Damon Mcknight
Planning a trip to Austria? If so, your itinerary likely includes visiting the popular cities of Vienna and Salzburg. Many people also choose to take a day trip from Salzburg to Hallstatt, a beautiful lakeside village situated in the mountains. However, some recommend spending at least one night in Hallstatt to truly appreciate the area. So, how do you get from Salzburg to Hallstatt? The best way to travel between the two cities is by train, bus, car, or taxi.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Distance | 45-49 miles |
| Cheapest travel option | $11-$22 |
| Quickest travel option | 1 hour |
| Travel options | Train, bus, car, taxi |
| Travel time by train | 2 hours 12 minutes to 2 hours 17 minutes |
| Travel time by car | 1 hour 2 minutes |
| Travel time by bus | 3 hours 14 minutes |
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Travel by train
To get from Salzburg to Hallstatt by train, you'll first need to take a train from Salzburg Hbf station to Attnang-Puchheim. From there, you'll transfer to the local REX train towards Hallstatt. The first leg of the journey will take around 50 minutes, and the final leg will take around 85 minutes.
There is no direct train from Salzburg to Hallstatt, so you will need to make this transfer. The whole journey will take around 2 hours and 30 minutes, and the train ticket will cost between $16 and $50, depending on the train options you select.
You can book your tickets online through the German Bahn Train website or the Austrian OEBB Train website. Booking early can save you money, with Sparschiene fares offering up to 80% off the full fare when booked 6 months in advance. Tickets bought 30 days in advance are around $11, and around $16 when bought 7 days in advance.
If you are travelling in a group, you can also purchase an "Einfach Raus-Ticket", which allows 2-5 people to travel with all trains in Austria for a day. For five people, this works out to less than $10 per person. However, these tickets are only valid from 9 am on weekdays and are only valid on the slower trains.
Once you arrive in Hallstatt by train, you will need to take a ferry to cross Lake Hallstatt, as the train drops you off on the other side of the lake from the town. The ferry costs 2 Euros and takes 17 minutes. The ferry schedule matches up with incoming trains, and the ride offers beautiful coastal views of Hallstatt.
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Travel by bus
The bus is a convenient and affordable option for traveling from Salzburg to Hallstatt. The entire journey takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes, including a bus ride and a short ferry ride across Lake Hallstatt. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to travel by bus:
Step 1: Salzburg to Bad Ischl
Take the regional bus, known as the "RegioBus," operated by the Austrian company Postbus. You can catch this bus from the Salzburg main bus station ("Salzburg Hauptbahnhof"). Alternatively, you can board the bus at other stops along its route, such as the "Salzburg Süd" stop, which is closer to the Old Town. The bus departs approximately every 2 hours, and the journey to Bad Ischl takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes. You can buy tickets directly from the bus driver or online through the Postbus website.
Step 2: Bad Ischl to Hallstatt
Upon arriving in Bad Ischl, you'll transfer to another Postbus that will take you directly to Hallstatt. This connection is usually timed to match the arrival of the bus from Salzburg, making it a convenient transfer. The bus departs from the "Bad Ischl Bahnhof" stop, which is located at the train station in Bad Ischl. The journey from Bad Ischl to Hallstatt takes around 45 minutes.
Step 3: Ferry Ride across Lake Hallstatt
When you arrive in Hallstatt by bus, you'll be dropped off at the "Hallstatt Lahn" bus stop. From here, it's just a short walk to the ferry pier. The ferry ride across Lake Hallstatt is a unique part of the journey and offers stunning views of the town and surrounding mountains. The ferry operates regularly and is included in the price of your bus ticket.
Tips and Additional Information:
- It is recommended to check the Postbus website for the latest schedules and to plan your journey in advance, especially if you're traveling during off-peak hours or on weekends, as the bus schedules may vary.
- Consider purchasing a Salzburg Card if you plan to explore Salzburg before your trip to Hallstatt. The card offers free public transportation within the city of Salzburg and might be beneficial if you're planning to use the bus system extensively.
- Keep in mind that the bus journey involves some winding roads through the Austrian countryside, so if you're prone to motion sickness, it might be a good idea to bring appropriate medication.
