Practical Tips
Arrival
The Salzburg Airport (SZG, "W. A. Mozart") is only 4 km from the center. Bus 2 to the main station: 15 min., 2.20 €. Taxi: approx. 18 €.
Alternatively: Munich Airport (MUC) is 190 km away, but often cheaper. Direct train Munich–Salzburg: 1:30 hrs, from 19 €.
By train: ÖBB Railjet from Vienna (2:20 hrs, from 19 €), from Munich (1:30 hrs, from 19 €), from Innsbruck (1:50 hrs, from 14 €). The main station is a 20-minute walk from the old town.
On Site
Salzburg's old town is compact and car-free — everything is within walking distance. For the Mönchsberg, there is the Mönchsberg Lift (Gstättengasse, 4 € return). The bus network (Salzburg AG) is good, single ticket 2.20 €, day ticket 6 €. Rent bicycles at Movelo (from 15 €/day) — the Salzach cycle paths are delightful.
Accommodation
€ Budget: YOHO Salzburg (bed from 22 €), A&O Salzburg Hauptbahnhof (double room from 69 €).
€€ Mid-range: Hotel am Dom (double room from 140 €, perfect location), Arthotel Blaue Gans (double room from 130 €, oldest inn in the city).
€€€ Luxury: Hotel Sacher Salzburg (from 320 €), Schloss Leopoldskron (from 250 €, "Sound of Music" castle!).
Best Travel Time
April–June: Delightful. Blooming gardens, mild temperatures (12–22°C), pre-festival calm. Easter market at Domplatz.
July–August: Festival time! Crowded, expensive, but culturally unbeatable. 25–30°C, occasional thunderstorms.
September–October: Golden autumn, grape harvest, Rupert-Kirtag (Salzburg's largest folk festival, end of September). Beautiful.
November–December: Christmas markets at Domplatz and in Hellbrunn. Atmospheric, cold (0–5°C), snowy.
January–March: Mozart Week (end of January). Ski resorts in the surrounding area (Obertauern 90 km, Kitzbühel 80 km). Cheapest hotel prices.
Day Trips from Salzburg
- Hallstatt & Salzkammergut (75 km, 1.5 hrs): UNESCO village by the lake, salt mines, skywalk. Bus 150 + train or car.
- Berchtesgaden & Königssee (30 km, 40 min.): See separate section above.
- Werfen — Eisriesenwelt (40 km, 45 min.): The largest ice cave in the world! Hohenwerfen Castle as a bonus.
- St. Wolfgang & Wolfgangsee (50 km, 1 hr): Schafbergbahn, White Horse Inn, summer retreat idyll.
- Zell am See & Kitzsteinhorn (85 km, 1.5 hrs): Glacier ski area, snow year-round at 3,000 m.
