Built in the 1860s in the Neo-Renaissance style, the opera house itself is a treat. It dominates the southern portion of the “Ring” with its ornate facade, statues, and arched windows. And with 300 performances a year, it offers visitors a chance to treat themselves to a different performance every night of their trip.

Another reason to go this year is that 2019 marks the 150th anniversary of the Vienna State Opera which opened on May 25, 1869. And the performance that filled the stage on that historic night? Mozart’s Don Giovanni!

Advance Tickets

Ticket prices vary greatly depending on the performance, date of the show and, of course, seat location. Rates can range from around €7 for a spot in the top balcony to €500 for prime seats on opening night.

The safest bet is to visit the Staatsoper website before your trip to check on the schedule of performances and ticket prices. And fear not, budget travelers can book the cheap seats through the site. However, there are cheaper options…

Standing Room Tickets

Cheapos with a bit more flexibility and willingness to take a risk may opt for a €2-€4 standing room tickets, sold 80 to 90 minutes before the show starts from the western side of the Opera (the opposite side of the building from the gift shop). Keep an eye out for the sign that says “Stehplatz-Kasse | Standing Area”.

You read that right: Standing in the back of the auditorium will only cost between €2 and €4, depending on the show and the location of your standing “spot.” Spots are available in the “Parterre” (ground floor), higher up in the “Balkon” and all the way up in the “Galerie.”

The number of tickets is limited and given out in order of those lined up. For an 8 pm show, for example, tickets will be sold at 6:40 pm, but the line will most likely form well before that.

One final consideration: You do have to stand, although many spots offer a wall for leaning.

While these standing room tickets may sound risky or even exhausting, think about how exhilarating it will be to take in a world-class opera or ballet for less than you’d pay for a beer. Or coffee. Or würstchen.

And, as one local opera lover told us, “If you’re not into the show, you can leave at intermission. You only paid €3!”

Vienna hotels

For suggestions on affordable places to sleep while visiting Vienna, be sure to check out our guide to Vienna’s best budget hotels, all inspected and approved by EuroCheapo’s editors.

The post Buying cheap tickets to the Vienna State Opera House appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

And if you’re not careful, you could spend a fortune before the time it takes to listen to Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21.

For a trip down the less-touristy path, follow our tips on the best cheap (and free) activities in this stately city in Austria.

Cheap and free things to do in Salzburg

Toy Museum

Bürgerspitalgasse 2
Tel.: +43-662-62 08 08-300
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday
Admission: €5

To every city’s expensive modern art museum, there is a cheaper, quirkier collection to check out. Enter Salzburg’s Spielzeugmuseum (Toy Museum), home to Austria’s largest collection of European toys. If you’re a die-hard toy train fan, you’ll find plenty to feast your eyes on; if not, the inoffensive €3 admission is worth it for a chuckle.

If you have children in tow, make sure to stop for one of the Punch and Judy shows, offered every Tuesday and Wednesday at 3 p.m. Check the museum’s Web site for a complete list of children’s programs.

Schloss Mirabell

Mirabellplatz 4
Tel.: +43-662-80722334
Hours: 8 a.m.-6 p.m
Admission: Free

One of Salzburg most photographed attractions is also free to visit! Schloss Mirabell is as elegant as can be, with marble statues, grand hallways and perfectly manicured gardens stretching in all directions. The palace was built under Prince Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau as a present for his concubine Salome Alt.

Nowadays, Schloss Mirabell is best known for being a coveted place to tie the knot; couples must reserve their weddings here at least a year in advance. The palace also offers a concert series, though attending a performance is not free.

Museum of Historical Musical Instruments

Bürgerspitalgasse 2
Tel.: +43-662-62 08 08-300
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday
Admission: €5 (or free with admission to the Toy Museum)

If you visit the Toy Museum, your ticket is also valid for admission to the Museum of Historic Musical Instruments. If the centuries-old pianos start giving you déjà vus of the exhibit at Mozart’s House, check out the collection of audio samples demonstrating the ancient instruments’ sounds.

