How to Get to Hallstatt
Nestled in Austria, Hallstatt is a fascinating town honored for its UNESCO World Heritage designation and breathtaking landscape. From many Austrian cities, Salzburg, Vienna, and Innsbruck are among the numerous ways one could get to Hallstatt.
If you’re thinking about taking a train, you’ll discover that from any big Austrian city you can quickly take one and head for Attnang-Puchheim. Situated on the main train line connecting Vienna and Salzburg, this station You then have option to change to a regional train to get to Hallstatt. The rail station is located on the other side of the lake from the town, hence one must ride a ferry to reach Hallstatt. The boat runs in line with the train calendar. From Vienna or Salzburg to the destination, the train ride is a wonderful mix of amazing landscape and maximum comfort. From Vienna and 2.5 hours from Salzburg, the trip duration can run up to 4 hours.
Should your inclination be for automobile travel, you can decide to drive to Hallstatt from either Salzburg or Vienna using the A1 expressway. Just follow either the B166 or B145 road to reach Hallstatt from the “Golling-Abtenau” exit; both will direct you exactly to your destination. Salzburg’s commute usually takes one hour and twenty minutes; the trip from Vienna usually takes three hours. Driving lets you with a lot of freedom and lets you really appreciate the stunning surroundings on route. One should also take into account tolls and parking costs.
Choosing a bus instead of the train will speed you from Salzburg to Hallstatt and save more money. Beginning from the Salzburg train/bus station, the bus route passes via Bad Ischl and Gosau before reaching Hallstatt. The bus also brings people to the well-known Dachstein Ice Cave Visitor Center, close to Hallstatt.Usually taking two hours and fifteen minutes, the bus ride from Salzburg Tickets may be purchased from the station or straight from the driver. If you wish to save time and money while seeing the Salt Mine or the Ice Cave, riding the bus is a practical decision.
Should you be on your way from a far-off destination, Salzburg, almost 70km away, is the closest airport to Hallstatt. From the airport to Salzburg, one can choose from a shuttle bus, taxi, or auto rental among several means of transportation. You have several choices to proceed to Hallstatt after you reach Salzburg.Should your inclination be for a tour from either Salzburg or Vienna, you can easily arrange that. This will allow you the ease of travel and the knowledge of a seasoned guide to go with you to Hallstatt.
Get In - By Train
The train trip to the site is quite breathtaking. Convenient halt along the main train line linking Salzburg and Vienna is Attnang-Puchheim. Twice every hour, the trains offer easy access for passengers. Please board the connecting train headed “Stainach-Irdning” from this stop to get Bad Ischl and Obertraun. Arriving at the Hallstatt railway station, one is instantly delighted by its cosy and friendly environment surrounded by the lovely woodland landscape. You will be welcomed with very breathtaking views across the lake after you get off the train.
From the arriving trains to the terminal on the other side of the lake, there will be a boat service running from daybreak to dusk. The trip should take about ten minutes; one trip costs €3.50. Especially in the morning, the trip presents visitors with a wonderful chance to enjoy the stunning view of the hamlet. As the sun rises, the town is softly lit and the surrounds are covered in a beautiful range of orange and golden tones. It’s crucial to keep in mind that the lake can freeze over in the winter, therefore rendering watercraft useless. Should you require help in this regard, kindly contact either the train conductor or the station personnel.
For those living in Austria who want to see Hallstatt for a day without breaking the budget, the Einfach Raus Ticket is a fantastic option. This ticket comes for €32. From 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 a.m. the next day, this pass lets up to five persons enjoy unlimited rail travel. Passengers should be aware that only regional trains tagged with the letters R or REX are approved. Fortunately, these trains run most of Austria’s railway routes. Another classed as a regional service is the one run between Attnang-Puchheim and Hallstatt.
It should be mentioned that the arrival location of a train ride to Hallstatt will be on the other side of the lake. The ferry boat service offered by “Hallstätter Seeschifffahrt” allows you the means to reach the city core. The service runs on the gorgeous Lake Hallstatt, which resembles a fjord rather remarkably. Just a short two-minute walk from the train station will allow one to readily access the ferry terminal. Having your stuff with you when on travel is more practical. Usually running hourly, the boat service from the station to the city core.