- The bus is a great option for travelers on a budget, as the fares are usually quite reasonable, especially compared to private transfers or taxi services.
- Enjoy the scenic ride! The bus route offers beautiful views of the Austrian countryside, including picturesque villages, lakes, and mountain landscapes.
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Travel by car
Driving from Salzburg to Hallstatt is the fastest way to travel between the two places, taking between 1 hour and 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete the 45- to 50-mile journey. This option also gives you the freedom to travel at your own pace and make detours to visit other scenic spots in Austria's Salzkammergut region.
If you are driving over the border from Germany to Austria, you will need to ensure that you have a European Union travel sticker, called a "vignette", in your car window. These stickers are required to enter Austria and can be purchased from your rental car company or from a gas station for around 10 euros.
Upon arrival in Hallstatt, you will need to park your car and walk around the village and to your accommodation, as Hallstatt is traffic-free. There are three main parking lots at the southern end of the village (P1, P2, and P3), which are clearly marked as you come into town. P2 is the closest car park to the village and is open during the summer months. The price of parking is reasonable, and you will need to get a ticket when you enter and pay at a machine before you leave. If you are staying in a hotel, they may have special parking spots on the edge of town that are free and include a shuttle.
If you need to rent a car for your trip, you can use a site like Rentalcars.com to compare prices and availability from different rental companies.
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Travel by taxi
The distance between Salzburg and Hallstatt is approximately 48 to 50 miles. The road distance is about 49.3 to 49.6 miles. The fastest way to travel between the two places is by car, which takes about 1 hour and 2 minutes. The road trip offers incredible views of the Austrian countryside.
Taking a taxi from Salzburg to Hallstatt is a convenient option if you want a door-to-door service. The average taxi fare for this route is between $140 and $180. You can book a taxi by calling one of the following numbers: +43 662 8111 or +43 676 3347141. Alternatively, you can make an online reservation through websites such as taxi.at or salzburgtaxi.eu.
If you prefer a more guided experience, you can opt for a shuttle service or a group taxi as part of a tour. This option provides extra comfort and convenience, as you don't need to worry about planning the trip yourself. However, it tends to be more expensive than regular taxi services.
When travelling by taxi, it's important to be aware of potential challenges with parking in Hallstatt. Parking spaces in Hallstatt can be difficult to find, especially if you arrive later in the day. Therefore, it is advisable to reach Hallstatt in the morning, preferably on a weekday, to secure a parking spot more easily.
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Travel by boat
The best way to get to Hallstatt from Salzburg is by driving, which takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes. However, if you don't have access to a car, there are still plenty of ways to get to Hallstatt by boat.
By Train and Boat
Take the Austrian National OBB train from Salzburg to Attnang-Puchheim, which takes 50 minutes. From Attnang-Puchheim, transfer to the local REX train toward Hallstatt, which takes 85 minutes. The train drops you off across the lake from Hallstatt, so you will need to take a ferry to reach the town. The ferry costs 2 euros and takes 17 minutes. The ferry schedule matches the incoming trains, and the ride offers beautiful coastal views of Hallstatt.
By Bus and Boat
Take bus 150 from Salzburg to Bad Ischl, which takes around 90 minutes. From Bad Ischl, you can either take another bus directly to Hallstatt or transfer to a train to Hallstatt Bahnhof, the town's train station. From the train station, you will need to take a boat to cross Lake Hallstatt and reach the town centre.
By Boat from Steeg
Historically, the only ways to get to Hallstatt were to take the narrow trails around the lake or a boat from Steeg, on the north side of the lake. Today, you can still take a boat from Steeg to Hallstatt.
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Frequently asked questions
Booking your tickets 30 days in advance will get you the best price, but booking 7 days in advance will usually get you the same price as booking a month ahead.
Train tickets from Salzburg to Hallstatt start from $22.00.
The fastest trains from Salzburg to Hallstatt take around 2 hours and 12 minutes.
The drive from Salzburg to Hallstatt takes approximately 1 hour and 2 minutes.