The organ in St. Peter’s Church. JNH53

St. Peter’s Church and Catacombs

Sankt Peter Bezirk 1
Tel.: +43 -662-844576
Hours: Open daily from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Admission: Free (€1 to visit the Catacombs)

The self-proclaimed “oldest cloister in the German-speaking world,” St. Peter’s Church dates back to 696. (The church also boasts the oldest library in Austria.) Visiting the church is free, so stop by to admire the Baroque-style ceilings or to catch a performance on the church’s organ.

Outside, St. Peter’s Cemetery houses centuries-old tombstones. For €1, visitors can access the Christian catacombs in the cliff face above the cemetery.

Hangar-7

Salzburg Airport
Wilhelm-Spazier-Str. 7A
Tel.:+43-6620-2197
Hours: Open daily from 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Admission: Free

Located near the Salzburg airport, Hangar-7 is a restaurant and bar complex that also houses “The Flying Bulls” aircraft. While the aircraft exhibit — complete with large Red Bull logos stenciled on each plane’s side — smacks of sponsorship, Hangar-7 does showcase some interesting work from a variety of international artists. Though Hangar-7’s dining options come with a hefty price tag, stopping by to gaze at the art (and marvel at the super-modern building) is completely free.

The post Salzburg: Our favorite free (and cheap) things to do appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

In addition to the ubiquitous döner kebab that is always a reliable choice, you’ll find cheap pizza, traditional Austrian food at excellent prices and more than a few vegetarian options.

Our cheap picks run the gamut from cozy pub grub to pay-what-you-wish Pakistani fare. Here are five of our favorites to keep in mind for your next trip to Vienna.

Related: Our favorite budget hotels in Vienna

5 cheap eats in Vienna

1. Tunnel

Florianigasse 39
Neighborhood: Josefstadt
Website

If it’s an unabashedly young and laid-back vibe you’re after, look no further than Tunnel. This restaurant-live music hybrid offers a large menu with very reasonable prices.

The menu includes sandwiches, pastas, soups and vegetarian dishes ranging from €5 and up. Tunnel’s drink list is equally expansive, with juices, beers and cocktails all about €4. You’re guaranteed to hear a live band nightly (at 9 p.m.), though there is often a cover charge.

2. Esterházykeller

Naglergasse 9
Neighborhood: Innere Stadt
Website

More than your average charming Austrian restaurant, the Esterházykeller offers the added bonus of historic significance. Opened in 1683 and named after the Esterházy noble family, the place was famously frequented by Joseph Haydn.

The restaurant serves typical Austrian cuisine (think plenty of meat) though vegetarian options are available as well. Meals start around €6, and you can order a fine wiener schnitzel for around €11. Wine from the Esterházy vineyard is on the menu, along with apple strudel and other sweets, most under €5.

3. Der Wiener Deewan

Liechtensteinstraße 10
Neighborhood: Alsergrund
Website

Der Wiener Deewan puts a Pakistani twist on one of our favorite restaurant concepts: Take a hip, colorful atmosphere, add a buffet with a pay-what-you-wish policy, and you have yourself a wi(e)nner!

A buffet is served all day with a mix of meat and veggie curries that also comes with fresh nan bread and salad. And yes, you decide the price at the end of the meal. Just pay the cashier on the way out. The restaurant also offers takeaway boxes and drinks are also available, though these come at fixed prices. Stop by on Monday evenings to catch some live music.

4. Pizzeria Mafiosi

Reindorfgasse 15
Neighborhood: Mariahilf
Website

If you want a cheap slice of pizza or a hefty portion of lasagna, this Italian eatery is a safe bet. The topping selection is impressive, and the prices are quite low; nothing on the food menu costs more than €6, and they have a handful of pizzas under €4.

