Salzburg Card

The Salzburg Card is a great card up your sleeve for your holiday, giving you free access to certain transport lines and the city's most important attractions.

Ana Caballero

Ana Caballero

10 min read

Salzburg Card

Lago espejo en Salzburg |©barnyz

The Salzburg Card is a tourist card that works exclusively in Salzburg. It's the best way to save if you're planning a holiday here, as it includes free access to over 30 attractions. You also get unlimited travel on the city's public transport.

It's ideal if you're looking for things to do in Salzburg with children, as children under 15 pay a lower rate. You can't miss out on all the benefits of this card, so here's how to use it, activate it and get the most out of it.

The most complete option

Salzburg Card

Have fun at the best attractions, discover the highest areas and the history of Mozart with this sightseeing pass.

You can tour the city in 24, 48 or 72 hours, with unlimited access to public transport, as well as free, queue-free entry to many attractions.

The Salzburg Tourist Card will help you avoid the queues by giving you priority access to different attractions in Salzburg. It is activated after the first use, and the best thing about it is that it allows you to use public transport with unlimited travel.

It's ideal all year round, especially if you're looking for things to do in Salzburg in December, as for special dates (like Christmas) there are discounts for events, free concerts and free or half-price tours. Note that you can pick up your card at different points in the city.

Recommended if... you are planning to visit Salzburg in at least two days. This way, you can make the most of the benefits of the card.

What does the Salzburg Card include?

View of Mozart's birthplace|©Uwe Schwarzbach
View of Mozart's birthplace|©Uwe Schwarzbach

The Salzburg Card is a comprehensive sightseeing benefit, ideal if you plan to explore the city on your own. It's a great incentive to visit this Austrian region, as you'll be able to save money while seeing the city's main sights.

  • Free entry to over 30 attractions, with skip-the-line access (selected attractions only). Includes places like Hellbrunn Palace, Mozart's Residence, Mozart's Birthplace, Hohensalzburg Fortress, the Untersberg Cable Car and the Haus der Natur Science Museum.
  • Free public transport, with unlimited travel. Includes some lines of the city bus, the Festungsbahn funicular, the Untersbergbahn lift, the Mönchsberg lift and the Tour I along the Salzach River.
  • Discounts for events and concerts.

How does the Salzburg Card work?

Salzburg Card|©I-Ta Tsai
Salzburg Card|©I-Ta Tsai

The Salzburg Card is a very easy to use card, after purchase it is automatically activated after the first use and can last from 24 to 72 hours. The 24-hour option will allow you to enjoy a full day of fun. The 24-hour option will allow you to enjoy a full day of fun, ideal if you want to get a cursory glimpse of the city.

However, the 48 and 72-hour options are the most recommended, as you will have more time to explore and see the sights that are part of Salzburg's best tours. On the back of the card you will need to fill in the required details, so you can start using public transport without any restrictions.

Buy the Salzburg Card

How much does the Salzburg Card cost?

Person counting tickets|©Karolina Grabowsk
Person counting tickets|©Karolina Grabowsk

The Salzburg Card is very inexpensive, especially when you consider what's included. You can find it from 34 euros per person, and there are options for children between the ages of six and 15 from 15 euros. Children under the age of six are free, however some attractions in the city may require an entrance fee.

Remember that this is a customisable tourist benefit, as you can book for 24, 48 or 72 hours. Please note that the longer the duration, the higher the cost of the card. This sightseeing pass is just as useful for touring the city as the Salzburg sightseeing bus tour with free stops.

Book your sightseeing bus ticket

Places to visit with the Salzburg Card

Hellbrunn Palace|©Marc Hagen
Hellbrunn Palace|©Marc Hagen

There are many places you can visit with the Salzburg Card. It's a great option to visit Mozart's birthplace, or the house where he lived during his youth. Austria is a city whose musical culture is contagious, and you'll be inspired by its artistic spaces.

With the card you can also climb the highest points in Salzburg, such as the Hohensalzburg Fortress, the Mönchsberg Lift and the Untersberg Cable Car. If you like history there are a few museums and palaces available.

Hellbrunn Palace

Hellbrunn Palace is an Austrian construction with more than 400 years of history. It was the summer residence of important Austrian and German figures such as princes, ministers and archbishops. Its walls recorded unique moments, of which unique objects and stories remain.

Here you are free to explore at your leisure, there are many fun attractions for people of all ages. Some of the things you can do are:

  • Water Games: this is one of the most popular activities. There are machines in the shape of animals that spit water, the soothing sound of which will accompany you as you walk around the facility. You will never know what you will find, as they have special effects and there are caves with water fun.
  • Hellbrunn Gardens: it is located on an artificial park and it is ideal if you are looking for things to do in Salzburg in December. In this season many people come for the Christmas market that takes place in the area of the gardens.

Mozart's Residence House

In Austria there are many places that honour Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Wolfgangus Mozart, better known as Mozart. At the Mozart Residence House you can tour the museum which houses the musician's original pianoforte, as well as portraits and artefacts of the composer.

This is where he lived some of his best moments, as he moved in when he was approximately twenty years old. Today, details of the original façade remain, but part of it was rebuilt after damage in World War II. The cost per person starts at 12 euros, but with the Salzburg Card you can get in for free.

Mozart's Birthplace

If you're planning a tour of Mozart's greatest concerts, you probably need to check out his birth house first. Here you will find his childhood instruments, as well as personal letters and sheet music.

It is known as Mozart's Birthplace and is located ten minutes away from the residential house. It is an old yellow house, hidden in the middle of the bustling old town. Take the opportunity to visit the original rooms as well as the exhibits of personal items.

