After landing at Vienna International Airport in Schwechat, allow roughly 60–90 minutes for passport control, luggage and finding your group together. With six adults and four young children, a pre-booked private minivan transfer is the easiest option for a central apartment—usually about 25–45 minutes door to door, depending on traffic, and far more manageable than splitting across trains and taxis with luggage. The City Airport Train reaches Wien Mitte in about 16 minutes, but you still need onward transport and it is less convenient if your apartment is not close to the station.
Once checked in, keep the first evening gentle. If everyone still has energy, head to Café Central in the Innere Stadt for a light late meal and classic Viennese atmosphere; allow about 45 minutes and approximately €15–25 per person, though kitchen hours can vary, so check the closing time on the day. It is best viewed as an easy introduction rather than a full dinner after a long journey.
Afterwards, take a short orientation stroll through Graben and Kohlmarkt, both beautifully illuminated in the evening. The route is flat and stroller-friendly, but cobblestones can be tiring for small children, so keep it brief and return to the apartment when they begin to fade. Buy breakfast supplies and bottled water from a nearby supermarket if possible; many shops close earlier than visitors expect, and Sunday shopping is particularly limited in Vienna.
Have breakfast at your apartment and aim to reach Schönbrunn Palace around 9:00–9:30. From central Vienna, take the U4 to Schönbrunn station; the ride is usually about 20 minutes, followed by a short walk. With ten people, public transport is generally easier than finding parking, although a taxi or minivan may be worthwhile if the children are tired. Allow 2½–3 hours for the palace and grounds. Book a timed palace admission in advance, especially for a group of this size; entry prices vary by tour, while the gardens have several areas that are free to explore. Let the children run around the open grounds, but avoid trying to cover every garden section.
For a convenient lunch or cake, use Café Residenz, close to the palace. Allow about an hour and budget roughly €15–25 per person. It is a good place for a relaxed Austrian meal, though a group of ten may need to arrive early or request a table ahead. Keep the afternoon flexible: after lunch, walk back toward Schönbrunn station and take the U4 to Kettenbrückengasse, then walk or continue by tram toward Haus des Meeres in Mariahilf. The total transfer is normally around 25–35 minutes.
Spend approximately two hours at Haus des Meeres, an excellent rainy-day option with aquariums, tropical rooms and child-friendly exhibits inside a former flak tower. Check the attraction’s current opening hours and ticket prices before leaving, as schedules and admission fees can change; online tickets may help your group avoid a queue. The building has lifts, but moving ten people through the exhibits takes time, so stay together and allow extra minutes for the children at the larger tanks.
Finish at Naschmarkt, reached from Haus des Meeres by a short walk or one tram stop, depending on the children’s energy. Browse the food stalls and choose an early dinner around 17:30–18:00, with roughly €15–30 per person depending on the stall and drinks. Some stalls close earlier than restaurants, particularly outside the busiest evening period, so do not leave this too late. Afterward, return from Kettenbrückengasse on the U4 or take taxis if the group is tired; keep valuables close in the crowded market area and avoid relying on one large table being available without a reservation.
After breakfast, head into Innere Stadt and begin at St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom). From most central apartments, the easiest route is the U1 or U3 to Stephansplatz; with ten people, splitting into two small groups can make the walk and ticketing easier. Allow about 45 minutes inside. The cathedral itself is generally open from morning, but exact hours and access to the towers can change because of services, so check the official schedule shortly before visiting. Entry to the main church is often free, while tower or treasury visits cost extra—roughly €6–€7 per adult for individual paid areas.
Walk a few minutes to Mozarthaus Vienna on Domgasse, Mozart’s former Vienna apartment. The self-guided visit takes about an hour and is manageable with older children, though the stairs and displays may be tiring for the five-year-olds. Reserve timed admission in advance if possible; an adult ticket is usually around €12–€14, with reduced rates for children. Afterward, stroll along Graben and Kohlmarkt to Demel. Go for the traditional cakes and hot chocolate rather than a full meal; budget around €10–€20 per person, and expect a possible queue, especially on a Saturday.
Take the U1 from Stephansplatz to Praterstern, then walk roughly 10 minutes toward the amusement park. Spend two to three unhurried hours at Prater, choosing only the gentle rides that suit your group—there is no single entrance ticket, and rides are paid individually, commonly around €3–€10 each. Keep some cash or a card available, and agree on a meeting point before the children begin exploring. The park is open-air, so bring a light layer and allow flexibility if the weather turns cool or wet.