A beer will set you back €2, while a glass of wine can be had for the super cheapo price of only €1.20. The Pizzeria Mafiosi is located south of the city center near the Schönbrunn Palace.

5. Kent Restaurant

Brunnengasse 67
Neighborhood: Ottakring

A local favorite in Josefstadt, the Kent Restaurant has a sprawling menu of Turkish entrees. Choose from variety of salads, kebabs and Middle Eastern sandwiches. They’re all very tasty and very affordable.

A complete breakfast is available for around €5, and desserts (including baklava) are also served. They also have two other locations in Vienna.

The post 5 Cheap eats in Vienna appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

From their famous music scene (think: Vienna Boys Choir and the Vienna State Opera) to several free festivals in the summer, Vienna should be on your must-see list for coming year.

Music fans should note that Vienna will be celebrating a number of note-able anniversaries. 2017 marks 150 years of the Blue Danube waltz and 175 years of the Vienna Philharmonic. Music fans will be in heaven with literally thousands of concerts taking place across the city throughout 2017. You can check the calendar on the Visit Vienna Tourism website to see what’s on tap.

Related:EuroCheapo’s top 20 budget hotels in Vienna

Top reasons to visit Vienna in 2017

Here are a just a few of the reasons we think you should visit Vienna in 2017:

1. Viennese Modernism of Egon Schiele

February 22 – June 18, 2017

A new exhibition celebrating the influence of Viennese Modernism will be on display at the Albertina from February 22 to June 18, 2017. The exhibit features masterpieces by Egon Schiele, a protege of Gustav Klimt known for passionate works of art. The exhibit celebrates his work and life in a major show commemorating the 100th anniversary of his death at the age of 28.

The Maria Theresa Monument in Vienna. Photo: Katharine Hunter

2. 300 Years of Maria Theresa

June 30 – November 5, 2017

This is the first-ever exhibition to explore the relationship between Maria Theresa (the only female ruler of the Hapsburg dominions) to the visual arts. Entitled “300 Years of Maria Theresa: Strategist – Mother – Reformer,” this groundbreaking exhibit will take place at four venues throughout Vienna.

3. Music Film Festival at City Hall

July 1 – September 3, 2017

Attracting over 500,000 attendees, this outdoor summer festival brings film, music, and food to the heart of Vienna. Located on Rathausplatz, the Music Film Festival allows visitors to catch films on everything from opera to pop, while noshing on culinary treats from over 25 food vendors. The best part for Cheapos? All of the screening are free!

Related: 5 Cheap eats in Vienna

The Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper) before the opening curtain. Photo: Roman B

4. Vienna State Opera

Seeing an opera in Vienna is a breathtaking experience, and should really be a required activity, as the Vienna State Opera schedule is always filled with memorable performances (and Cheapos can always score cheap seats). Productions on tap for 2017 include classics such as Turandot, Parsifal, Tosca, Otello, Faust and Don Pasquale, among many others.

5. 2017 Danube Island Festival

June 23 – 25

Danube Island transforms into a giant outdoor party for more than 3 million visitors every summer. The 2017 Danube Island Festival features live entertainment spanning a variety of genres on over a dozen stages. This all-ages festival also wins points for budget travelers — admission is free!

6. Vienna Boys Choir

Two of the most famous Austrian cultural institutions join forces for “A Tribute to Vienna.” In between beautiful songs by the Vienna Boys Choir, the Spanish Riding School performs highlights from the “Ballet of the White Stallions.” Performances take place in May, June, September, and October.

Christmas World at Vienna City Hall Square. Photo: Nico P

7. Vienna Christmas World

November 17 – December 26, 2017

It’s never too early to start making plans to visit one of Europe’s most beautiful Christmas markets. The 2017 Vienna Christmas World at City Hall Square (Rathausplatz) kicks off on November 17 and runs through December 26th.

More help with your trip to Vienna

Looking for more ways to save when you visit Vienna? Be sure to stop by our guide to budget hotels in Vienna, and check out these additional posts in our Vienna blog.

