Exploring Hallstatt, Austria: Can You Drive In?

The picturesque village of Hallstatt, Austria, is a popular tourist destination. However, driving and parking in Hallstatt can be challenging due to limited space and traffic restrictions. The village centre is traffic-free during the daytime, and only locals are permitted to drive through. Visitors with hotel reservations in the village centre may enter by car and must obtain a coded card from their accommodation. Various parking options are available for visitors, including large lots at the edge of the village and car parks P1 and P2, which are within walking distance of the village centre. It is recommended to arrive early, as parking spots can fill up quickly, especially during high season.

Driving to Hallstatt from Salzburg or Vienna

Driving to Hallstatt from Salzburg

Hallstatt is about 75 km (47 miles) from Salzburg, and the drive takes just over an hour in light traffic. The fastest route is to take the Autobahn A10 south from Salzburg, exit at 28, and turn onto the B162 road towards Golling. At the T-junction with the B166, turn left towards Hallstatt and Bad Ischl.

The slightly slower but more picturesque route is the B158 from Salzburg to Hof, the Wolfgangsee Lake, and Bad Ischl. In Bad Ischl, turn right onto the B145 towards Bad Goisen, and then right again onto the B166 that leads to the Hallstätter See Lake.

Driving to Hallstatt from Vienna

The distance from Vienna to Hallstatt is around 300 km, and the fastest route takes about three hours. Take the Autobahn A2 towards Graz, exit onto the S6 at Seebenstein, and then onto the A9 towards Linz at St Michael. From Seltzthal (exit 69), follow the country lanes via Liezen and Bad Aussee to Hallstatt.

A slightly slower but more scenic alternative is to take the Autobahn A1 and approach Hallstatt along one of the connecting roads from the north. Driving along the Traunsee is particularly picturesque and will take around three and a half hours from Vienna to Hallstatt. This route also allows for a stop at Kloster Melk en route from Vienna.

Parking in Hallstatt

The picturesque village of Hallstatt is a UNESCO World Heritage site nestled between the Dachstein Mountains and the Hallstätter See Lake in the Salzburger Land region of Austria. It is a very popular tourist destination, with over half a million visitors annually.

Due to limited space, the village centre is car-free during the daytime, and hotel guests are not even permitted to drive through. The few parking spots available are reserved for inhabitants. Visitors can park in the large P1 and P2 car parks on the edge of the village, or in the smaller P3 and P4 car parks. It is not possible to reserve parking spaces in advance, so it is advisable to arrive early.

Finding a Parking Spot

There are two entrances to the village, both of which have large signs indicating where the parking areas are and electronic displays showing how many spots are available. The system is constantly updated to help you find a spot.

Payment

All car parks are equipped with fully automatic systems. You will need to get a ticket when you enter and pay at a machine before you leave. You can pay by cash, MasterCard, Visa, or Maestro.

Walking Times from Car Parks

From the P1 car park, it is a 10-minute walk to the cable car station to the salt mine and a 20-minute walk to the Hallstatt centre. From the P2 car park, it is a 1-minute walk to the cable car station and a 15-minute walk to the Hallstatt centre. From the P3 car park, it is a 30-minute walk to the cable car station and a 40-minute walk to the Hallstatt centre.

Alternative Parking Options

If you are staying overnight, check with your host about parking options. There is also a free shuttle bus service from the P1 car park to the centre for guests who have booked accommodation there.

You can also park for free across the lake in Obertraun and take the ferry to Hallstatt.

Driving and parking restrictions in the village centre

The village centre of Hallstatt is car-free during the daytime, and it is not permitted for hotel or guest house visitors to drive through. The few parking spots available are reserved for inhabitants of the village.

If you are a driver with a hotel reservation in Hallstatt, you may enter the village by car during the restricted period. A coded card is available from your hotel or bed and breakfast. If you are staying overnight in Hallstatt, it is recommended that you contact your host in advance.

There are several large parking lots at the edge of the village for other visitors. If you are approaching from the north, try the Parkterrasse parking lot inside the tunnel, and use the staircases to the villages and lake. The P1 and P2 car parks are also available for day visitors, and the P1 car park has a shuttle service to the village centre.

How to get to Hallstatt without driving

The picturesque village of Hallstatt is nestled between the Dachstein Mountains and the Hallstätter See Lake in the Salzburger Land region of Austria. It is a very popular day-trip destination from Salzburg and Vienna. While driving is the easiest and fastest way to get to Hallstatt, there are other options for those who don't want to or can't drive. Here is a guide on how to get to Hallstatt without driving.

