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How to Get Around Salzburg as a Budget Traveller Easily
Worried about how to get around Salzburg without spending too much? I was too—especially as a budget traveller spending a week in the city with my 60-year-old mum.
We didn’t rent a car, yet still got everywhere we needed. Salzburg is compact, walkable, and has decent public transport—electric buses, S-Bahn trains, and regional buses.
But the system is a bit tricky at first—no metro or tram, and the ticketing options aren’t always clear. That’s why in this post, I break it down in simple terms.
You’ll learn how to use Salzburg public transport, what tickets to buy, when to get the Salzburg Card, and how to reach nearby countries.
I’ll also show you exactly when having a car helps—especially in mountainous areas around Salzburg where public transport won’t take you all the way.
What Salzburg’s public transport looks like
Salzburg doesn’t have a underground metro like Vienna or tram system like Innsbruck. Instead, the city runs on trolleybuses called Obus, which we used almost every day.
These are supported by Postbuses and Albus to nearby town including the ones in Gemrany such as Berchtesgaden, and S-Bahn trains to suburbs and villages. For longer trips, there’s Flixbus.
The city’s cycle paths and pedestrian walkways are excellent—my mum had no trouble even in summer. You’ll also spot funiculars and the odd boat ride, but they’re more for the experience than everyday travel.
You won’t need a car unless you’re staying far out, travelling very late, or visiting remote areas. Taxis and Uber are available but pricey.
The only time I felt stuck was during our day trip to St Gilgen by Wolfgangsee, a gorgeous lakeside town with scattered sights. Everything’s spread out, and relying on buses wasn’t ideal.
It was the same with Grossglockner Road—a scenic mountain drive with no public transport to the top. A private car is the only way to do it properly.
Does Salzburg public transport run 24/7?
No, Salzburg buses don’t run 24/7. But on weekends and public holiday eves, limited Night Buses and Night S-Bahn do operate. These cost around €4.50 and serve select areas. Check the SalzburgMobil app or Salzburg Verkehr site for exact timings.
What to do when Salzburg buses stop at night?
After Obus routes stop around midnight and Postbus services become less frequent, walking is the best option if your hotel is nearby in areas such as Neustadt. Walking is safe and doable. Otherwise, use Uber or call local cab from Taxi 8111 company ( book in prior)
Is Salzburg public transport timetable different on weekends?
Yes, buses—including Postbus services—run less frequently on weekends and holidays. Some regional routes don’t run at all.
If you’re planning to go out of Salzburg to see nearby places or even to Germany for a day to see beautiful Lake Königssee, go on a weekday instead—you’ll have more transport options to get there and back.
Does the Salzburg bus schedule change with the season?
Yes, seasonal changes in bus frequency do happen. Buses run more often from May to October and during Christmas season in December, especially on routes to tourist spots. In low season (January to March), some lines reduce frequency or pause.
Is there hop on hop off bus in Salzburg
Yes. If you are spending just one day in Salzburg, consider buying a 24hr Hop on hop off pass thich costs approx 30 euros.
However I suggest you spend a minimum of 3 days in Salzburg to see beyond Old city and buying 72hr hop on hop off pass isn’t useful.
Which app to use to track Salzburg buses?
Use Google Maps to track Salzburg city buses—it works well for Obus routes. But for accurate updates on Postbus and regional lines, download the SalzburgMobil app for real-time schedules.
Buying the public transport tickets and tourist passes
Salzburg runs on an honesty system—there are no gates or turnstiles, but don’t skip tickets. Inspections are random, and the fine can go up to €300.
If you’re only using transport and seeing only free things in Salzburg, get a single ride ticket, a 24-hour pass.
If you’re taking a couple of rides, or a weekly pass if you’re staying 4+ days.
But if you’re planning to visit museums and other Salzburg attractions like a tourist, just go for the Salzburg Card-It’s an excellent value. It covers public transport and most entry tickets.
We spent 7 days in Salzburg, but I only needed the 72-hour Salzburg Card. I planned our top sights around those three days and used regular tickets on the rest.
Where to buy Salzburg Card
As of 2025,24-hour pass costs approx €31 (May–October). Check their website for latest price.
Using buses in Salzburg to get around
Buses in Salzburg are easy to use once you know the basics. The city’s electric trolleybuses are called Obus, running on overhead wires and numbered from 1 to 14. They cover most city areas and are smooth and quiet.
