Exploring Hallstatt, Austria: A Travel Guide

Hallstatt, Austria is a small village nestled in the Alps, surrounded by mountains and full of old Alpine houses. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its salt mines.

There are several ways to get to Hallstatt from Salzburg, Vienna, and Cesky Krumlov (CK town). The most convenient option is to drive, which takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Salzburg. However, there are also public transportation options available, including buses and trains. From Salzburg, you can take bus #150 to Bad Ischl, and then switch to bus #542 and bus #543 to reach Hallstatt. Alternatively, you can take a train to Attnang Puchheim and then another train to Hallstatt, followed by a ferry across the lake.

From Vienna or Linz, the best option is to take a train to Hallstatt and then a ferry across the lake. Cesky Krumlov does not have direct public transportation to Hallstatt, so travellers would need to transfer to Salzburg and then use the bus or train options.

Overall, travelling to Hallstatt by public transportation requires multiple changes, but the actual ride is easy and offers beautiful scenery.

Getting to Hallstatt by bus from Salzburg

Hallstatt is a small village in the Austrian Salzkammergut, located at the shore of the Hallstätter See. It is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Austria. The best way to get to Hallstatt from Salzburg is by bus, which takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. The bus is about 20 minutes faster than the train and is also cheaper.

The bus route from Salzburg to Hallstatt is scenic, passing through the beautiful Salzkammergut Lake Region. The first step is to take bus 150 from Stall ‘F’ at the bus depot in front of Salzburg’s main train station to Bad Ischl. Bus #150 leaves Salzburg twice an hour, with the earliest bus at 5:55 am Monday to Saturday, and 8:15 am on Sundays. The journey to Bad Ischl takes 90 minutes.

At Bad Ischl train and bus station, you will have a 20-minute layover before switching to Bus 542 toward Gosaumühle/Hallstatt. Bus 542 arrives at the Gosaumühle bus stop in 20 minutes. At Gosaumühle, transfer to Bus 543, which will take you to Hallstatt in 10 minutes.

You can buy your bus tickets at the Salzburg train/bus station or directly from the driver. Expect to pay around €15 each way per person and have cash with you. The first bus leaves Salzburg at 5:55 am-6:45 am Monday to Saturday and at 8:15 am on Sundays. The last return bus from Hallstatt usually leaves at 5:30 pm (4:30 pm in winter).

Other ways to get to Hallstatt from Salzburg

In addition to the bus, you can also get to Hallstatt from Salzburg by train, car, or taxi. The train journey takes 2 hours and 40 minutes and includes a short ferry ride. Driving is the fastest way to get to Hallstatt, taking about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Taking a taxi is the fastest but most expensive option, costing between $140 and $170 for the 1-hour journey.

Getting to Hallstatt by train from Salzburg

Hallstatt is a popular day trip from Salzburg, and there are several ways to get there. However, if you're travelling by train, you'll need to factor in a bus or ferry journey as well, as there is no direct train from Salzburg to Hallstatt.

The whole trip by train is possible, but not recommended. The train journey from Salzburg to Hallstatt takes around 2 hours 40 minutes, including transfers. First, take a mainline train from Salzburg in the direction of Vienna. A transfer is always required at Attnang-Puchheim, as only slow, regional trains are available from here to Hallstatt. The local train from Attnang-Puchheim to Hallstatt Bahnhof will take around 90 minutes.

The only issue with taking the train is that it drops you off on the far side of the lake from Hallstatt, so you'll need to take a ferry to get to the village. The ferry costs €2 and meets incoming trains, with the ride taking around 10 minutes.

If you're looking to visit the Ice Caves, you can stay on the train past the Hallstatt Station and get off at the Obertraun Train Station, where you can catch the local 542 Postbus.

The first trains out in the morning leave Salzburg at 5:12 am, with departures twice an hour, and the last ferry back to Hallstatt Station leaves at 6:15 pm to meet the last train at 6:32 pm.

The full fare by train from Salzburg to Hallstatt is €15-€28 each way, depending on the train options you select.

Alternative routes to Hallstatt from Salzburg

By bus: Taking the bus from Salzburg to Hallstatt is a more popular option than the train, as it's faster, cheaper, and makes it easier to visit the Salt Mine or the Dachstein Ice Cave. The bus from Salzburg to Hallstatt takes around 2 hours 15 minutes. First, take bus 150 from Salzburg to Bad Ischl, then take another bus or the train to Hallstatt. If you take the bus, you'll need to switch from the 542 bus to the 543 bus at Hallstatt Gosaumühle. The 543 bus will drop you off at the southern end of the village.