The post 7 Reasons to visit Vienna in 2017 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But there’s so much more to Austria’s 4th largest city than Mozart and The Sound of Music. And surprisingly, visiting Salzburg, Austria doesn’t have to put a big dent in your budget, and 2014 promises plenty of fun, hip events on tap. From free jazz festivals and mountain skiing with free shuttles to ancient (and affordable) beer halls and discounts on major attractions, here are some highlights on what to see in 2014—and how to save along the way.

Your key to Salzburg

If you really want to see the best sights in the city, the first thing to do is purchase the all-inclusive Salzburg Card. It only costs €36 for 72 hours (or €23 for 24 hours and €31 for 48 hours), and it gives you access to  attractions including Mozart’s Birthplace and Residence, the Cable Railway up to Hohensalzburg Fortress, Hellbrunn Palace and Gardens, all of the city museums, and many more.

On top of that, you also get free use of the city’s public transportation system. For one low price, you get an an in-depth look at the culture and history of Salzburg, and you get to explore the city on your own schedule.

Getting hip to the performing arts scene

When the weather warms up, so does the art and music in Salzburg. Fans of creative theater will enjoy the performing arts festival Summer Scene that runs from June 25 to July 5. Many of the events are free, and the festival brings a vibrant buzz to the city.

Dance music lovers probably already have the Electric Love Festival on their calendar (July 10-12), and you should too. This three-day event brings the best DJ’s from around the world to spin tunes for a loving  audience of young Europeans and global citizens who want to dance the night away under the Austrian skies.

If you enjoy the sounds of a different kind of beat, then make sure to visit during the fall when Jazz & The City comes to life. From October 22 to 26, the best music clubs open their doors including cool hotspots like Rockhouse, jazzit, republic, and argeKultur. You can see top international stars and up-and-coming artists hit the stages and town squares of Old City for a memorable five-day event where every single show is free!

Sip the city’s ancient beer culture

Since the 14th century, Salzburg has been brewing beer for its citizens from monks to Mozart. It started out as a movement by religious orders, but today the modern beer scenes keeps moving forward thanks to ambitious newcomers. One of the best places to experience the 600-year old tradition is at the  Stieglbrauerei (founded in 1492!) or the classic Augustiner Bräu establshed by monks in 1621 that holds Austria’s largest beer garden. Don’t miss this bustling spot where locals and tourists drink fresh beer from traditional steins.

Get a sneak peek inside a private airplane hangar

If you don’t know that Red Bull is an Austrian/Salzburg brand, you will find out very quickly when you see the company’s presence everywhere. One of coolest contributions by Red Bull is Hangar 7, an airy architectural gem near the airport that’s home of the owners’ impressive private car and aircraft collection. You will find Formula 1 and NASCAR race cars, historic and modern jetplanes, and even the capsule and space suit of Felix Baumgartner’s famous stratosphere jump.

Hit the slopes with the help of  a free shuttle

When you’re ready for a break from the city, you can spend a day hitting the slopes at one of Austria’s popular mountain resorts. Salzburg provides a complimentary ski shuttle direct to Flachau Winter Resort. The ride is only about an hour, so you can be feeling the fresh powder beneath your feet by mid-morning.

And if you’re looking for even more skiing and snowboarding, Salzburg is perfectly located at the foothills of the Alps—all of the major resorts are easily accessible. Ride the slopes during the day, and enjoy a night on the town in the evening! Now that’s Salzburg living.

Sleeping for cheap

EuroCheapo has a range of excellent and affordable stays from hostels starting at $60 a night to four-star hotels around $90. Check out our hotel guide for rates and more information.

