Exploring Salzburg, Austria: Transportation Options For Visitors

Salzburg, Austria is a beautiful city with a lot to offer. The Altstadt or old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasting stunning architecture, natural wonders, and a rich history. Getting around Salzburg is easy, with a range of transport options available. The city has an efficient public transportation system, including trains and buses, that can take you all around Salzburg and the surrounding area. Additionally, the Salzburg Card provides free or discounted admission to attractions and free use of public transportation. Walking is also a great option, with trails weaving through meadows and woodlands, offering breathtaking views of the Austrian and Bavarian Alps on clear days. For those looking for a unique perspective, the Untersberg Cable Car provides 360-degree views of the city and beyond.

Walking tours: Festung Hohensalzburg to Nonnberg, and the Mönchsberg mountain catacombs

Salzburg, Austria, is a city steeped in history and culture, offering a plethora of walking tours for visitors to explore. One such walk takes you from the iconic Hohensalzburg Fortress to the serene Nonnberg Abbey, and on to the mysterious Mönchsberg mountain catacombs. Here is a guide to help you navigate this fascinating route.

Festung Hohensalzburg to Nonnberg

The Hohensalzburg Fortress, towering over the city since the 11th century, is an iconic landmark and a must-see attraction in Salzburg. Starting your walk here, you can choose from two main routes down to Nonnberg Abbey. One route takes you via the Monchsberg, which offers stunning views over the city but is a steep hike with some challenging climbs. The other option is a narrower path that winds down from the fortress towards the Kloster Nonnberg, providing a quieter and more residential perspective of the city. This route is less crowded and offers a different perspective on the city's fortifications.

Nonnberg to Mönchsberg Catacombs

From Nonnberg, you can continue your walk towards the Mönchsberg mountain, located directly behind Salzburg's Old Town. This forested hill is a peaceful escape from the bustling city, offering numerous paths and trails to explore. The "Hoher Weg" path is particularly noteworthy, connecting the Mönchsberg with the Festungsberg, where the Hohensalzburg Fortress stands proudly. Along the way, you'll encounter paved and unpaved trails, with some sections featuring long stretches of stairs.

Mönchsberg Catacombs

The Mönchsberg mountain hides a fascinating secret—the Early Christian catacombs. Hewn from the rock during the 1100s, these catacombs are the oldest and best-maintained in Austria. Two levels are open to the public: the 'Gertrauden Chapel' and the 'Maximus Chapel', located 40 steps above. Here, you'll discover ancient tombs, altars, relics, and murals, offering a glimpse into the past. The catacombs are open daily, except for some public holidays, and entry is free with the Salzburg Card.

Practical Information

When embarking on this walking tour, it is essential to wear comfortable walking shoes, especially when navigating the steep stairs and trails of the Mönchsberg. Bring water to stay hydrated, and note that while there are fountains along the way, it is advisable to carry your own supply. The walk can take around three to four hours, depending on your pace and time spent exploring the fortress and catacombs.

Public transport: city buses and trains, or the Untersberg Cable Car

Salzburg has an extensive and well-developed public transport system, including buses, trains, trolleybuses, and cable cars. The city's bus network is comprehensive, with electric trolleybuses and bus lines taking locals and visitors to their destinations in an environmentally-friendly manner. Trolleybuses run during the day at intervals of 10, 15, or 20 minutes, while most bus lines operate every 15 minutes. Bus line 25, for example, takes you to Schloss Hellbrunn, and bus line 28 takes you to the hangar, where you can see F1 cars, planes, choppers, motorbikes, and more.

The Salzburg Transport Association (SVV) offers two mobile apps, SalzburgMobil and Salzburg Verkehr, which help you find the best route and purchase tickets in advance. The Salzburg Card, available at the airport's Info-Center, offers free entrance to most tourist attractions and free public transport in the city for 3 days. It also includes bus rides (trolleybus lines 1-14 and several bus lines operated by Albus) and the Untersberg Cable Car.