From Vienna
Usually involving two transfers, the train ride from Vienna to Hallstatt runs about four hours. First you board a train in Vienna Hauptbahnhof, the main station of the city. Attnang-Puchheim is a station on the main rail line linking Vienna and Salzburg, hence the train will be heading there. Check the schedules and online reserve your tickets via the ÖBB website.
A one-way ticket is about thirty euros, and the train ride from Vienna to Attnang-Puchheim usually takes two and a half hours. You then have to change for a regional train bound for Hallstatt. This train passes Platform 11 at Attnang-Puchheim. Attnang-Puchheim to Hallstatt train travel usually takes 1.5 hours and runs about 10 euros for a one-way ticket. You can buy your ticket at the station or from the conductor on board.
The train passes many beautiful towns along its way, including Bad Goisern, Obertraun, and Bad Ischl. Then you will have to take a ferry from the Hallstatt train station to reach Hallstatt town, on the other side of the lake. The boat runs in line with the railroad timetable, therefore reducing the waiting times for the passengers. A one-way ticket runs about three euros, and the boat trip usually takes ten minutes. Your ticket may be bought at the ferry station or straight from the ferry pilot. Make sure your camera is ready since the ferry offers a remarkable perspective of the town and the mountains.
From Salzburg
Usually, the Salzburg to Hallstatt train journey calls for one transfer and takes around 2.5 hours. First you will have to get on a train from Salzburg Hauptbahnhof, sometimes known as the main station, to Attnang-Puchheim. This is the same first process used while heading from Vienna. Check the schedules and online reserve your tickets via the ÖBB website. Usually lasting around one hour, the train ride from Salzburg to Attnang-Puchheim costs roughly 15 euros.
The next phase is to follow the same protocol as if you were heading from Vienna to Hallstatt. This means moving to the regional rail and then getting on the boat to across the lake. Another less expensive but faster than the train is to ride a bus from Salzburg to Hallstatt. Starting at the Salzburg train/bus station, the bus line passes via Bad Ischl and Gosau before reaching Hallstatt. The bus also gets one to the famous Dachstein Ice Cave Visitor Center, which is close to Hallstatt. Usually, the Salzburg bus trip takes two hours and fifteen minutes. One could get tickets from the conductor or from the station.
From Innsbruck
Usually requiring two transfers and running around 4.5 hours, the train travels from Innsbruck to Hallstatt. From Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof, the main station, board a train to Salzburg to start your journey. When heading from Salzburg, this is also the first stage. Check the schedules and online reserve your tickets via the ÖBB website. A one-way ticket runs about 25 euros; the train ride from Innsbruck to Salzburg usually takes two hours. The next part should be following the same protocols as if you were heading from Salzburg to Hallstatt. This covers using the train or bus to go to Hallstatt, then the ferry over the lake.
Get In - By Car
Four communities comprise the Hallstatt Dachstein Salzkammergut UNESCO World Heritage area: Hallstatt, Bad Goisern on Lake Hallstatt, Gosau, and Obertraun. The Westautobahn A1 (Vienna-Salzburg) leads one straight to these towns from the Regau interchange. From there, visitors may proceed through Gmunden, Bad Ischl, and Bad Goisern and visit Hallstatt, Obertraun, or Gosau. The projected trip from Gmunden takes one hour.
By means of the Westautobahn A1, you can visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hallstatt Dachstein Salzkammergut from Munich to Salzburg. From the exit at “Golling,” Gosau, Bad Goisern on Lake Hallstatt, Hallstatt, or Obertraun, go on the B166 route through Abtenau. From Salzburg, the expected trip time is forty-five minutes.
Take the “Eben” exit whether your trip on the Tauernautobahn A10 is from Graz, Carinthia, Italy, or Slovenia. From there, keep on the B166 road passing via St. Martin towards Annaberg-Lungötz and Russ am Pass Geschütt. From Lake Hallstatt, this road will take you to either Gosau, Hallstatt, Obertraun, or Bad Goisern. From Eben, the expected travel time is thirty minutes.