By Public Transport

If you are travelling from Salzburg or Vienna, you can take the train between the two cities and get off at Attnang-Puchheim. From there, switch to the train bound for "Bad Ischl and Obertraun". The Hallstatt station is one stop before Obertraun and south of Bad Ischl. Once you get off the train, take the ferry across the lake to Hallstatt, which will be there to meet the train. The ferry ride offers a unique perspective of the town and is a delightful way to start your visit.

By Shuttle Transfer

If you are travelling from the Czech Republic, you can take a shuttle bus directly to Hallstatt. First, make your way to Cesky Krumlov (a 2.5-hour bus drive from Prague), and then take a shuttle bus offered by companies such as Shuttle Cesky Krumlov or Bean Shuttle.

By Bus

Taking the bus from Salzburg to Hallstatt is a good option as it is faster and cheaper than the train. It also drops you off at the Dachstein Ice Cave Visitor Centre, which can be difficult to get to otherwise. Bus #150 leaves from Stall 'F' at the bus depot in front of Salzburg's main train station and arrives in Bad Ischl in 90 minutes. At the Bad Ischl train and bus station, switch to Bus 542 toward Gosaumühle/Hallstatt. After a 20-minute ride, transfer to Bus 543 at the Gosaumühle bus stop. This bus will take you to Hallstatt's main bus stop, called Hallstatt Lahn (Seelände). The entire bus journey from Salzburg to Hallstatt takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes.

By Train

Taking the train to Hallstatt from Salzburg or Vienna is straightforward. From either city, take an Austrian National OBB train to Attnang-Puchheim, and then transfer to the local REX train towards Hallstatt. The final leg of the journey takes 85 minutes. The train will drop you off across the lake from the town, from where you can take the ferry to Hallstatt. The ferry ride costs 2 Euros and takes about 15 minutes.

Driving in Hallstatt compared to public transport

Driving in Hallstatt, Austria

The picturesque village of Hallstatt is a UNESCO World Heritage site nestled between the Dachstein Mountains and the Hallstätter See Lake in the Salzburger Land region of Austria. It is around 50 km from the nearest autobahn, but the country roads leading to the village are well-maintained and generally pass through beautiful areas.

If you are planning to drive to Hallstatt, it is important to note that much of the village is closed to non-local vehicles from May to October, between the hours of 10 am and 5 pm. If you have a hotel reservation in Hallstatt, you may enter the village by car during this period with a coded card provided by your accommodation. Other visitors will need to park in the large lots at the edge of the village. The Parkterrasse parking lot, located inside a tunnel, is a good option when approaching from the north. From there, you can take staircases down to the villages and the lake. Even if you don't plan to park here, it's worth stopping to take in the views of the lake and the Mühlbach waterfalls.

When driving in Austria, you will need an International Driver's Permit (IDP) or International Driver's License, depending on the source. This translates your driver's license into different languages and is mandatory for driving in the country. It's recommended to have full coverage when renting a car, as your insurance may not cover a rental car overseas. You can request an automatic car, although most vehicles in Austria have manual transmission.

Public Transport in Hallstatt, Austria

While driving is the easiest and usually the fastest way to get to Hallstatt, public transportation options are also available. The village is well-connected to other parts of Austria via train and bus services. Here are some options for getting to Hallstatt by public transport:

• From Salzburg: Hallstatt is within easy reach of Salzburg, making it a popular day trip. You can take a train or bus from Salzburg to Hallstatt, with the journey taking just over an hour in light traffic. The bus route passes by Lake Fuschl and Lake Wolfgang and takes approximately 30 minutes from the main station in Salzburg to Hallstatt.
• From Vienna: Hallstatt is a pleasant stop when driving from Vienna to Salzburg. The fastest route by car takes around three hours. However, you can also take a train or bus from Vienna to Hallstatt, with the journey taking approximately three and a half hours via a connecting road from the north.
• Ski and Spa Bus: During the winter, a complimentary ski and spa bus is available, providing direct access to the slopes and the Eurotherme Resort in Bad Ischl. This free shuttle runs daily to several destinations, including the picturesque lake town of Hallstatt.

In summary, driving to Hallstatt offers the advantage of flexibility and the ability to take in the scenery at your own pace. However, public transportation options are also convenient and well-connected, providing easy access to Hallstatt from nearby cities like Salzburg and Vienna. When deciding between driving and public transport, consider factors such as your preference for independence, cost, and the availability of parking in Hallstatt during your visit.

Frequently asked questions