The post Beyond Mozart: The hip and affordable guide to Salzburg in 2014 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Because of this illustrious past, prospective visitors might think that the largest city in Austria is  too expensive for the average Cheapo. On the contrary! Vienna, while not exactly a bargain (it was BusinessWeek’s 24th-most expensive city in 2010), boasts enough free events, attractions and activities that you’ll be able to have a great time whether you’re a Habsburg or a habs-not.

Here’s our guide to free activities in Vienna:

Saint Stephen’s Cathedral
Daily, year-round

An impressive structure that looms over the heart of the city, St. Stephen’s Cathedral is the most important religious building in Vienna, as the seat of the Archbishop of Vienna and also as a historical site that dates back to 1147 AD.  It is instantly recognizable for its multi-colored mosaic roof that features the double-headed eagle of the Habsburg dynasty.

It’s also completely free to enter! Open to the public from 6 a.m. (7 a.m. on Sundays and holidays) to 10 p.m. every day, the interior of the church is as impressive as its exterior.

The cathedral also offers guided tours to anyone interested in learning more about St. Stephen’s and its history, though these are unfortunately not free. Depending on the tour, visitors also have the option of seeing the towers of the cathedral, the catacombs and the treasury—areas off-limits to non-paying guests.

Tours range in price from €5 for just the main area to €12.90 for the all-inclusive package.

Mass at the Augustinian Church 
Sundays, year-round

If touring Saint Stephen’s doesn’t get you your fill of religious sights in Vienna, then head to the Augustinian Church next to Vienna’s imperial palace (Hofburg) for Sunday mass.  Services begin every Sunday at 10 a.m. and feature a full orchestra and choir performing works by the likes of Mozart, Schubert and Haydn—appropriate fare for the City of Music.

Schönbrunn Palace gardens
Daily, year-round

Another one of Vienna’s signature sights is the Schönbrunn Palace.  While admission to the building itself isn’t free (€11.50), the gardens are, and are equally as impressive as the palace. Featuring numerous statues, fountains and fields, the park stretches  a kilometer from north to south and 1.2 km east-to-west.

Most of the complex is completely free to the public, though certain areas charge admission fees.  These include the viewing terrace of the majestic Gloriette, the maze and labyrinth, and the Crown Prince Garden.  Charges range from €3 to €4.50 for these attractions.

Also located on the palace grounds is the Tiergarten Schönbrunn, the world’s oldest zoo.  Admission is €15 (€7 for children).

Summer in the MuseumsQuartier
Daily during summer

Vienna’s MuseumsQuartier is a cultural complex that features, obviously, museums, but also trendy restaurants, shops and many smaller art and culture initiatives.  With over 70 cultural facilities, there’s plenty to do here throughout the year, but during the summer is when the MuseumsQuartier really picks up.

Throughout the warmer months, the many courtyards of the complex feature free, open-air entertainment, from concerts to street theater to literary readings. Public art installations and micro-museums are also installed in squares and passageways. Combined with the numerous sidewalk cafes of the MuseumsQuartier, these exhibitions make for a lively atmosphere.

Perhaps even more significantly, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., every institution in the MuseumsQuartier is available to visit free of charge.  This year’s program runs until October 1st. If you’re in Vienna during the summer, this is the place to spend your evenings.

Museum of Applied Arts
Tuesday nights, year-round

If you visit Vienna in the off-season, though, you’ll have to get your free art fix somewhere other than the MuseumsQuartier.  Luckily, the Museum of Applied Arts offers free evening admission on Tuesdays throughout the year. Featuring furniture and other decorative arts from around the world and from various historical periods, the museum is a great compliment to a city that values design as much as Vienna.

Free admission lasts from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. every Tuesday.  During the rest of the week, (except Mondays, when it is closed) the Museum of Applied Arts is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Regular admission is €7.90 (€5.50 for students, seniors and military).

Anything to add?

 If you know of any other free activities in Vienna, please let us know by posting in the comment box.  We’re always on the lookout for Cheapo ways to save! And if you’re interested in discovering Vienna for yourself, check out our recommendations for the best budget hotels in the city.