Other routes like 20–36 or any with three digits are regional services or Postbus lines, usually heading beyond the city.
Obus vs Postbus: how to tell the difference
An Obus runs within the city, powered by cables, and makes almost no noise.
A Postbus is more like a coach—larger, diesel-run, and used for longer or cross-regional routes, like the ones to Maria Plain in Bergheim, where a scenic and easy pilgrimage trail begins.
They usually serve places outside the city and are numbered with three digits.
Both types of buses stop at key hubs like Salzburg Hauptbahnhof and Mirabellplatz, but at smaller stops, they may have separate stops. Always check the bus number before boarding.
How to find the correct bus stop
Bus stops are marked by a tall green pole with a yellow “H” sign. You’ll see printed timetables or sometimes digital boards.
Don’t expect automated announcements, so keep an eye out for your bus number. And remember, Austria drives on the right, so check you’re waiting on the correct side—especially if you’re used to left-side driving like in India.
Most buses lower down at every stop, making them fully step-free. Whether you’re using a stroller or a wheelchair, buses in Salzburg are easy and safe to board.
Getting on and buying ticket in Salzburg bus
Most buses lower down at every stop, making them fully step-free. Whether you’re using a stroller or a wheelchair, buses in Salzburg are easy and safe to board.
You can get in from either the front or middle door—whichever is easier. Just make sure you greet the driver if you’re showing a pass.
Most Salzburg bus stops don’t have ticket machines. You can buy tickets either from the driver or online via SalzburgMobil app.
Buying onboard costs more—a €2.40 ticket costs €3 if bought from the driver. Online is cheaper and easier.
The easier option is to buy online. A day ticket costs approximately €5 when
If you’re using a Salzburg Card, just show it to the driver while boarding. If that route isn’t covered, the driver will usually let you know on the spot.
Every bus shows the next stop on a digital display, and you can also track your route on Google Maps. Buses stop at all designated stations, even if no one presses the bell.
Important ticket warnings for Salzburg buses
Not all Postbus routes accept the Salzburg Card. I once tried to use mine on a regional line and the driver politely told me it wasn’t valid. So always ask before you sit down—especially if you’re heading outside Salzburg.
Back in 2022, Germany’s €9 ticket worked in Salzburg too, thanks to cross-border transport agreements. I used it royally in 2022 in Germany and Salzburg both.
I did use it even to get to Obersalzberg – the starting point of Eagle’s nest – Hitler’s Gorgeous mountain retreat
If you’re travelling from Munich or elsewhere in southern Germany, it’s worth checking whether your German pass covers your Salzburg route before buying an extra Austrian ticket.
Tips to use trains in Salzburg
If you’re visiting Austria for the first time, train travel in Salzburg is simple, affordable, and works well for budget trips.
I used it across the country, including my ride from gorgeous Melk Wachau Valley to Salzburg. Everything was easy once I figured out the apps and stations.
What to expect at Salzburg Hauptbahnhof
Salzburg Hauptbahnhof is the city’s main railway station, and it’s where almost every train stops—whether it’s an ÖBB service, a Westbahn train, or a long-distance connection from another region. The layout is simple, and it’s easy to navigate even with luggage.
You’ll find ticket machines, a supermarket, toilets, luggage lockers, and a staffed information desk right inside the station. Everything is well-marked, and announcements are in both German and English.
I used the staffed information desk when I wasn’t sure which platform my train to Innsbruck—Tyrol’s gorgeous capital—was leaving from.
I tried speaking a bit of German, but as soon as they realised I was struggling, they switched to clear English and sorted it out in no time
Smaller stations around Salzburg (you likely won’t need them)
Unless your hotel is nearby or you’re hopping on a local S-Bahn, you probably won’t stop at smaller stations like Salzburg Mülln-Altstadt, Aiglhof, or Parsch.
If you’re heading to the Old Town—where most tourist sights are located—or arriving from other cities, you’ll be using Salzburg Hauptbahnhof.”
Buying train tickets
Although you can buy your train tickets at Salzburg Hbf, I recommend buying it from OBB official app which is super easy to use. It evens shows discounted tickets if any and best routes available.
How to get to Salzburg city centre from Hauptbahnhof
It’s easy to get from the station to the city. Just outside, you’ll find Obus lines 1, 2, and 3, which take you to places like Mirabellplatz, the riverfront, and Getreidegasse in 10 minutes.