For an easy family dinner, stay inside Prater at Luftburg – Kolarik im Prater. It is known for Austrian comfort food and a spacious setting that works well for a large family group; reserve a table for ten, particularly on Saturday evening. Allow about an hour and budget approximately €20–€35 per person, depending on drinks and whether you order the restaurant’s generous shared-style dishes. From Praterstern, return by U1 or take a short taxi ride back to your apartment—after a full day, the taxi may be worthwhile with four tired children.
Keep today deliberately light after the journey from Vienna. Allow roughly 3–4 hours door to door, plus a break, parking and luggage unloading; accommodation and car access in Hallstatt can be awkward, so follow your apartment’s instructions rather than driving into the pedestrian centre. If your accommodation is outside the village, use the designated car park and allow time for the walk or local transfer with luggage.
After checking in and resting, walk along the Hallstatt lakeside promenade towards the historic centre. The route is scenic and manageable with young children, though parts are narrow and close to the water, so keep the group together. Continue to Hallstatt Market Square for a coffee, ice cream or simple snack; budget about €5–10 per adult for drinks and €3–6 per child for a treat.
If everyone still has energy, visit the Catholic Parish Church of Hallstatt and Bone House for a short stop. Entry to the church is generally free, while the Bone House normally has a small admission charge; check the current Sunday opening arrangements locally, as access can vary. It is completely reasonable to skip the ossuary and simply enjoy the churchyard viewpoint.
Finish with an early meal around the Hallstatt waterfront or at your apartment. For a casual Austrian dinner, allow approximately €18–30 per adult and €8–15 per child, depending on drinks and dessert. Avoid planning the salt mine or a long boat excursion today: tomorrow is better for a fuller Hallstatt day, and sunset by the lake gives the group room to unwind.
Have breakfast at your apartment, then walk into Hallstatt Historic Centre. The village is compact, so you can explore the market square, narrow lanes and waterfront without needing the car. With four five-year-olds, keep the pace unhurried and allow time for small viewpoints, playground-style breaks and souvenir browsing. A casual breakfast or coffee stop is usually around €6–12 per adult and €3–8 per child.
Continue along the Hallstatt Lakeside Promenade before lunch. This is the best part of the day for family photographs, when everyone is still fresh and the light is usually good. Hallstatt’s lanes can be crowded even outside peak summer, so keep children close and avoid relying on a stroller in the steeper, tighter sections.
After lunch, consider a short Hallstatt Lake Boat Cruise, subject to the day’s operating schedule and weather. Check the harbour notice or book locally rather than assuming a particular sailing time. Allow roughly €15–30 per adult and €5–15 per child for a short boat outing, depending on the route and operator. If the boats are not running, simply spend the afternoon at the waterfront or return to the apartment for rest.
For lunch, expect approximately €15–25 per adult and €8–15 per child at a casual lakeside restaurant; a supermarket picnic is much cheaper. Keep the evening quiet and prepare for tomorrow’s drive: the Grossglockner High Alpine Road is a seasonal mountain route, so confirm its opening and current road conditions before leaving. If it is closed or weather is poor, follow the practical alternative route toward Salzburg rather than attempting the pass.
Leave Hallstatt early after breakfast, with the car fully fuelled and snacks, water and jackets accessible. The journey to the Grossglockner High Alpine Road is a long mountain day rather than a quick transfer; with ten travellers, child-seat checks, toilet stops and traffic, allow roughly 5–6 hours from Hallstatt to Salzburg overall, including the scenic road. Keep the luggage secure and avoid planning a full sightseeing programme after arrival.
The road is generally seasonal and its opening date can depend on snow, so check the official status shortly before travelling. If it is closed or weather conditions are poor, take the direct route to Salzburg instead and keep the afternoon relaxed. The high-alpine road has a separate vehicle toll, commonly around €45–€50 per car, though prices and family or multi-day offers can change; confirm the current charge before setting out.
Once on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, take the drive slowly and use the signed viewpoints rather than trying to stop everywhere. Fuscher Törl is a good family pause for mountain views and a short walk, but wind and snow can make conditions feel wintry even in May. Allow time for photographs, toilets and a simple picnic or café stop; budget approximately €10–20 per adult and €6–12 per child for a casual meal or snacks.
Continue only as far as conditions and the children’s energy allow. Franz-Josefs-Höhe is worthwhile for the glacier outlook, but access, visibility and parking can vary early in the season. Do not promise glacier walks or open facilities in advance. Keep the group together around viewpoints, as there are steep edges and rapidly changing weather, and bring waterproof layers and sturdy shoes.