Every car using Austria’s motorways and highways—including those headed for Bad Goisern, Gosau, Hallstatt, and Obertraun—must have a Motorway Toll Sticker (Vignette). Stickers are sold at several sites in Austria, including post offices, sundries stores, petrol stations and Austrian Automobile Clubs. Stickers can also be bought in Austria’s neighboring nations, especially at crossings, petrol stations, and car clubs.
Crucially, you should clearly display the highway toll ticket or vignette on the windscreen.
- Passenger auto:
Year sticker: 96,40 Euro
Two-month sticker: 29,00 Euro
10-day sticker: 9,90 Euro - Motorcycle:
Year sticker: 38,20 Euro
Two-month sticker: 14,50 Euro
10-day sticker: 5,80 Euro
Private cars have to be parked in specified places; they are not allowed to circle the center. Within the town are two parking lots. P1, the first one, is behind the petrol station and designed especially for overnight visitors with electric cars that need shuttle service. Designed for day visitors, P2, the second parking lot is next to the salt mine.
Should both of the parking lots be full, there are two extra choices on the south side of the lake, just outside the settlement. These choices comprise Lot P4 and Lot 5, which also double as tour bus drop-off and pick-up points.
In all parking lots, the first 15 minutes are free; following that,:
- 1 hour: €4.00
- 2 hours: €7.00
- 3–4 hours: €9.50
- 5–6 hours: €10.00
- 7–12 hours: €11.00
- 13–24 hours: Day ticket €16.00
Some visitors have the chance to use several pullouts on the north side before arriving to the settlement and acquire free parking. The tunnel also boasts temporary parking within. Still, the first choice comes with inherent risk for driving to and from the village on the road shoulders. Conversely, the second choice is not very plentiful since most of the seats are designated for residents.
From Vienna
The main highway linking Vienna to Hallstatt is the A1 motorway, which you must use after leaving Vienna. Along your way, you will pass Linz, the third-biggest city in Austria. You will then arrive at Regau, where the signs guiding you toward Gmunden and Hallstatt will be readily found. You will then travel down the B145 road, which winds the magnificent Traunsee lake’s scenic path throughout the enchanted Salzkammergut area—home to the little community of Hallstatt. Before eventually reaching the amazing location of Hallstatt, you will enjoy passing through numerous lovely cities on your way: Traunkirchen, Ebensee, and Bad Ischl.
From Salzburg
Usually the main roadway linking Salzburg and Vienna, the A1 motorway will be your route from Salzburg to Hallstatt. Simply follow either the B166 or B145 road to get Hallstatt from the “Golling-Abtenau” exit; both of these will straightly get you to your destination. Along your way to Hallstatt, you will pass several little towns including Golling, Abtenau, and Bad Goisern.
From Innsbruck
- The trip covers 250 km and takes around 2.5 hours.
One should use the A12 freeway to get to Salzburg. - Proceed thereafter on the A1 highway until you come to the exit marked “Golling-Abtenau”.
- Just take the B166 or B145 road from your present position to get Hallstatt. These paths will straightly get you to your goal.
- You will have to pay to park, utilize toll roads, and gasoline your car runs on. Besides, one needs a current driving license, insurance, registration, and vignette.
- Parking your car outside the town center and either using a shuttle bus or walk will help you to reach the major attractions.
Parking options in Hallstatt
Four parking lots at Hallstatt are conveniently named P1, P2, P3, and P4. Conveniently located to the ferry terminal and the train station, P1 and P2 are the closest lodging options to the town core. P3 and P4 are farther apart but near the cemetery and the salt mine. The season and length of your visit will affect the parking rates. Checking here can help you to find the present prices. This site also allows you to buy an online parking ticket ahead of times. Kindly ensure that your parking ticket is on the dashboard of your car. Walking or using a shuttle bus is the two ways one could travel from the parking lots to the town center. Operating on a 10-minute frequency, the shuttle bus charges each travel one euro per person. The bus ticket could be bought from the ticket machine in the parking lot or from the driver.