The post Five free cultural attractions in Vienna appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

And though that was centuries ago, if it sounds at all like Vienna, Austria is resting on its musical laurels, fear not—the city still has plenty to offer to music-lovers—provided you have a healthy appreciation for classical. Despite the high-society implications of this genre, it’s cheap and easy to get your daily dose of Mozart (or anyone else) while staying in Vienna.

In fact, it’s possible to take in tons of music while in the Austrian capital without spending a dime! To help you figure out how, here is our guide to finding free music in Vienna:

The Vienna Philharmonic’s summer concert
Annually in early June

If you happen to visit Vienna in late Spring (and who wouldn’t want to?), you might be lucky enough to catch the Vienna Philharmonic‘s annual free concert. Usually held in early June (though this year’s performance was on May 30th), the event provides the rare opportunity to catch one of the world’s most renowned orchestras in action without an accompanying price tag.

The ante is upped even further by the concert’s enviable location: in the gardens of the Schoenbrunn Palace. This former home to the imperial Habsburg family—now a UNESCO world cultural heritage site—provides the perfect atmosphere to match the Philharmonic.

Open-air opera
April-June, September

Continuing the theme of world-class music outdoors, the Vienna State Opera offers the opportunity to see its performances live for free, albeit on a projector screen in front of the Opera House.  Called “Opera for All,” the broadcasts take place at Herbert-von-Karajan Square in the pleasant evenings from April-June and in September.

Additionally, starting 45 minutes before the actual performance and during the intermissions, guests are treated to information about the Opera and the works being performed.

Organ concerts at the Peterskirche
Year-round

For a more intimate musical experience, Peterskirche (Saint Peter’s Church), holds daily organ concerts that are free to attend. Featuring works by such luminaries as Liszt, Chopin and Bach, and located in the heart of Vienna’s Innere Stadt, these performances are an easy and convenient way to get your classical music fix. Concerts are held Monday through Friday at 3 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday at 8 p.m.

You may have to pay for this view of the Vienna Boy’s Choir, but if you can settle for just their voices, you’ll get in for free. Photo: Navnetmitt.

The Vienna Boy’s Choir
Year-round, except late summer

Along with the Vienna Philharmonic, the Vienna Boy’s Choir is one of the defining musical ensembles of the Austrian capital. Throughout the year (save for the end of June through the middle of September), they perform each Sunday at the Hofburg Chapel in Innere Stadt—a musical venue that dates back to Medieval times.

Seated tickets for these performances run between €7 and €35, but if you’re willing to stand, you can see the Boys Choir for free.  Well, technically you can hear them for free—the Hofburg Chapel’s website warns that standing room attendees will not get a view of the performers.  In fact, even the cheapest €5 seats do not feature a direct view.

Standing room opens at 8:30 a.m. for the performances, which begin at 9:15 a.m. If you do want to purchase seats, you must do so by mail, fax or e-mail.  Follow the link above for instructions from the Chapel’s website.

The Music Film Festival in front of City Hall brings scores of tourists and locals each night in the summer. Photo: Ivan C.

The Rathausplatz Music Film Festival
Late June – early September

Every summer, from the end of June until the beginning of September, the square in front of Vienna’s City Hall becomes a nightly tribute to the city’s status as a global music capital, by playing host to the vibrant Rathausplatz Music Film Festival.  Every evening at dusk, a different music-centric film plays on a giant screen displayed above the square.  The selection is diverse—from operas to ballets to jazz to rock concerts—which can be refreshing for those worn out by Vienna’s constant onslaught of classical.

The festival doesn’t just offer audio delights either—a wide selection of international cuisine is available daily from 11 a.m. until midnight. Provided by twenty of the top restaurateurs in the city, the aim is to provide a “culinary world tour” for festival-goers.

This year’s festival began on June 26th and is running until September 1st. For more information, check out the Vienna tourism office’s website.