The Untersberg Cable Car, or Untersbergbahn, takes you up and down the majestic Untersberg mountain, which is one of the most popular recreational spaces in Salzburg. The cable car starts in St. Leonhard near Grödig and leads to the Geiereck, where you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Rositten valley, the town of Salzburg, the Berchtesgaden region, and more. The ride takes only 8.5 minutes, and each cable car holds 50 passengers. The cable car also serves as a practical lift for various sports activities, including hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, and rock climbing.

The Salzburg Card: free public transport and discounted attractions

The Salzburg Card is an all-inclusive pass that offers free and convenient access to the city's top attractions and museums. It is an excellent way to explore the City of Mozart and discover its rich history and culture.

With the Salzburg Card, you can enjoy free admission to all city tourist attractions, including the popular Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mozart museums, Getreidegasse, and Hellbrunn Palace. The card also includes free entry to the Early Christian catacombs, where you can explore ancient tombs, altars, relics, and murals from the 1100s.

In addition to free admission, the card provides unlimited use of public transportation within the city, excluding S-railways. This makes it easy to get around Salzburg and visit all the sights with ease. The card is available for 24, 48, or 72 hours, giving you the flexibility to choose the duration that suits your needs.

The Salzburg Card also offers attractive discounts on cultural events and concerts, as well as additional discounts at many excursion destinations. In some cases, you can even enjoy express entrance without having to wait in line at the ticket window. The card can be purchased online or at various locations in the city, including hotels, tourist information offices, ticket bureaus, and the airport.

Overall, the Salzburg Card is a great way to save money and make the most of your time in Salzburg, providing convenient access to the city's top attractions and seamless navigation around the city.

Taxi or Uber: convenient, but Uber is costly

Getting around Salzburg, Austria, is made easy with taxis and Uber rides. While both are convenient, Uber can be costly.

Taxis in Salzburg are a quick and simple way to get from one place to another. They can be found at taxi ranks in the town centre and at major infrastructure facilities, such as the airport and shopping malls. You can also order a taxi by phone, via an app, or online. A ride from the airport to the town centre costs around €12, and the basic fare for orders is €3.50 (not including rides taken from a taxi rank). Since 2019, all taxis have been equipped with card machines, so you can pay by cash, debit card, or credit card.

Uber is also available in Salzburg, with five taxi services accommodating up to four or six passengers each. Uber offers different ride options, including UberX, UberXL, UberBlack, UberSUV, and UberSELECT, with varying rates and vehicle types. To get an Uber, you need to open the Uber app on your smartphone, select your desired ride option and pickup and drop-off locations, and then go to the pickup location to meet your driver. Uber provides real-time fare estimates and promotions or discounts to help you save money on your rides.

While both taxis and Uber provide convenient ways to get around Salzburg, Uber can be more expensive, especially if you choose one of the premium ride options. Therefore, if you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, taxis might be a better choice, especially if you're travelling alone or with a small group. However, be sure to compare the estimated prices for both options before deciding, as prices may vary depending on your specific ride details.

Horse-drawn carriage: a unique way to see the city

Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed city, is known for being the City of Mozart and the home of the Salzburg Festival. The city boasts rich history, fascinating insights, and countless surprises around every corner. A unique way to see the city is via a horse-drawn carriage or sleigh.

Horse-drawn carriage rides start at Residenzplatz, where you can also hire carriages. Residenzplatz is home to the impressive Salzburg Carillon, a bell tower with 35 bells that play songs three times a day. A carriage ride is a great way to see the city's historic and newer sections, including the Mozart museums, the Getreidegasse, and Hellbrunn Palace.

The Fiaker Company Franz Winter Jr. offers two routes: a short 20-25 minute route and a longer 50-minute route. The shorter route takes in key sights in the Old City, including Kapitelplatz, Cathedral Square, Festspielhaus, and the Horse Pond. The longer route offers a tour of the historic and newer sections of the city or an excursion via Schloss Freisaal and Hellbrunner Allee.

For a winter trip to Salzburg, a horse-drawn sleigh ride is a magical experience. Panorama Tours offers a private half-day tour through the Austrian mountains, as well as a full-day outing to Ramsau in the Alps, which includes a two-hour sleigh ride and time to explore the alpine village. If you're visiting around Christmas, you can also book a five-day trip that includes a concert at Mirabell Palace and a sleigh ride excursion to the Alps.

Frequently asked questions