18-Day Ultimate Budget Backpacking Route in Austria
Austria might have a reputation for being expensive, but for the savvy backpacker, it is a playground of free alpine vistas, historic city centers, and efficient public transport. By swapping luxury hotels for legendary hostels and mountain huts, and dining on street-side Käsekrainer instead of formal sit-down meals, you can experience the best of this alpine nation for under $40 a day.
This 18-day route takes you from the eastern imperial capital of Vienna, through the student hubs of Graz, into the dramatic Salzkammergut lake region, and finally deep into the western Alps. You'll rely on the Oebb Sparschiene tickets and FlixBus to keep costs low while seeing every major landmark without breaking the bank.
The Itinerary
Day 1: Vienna, Austria - Imperial Arrivals
Arrival at Vienna International Airport
Land in the capital and take the S7 S-Bahn train instead of the expensive City Airport Train to reach the city center for a fraction of the price.
St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom)
Visit the heart of Vienna. While the catacombs cost extra, entering the main nave is free and offers incredible Gothic architecture.
Graben and Kohlmarkt Window Shopping
Walk through the most expensive streets of Vienna to admire the Baroque architecture and the Pestsäule (Plague Column) for free.
Würstelstand Dinner
Eat like a local at a traditional sausage stand. Order a Bratwurst or Käsekrainer for a filling, budget-friendly first meal.
Day 2: Vienna, Austria - Gardens and Markets
Schönbrunn Palace Gardens
Skip the expensive interior tour and spend hours wandering the massive palace gardens and hiking up to the Gloriette for the best view of the city.
Naschmarkt Exploration
Walk through Vienna's most famous open-air market. Many stalls offer free samples of olives, falafel, and cheeses.
Maria-Theresien-Platz
Relax between the Twin Museums (Natural History and Art History) and soak in the imperial grandeur of the statues and fountains.
Vienna State Opera (Standing Room)
Queue up 80 minutes before a performance to snag standing-room tickets for as little as 10 Euros for a world-class opera experience.
Day 3: Vienna, Austria - The Ringstrasse Loop
Rathausplatz and City Hall
Admire the Neo-Gothic City Hall. Depending on the season, there are often free film festivals or Christmas markets in the square.
Volksgarten Rose Garden
Enjoy a picnic lunch among thousands of rose bushes and the Theseus Temple, a scale replica of an ancient Greek temple.
Prater Park & The Republic of Kugelmugel
Walk through the vast Prater park and see the curious spherical house that declared independence from Austria in the 1970s.
Donaukanal Street Art
Stroll along the Danube Canal to see legal graffiti and vibrant bars where locals hang out by the water.
Day 4: Vienna, Austria - Modern Vibe and Transit
Hundertwasserhaus
Marvel at the colorful, organic architecture of Friedensreich Hundertwasser's most famous apartment building from the outside for free.
MuseumsQuartier Chilling
Join the local youth on the famous large plastic 'Enzi' benches in the courtyard of the MQ, one of the world's largest art complexes.
Belvedere Palace Gardens
Walk through the tiered Baroque gardens of the Belvedere. The upper gardens offer a classic "view of the canaletto" over the city.
Hostel Social Hour
Head back to the hostel bar to meet fellow travelers and plan the next leg of the journey south.
Day 5: Graz, Austria - The Student City
OEBB Train to Graz
Take the scenic 2.5-hour train ride over the Semmering Pass, a UNESCO World Heritage railway route.
Eggenberg Palace Grounds
Explore the vast park surrounding this UNESCO palace, where peacocks roam freely. The park entry is very cheap compared to palace tours.
Murinsel (Island in the Mur)
Walk onto the futuristic floating steel island in the middle of the Mur river, designed for the city's stint as Capital of Culture.
Graz Old Town (Altstadt)
Wander the narrow lanes of one of Europe’s best-preserved old towns and find a cheap bakery for a local snack.
Day 6: Graz, Austria - Clock Towers and Views
Schlossberg Hike
Skip the funicular and hike up the zig-zag stairs to the Uhrturm (Clock Tower), the iconic symbol of Graz with 360-degree views.
Landhaus Courtyard
Step into the courtyard of the Landhaus to see the stunning Renaissance arcades, often used as a backdrop for free concerts.
