Why This Trip Mattered
This was more than just a holiday. Ever since I was little, I have dreamed of visiting the Sound of Music locations in Salzburg. That film was a huge part of my childhood and the idea of actually being there, standing in those places, had been sitting in the back of my mind for years.
This trip was about finally doing something for myself and proving that I could create the experience I had always dreamed about. My inner child was absolutely beaming because I was finally living that dream.
How I Planned It on a Budget
Salzburg is expensive if you stay for a full week, so I came up with a plan that kept costs down. I flew in and out of Vienna and took the train to Salzburg for one night in the middle of the trip. That way I got the best of both cities without blowing the budget.
The total cost for the whole trip was around £1,000. That broke down as £675 for flights, accommodation and the train between the two cities, and £325 for spending money. Five nights, six days, flying from Heathrow with just hand luggage.
Vienna
Where I Stayed
I stayed at the Hotel NH Wien City in the shopping district. The location was perfect for a solo traveller on a budget. There was a mini supermarket right next to it which was great for picking up cheap breakfast and making a packed lunch for each day. And it was right next door to a metro station so getting around was easy and gave my feet a rest when I needed it. I was averaging about 20,000 steps a day.
For the metro, download the Wienmobil app. You can buy individual passes or a week pass through it. I got a week pass for 18 euros which was well worth it.
Free Things to Do in Vienna
One of the best things about Vienna is how much you can do for free.
The gardens and iconic buildings are all free to wander around and they are stunning. I also booked a free parliament tour in advance to see inside the building. It is incredibly grand and the tour was genuinely interesting, not just a box-ticking exercise.
Here is one nobody expects: the Ikea in Vienna has a rooftop with an incredible view over the city. Completely free. On certain days they even have a bar up there.
In the summer they run a film festival with free outdoor movies in the city. Worth checking what is on if you are visiting between June and September.
There are free water fountains dotted around Vienna for refilling your water bottle. Such a small thing but it saves you a fortune over a week when you are walking all day in the heat.
The Prater theme park is free to wander around. The rides cost extra but you can happily spend an afternoon there without spending a penny. If you do want to eat, try the Rollercoaster Restaurant for a fun experience where your food is delivered on a track.
Where to Eat
My best restaurant find was Bier und Bierli. It is a quirky little place covered in beer mats and bottles from floor to ceiling. Great food, great atmosphere. It does get busy so try to book in advance.
Salzburg
Getting There
I took the train from Vienna to Salzburg and pre-booked in advance for a discount. It was easy and straightforward and as a solo traveller I felt completely comfortable doing it.
Where I Stayed
I stayed at Cocoon, which I cannot recommend highly enough for solo travellers. The location is right by the train station, trams and buses so you can get anywhere easily. They have lockers where you can secure your bags between check-in and check-out times, which when you are travelling solo and have no one to watch your stuff, is a brilliant touch.
The best surprise was at check-in when I was given a free tourist travel pass. I was not expecting it at all but I used it constantly. Buses, trams, everything covered.
The Sound of Music Dream
This was what the whole trip was built around and it did not disappoint.
I visited the Sound of Music locations around the city including the Mirabell Gardens. I had breakfast at the Sound of Music house which was incredible. Book in advance if you want to do this.
Nonnberg Abbey was up the funicular ride and the views from the top are breathtaking. Even if you are not a Sound of Music fan, it is worth the trip up just for the scenery.
Other Salzburg Highlights
I visited a watermill bakery which was a lovely find. And I spent an afternoon at a monks beer house which was so cheap and such a fun experience. Salzburg has a lot of these smaller, less obvious things to discover if you look beyond the main tourist spots.
Getting around was easy with the free travel pass, Google Maps and a willingness to walk. Buses and trams are simple to use and everything is well signed.
Solo Travel in Vienna and Salzburg
I felt safe throughout the entire trip. I tried my German where I could but honestly everyone spoke English so communication was never an issue.
One thing I noticed about travelling solo in cities is that you never really feel like you stand out. There are so many tourists, business travellers and students around that being on your own is completely normal. If solo travel is something you have been thinking about but have not quite built up the nerve, a city trip like this is a great place to start.
The Budget Breakdown
The full trip cost me around £1,000 in total.
Flights, accommodation and the Vienna to Salzburg train came to £675. I had £325 for spending money which covered all my food, metro passes, entrance fees and everything else. Packing light with just hand luggage saved on baggage fees and made getting around on public transport much easier.
The key to keeping costs down was the supermarket next to my Vienna hotel for breakfast and packed lunches, the free activities across both cities, and combining Vienna and Salzburg into one trip rather than spending a full week in Salzburg alone.
Would I Recommend It
Without hesitation. Vienna is a beautiful city with more free things to do than you would expect, and Salzburg is worth every penny of the train fare even for just one night.
For me this trip was about more than the destinations. It was about proving to myself that I could do it. I could plan it, travel alone, navigate two cities in a country where I do not speak the language, and create the experience I had been dreaming about since I was a child.
I am so grateful I finally did it. If there is something you have been putting off, a place you have always wanted to see, just go. You will not regret it.