How to visit Hallstatt from Salzburg was the first question that came to my mind after my husband and I agreed to go on holiday to Salzburg. The location of Hallstatt, which is quite far from Salzburg, was a consideration for both of us in choosing the right transportation for us.
Hello traveller,
How to get to Hallstatt when we went on a holiday trip to Austria in 2022 was something my husband and I had to consider. At the time, I was pregnant. The journey had to be comfortable for my son and me, the pregnant mother.
There are many ways to reach Hallstatt from Salzburg. From the articles I read on the internet, the best way is to use a private car. If this option doesn’t suit you, don’t worry!
As I wrote before, there are many options to visit Hallstatt. Other than private vehicles, travellers can use public transport. Travelling to Hallstatt using public transport is convenient too for travellers.
Visit Hallstatt from Salzburg
I recommend including Hallstatt in your list to visit in Austria. In the autumn of 2022, my family and I took a one-day trip to Hallstatt. We left early in the morning and returned when the sun had started to set.
If you are visiting Salzburg, Hallstatt is closer to reach than other cities in Austria. Getting to this pretty village from Salzburg is not difficult and the journey time is less than two hours.
There are many ways to reach Hallstatt from Salzburg. Traveller can either with private vehicle or public transportation. If you don’t bring your own car but want to use car, the option is to rent a car in Salzburg. As for public transportation, traveller can choose to use bus or train.
We chose train from Salzburg to Hallstatt train station. Then, we took boat from the station to the village.
Car
The best way to travel from Salzburg to Hallstatt is by using a car. I read articles and heard the experience from my friends about it. What makes it the best way is because the scenery. It is said that we will be spoilt with beautiful scenery along the way.
According to Google Map, there are two routes. Both of the route have a duration of less than two hours. The difference between them is one route will cost you a motorway toll or Vignette.
The sticker is required in certain motorways or highways in Austria. Without them will cause the driver a penalty from the police officer. Vignette must be attached to the windshield of the car in a visible location.
Traveller can obtain it in Austria and also neighboring country, I mean near the border. You can buy it in the post offices or gas stations.
Train
We experienced ourselves with train to reach Hallstatt from Salzburg. From our point view, this option was the best because we did not only travel with train but also with a boat. My son had new experience because had never rode a big boat before and he loved it.
At some point of the train journey, we saw beautiful scenery. Mountains, hills, river and small villages in between are all there. They said Switzerland has beautiful scenery. I said Austria has the same thing too. I think it will be more beautiful in winter with snow all over the places.
From Salzburg central station take train to Attnang-Puchheim. The duration of the train journey is about 50 minutes with an express train. It is a direct train.
Traveller should wait between 5 – 15 minutes before ride another train that will take the traveller to Hallstatt train station. There are two options for the next train. We can go with express train or regional train. The difference between both of them is the ticket price and the duration of train journey. Of course, the express one is more expensive but faster than the regional train.
The final train station is Hallstatt train station. The duration of this leg is about 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes. We chose the regional train to spare the transportation cost. The train was full of traveller and local citizen eventhough at that time was not a holiday season in Austria.
To reach the village we need to sail with a ferry boat. The small harbour is located not far from the train station. Less than five minutes you can reach it. Don’t worry about the waiting time. The arrival of the train in the train station and the departure time of the boat is close. The ride between the small harbour near the train station to the village takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
One you have to put on attention is the schedule of the boat and the train. The first schedule of the boat and the last schedule of it are important for one day trip. If you cannot catch the last boat, the option is to habe overnight stay or take the bus to Salzburg.
Bus
It is said that the journey with the bus is faster than by train. I checked on the Google Map and found the duration doesn’t differ that much. All the journey with the bus takes about 3 hours
The easiest way to take the bus is from the bus stops in front of the Salzburg central train station. Traveller should take bus 150 to Bad Ischl. The journey takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes
In the bus station Bad Ischl find bus 541 to Steeg – Gosau Bahnhof. This leg needs only 24 minutes, about 7 bus stops before you get out the bus and take another bus to the last stop near the lake. The bus 543 take you to Hallstatt Demelgasse in about 15 minutes.
I think the most friendly transportation for family with little children is by car. It is more flexible and faster. However, not everyone can choose this option. The second best is with train and ferry. Choose your transportation wisely and find the perfect ome for your family trip!
If the trip is without little children, then it is more flexible and easy to choose between three options. However, if I bring luggages with me, I prefer to go to Hallstatt by car.
I hope the information help you finding the best mode of transport for you and your family.
Happy travelling,
Amelia