Kunsthaus Graz (The Friendly Alien)
View the bizarre, bubble-like architecture of the modern art museum from the outside and the rooftop terrace.
Glockenspielplatz
Watch the mechanical figures dance in the clock at 11am, 3pm, or 6pm in this charming hidden square.
Day 7: Hallstatt, Austria - Alpine Postcard
Bus/Train to Hallstatt
Take a combination of train and ferry to reach Hallstatt. The ferry ride across the lake offers the best photo ops of the village.
Classic Viewpoint Hike
Walk to the northern end of the village to the 'Classic Viewpoint' to take the famous photo seen on every postcard.
Beinhaus (Bone House)
Visit the small, affordable ossuary at St. Michael's Chapel, featuring over 1,200 hand-painted skulls.
Lakeside Walk to Lahn
Escape the main tourist crowds by walking south towards the Lahn area for a quiet evening by the Hallstätter See.
Day 8: Salzkammergut, Austria - Mountains and Mirrors
Obertraun Exploration
Take the local bus to the neighboring village of Obertraun for a more peaceful, budget-friendly experience of the lake.
Lake Gosau (Gosausee) Day Trip
Take the Postbus to Gosausee. This hidden gem offers a free, flat hike around a crystal-clear lake with the Dachstein Glacier reflected in the water.
Hallstatt Market Square
Return to Hallstatt for a coffee and to enjoy the atmosphere as the day-trippers depart and the village becomes quiet.
Dorm Cooking
Utilize your hostel kitchen to cook a meal; Hallstatt restaurants are among the most expensive in Austria.
Day 9: Salzburg, Austria - Sound of Music
Bus 150 to Salzburg
Take the scenic Postbus 150 from Bad Ischl to Salzburg. It's cheaper than the train and passes through beautiful lake scenery.
Mirabell Gardens
Relive the 'Do-Re-Mi' scene for free in these beautifully manicured gardens with a stunning view of the fortress.
Getreidegasse Walk
Stroll down Salzburg's most famous shopping street, known for its intricate wrought-iron guild signs and Mozart's Birthplace.
Salzach River Banks
Join the locals with a cold beverage on the grassy banks of the Salzach river for a sunset view of the Altstadt.
Day 10: Salzburg, Austria - Fortress and Monks
Hohensalzburg Fortress (External Walk)
Hike up the Festungsberg hill. While the castle interior has a fee, walking the perimeter walls offers incredible views for free.
St. Peter's Cemetery
Explore one of the world's oldest and most beautiful cemeteries, which served as inspiration for the Sound of Music set.
Mönchsberg Hike
Walk across the ridge of the Mönchsberg mountain from the fortress to the Modern Art Museum for various city vistas.
Augustiner Bräu Beer Garden
Visit Austria's largest beer garden. You can bring your own food as long as you buy a drink, making it a perfect budget dinner spot.
Day 11: Salzburg, Austria - Alpine Heights
Untersberg Mountain
Take bus 25 to the base of the Untersberg. If you have the Salzburg Card, the cable car to the top is free—otherwise, it's a strenuous but rewarding hike.
Hellbrunn Palace Trick Fountains
Walk the palace grounds for free, or use your city card to experience the 400-year-old mechanical trick fountains.
Steingasse Exploration
Walk through this narrow, medieval street that was once the main salt route into the city and remains largely untouched by tourism.
Hostel Movie Night
Many Salzburg hostels screen 'The Sound of Music' nightly—a cliché, but a fun way to wind down with other backpackers.
Day 12: Zell am See, Austria - Lakeside Serenity
Train to Zell am See
Enjoy a 1.5-hour train ride through the heart of the Alps into the Pinzgau region.
Zeller See Promenade
Walk the easy 11km path that circles the entire lake, offering constant views of the surrounding peaks.
Elisabeth Park
Relax in this lakeside park named after Empress Sisi, often hosting free light and music fountain shows in the summer.
Zell am See Old Town
Explore the compact pedestrian zone and find a local bakery for some 'Pinzgauer Kasnockn' (cheese dumplings).
Day 13: Zell am See, Austria - Glacial Peaks
Schmittenhöhe Hike
Skip the expensive lift and hike up the lower trails of the Schmittenhöhe for panoramic views of 30 peaks over 3,000 meters.
Kaprun Village Visit
Take a short bus ride to Kaprun to see the medieval Burg Kaprun (castle) and the impressive alpine valley.