After the mountain road, continue toward Salzburg, aiming to reach the accommodation in the late afternoon or early evening. Allow 45–60 minutes for parking, unloading and check-in; a property with reserved parking will make this much easier for two cars or a large vehicle. Avoid driving into the Old Town unnecessarily, where access restrictions and limited parking can slow the group down.
For dinner, choose a nearby casual restaurant, bakery or takeaway rather than scheduling another attraction. Allow roughly €15–25 per adult and €8–15 per child for a simple meal, depending on drinks. Keep the evening free for rest—the Grossglockner excursion and the long transfer make this a day for mountain scenery, not additional Salzburg sightseeing.
After breakfast, walk or take a short bus ride into Salzburg’s Old Town, aiming to reach the Hohensalzburg Fortress funicular around 9:00–9:30. Avoid driving into the centre with a group of ten; the narrow streets and limited parking are inconvenient, and the walk between today’s stops is manageable. Allow about two hours for the fortress, courtyards and viewing terraces, keeping the children close around the steep stone areas. Check the 2027 funicular timetable and ticket availability beforehand; adult admission is usually roughly €13–18, with reduced prices for children.
Walk down to St. Peter’s Abbey and Cemetery and spend around 45 minutes exploring the arcades and historic surroundings. Access to some interior areas may vary with services or special events, so check locally rather than assuming every section will be open. Continue to St. Peter Stiftskulinarium for lunch, reserving well ahead for ten people and noting that four guests are five years old. Allow approximately €25–45 per person for a main meal, with drinks and additional courses costing more.
After lunch, stroll through Getreidegasse to Mozart’s Birthplace at number 9. The museum takes about an hour and includes stairs and display cases, so it may be easiest for adults to alternate supervision if the younger children tire. Admission is commonly around €13–15 for adults, with family and child reductions; confirm the 2027 prices and opening hours before visiting.
Finish at the nearby Toy Museum, allowing 60–90 minutes for its interactive exhibits. Check its opening schedule in advance, as museum hours can vary. Afterwards, leave time for an unplanned wander through the quieter lanes of the Old Town or a relaxed break at the apartment. Keep dinner simple and reserve a table if eating out, since a group of ten is difficult to seat spontaneously. Prepare the car and luggage this evening for tomorrow’s short drive to Zell am See.
Leave Salzburg after breakfast, ideally around 9:00, for the drive to Zell am See via the B311. The journey is normally about 1½ hours, but allow closer to two hours with four young children, a comfort stop and possible traffic. Fuel should be approximately €15–25, depending on the vehicle and prices. On arrival, use your apartment’s allocated parking if available; central parking in Zell am See is often paid and can be limited.
Plan on dropping bags or checking in around lunchtime rather than rushing straight into sightseeing. Confirm in advance whether early luggage drop is possible, and keep valuables out of the car if the apartment is not ready. A simple lunch near the accommodation or town centre should cost roughly €12–25 per adult and €7–15 per child.
Once everyone has rested, walk to the Zell am See lakeside promenade for an easy first look at the town. The route is mostly level and manageable with a stroller, although children should stay close to the water’s edge. Continue to Elisabeth Park, where the children can run around while the adults enjoy views across the lake and surrounding mountains. Allow about 45 minutes, with extra time if the group wants a snack or coffee.
If the children are tired after the drive, skip the boat and simply spend the afternoon around the lake. Otherwise, check the current May sailing timetable for the Lake Zell boat cruise before leaving Salzburg, as services can be seasonal and less frequent in May. Arrive 15–20 minutes before departure. A cruise generally lasts 1–1½ hours; allow approximately €15–30 per adult, with reduced children’s fares, subject to the 2027 tariff and weather conditions.
Reserve an early table at Seehotel Freiberg restaurant for the group of ten. Expect approximately €25–45 per adult, with simpler meals for children. Advance booking is sensible for a large party, especially if you would like a lakeside or window table. After dinner, return directly to the apartment and keep the evening quiet so everyone is rested for the following day.
Have breakfast at the apartment, then walk or drive to the Schmittenhöhebahn valley station, allowing roughly 10–15 minutes from central Zell am See. For a group of ten, aim to arrive near the start of the operating day and check the official lift status the evening before: May conditions can bring reduced spring operations, wind closures or cloud at the summit. Return tickets are often around €30–45 for adults, with reduced child fares; check whether a family or regional pass gives better value.
Allow about three hours for the cable-car ride and a gentle visit to the Schmittenhöhe children’s trail area. Keep the walk short and flexible for the five-year-olds, as the summit may still feel wintry even if the town is mild. Warm layers, sun protection and sturdy shoes are useful, and it is better to come back down early if visibility is poor or the children tire.
Return to town for lunch at Kupferkessel, where pizza and hearty casual dishes are practical for a mixed-age group. Budget approximately €15–30 per person, and call ahead if possible because seating ten people together may require planning. After lunch, spend around 1½ hours at Strandbad Zell am See. The shore, paths and playground area should give the children space to run around after the mountain visit, but in May treat it primarily as a lakeside outing: swimming facilities and water activities may not yet be fully operating.
Have an early dinner at Villa Crazy Daisy in the centre, allowing roughly €20–35 per person. An early seating is more comfortable with four young children and leaves time for a short wander through the centre before returning to the apartment. Pack the car tonight for tomorrow’s drive toward Achensee, which takes approximately 2½–3 hours; check traffic, confirm the Austrian motorway vignette and keep snacks and drinks accessible for the children.
Leave Zell am See after breakfast for Achensee, following the B168 and A12 towards Jenbach, then the B181 into Pertisau. The drive usually takes around 2½–3 hours with a child-friendly comfort stop. Confirm that the rental car has an Austrian motorway vignette before using the A12, and arrange the apartment’s check-in and parking instructions in advance for your group of ten.
After arrival, allow 45–60 minutes to unload, settle in and have a simple snack. Keep the first afternoon light rather than trying to fit in a larger excursion after the drive. Parking in Pertisau is generally easier than in the busiest lakeside spots, but follow local signs and avoid leaving valuables in the car.
Walk along the Pertisau lakeside promenade beside Lake Achensee for about an hour. This is a good low-effort introduction to the area, with room for the children to stretch their legs and plenty of opportunities to pause for drinks or cake. Budget roughly €5–10 per person for a café drink and snack.
Continue to the Achensee shipping pier and check the current sailing board. Boat services in May can be seasonal and weather-dependent, so treat the cruise as optional; if a suitable sailing is running, allow 1–1½ hours and check group and children’s fares before buying tickets. If no boat is operating, enjoy the pier and shoreline instead—there is no need to replace it with another demanding attraction.
Reserve a table at a family-friendly restaurant in Pertisau for around 18:00–18:30, mentioning the group of ten and requesting space for four young children. Allow approximately €20–40 per adult for a main meal, with children’s portions varying by restaurant. Finish with a short walk to a nearby Lake Achensee waterfront viewpoint; the lake can be cool and breezy even in May, so bring warm layers.
This day is intentionally unhurried. Keep the evening close to the apartment, especially if the boat is not running or the children are tired, and leave the longer Achensee walks for the following day.
After breakfast at your apartment in Pertisau, walk or drive to the Karwendel-Bergbahn valley station. Aim to arrive around 9:00–9:30, making this the day’s main excursion before clouds or tired children become a factor. The cable car provides superb views over Achensee and the surrounding peaks; allow roughly 2½–3 hours for the ride, photographs and a gentle wander at the top.
Check the operating schedule shortly before setting out, as late-May services can depend on weather and the seasonal timetable. Upper paths may still be snowy, wet or muddy, so bring warm layers and sturdy shoes. For your group of ten, check child fares and group-ticket arrangements in advance; allow approximately €25–45 per adult for the mountain outing, with reduced prices commonly available for children.
If Bärenbadalm is open, use it for a relaxed alpine lunch after the cable-car visit. Allow around an hour and approximately €15–30 per person for a straightforward meal and drinks. Opening days and kitchen hours should be confirmed locally, particularly early in the season. If it is closed, have lunch back in Pertisau instead rather than building the day around an uncertain stop.
After lunch, give the children some unstructured time at the Pertisau lakeside playground, then drive along the lake to Atoll Achensee in Maurach. The journey takes about 15 minutes, plus parking time. Plan two to three hours there, especially if the weather is cool or rainy. Check which pools and family areas are operating on your date; sauna areas may have separate age restrictions, and access can vary seasonally. Keep swimwear, towels and dry clothes easy to reach in the car.
End at Café Klingler in Maurach for coffee, cake or a light evening meal. Budget approximately €10–25 per person, depending on whether you order only drinks and dessert or a fuller meal. With four five-year-olds, arriving before the busiest evening period should make seating easier and keep the meal relaxed.
Afterwards, return to Pertisau for the night. The drive is short, and there is no need to add another attraction: this is best kept as a flexible lakeside day with time for the children to rest. If everyone is tired, one adult can collect takeaway food while the others settle the children at the apartment.
Have breakfast, check out and leave Achensee around 8:30–9:00. The drive via the B181 and A12 takes roughly an hour in clear traffic, but allow extra time for Monday traffic, unloading luggage and finding parking in Innsbruck. Ask the apartment host whether you can drop luggage early; for ten people, unload briefly and then move the car to a garage such as Congress Garage or Altstadtgarage. Keep the Austrian motorway vignette valid, and confirm in advance whether the apartment has a dedicated parking space.
Once you have settled in, head to Wilten by car or bus for the Bergisel Ski Jump. The lift makes the viewing tower manageable with young children, and the terrace gives wide views over Innsbruck and the surrounding mountains. Allow about 1½ hours. Check the official opening schedule before setting out, as May operating times can vary and Monday opening should not be assumed.
Continue next door to the Tirol Panorama Museum, allowing about an hour for the panoramic painting and historical displays. If the children need a break, have a snack before heading into the centre rather than trying to fit in another major attraction. The combined ticket for the two sites may be better value, depending on the current tariff; check the official ticket conditions on the day.
From Wilten, take a short bus ride or drive to central Innsbruck, then stroll along Maria-Theresien-Straße for around 45 minutes. The broad pedestrian area is easy with children and leaves room for coffee or ice cream. For dinner, reserve a large table at Ludwig – Das Burger Restaurant in advance, as a group of ten may not be seated together without notice. Budget approximately €15–30 per adult, with children’s meals varying; confirm current Monday hours and menu prices before going. Return to the apartment on foot or by a short taxi ride so you do not need to move the car again.
Have breakfast at the apartment, then walk or take a short local bus or tram ride to the Congress area, where the Nordkette journey begins. Allow about three hours for the Hungerburg funicular and cable-car sections toward Seegrube. Check the live weather and operating status before leaving, since wind, maintenance or poor visibility can affect the upper sections. For ten people, buying tickets online in advance is sensible; check whether family or group fares are available.
Bring warm layers, sunglasses and sturdy shoes, as conditions around Seegrube can be much colder than in central Innsbruck. If the upper mountain is cloudy, you can still ride to Hungerburg, enjoy the views over the Inn Valley, and return without forcing the children into a longer outing.
Return toward the river for lunch at Markthalle Innsbruck, where different stalls make ordering easier for a large group. Budget approximately €12–25 per person, depending on what everyone chooses. Seating may be limited at the busiest time, so have one adult look for a table while the others order. From the market hall, walk around 10–15 minutes through the centre to the Golden Roof, allowing time for photographs and a relaxed wander around Herzog-Friedrich-Straße.
Continue on foot to the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum for roughly 1½ hours. The exhibits on regional furniture, clothing, homes and traditions are well suited to a slower family visit, so there is no need to cover every room. Check the official opening hours and admission prices before setting out, and look for a family or group ticket for the ten of you.
Keep the evening unplanned after the museum. Choose an easy dinner near the apartment, or let the children have some downtime before a short walk through central Innsbruck. After the mountain excursion and museum, a flexible evening will make this a genuinely relaxed final day rather than another tightly scheduled sightseeing day.
Leave your apartment around 9:30–10:00 for Ambras Castle in Amras. From central Innsbruck, the drive takes roughly 10–15 minutes; with six adults and four young children, driving is easier than coordinating public transport. Use the castle car park and allow a little extra time to get everyone organised. Explore the grounds first, then the armoury and Renaissance rooms at a comfortable pace. Plan for 2–2½ hours, and check the 2027 opening schedule and exhibition access before visiting, as seasonal hours can change. Confirm the current family or group admission rate online.
Have lunch at Schlosswirt Ambras, either walking from the castle or making the short drive. Reserve ahead for ten people so you can sit together, particularly if you want an early lunch. Allow about an hour and budget approximately €20–40 per person; children’s portions or simpler dishes should make this manageable for the younger travellers.
Return to central Innsbruck after lunch and park once in a city-centre garage, such as Congressgarage, rather than moving the cars repeatedly. Spend about an hour in Innsbruck Hofgarten, giving the children time to run around while the adults enjoy a slower final afternoon. Then walk through the Old Town to Hofkirche for the imperial tomb and bronze statues. Check its current Wednesday opening arrangements before setting out, as church and museum schedules can vary.
Finish at Café Sacher Innsbruck near Hofkirche for cake and coffee, allowing roughly €10–20 per person depending on drinks and desserts. For a group of ten, ask about seating or reserve if possible. Treat this as a light final stop rather than a full dinner; eat simply at the apartment or choose a nearby family-friendly restaurant afterward. Keep the evening free for packing and rental-car arrangements, avoiding any unnecessary extra travel before departure.
No packing list attached yet.