I took Obus to Salzburg Hofwirt stop and walked for 100m to my hotel Schallmooser.
Taxis are also outside, but cost €10 or more to get to city centre which might be just 1.5km. Uber exists in Salzburg but they aren’t popular among loclas.
Scenic train routes that connect with Salzburg
The regular Vienna to Salzburg train is fast, but if you take the slower route via Zell am See, you’ll pass lakes, alpine villages, and some stunning countryside.
Cycling in Salzburg
Salzburg is brilliant for cycling—safe, scenic, and easy to manage even for beginners. Dedicated bike lanes run along the Salzach river, clearly separated from pedestrian paths, so you won’t feel squeezed out in busy zones.
Locals cycle everywhere—whether for work or just for fun.
One summer afternoon near the Salzach riverbanks, I saw a group of girls riding past with a speaker blasting rock music and beer bottles in their baskets. It was chaotic, funny, and somehow perfectly Salzburg.
The city has bike lockers, free check-up spots, and a few repair cafés scattered around. If you’re staying a few days, renting a cycle is a great way to get around.
You can take bikes on buses and S-Bahn trains, but only if the driver allows it. It depends on space.
I saw travellers heading to Zwölferhorn ask before boarding, and they were only let in when there was room
Where to rent bicycles in Salzburg
Places like Avelo Salzburg near Hauptbahnhof and Bikes and More at Mirabellplatz offer rentals. Some hotels and hostels have them too.
Walking around Salzburg
If you ask me, walking is the best way to roam around Salzburg. The city is compact, flat, and nearly everything is within a 2 km radius—from Mirabell Garden to Getreidegasse, Mozart’s Birthplace, the cathedral, and even the fortress hill.
To see old town Walking is the only way as tehre is not vehicles allowed inside
We didn’t use transport within the city at all except to get to hotel from train station. The river paths, quiet cobbled lanes, and even the lightly trafficked areas were easy to manage on foot.
What really stood out was how pedestrian-friendly Salzburg is—ramps, lowered curbs, and wide pavements make it easy for families, older travellers, or anyone using a stroller or wheelchair.
One night, we walked back around 11 PM from Augustiner Bräu beer garden to our stay on Schallmooser Hauptstraße. The streets were quiet, well-lit, and we felt completely safe the entire way.
And if you like gentle hikes, there are city trails like the Kapuzinerberg rooftop path that start right from the centre. We saw locals of all ages walking those trails—kids, elderly couples, and tourists like us.
Renting a car in Salzburg
You don’t need a car if you’re staying in Salzburg city centre. The place is compact, walkable, and well-connected by Obus trolleybuses. A car just adds cost and stress if you’re only here to explore the old town, Hellbrunn Palace, or the main attractions.
Parking is the real problem—especially near tourist areas. Most central streets have limited space, and I saw signs that ban campervans altogether. If you’re travelling in a camper, keep in mind that campsites are located well outside the city.
Rates start around €70–90 a day, excluding fuel and tolls. Austria is expensive for travellers and renting a car adds more cost.
A rental only makes sense if you’re planning to explore remote villages as part of your day trips, alpine areas, or several sights in a single day—places where public transport doesn’t go often.
Read my post on renting a car in Austria for cost breakdowns, local driving rules, and scenic route suggestions across regions like Salzkammergut, Grossglockner, and Tyrol.
How to get to Salzburg
The best way to reach Salzburg is by train—especially if you’re coming from Vienna, Innsbruck, Munich, or anywhere in the Wachau Valley region. Trains drop you right at Salzburg Hauptbahnhof, which is just a few minutes from the city centre by foot or Obus.
If you’re flying in, Salzburg Airport (Flughafen Salzburg – SZG) is small but efficient, with direct connections to several European cities.
Most long-haul travellers land in Vienna Airport or Munich and take a train into Salzburg afterwards.
To get from Salzburg Airport to the city, hop on Obus line 2. It runs directly between the airport and Salzburg Hauptbahnhof, taking about 20–25 minutes. Buses are frequent and included in your Salzburg Card or 24-hour transport pass.
Taxis are also available outside the terminal, but they cost around €15–20, so I’d only suggest them if you’re travelling late at night or carrying heavy bags.
Summary : Salzburg transport tips for tourists