Klammsee Walk
Walk around this turquoise reservoir at the end of the Kaprun valley—a stunning and completely free natural attraction.
Supermarket Picnic
Grab supplies at the Billa or Hofer supermarket for a sunset picnic by the lake to keep your daily spending low.
Day 14: Innsbruck, Austria - Capital of the Alps
OEBB Train to Innsbruck
Cross the divide into Tyrol on a fast Railjet train, arriving in the valley surrounded by jagged peaks.
Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl)
See Innsbruck's most famous landmark in the Altstadt, covered in 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles.
Hofgarten Park
Stroll through the former imperial gardens, a peaceful green space right next to the Hofburg Palace.
Maria-Theresien-Straße
Walk the main thoroughfare and take photos of the St. Anne’s Column with the Nordkette mountains looming in the background.
Day 15: Innsbruck, Austria - The Nordkette Range
Nordkette Nature Park
Take the Hungerburgbahn (funicular) up the mountain. For the budget-conscious, hike from the Hungerburg station to the Arzler Alm.
Arzler Alm Lunch
Enjoy an affordable Tyrolean meal at a mountain hut with cows grazing nearby and a view of the Inn Valley below.
Ottoburg and Old Inn Bridge
Visit the oldest building in the city and cross the bridge for the iconic photo of colorful houses against the mountains.
Tyrolean Folk Evening
Look for free outdoor band concerts or local folk events often held in the central squares during summer months.
Day 16: Innsbruck, Austria - Olympic Spirits
Bergisel Ski Jump
Visit the site of two Winter Olympics. You can walk around the base and the stadium area for free to see the Zaha Hadid design.
Wilten Basilica
Visit this stunning Rococo church, widely considered one of the most beautiful in the Alps, with free entry.
Innsbruck Baggersee
If visiting in summer, head to this local lake for a swim and a cheap afternoon of relaxation away from the city center.
Hostel Kitchen Cook-off
Team up with fellow backpackers to make a giant pot of pasta and share stories of your Tyrolean adventures.
Day 17: Bregenz, Austria - Lake Constance
Arlberg Pass Train to Bregenz
Take one of the most scenic rail journeys in Europe over the Arlberg Pass into the Vorarlberg region.
Bregenz Festival Stage (Seebühne)
Walk to the lake to see the massive floating opera stage. Even if there is no show, the set designs are incredible to see for free.
Upper Town (Oberstadt)
Explore the quiet, medieval heart of Bregenz, which feels miles away from the modern lakeside development.
Sunset at the Molo
Join the locals on the pier (Molo) to watch the sun sink into Lake Constance, which borders Germany and Switzerland.
Day 18: Bregenz, Austria - The Final View
Pfänder Mountain Hike
Avoid the cable car and hike the well-marked trails to the top of the Pfänder for a view of 240 alpine peaks and the entire lake.
Alpine Wildlife Park
Located near the top of the Pfänder, this wildlife park is free and features ibex, wild boar, and mouflon.
Vorarlberg Museum (Free Sundays)
If your timing aligns, visit this innovative museum for free on certain days to learn about the unique Vorarlberg culture.
Final Austrian Feast
Splurge slightly on your final night for a traditional 'Kaiserschmarrn' (shredded pancakes) to celebrate your 18-day journey.
Best Time to Visit Austria
The best time for budget backpackers is the shoulder seasons of late May to June or September to early October. During these months, the weather is stable for hiking, all mountain huts are open, and transport prices are lower than the peak summer and winter ski seasons. Winter is beautiful for Christmas markets but can be significantly more expensive due to ski tourism.
Currency & Money
Austria uses the Euro (€). While credit cards are widely accepted in cities and supermarkets, many smaller mountain huts, bakeries, and cafes are strictly 'Nur Bargeld' (Cash Only). Tipping is customary but modest; rounding up to the nearest Euro or adding 5-10% for good service is the standard backpacking approach.
Getting Around Austria
Austria has one of the best rail networks in the world (OEBB). For the best prices, book 'Sparschiene' tickets weeks in advance via the OEBB app. For shorter distances or last-minute trips, FlixBus offers extremely cheap connections between major cities like Vienna, Graz, and Salzburg. Within cities, use the excellent tram and subway networks, and always look for 24-hour or 72-hour passes to save money.
