical lake, and visiting the "Bone House" (Beinhaus).
♦ Krimml Waterfalls (the highest waterfalls in Europe!).
♦ Ascending by cable car to the glacier summit in Kaprun (a ski resort even in summer) and visiting the adjacent alpine reservoir dam.
Details on attractions in Salzburgerland in the article: Tours and Attractions in Salzburgerland
Recommended Lodging in the Salzburg Region
It is recommended to stay in the region's sports area in the towns of Flachau Flachau and Wagrain Wagrain or one of the neighboring towns.
Specially recommended apartments in Flachau Flachau:
♦ Holiday Apartments Rainerhof
Located in Flachau. Holiday apartments for up to 9 guests. Fully equipped kitchen. Free bicycles for guests. Free Wi-Fi and parking.
♦ Aparthotel Appartements Salzburgerhof
Located in Flachau. Holiday apartments for up to 8 guests. Kitchen with dining area. Free Wi-Fi and parking.
♦ Aparthotel Aparthotel Pichler
A 3-star aparthotel with kitchenettes. Located 3 km from the center of Flachau. Free Wi-Fi and parking.
♦ Holiday Apartments Almdorf Almlust
An apartment resort packed with attractions in Flachau. Includes kitchen in the apartments. Natural outdoor swimming lake, spa with indoor pool. Free Wi-Fi and parking.
Recommended apartments in the Wagrain area Wagrain:
♦ Farmhouse Holiday Apartments Blankgut Familie Berner
Holiday apartments with kitchen in a farmhouse. Located 3 km from Wagrain center. Apartments accommodate up to 12 guests. Free Wi-Fi and parking.
♦ Pension Mozart
Located in Wagrain in a quiet location, adjacent to the Flying Mozart cable car. Free Wi-Fi and parking.
♦ Pension Panorama in Wagrain. Central location in the town of Wagrain.
♦ Hotel Naturhotel Edelweiss Wagrain
A 4-star hotel in Wagrain on a half-board basis. Spa area with indoor pool. Children's facilities. Free Wi-Fi and parking.
♦ Farmhouse Holiday Apartments Eisbauer
Holiday apartments with kitchen in a farmhouse. Located approx. 13 km west of Wagrain. Apartments for 4 to 6 guests. Pool, free Wi-Fi and parking.
Lodging near Salzburg:
♦ Sheraton Fuschlsee-Salzburg Hotel Jagdhof
A 4-star hotel located 20 minutes east of Salzburg, overlooking the lake, featuring a private golf course, large spa, and indoor pool.
♦ Schloss Fuschl - Resort & Spa
A 5-star lakeside resort 20 minutes east of Salzburg.
♦ Pension Bergfried An excellent guesthouse south of Salzburg located in the picturesque town of Grödig, about 8 km south of Salzburg.
A 3-star hotel in the southern suburbs of the city (about a 15-minute drive south of the Old Town) in a pastoral setting with beautiful views. Bus stop near the hotel. Offers various room sizes including rooms suitable for 4 people. Restaurant, free parking, and free Wi-Fi. High-quality breakfast.
Recommended Accommodations in Central Salzburg:
For those who prefer to stay right inside the city, here are top hotel recommendations:
♦ Hotel Goldener Hirsch, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Salzburg
A 5-star luxury hotel in a 15th-century historical building located in the heart of the Old Town on famous Getreidegasse. Rooms (with air conditioning!) feature classic Austrian design with unique antique furnishings. Restaurant and bar on-site. Free Wi-Fi, private parking (surcharge).
A 4-star hotel surrounded by lovely private gardens, about a 15-minute walk from the Old Town center. Offers impressive views of the nearby mountains. Free Wi-Fi and parking. Some rooms feature balconies. Excellent breakfast.
A small, elegant 4-star boutique hotel in a central, convenient location offering various rooms and suites, including spacious family rooms accommodating up to 4 guests. Features a spa and bar. Free Wi-Fi. Parking (surcharge). Excellent breakfast.
Suggestions for Star Trips in Tyrol:
Swarovski Crystal Worlds.
Visiting beautiful Innsbruck with its cable car up the mountain summit, Alpine zoo, and magical old town.
Details about Innsbruck and its surroundings in the article: Touring the City of Innsbruck and Its Surroundings
Zillertal Valley – one of the most charming valleys in Tyrol, featuring resort towns, alpine villages, and steam train rides.
Ascending to the Zugspitze summit on the Austrian-German border.
The view from the Zugspitze summit:
Of course, visiting all these destinations requires around two weeks, but the key is to choose the attractions that suit you best and leave you eager to return next time.
It is highly recommended to combine a day or two of active family recreation: hiking along trails through forests and lakes, cycling tours, horse riding, lake boating, river rafting, alpine coasters, ropes courses, mini golf, hot air balloon flights, and more.
Relaxing at a lake near one of the towns and a typical farmhouse in Tyrol.
Details about the Tyrol region in the article: Tours and Attractions in Tyrol
Recommended Lodging in the Tyrol Region
In the Wilder Kaiser Area:
Hotel Alpin Scheffau
Set on a 6,000 m² property with expansive lawns home to small animals such as rabbits and goats. The hotel comprises two adjacent buildings. Features a playground with climbing structures, a trampoline, and table tennis. Additionally, the hotel offers a large sun terrace with lounge chairs, parasols, a swimming pool, and bicycle rental services. Features 79 air-conditioned rooms and suites (a rarity in Austria).
Chalet Hotel am Leitenhof
A high-quality 4-star all-suite hotel offering modern and luxurious chalets and suites. Includes a spa with a natural swimming pool. Features 31 rooms and the Champagne Lounge Salettl serving a wide selection of drinks. The food at the hotel is amazing!
Hofbauer
A farmhouse with 6 accommodation units suitable for 2–7 guests. Located in the town of Itter in an ideal location for star trips in Tyrol.
Grünholz
Another farmhouse in Itter with 3 apartments suitable for 5–7 guests.
In the Brixental Area:
Hotel Hubertus
A 4-star hotel located just 150 meters from the Hochbrixen cable car. Features 23 rooms designed for 2–3 people. The hotel features a charming small swimming lake and a spa.
Appartement Haus Veronika
An aparthotel in the town of Westendorf offering 11 well-equipped apartments suitable for up to 7 guests at an attractive price.
In Various Locations Across Tyrol:
Das Rieser Aktiv & Spa Resort
An active, high-quality family resort in Tyrol
Aktivhotel Veronika
A 4-star family-friendly and active hotel in Seefeld
Hotel Klosterbräu
A 5-star luxury hotel in Seefeld with a large spa, outdoor and indoor pools
Recommended Accommodations in Kufstein (between Tyrol and Salzburgerland):
Stadt Kufstein
A 4-star hotel offering 73 rooms. Located in the pedestrian zone in the center of Kufstein, just 300 meters from Kufstein Fortress.
Best Western Hotel Alpenrose
A 4-star hotel located in the suburbs of Kufstein with 22 rooms, featuring a high-quality spa, an award-winning restaurant, and free parking for guests.
It is also very pleasant to stay in the town of Ebbs near Kufstein:
Pension Apartment Hödner
A renovated and modernized guesthouse offering 7 holiday apartments and guest rooms for 2–5 people. Includes a rich breakfast and a half-board option.
Videos of Attractions in Austria: