Your normal clothes will be fine as you will be wearing a miner jumpsuit over your clothes and will be walking a lot so you should be comfortable. Just make sure to wear good walking shoes and not sandals
Hello BigBoyTravels. My wife and our kids alongside our dog are currently thinking about visiting Hallstatt. We were unsure how to plan it but thankfully we stumbled upon this video of yours. It opened up our eyes and we realised the true potential that this trip would have. Thank you for saving my marriage. Truly.
I found this gem (channel) yesterday It is those small tiny detail matters They clearly communicate where to board , how to get from one place to another where to get some amazing pics wow these kind of things really takes the pressure of the tourists Thank you
We watched your video and because of it we just booked a visit to Hallstatt this mid-February. Thank you for sharing this to everyone. It is very informative and well-narrated. Very helpful indeed. To more trips inspired by your videos!
I just started watching your videos as I’m planning to visit Hallstatt and they are amazing, comprehensive and super clear to help you design your itinerary… 👍🏼
I was there in 2015 with the ex wife. We didn't take the lift, we walked up and then back down. It's a nice walk but only if you're in at least decent physical condition. It does take time though and we ran out of that because walking was too slow even though we were both quite fit, and we couldn't get everything in on that one day due to "open / closed" operation hours of everything there... We didn't have a second day to go back. At the time, we were not that concerned with not getting into the salt mine tour. We were tour oriented people. I am more of a history buff though and for that reason, I still like to know. Good video though. I wish I had known about the valley walk because that would have been exactly our thing. Solid advice and good, relevant video. I enjoyed it.
Thanks Salas Family!!! Hallstatt is great and worth an overnight. It only feels overcrowded for those in mid summer that roam around the center during peak hours and leave. When done right it is magical even during peak season. Love your channel also BTW
@@Bigboytravel Oh shucks, thanks! And that's a great point, it's always possible to carve out space even in the busiest of places. Which also lessens the tourist burden on the locals just trying to live their lives. We try to be good guests when traveling so always thinking about community impact too. Ok burning question, what is on your Austrian favs list, and does Hallstatt make the podium? 😁
@@FindingSalas 100% makes the top 3. I think Salzburg is the hands down #1. That's not just for Salzburg itself (sound of music, Mozart, cooking classes, food, history) but as it is one of the best hubs in Europe allowing for day trips to lakes, or mountains, ice caves, or castles within 1-2 hours. Vienna is 2nd (our oldest daughter's name) for the culture, food, music, museums but is also close to a couple of great castles. Hallstatt is #3 especially with an overnight and can be a great base for the Salzkammergut. It's wonder to roam a day to Wolfgnasse for the Schafberg Railway, gilden lakefront, and the sommerbahn. Traunsee has schloss Ort and Baumwipfelpfad lookout. I like Werfen as #4 because the castle, ice cave, and sound of music meadow are that impressive but it more of a day trip from Salzburg than an overnight. Austrians would probably tell you that Zell am See is top 3 which is fair giving the surrounding sights, mountains, and gorges. I'd say Innsbruck is pretty and good for skiing but is a distant consideration from the list above and nearby Hall is more charming but overall the Tyrol is nice/quaint but isn't the Dolomites/Switzerland. That isn't meant to sound cold as it is a pleasant area but with rankings not everything can be equal. I respect Graz but there isn't a lot to see/do compared to rest of Austria, more of a great place to live or go to college than to visit in my opinion. My hidden gem would be Schladming in Ramsaubam Dachstein which is only a day thing for most people but the activities are excellent and it's unique to ride on top of the gondola car. If I was allowed to expand my radius to include everything within 10 miles of the Austria border, then Berchtesgaden Germany just outside of Salzburg would probably nudge its way in as the #3 behind Salzburg and Vienna. That place is incredibly beautiful. The Obersee lake at the end of the Konigsee Ferry ride is unmatched. Near there the Jennarbahn views/hiking are unreal, you can bobsled with a driver on the Olympic training track, the Hintersee, ramsau church, and gorge are unreal and all of that is the south of town. Village itself is stunning and has a salt mine/salt spa, plus views of the Watzmann. And there is the famous obersalzburg with Hitlers eagles nest, the Dokumentation Museum with WW2 bunkers, and berghof ruins, not to mention a Sommerbhn. Hidden gem there is the meadow from the opening of sound of music
@@Bigboytravel this is a gold mine, thank you!!! I think I pinned about two dozen things here, wow. I have been daydreaming about a road trip we had been calling "Munich to Moscow" over the kids' summer break (pending political crises), which would allow me to slowly work my way through Austria and Eastern Europe. If that can ever happen, this comment here will be so useful. 🤠
for us, it usually takes around 3-4 hours of our day to get up the lift, walk to the mine, do the tour, visit the Sky Walk at a lesiurly pace, and get back down. more around 4-4.5 if you chose to hike back down instead of the lift, but is worth it. you can do it faster if you rush but the top of Hallstatt, much like the village, is best done at a slow pace to enjoy
I would like to buy the small red house in the Market Square and sit on my balcony with a glass of wine and some cheese and bread, and look out at all the tourists!!!!
Hello! Wonderful video. Quick question---do all of the salt mines you mentioned have low ceiling heights? My husband is quite tall and he would have trouble to "hunch" over during a tour. Thank you!
How tall is he? It is only the first 200 meters or so where the ceiling is 6.5 feet or so at points and then the exit on the Miners train that would require hunching otherwise the caverns are wide open
This video was very well done! We appreciate the advice. We will be there for a few nights. What do you recommend for the best time to visit the salt mines? Early morning? Last tour about 1530? Just thinking about crowds…….but mostly about the view. We can only go there on a weekend. So I imagine it will be busy enough. Thanks! Chari ❣️
Hey Chari, You're right to want to avoid midday crowds. Early or late works but since you are staying overnight then I would recommend the later time (book online far in advance to lock it down). This will let you have the village to yourself early and you can book a boat rental (60 minutes) and lunch ahead of time for midday to do that while the village busy. Then you can head up to start your funicular 60 minutes before your tour (needs to be 30 minutes minimum) so you have to to check out the exhibitions on the trail. Afterward can visit Rudolph's tower and the skyway to almost have to to yourselves. Hike down afterwards as it is stunning later afternoon,. Sun will be behind you and lights of the lake later on so your pictures won't be in direct sunlight. The ice cave though I would do straight away in the morning if you are doing it another of your days and it pairs great with the 5 fingers and lunch at the Lodge. We talk about that in the top 10 video we just posted
@@ourheartshaven there are a few stands where you can rent an electric boat for 1-2 hours, although 1 hour is definitely plenty to relaxingly putz along. The traditional wooden salt boat tours are cool and a bit like an alpine gondola but we prefer to self drive the electric boat to free explore. The electric boats have a pop up sun shade if needed also. The bathing island is wonderful also and locals swim there a lot
@@ourheartshaven thank you for the kind words and for watching. I'll have a number of other videos on both Hallstatt and the surrounding region coming out throughout the year
Thank for the very informative video and website! They both are very helpful as I try to plan for our upcoming trip in July. We are thinking about taking the Panorama Trail down to the village with my children. Does the trail have lots of stairs or are the stairs only found at the bottom of the trail? Since it will be a long day for our children, do you think it would be too difficult to bring a stroller? Thank you again!
Hey Kath, hiking down the panorama trail with children is pretty easy for school aged childern as there are only stairs at the bottom section but they are very low profile and deep. If you kids are younger you'll want to mind them on the edges of the trail so they don't fall. If you feel like you nee a stroller I wouldn't do that trail and would just take the lift both ways as it is doable for sure but not the most fun
Great video! I am a little confused on the times. For example - if I book a time of 9:30 AM is that the time for the funicular or is that the time for my salt mine tour? I asked this question in a different Facebook group and they all said that was the time for the funicular and the salt mine tour is just first come - first serve once you get to the top. However in your video you said "make you start your ascension 30 minutes before your tour time". That seems to suggest that if I booked 9:30 AM that time is for the tour and not for the funicular. Do you know for sure what the time means when you book? Is it the funicular time or the salt mine tour time? Thanks!
@theburnetts that is the time of the mine tour, get the funicular by 9am. First come first serve isn't correct as it is often sold out on weekends and all days during the busy season. We will be back there later this month again
@@Bigboytravel Hmmm. Ok. This is what it says on the official ticketing website when you are selecting a time: "Please note that the selected time relates to the ascent with the Salzberg funicular railway. The tours start at the "Knappenhaus" (about a 15 minute walk from the top station) and will be on a "first come - first serve" basis." That really does make it sound like if I picked 9:30 AM that is the time for me to be on the funicular not the start of the salt mine tour. But I will take it from you as you have been there and I have not! :) Thanks for the quick reply! We will be there in 3 weeks.
When you book the last "tour time" this time of year for 16:00 it tells you to ascend 30 minutes before then. I would just plan on being all the way up at 930 (lift by 9), and worst case, it buys you some time to check out the installation and skeleton hut along the path. In the meantime time you can email their info address. It'll be two weeks before I am back again to test the real-life logistics
Hello Big Boy - we are only interested in doing the Panorama Funicular and the Skywalk. We were in the Funicular Hours section and clicked on Online Ticket Website. It took us to the official website. We then selected Hallstatt and specified the date/number of adults and clicked on ‘Proceed to the next step’. It took us to the page with different time slots. The cost is 40 euro per person. It appears the ticket covers the Salt Mine tour and the funicular round trip. Is it possible to purchase one-way funicular and without the Salt Mine tour? If so, do you have the link for it? Thanks in advance for your help! Appreciate it!!
You can purchase the funicular only ticket in-person at the visitors center either round trip or one way. This ticket cannot be bought online as they want to steer people into buying the salt mine tour, which makes sense
Hallo, yes you can do that. You'll want to bus right to the ice cave visitors center to the 5 fingers first (second level of cable car). Then bus back down to the village, which takes you near the salt mine funicular at Hallstatt Lahn. Will want to book that time slot ahead, which is tricky to know unless you dedicate yourself to getting to the 5 fingers and back by a certain time. After you tour you can funicular down and walk through the village or hike down from the Skywalk to arrive a little more in thr center of town. The 5 fingers and ice cave have been closed over the last week due to a large snow storm that was also coupled with a lot of flooding in central austria. All is well now, but make sure to always check the status with Dachstein Krippenstein this late in the year and wear appropriate shoes. We are going there today.
Kids have to be older than 4 years old to do the salt mine tour and no strollers or child carriers are allowed. So no it won't work to bring a 10 month old on the tour, but you can ride up the funicular to go over to Rudolph's Tower and the Skywalk very easily. A lift only ticket can be bought at the salt mine visitors center.
Drones are not allowed in hallstatt without special pre-arranged permission and a license. In addition to being restricted, drones are quite unwelcomed by locals and while you can risk it, the penalties can be quite strict
I absolutely love your video. easy to follow directions is just... outstanding!!! thank you for taking the time to do this its a gem!
Thank you Nico, great to hear that it was helpful
@@Bigboytravel the only thing missing: a temperature guide. we are going in june and I have no idea what to wear... help?
Your normal clothes will be fine as you will be wearing a miner jumpsuit over your clothes and will be walking a lot so you should be comfortable. Just make sure to wear good walking shoes and not sandals
Perfect video guide 😊❤
Fantastic video !
I am off to visit Austria next week , Hallstatt being the place I am most looking forward to seeing .. Thank you !
Hello BigBoyTravels. My wife and our kids alongside our dog are currently thinking about visiting Hallstatt. We were unsure how to plan it but thankfully we stumbled upon this video of yours. It opened up our eyes and we realised the true potential that this trip would have. Thank you for saving my marriage. Truly.
I found this gem (channel) yesterday
It is those small tiny detail matters
They clearly communicate where to board , how to get from one place to another where to get some amazing pics wow these kind of things really takes the pressure of the tourists
Thank you
We watched your video and because of it we just booked a visit to Hallstatt this mid-February. Thank you for sharing this to everyone. It is very informative and well-narrated. Very helpful indeed. To more trips inspired by your videos!
Glad it was helpful and hope your trip foes wonderfully
Very useful travel infomation provided in the video, I really appreciate it! Cannot wait my travel to Hallstatt!❤❤❤
Have fun in Hallstatt, we are going back yet again soon also
I absolutely love your videos so informative thank you for sharing.
Thank you for making this helpful video. Will be visiting Austria this April 2024 🙏🏽
I just started watching your videos as I’m planning to visit Hallstatt and they are amazing, comprehensive and super clear to help you design your itinerary… 👍🏼
Glad they've been enjoyable for you! Will have a lot of videos out on Austria and Bavaria this year. Have a good visit to Hallstatt!
fantastic and detailed explanation perfect for us itinerary freaks
Glad you liked it!
Absolutely fantastic video and excellent information, looks like we need another visit to Hallstatt 😍😍😍
Thanks Cathy!!! There is so much to do and learn there that most tourists miss so it's definitely worth another visit on your trip!
I was there in 2015 with the ex wife. We didn't take the lift, we walked up and then back down. It's a nice walk but only if you're in at least decent physical condition. It does take time though and we ran out of that because walking was too slow even though we were both quite fit, and we couldn't get everything in on that one day due to "open / closed" operation hours of everything there... We didn't have a second day to go back.
At the time, we were not that concerned with not getting into the salt mine tour. We were tour oriented people. I am more of a history buff though and for that reason, I still like to know. Good video though. I wish I had known about the valley walk because that would have been exactly our thing. Solid advice and good, relevant video. I enjoyed it.
Thank you for watching and sharing your insight
Amazing work bro❤
Thank you so much 😀
Very detailed information. Thanks
Thanks for watching Lisa!
This looks so fun!! Thanks for all the detailed information, it's going right on my wish list. 😊 Also new intro? It's so slick. 🔥
Thanks Salas Family!!!
Hallstatt is great and worth an overnight. It only feels overcrowded for those in mid summer that roam around the center during peak hours and leave. When done right it is magical even during peak season.
Love your channel also BTW
@@Bigboytravel Oh shucks, thanks!
And that's a great point, it's always possible to carve out space even in the busiest of places. Which also lessens the tourist burden on the locals just trying to live their lives. We try to be good guests when traveling so always thinking about community impact too.
Ok burning question, what is on your Austrian favs list, and does Hallstatt make the podium? 😁
@@FindingSalas 100% makes the top 3. I think Salzburg is the hands down #1. That's not just for Salzburg itself (sound of music, Mozart, cooking classes, food, history) but as it is one of the best hubs in Europe allowing for day trips to lakes, or mountains, ice caves, or castles within 1-2 hours.
Vienna is 2nd (our oldest daughter's name) for the culture, food, music, museums but is also close to a couple of great castles.
Hallstatt is #3 especially with an overnight and can be a great base for the Salzkammergut. It's wonder to roam a day to Wolfgnasse for the Schafberg Railway, gilden lakefront, and the sommerbahn. Traunsee has schloss Ort and Baumwipfelpfad lookout.
I like Werfen as #4 because the castle, ice cave, and sound of music meadow are that impressive but it more of a day trip from Salzburg than an overnight.
Austrians would probably tell you that Zell am See is top 3 which is fair giving the surrounding sights, mountains, and gorges.
I'd say Innsbruck is pretty and good for skiing but is a distant consideration from the list above and nearby Hall is more charming but overall the Tyrol is nice/quaint but isn't the Dolomites/Switzerland. That isn't meant to sound cold as it is a pleasant area but with rankings not everything can be equal.
I respect Graz but there isn't a lot to see/do compared to rest of Austria, more of a great place to live or go to college than to visit in my opinion.
My hidden gem would be Schladming in Ramsaubam Dachstein which is only a day thing for most people but the activities are excellent and it's unique to ride on top of the gondola car.
If I was allowed to expand my radius to include everything within 10 miles of the Austria border, then Berchtesgaden Germany just outside of Salzburg would probably nudge its way in as the #3 behind Salzburg and Vienna. That place is incredibly beautiful. The Obersee lake at the end of the Konigsee Ferry ride is unmatched. Near there the Jennarbahn views/hiking are unreal, you can bobsled with a driver on the Olympic training track, the Hintersee, ramsau church, and gorge are unreal and all of that is the south of town. Village itself is stunning and has a salt mine/salt spa, plus views of the Watzmann. And there is the famous obersalzburg with Hitlers eagles nest, the Dokumentation Museum with WW2 bunkers, and berghof ruins, not to mention a Sommerbhn. Hidden gem there is the meadow from the opening of sound of music
@@Bigboytravel this is a gold mine, thank you!!! I think I pinned about two dozen things here, wow. I have been daydreaming about a road trip we had been calling "Munich to Moscow" over the kids' summer break (pending political crises), which would allow me to slowly work my way through Austria and Eastern Europe. If that can ever happen, this comment here will be so useful. 🤠
@@Bigboytravel So glad that I eavesdropped here! I will be at least hitting your top three in May/June. Love your daughter’s name!!
thank you.
You're welcome
Very informative 👍
Glad you liked it
Your videos need to be on PBS!
Thank you for the kind words and for watching! We just published another Hallstatt video last week 😀
I love your detailed information in this video. But may I know how long this tour will take on top of the Hallstatt trip?
for us, it usually takes around 3-4 hours of our day to get up the lift, walk to the mine, do the tour, visit the Sky Walk at a lesiurly pace, and get back down. more around 4-4.5 if you chose to hike back down instead of the lift, but is worth it.
you can do it faster if you rush but the top of Hallstatt, much like the village, is best done at a slow pace to enjoy
I would like to buy the small red house in the Market Square and sit on my balcony with a glass of wine and some cheese and bread, and look out at all the tourists!!!!
Hello! Wonderful video. Quick question---do all of the salt mines you mentioned have low ceiling heights? My husband is quite tall and he would have trouble to "hunch" over during a tour. Thank you!
How tall is he? It is only the first 200 meters or so where the ceiling is 6.5 feet or so at points and then the exit on the Miners train that would require hunching otherwise the caverns are wide open
@@Bigboytravel Yes--he is 6'5" tall. The hunching over is a problem for his back. That was my concern!
This video was very well done! We appreciate the advice. We will be there for a few nights. What do you recommend for the best time to visit the salt mines? Early morning? Last tour about 1530? Just thinking about crowds…….but mostly about the view. We can only go there on a weekend. So I imagine it will be busy enough. Thanks! Chari ❣️
Hey Chari,
You're right to want to avoid midday crowds.
Early or late works but since you are staying overnight then I would recommend the later time (book online far in advance to lock it down). This will let you have the village to yourself early and you can book a boat rental (60 minutes) and lunch ahead of time for midday to do that while the village busy. Then you can head up to start your funicular 60 minutes before your tour (needs to be 30 minutes minimum) so you have to to check out the exhibitions on the trail. Afterward can visit Rudolph's tower and the skyway to almost have to to yourselves. Hike down afterwards as it is stunning later afternoon,. Sun will be behind you and lights of the lake later on so your pictures won't be in direct sunlight.
The ice cave though I would do straight away in the morning if you are doing it another of your days and it pairs great with the 5 fingers and lunch at the Lodge. We talk about that in the top 10 video we just posted
@@Bigboytravel Thanks so much for this plan! I love it! Any particular boat experience you recommend? I love getting on the water when I travel.
@@ourheartshaven there are a few stands where you can rent an electric boat for 1-2 hours, although 1 hour is definitely plenty to relaxingly putz along. The traditional wooden salt boat tours are cool and a bit like an alpine gondola but we prefer to self drive the electric boat to free explore. The electric boats have a pop up sun shade if needed also.
The bathing island is wonderful also and locals swim there a lot
@@Bigboytravel Great info! Thanks for the advice! Your website and videos are helping us to have what I expect an awesome trip. 🥰🥰🥰
@@ourheartshaven thank you for the kind words and for watching. I'll have a number of other videos on both Hallstatt and the surrounding region coming out throughout the year
Thank for the very informative video and website! They both are very helpful as I try to plan for our upcoming trip in July. We are thinking about taking the Panorama Trail down to the village with my children. Does the trail have lots of stairs or are the stairs only found at the bottom of the trail? Since it will be a long day for our children, do you think it would be too difficult to bring a stroller? Thank you again!
Hey Kath, hiking down the panorama trail with children is pretty easy for school aged childern as there are only stairs at the bottom section but they are very low profile and deep. If you kids are younger you'll want to mind them on the edges of the trail so they don't fall. If you feel like you nee a stroller I wouldn't do that trail and would just take the lift both ways as it is doable for sure but not the most fun
@@Bigboytravel Thank you so much for your response! Safe Travels!
Great video! I am a little confused on the times. For example - if I book a time of 9:30 AM is that the time for the funicular or is that the time for my salt mine tour? I asked this question in a different Facebook group and they all said that was the time for the funicular and the salt mine tour is just first come - first serve once you get to the top. However in your video you said "make you start your ascension 30 minutes before your tour time". That seems to suggest that if I booked 9:30 AM that time is for the tour and not for the funicular. Do you know for sure what the time means when you book? Is it the funicular time or the salt mine tour time? Thanks!
@theburnetts that is the time of the mine tour, get the funicular by 9am. First come first serve isn't correct as it is often sold out on weekends and all days during the busy season. We will be back there later this month again
@@Bigboytravel Hmmm. Ok. This is what it says on the official ticketing website when you are selecting a time: "Please note that the selected time relates to the ascent with the Salzberg funicular railway. The tours start at the "Knappenhaus" (about a 15 minute walk from the top station) and will be on a "first come - first serve" basis." That really does make it sound like if I picked 9:30 AM that is the time for me to be on the funicular not the start of the salt mine tour. But I will take it from you as you have been there and I have not! :) Thanks for the quick reply! We will be there in 3 weeks.
When you book the last "tour time" this time of year for 16:00 it tells you to ascend 30 minutes before then. I would just plan on being all the way up at 930 (lift by 9), and worst case, it buys you some time to check out the installation and skeleton hut along the path. In the meantime time you can email their info address. It'll be two weeks before I am back again to test the real-life logistics
@@Bigboytravel Sounds good. Thanks again!
Hello, which tickets should I buy for the bus and train rides?
These are two different questions. Have you looked at the guide on our website or the official Austrian booking website www.oebb.at/en ?
Hello Big Boy - we are only interested in doing the Panorama Funicular and the Skywalk. We were in the Funicular Hours section and clicked on Online Ticket Website. It took us to the official website. We then selected Hallstatt and specified the date/number of adults and clicked on ‘Proceed to the next step’. It took us to the page with different time slots. The cost is 40 euro per person. It appears the ticket covers the Salt Mine tour and the funicular round trip.
Is it possible to purchase one-way funicular and without the Salt Mine tour? If so, do you have the link for it? Thanks in advance for your help! Appreciate it!!
You can purchase the funicular only ticket in-person at the visitors center either round trip or one way. This ticket cannot be bought online as they want to steer people into buying the salt mine tour, which makes sense
Hi can we do salt mines sky walk and five fingers with strolling the city on one day itself
Hallo, yes you can do that. You'll want to bus right to the ice cave visitors center to the 5 fingers first (second level of cable car). Then bus back down to the village, which takes you near the salt mine funicular at Hallstatt Lahn. Will want to book that time slot ahead, which is tricky to know unless you dedicate yourself to getting to the 5 fingers and back by a certain time. After you tour you can funicular down and walk through the village or hike down from the Skywalk to arrive a little more in thr center of town.
The 5 fingers and ice cave have been closed over the last week due to a large snow storm that was also coupled with a lot of flooding in central austria.
All is well now, but make sure to always check the status with Dachstein Krippenstein this late in the year and wear appropriate shoes. We are going there today.
What are the best hotels in town?
Is it a good place to visit with a baby of 10 months? Is it good to bring a baby stroller?
Kids have to be older than 4 years old to do the salt mine tour and no strollers or child carriers are allowed. So no it won't work to bring a 10 month old on the tour, but you can ride up the funicular to go over to Rudolph's Tower and the Skywalk very easily. A lift only ticket can be bought at the salt mine visitors center.
can i fly drone weighting under 250 grams? i have mini 3 pro
Drones are not allowed in hallstatt without special pre-arranged permission and a license. In addition to being restricted, drones are quite unwelcomed by locals and while you can risk it, the penalties can be quite strict
@@Bigboytravel thanks for letting me know :)