Get In - By Plane
The closest airport in the region is WA Mozart Airport located in Salzburg.Around 75 kilometers separate this place from Hallstatt.About 3.5 hours separate the journey time to Vienna Airport.
- From the USA: Salzburg is the closest airport to Hallstatt, hence if you are leaving the USA, you will have to fly connecting there. To Salzburg, you could fly from several big American cities like New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. One may accomplish this by connecting via Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, or Zurich. Though the particular route and the length of any layovers will affect the flight’s duration, generally it runs from 10 to 15 hours. Once you arrive in Salzburg, you have various choices for getting to Salzburg Hauptbahnhof, the principal train station. You might decide to rent a car, grab a taxi, or ride a shuttle bus. Once at the train station, you may next use the instructions below to get to Hallstatt by train.
- From Europe: Salzburg, the closest airport to Hallstatt, gives visitors more choices for means of transportation. From London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, or Rome, there are many European cities from which you might fly straight or with one stop to Salzburg. The flight’s length would vary depending on the particular path and any layovers. Usually the trip takes one to four hours to finish.When you get to Salzburg, you have several ways to get to the main train station, Salzburg Hauptbahnhof. You might choose to ride a shuttle bus, hire a taxi, or rent a car. Once you get to the train station, go Hallstatt as directed below.
- From Asia: Since Salzburg is the nearest airport to Hallstatt, if you are flying from Asia you will have to make a connecting journey there. From many Asian cities including Tokyo, Beijing, Seoul, Hong Kong, or Singapore, Salzburg is reachable by plane. One can do this by connecting via Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, or Zurich. Depending on the particular path and any layovers, the length of the flight can vary from 12 to 18 hours.When you get to Salzburg, you have several ways to get to the main train station, Salzburg Hauptbahnhof. You could chose a rental car, a shuttle, or a cab. Arriving at the rail station, follow the directions below to reach Hallstatt.
Get In - By Bus
For those who wish to save time and money and yet have the opportunity to see other sites along the way, choose to ride a bus to Hallstatt is wise. Beginning in Salzburg, the bus line passes Bad Ischl and Gosau before reaching Hallstatt. The bus will easily get you to the highly advised Dachstein Ice Cave Visitor Center near Hallstatt. Usually taking two hours and fifteen minutes, the bus from Salzburg is faster and less expensive than the train.
The bus trip to Hallstatt might not provide the same degree of comfort or vistas as the rail experience. While the surroundings along the journey may not be as breathtaking, buses can be somewhat noisy and packed with people. Conveniently and complicated, the bus route also calls for two transfers—one at Bad Ischl and another at Gosau. The bus stops at Hallstatt Lahn, which is handy for the main attractions—just a 10-minute walk from the town core.
From either Salzburg Hauptbahnhof, the main train and bus terminal, or Mirabellplatz, a square close to the city center, bus number 150 will easily get you to Bad Ischl. During the week, the bus operates hourly from 5:55 am until 6:45 pm. On weekends the bus runs from 8:15 am to 6:45 pm. The bus trip takes one hour and fifteen minutes, and the one-way ticket is roughly ten euros. You can decide to purchase your ticket from the driver straight or from the station. You will have to transfer to either bus number 542 or 543 to reach Gosau from Bad Isch l. Weekdays, the bus operates every hour from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm. On weekends the bus runs from 8:30 am until 7:30 pm.
The bus travel lasts roughly twenty-five minutes, and one ticket is roughly three euros. Your ticket can be purchased either from the driver straight or at the station. You will have to catch bus number 543 for the transfer to get Hallstatt Lahn from Gosau. Weekdays, the bus operates every hour from 6:50 am to 7:50 pm. On weekends the bus runs from 8:50 am to 7:50 pm. The bus journey takes about fifteen minutes; a one-way ticket is roughly two euros. Either at the station or straight from the driver, you can purchase your ticket.
