You can read about my previous trip to Salzburg and Hallstatt in the article below.
I traveled from Salzburg to Vienna by train. There are both reserved and non-reserved seats available—I chose a non-reserved seat!
I booked the ticket online by searching something like "Salzburg Vienna train." For non-reserved seats, I sat in one of the cars that had vending machines and luggage space. A conductor came around to check tickets, so I showed the e-ticket on my phone. Just make sure to have your ticket ready—physical or digital!
The ride was super smooth with barely any shaking, and it was comfortable enough for me to open my laptop and get some work done!
The journey took about three hours.
My Accommodation: Be Free - Hostel
After arriving in Vienna, I stayed at a place called Be Free - Hostel. It was close to the train station and had a basement with a kitchen, tables, and a lounge area. Super convenient and cozy!
Due to the weak yen, prices in Germany and Austria felt quite high, so having access to a kitchen in a dorm-style hostel was a lifesaver during my trip around Europe. I cooked most of my meals there.
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Since I arrived in the evening, I just did a quick grocery run at a nearby supermarket and had a simple dinner. I got hooked on this snack—something like beef jerky dipped in mustard (lol).
I usually paired it with a salad and a cold beer as appetizers. Classic.
Walking to the Historic City Center
The next day, I walked from the hostel to Vienna’s historic city center. It took about an hour, but I always prefer walking in new places—it’s the best way to discover hidden gems!
On the way, I passed through Naschmarkt, a local market that's worth checking out. It’s a great place to buy souvenirs or grab a quick bite.
Unfortunately, I wasn't that into photography at the time, so I didn’t take any pictures of the market... oops!
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Here’s a photo I took during the walk. The weather was perfect, and walking through the city felt amazing.
Must-See Spot: St. Stephen’s Cathedral
Once I reached the city center, the first thing I visited was St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom)—a must-see in Vienna!
Entering the cathedral is free, but there’s a ticket booth inside where you can purchase passes to go deeper in, climb the tower, or visit the underground catacombs, where many victims of the plague are buried. It’s a powerful and solemn place.
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The roof of the cathedral features the double-headed eagle—an emblem of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
This whole area is packed with tourists and always bustling with energy!
Austrian National Library: Straight Out of a Fairytale
I also visited the Austrian National Library, which is said to have inspired the library in Beauty and the Beast.
However, it felt more like a museum than an actual library to me.
When I went, there was a special exhibition on the composer Bruckner, but since I’m not well-versed in classical music, I didn’t quite connect with it (sweat).
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Peterskirche: A Serendipitous Musical Moment
One of my favorite stops was Peterskirche (St. Peter’s Church). Entry was free, and by chance, a sacred choral concert was taking place inside when I visited.
I stood there, totally absorbed by the beautiful voices echoing through the church.
...And yes, I forgot to take photos here too. Classic me.
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Exploring Along the Danube
I decided to venture a bit further and walked toward the Danube River, just out of curiosity.
Near the river is Prater Park, home to various amusement rides like a giant Ferris wheel and roller coasters. If you’ve already explored the city center and still have energy, stopping by for some fun attractions is a great option.
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I also walked right up to the river and took it in properly—but to be honest, there wasn’t much else around. It didn’t feel like a must-visit sightseeing spot, at least not for first-timers.
Places I Skipped (Regretfully…)
There were other major places I could’ve visited, but I was trying to save money. So I skipped the Vienna State Opera and the Hofburg Palace interior tours.
(What was I thinking?!)
I’d love to come back and experience those properly one day. Hopefully with someone to share it with.
Vienna Food Highlights 🍴
Here are two restaurants I visited in Vienna.
Note: Tipping is customary in Austria! Be sure to give about 10% to your server. You can either add it during card payment or hand it over in cash after paying.
① Café Sacher
This famous café is known as the birthplace of the Sachertorte, a chocolate cake created in 1832.
I ordered the classic combo: Sachertorte and coffee. It’s extremely popular, and long lines start forming in the afternoon—so I recommend going in the morning.
I don’t remember the exact price, but I think it was around ¥2,000–¥3,000.
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② Figlmüller – Restaurant Bäckerstraße
This place is renowned for its Wiener Schnitzel—a thinly pounded veal cutlet.
It’s huge, but since it’s thin, you can easily finish it. I squeezed lemon on top and added a little salt and pepper, kind of like how you’d eat karaage in Japan. And of course, it went great with beer.
My honest opinion? As a Japanese person used to tonkatsu, the flavor felt a bit underwhelming. But it was still an enjoyable local specialty.
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Final Thoughts
That wraps up my Vienna stay! I mainly focused on sightseeing, walking around, and local food.
Just strolling through the old town felt like stepping into a totally different world from Japan—it was so much fun.
Next stop: Bratislava, Slovakia!