By car: Driving is the quickest way to get to Hallstatt from Salzburg, taking around 1 hour 15 minutes.

Getting to Hallstatt by car from Salzburg

The drive from Salzburg to Hallstatt is around 50 miles (80km) and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. The route is very easy, with rolling hills as you weave through the beautiful Salzkammergut Lake Region. Driving is a good option as it makes getting between Hallstatt village and the Dachstein Ice Cave Visitor Centre very convenient.

• The fastest route is to take the Autobahn A10 south from Salzburg and turn off at exit 28 onto the B162 road towards Golling. At the T-junction with the B166, turn left towards Hallstatt and Bad Ischl.
• An alternative route is to take the B158 from Salzburg to Hof, the Wolfgangsee Lake, and Bad Ischl. In Bad Ischl, turn right onto the B145 towards Bad Goisen, and again right onto the B166 that leads to the Hallstätter See Lake.
• If you're approaching from the north, first try the Parkterrasse parking lot inside the tunnel, and use the staircases to the villages and lake.
• Drivers with hotel reservations in Hallstatt may enter the village by car even during restricted hours – a coded card is available from the hotel or bed-and-breakfast.
• Other visitors can park in the large lots at the edge of the village.
• If you're visiting the salt mine, note that it's closed from mid-December to the start of March.
• Hallstatt is a small village, and parking can be challenging. It's best to arrive early, especially during peak season.
• There are three main parking lots right on the Southern end of Hallstatt village (P1, P2, & P3).

Getting to Hallstatt by bus and train from Salzburg

Hallstatt is a small village in the Austrian Salzkammergut, located at the shore of the Hallstätter See. It is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Austria. The best way to get to Hallstatt from Salzburg is by bus, which takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes. The bus departs from Stall ‘F’ at the bus depot in front of Salzburg’s main train station. The bus route is scenic, passing through the beautiful Salzkammergut Lake Region.

The first step is to take bus #150 from Salzburg to Bad Ischl. This journey takes about 90 minutes. In Bad Ischl, you will switch to bus #542 towards Gosaumühle/Hallstatt. After a 20-minute ride, you will arrive at the Gosaumühle bus stop, where you will transfer to bus #543. This final bus will take you to Hallstatt’s main bus stop, Hallstatt Lahn, in about 10 minutes.

Alternatively, you can take a combination of bus and train to get to Hallstatt from Salzburg. This option takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes. You will start by taking bus #150 from Salzburg to Bad Ischl, as mentioned above. From the train station in Bad Ischl, you can take a train to the Hallstatt train station. At the train station, you will need to take a ferry to cross the lake and reach the centre of Hallstatt.

The whole trip by train is possible but not recommended due to the additional ferry transfer. The bus and train option is preferable, especially if you plan to visit the Salt Mine or the Dachstein Ice Cave, as these attractions are more easily accessible from the bus stop.

When travelling by bus or train, it is recommended to buy full-fare round-trip tickets upfront. The cost for a return trip is around €30. You can purchase tickets at the Salzburg train/bus station or directly from the bus driver.

Additional Information:

• The first bus from Salzburg to Bad Ischl departs at 5:55 am (8:15 am on Sundays).
• The last return bus from Hallstatt to Salzburg departs between 5-6:19 pm.
• The first train from Salzburg departs at 5:12 am.
• The last return train from Hallstatt to Salzburg departs at 6:32 pm (ferry 17 minutes before).

Getting to Hallstatt by train and ferry from Salzburg

Hallstatt is a popular day trip from Salzburg, and it's easy to get there by train and ferry. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Salzburg to Attnang-Puchheim by Train

From Salzburg, take an Austrian National OBB train to Attnang-Puchheim. This journey will take around 50 minutes, and there will be a short layover of about 10-20 minutes before you transfer to the next train.

Step 2: Attnang-Puchheim to Hallstatt by Train

From Attnang-Puchheim, take the local REX train towards Hallstatt. This leg of the journey will take approximately 90 minutes. The train will drop you off at the Hallstatt train station, which is located across the lake from the town.

Step 3: Hallstatt Train Station to Hallstatt by Ferry

After arriving at the Hallstatt train station, you'll need to take a short ferry ride to get to the town. The ferry ride usually takes around 5-10 minutes, and it costs €2-€3 for a one-way ticket. The ferry schedule is coordinated with the train schedule, so you don't have to worry about missing the connection.

The total travel time for the journey from Salzburg to Hallstatt by train and ferry is approximately 2.5 hours. It's recommended to check the Austrian National OEBB website for the most up-to-date train schedules and the ferry schedule at the Hallstatt train station for the most accurate ferry departure times.

Frequently asked questions