Donauinselfest
Annually in Mid-June

For visitors that have really had enough of concert halls and opera houses, Vienna also offers a much more modern music experience: Donauinsel, a free music festival on an island in the Danube River. The 30-year-old festival is held annually in mid-June and attracts a lineup of mostly German-language acts, though some major international acts have also performed.

The festival usually attracts more than three million guests and is one of the largest open-air events each year in Europe. In addition to the musical acts, Donauinselfest also features kid-friendly events, sports and a wide variety of vendors.  For those looking to see a different side of Vienna than the Baroque concert halls of the old city, this is the place to go.

Want more? Check out EuroCheapo’s guide to Vienna for travel tips and budget hotel recommendations.  And if you’ve got any questions or comments, be sure to leave them in the box below.

The post Vienna: City of (free!) Music appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

New schedules from December 9

But they are not — at least in many cases. We are in the season when the standard three month advance booking horizon is often curtailed. That’s because many rail operators launch new schedules on December 9 and, until such time as those new timetables are finalized and opened for booking, trains beyond the changeover date remain veiled in secrecy. Imagine all those empty seats, entire empty trains, hidden away in the recesses of reservation systems, but not yet available to book.

When can I book?

Worry not! If you cannot book those Christmas and New Year trains, nobody else can either. It is just a question of patience, and before long all will be revealed. In fact this next week or two will see bookings open in some major markets.

France: For example, bookings for most French domestic services (for travel from December 9) will open next week. October 11 is the start date — bookings open in the early hours of the morning (European time).

Germany: Then just a few days later, Germany follows suit. Bookings for German domestic routes (as well as for many DB international daytime services and all City Night Line overnight trains to, from, or through Germany) will kick off on October 16, again in the wee small hours of the morning.

Spain, Italy, Switzerland and more: Expect bookings for other major European rail operators (such as RENFE, Trenitalia, ÖBB, SBB / CFF and PKP Inter City) to open sometime between mid-October and mid-November. Of course you can already book tickets and seats as normal for journeys up to and including December 8. It is merely those itineraries covered by the new schedules from December 9 that are not yet available for booking.

European Rail News last week published an overview of likely start dates for bookings for journeys on and after December 9.

Already available

There are always a handful of operators who beat the main pack away from the starting gate. Tickets are already on sale for the new timetable period for selected train companies (and that includes the full Christmas and the New Year period). Some services already available for booking include:

– All direct Eurostar services (viz. from London to Brussels, Paris and other destinations in France — including of course Eurostar’s popular ski trains)

– Eurostar tickets to “any Belgian station” (ie. routed via Brussels then onward with SNCB domestic services)

– All Thalys services (for example from Paris to Brussels, Amsterdam, Cologne and Essen)

– Domestic NSB services in Norway

– Domestic SJ services in Sweden

– International services on the route from Sweden to Narvik in northern Norway

– Direct ski trains operated under the Schnee Express or Alpen Expres brands from the Netherlands and northern Germany to Austria

– Daytime services operated by private operator HKX on the Cologne to Hamburg route

The post Christmas and New Year Train Trips: When to book your tickets appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Which leaves Mittenwald, a small town in the Isar Valley which (in Baedeker-speak) is more than worth a detour. Situated just two kilometers from the Austrian border, it is one of the finest community in the Bavarian Alps — and certainly one that deserves a journey in its own right.

Anton Maller, one of Mittenwald’s master violin makers.

Topography

Mittenwald’s appeal is twofold. First there’s a very strong sense of topography, suggesting a town as comfortably settled on this earth as God is in Heaven. To the west of Mittenwald is the Wetterstein Range and to the east the strong line of the Karwendel Alps. The Isar, on its journey north towards the Danube, cuts between the two, and Mittenwald thus occupies a gloriously sunny spot on one the major south-to-north trade routes through Europe.

Master craftsmen

The town’s second trump card is its hallmark industry: violin-making. The craft so often associated only with Cremona in northern Italy is actually found elsewhere in Europe. There have been historic centers of string instrument production in the Ergebirge, the Vosges and the Alps. And Mittenwald is a bright star in this industry. Music and Mittenwald naturally go together.

Men like Anton Maller perpetuate a Mittenwald tradition that extends back over more than three centuries. He, like the other master violin-makers in Mittenwald, focuses on top-of-the-range hand-crafted instruments. They rely on local resources, working with the swing and feel of the wood.

Mittenwald’s museum dedicated to the history of violin making.

Museum of violin making

Mittenwald has an excellent Geigenbaumuseum (Museum of Violin Making), which nicely explains how a variety of local woods and local skills have shaped Mittenwald’s economic direction. The museum is open daily except Mondays — bar for a few weeks each fall when it closes completely.

More than violins

Above all, Mittenwald is just a fine place to be. No ifs, no buts. If you have a day or two to spare on a crowded itinerary around Europe, take time out to lay up in Mittenwald. There is a feast of Lüftlmalerei on the town’s buildings (Bavaria’s homespun version of antique graffiti), and a number of good cafés and restaurants. The Fasl-Beck is good for hearty Bavarian fodder, but for something more modern in style head for the Restaurant Osteria or the chic Michelin-listed Marktrestaurant.

Luftlmalerei on the facade of one of Mittenwald’s many cafés.

Getting there

Frequent Regional Express trains from Munich Hauptbahnhof to Mittenwald take two hours for the run. One variant of the bargain Werdenfels-Ticket extends to Munich, allowing one person to make a day trip from Munich to Mittenwald for €18 return. For groups, the Bayern-Ticket is the best deal. For €38 a group of five adults can roam across Bavaria for a day using a Regional Express and all local trains.

Mittenwald is just one hour north of Innsbruck, and is thus easily reached by travelers from the Austrian Tyrol. Just south-west of Mittenwald is the Leutasch Valley, one of the most beautiful parts of the Austrian Tyrol. Austrian Postbus Route 4186 takes just a few minutes from Mittenwald to reach the Leutasch villages. This is rural Europe at its best. Walk by day and return to Mittenwald to relax in the evening.

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Here are some tips for visiting Innsbruck on a budget:

1. Fly there

Innsbruck is one of the few ski towns with an airport, and in my opinion the only affordable one. Low-cost airlines fly in and out of the valley numerous times a day, which beats the frequent changes and possible weather delays travelers encounter when taking the train (and rarely are there special rail offers coming from surrounding countries).

Drink here!

2. Ski there

Another plus is Innsbruck’s convenient location to ski areas. Over a dozen different resorts surround the town and are accessible by car and public bus. Terrain varies from steep back country to easygoing trails and many freestyle parks.

Cheapo Tip: Buy the half-day tickets for the best rate. Rental stores are not only abundant, but also offer competitive prices.

3 Drink there

Innsbruck is one of those legendary European locations where beer flows cheaper than water, and I recommend taking advantage of it. Stiegl, Ottakringer, Zillertal and the local brewery Theresienbrau are some of the best beers on tap.

Beware, however, that Austrian beer sizes follow that of their Bavarian cousins: The average size is a half-liter stein.

4. Sled there

The old-fashioned wooden sleds are cheap, easy to handle and a lot of fun. Any winter sports rental store will carry sleds, and it’s a perfect activity for when the streets are snowed over. Watch out for the cars, stick to the daytime and bundle up—these mini race cars can move it!

5. Sleep there

On top of being a good deal for winter sports and food, Innsbruck has a lot to choose from for accommodation. There are a handful of Innsbruck hostels that stay cozy at a low cost and plentiful cheap hotels in Innbruck. Even bed and breakfasts can be found at a lower price than other more touristy Austrian ski towns. Do a search in the box above to see options.

The post Innsbruck, Austria: 5 Ways to keep it cheap appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.