Hohensalzburg Fortress

The Hohensalzburg Fortress is a mythical monument, which should not be overlooked.

It is the best preserved fortress in Europe, so it attracts hundreds of tourists. The best time to visit is from November to April, as it is less crowded. It was built to protect the city, as well as the nobility who ruled around the year 1500.

When you go up you will find a museum, where you can learn about the history in detail. It also houses historical objects and the belongings of the monarchs. If you don't want to go hiking, you can take the cog railway from Festungsgasse. Be aware that it's quite steep, but it's worth it.

Mönchsberg Lift

To access one of Salzburg's most picturesque mountains, all you need to do is use the Mönchsberg lift. It's a convenient and efficient transport and the journey takes no more than 30 seconds.

The cost is approximately 4 euros for adults, so it's worth buying the card just in case you plan to visit other attractions. In addition, the best area of the mountain is the terrace with a great view of the Old Town.

On Mönchsberg Mountain you will find the Museum of Modern Art, which is open from Tuesday to Sunday. It is a restructured building where contemporary art is exhibited.

Cable car to Untersberg Mountain

Another must-see high-altitude paradise is the Untersberg mountain. It's a favourite with hikers, as it's a low-difficulty hike. It is an uncomplicated experience, as it is completely safe for the whole family.

You can take advantage of the click hereclickhererouteby Salzburg tourist bus, specifically the blue line. The first stop on this route will drop you off at the St. leonhard Untersberg Railway. From here you will have easy access to the cable car.

Science Museum Haus der Natur

With the Salzburg Card you can visit the Science Museum Haus der Natur, also known as Casa della Natura. It is an interactive museum with a variety of spaces, where you can learn about dinosaurs and other species.

It is open all year round, except on 25 December. There are family tickets from 15 euros, as well as special discounts for seniors, people with disabilities, students, military and large groups.

It is well worth a visit as it has a variety of spaces. You can head to the observatory, where you can learn about science, culture and Austrian society. It has a telescope, ideal if you are passionate about the astronomical world. You can also visit the aquarium, the reptile zoo, as well as exhibits on human evolution, the ice age and the universe.

Buy the Salzburg Card

Transport you can use with the Salzburg Card

Festungsbahn, Salzburg|©Liam Lysaght
Festungsbahn, Salzburg|©Liam Lysaght

The Salzburg Card offers different types of transport, which you can access completely free of charge. You can take advantage of train, bus and trolleybus lines, as well as boat, train and cable car rides.

Bus lines

The Salzburg Card covers different public bus routes, so you can get around the city at your leisure. Mainly covers:

  • Trolleybus lines 1-14, a transport system that has been in operation in the city since 1940, as it replaced the tram. They run every 10 minutes
  • Albus lines, specifically 20-28, 31, 34, 35 and 151.
  • Postbus lines, which go to small towns in the surrounding area.
  • Salzburg bus lines, all downtown lines and number 25 to the cable car.

The Salzburg Card also includes the WALSIE bus taxi. You can also take advantage of the local Lokalbahn train, which runs to the Acharting district in Salzburg.

Festungsbahn funicular railway

The Festungsbahn funicular railway is a very special railway that runs on steep slopes. It allows you to climb up to the Hohensalzburg Fortress and appreciate the ramparts on which it is built. Note that it runs from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., so you'll have plenty of time to visit it.

Untersbergbahn Elevator

The Untersbergbahn Lift is a cable car that will take you to the top of the mountain in record time. You can find tickets from 28 euros, so the Salzburg Card will help you save your budget.

Salzach River Tour I

You can take a boat trip on the Salzach River, a different kind of experience that will take you to see Salzburg from the water. The best thing is that with your card, you can get in for free.

You can get the most beautiful views of the old town, as well as admire Hellbrunn Palace and its surroundings.

When should you buy the Salzburg Card?

View of Salzburg|©ChHsia
View of Salzburg|©ChHsia

The Salzburg Card is worth it when you are planning to spend a holiday in Austria and stay at least 1 day in Salzburg. However, if you can extend your visit to 3 days, you'll get even more out of it. It's also a great option if you plan to include at least two attractions in your itinerary.

If you plan to visit the Untersberg cable car, I definitely recommend getting this card as it will save you a few euros. You can also combine it with the Salzburg sightseeing bus tour to get to all available attractions faster.

When not to buy the Salzburg Card

Salzburg streets|©Dorit
Salzburg streets|©Dorit

It is not advisable to buy the Salzburg Card if you plan to spend only a few hours in the city, as you won't have time to see all the attractions available. It is also not recommended if you are travelling on a tight budget, as there are free activities in the city that you can take advantage of.

Finally, it is not recommended if you are travelling with a large group or family, as the price will be considerably higher. There are attractions that offer family-friendly prices that can better suit your plans.

Advantages of using the Salzburg Card

Lake Bridge|©Rainer Falle
Lake Bridge|©Rainer Falle

The Salzburg Card is ideal if you plan to visit Salzburg in 1 day, as you will be able to see the main attractions in a short time. It includes several attractions and transport for the same price. In many cases you will save quite a lot of money.

For example, the Untersberg cable car is quite expensive, the price is equivalent to a 24-hour Salzburg Card.

Buy the Salzburg Card

Other tips to save money in Salzburg

people on the street|©Jimmy Pierce
people on the street|©Jimmy Pierce

Another way to save while you're in town is to buy the Salzburg sightseeing bus pass, which also works for 24, 48 or 72 hours and has two lines, the blue and the yellow. It's a 24, 48 or 72 hour pass and has two lines, the blue and the yellow.

It's ideal as it connects the city with the surrounding area, with the yellow line going through the old town and the blue line going to the outskirts. Plus, you can get on and off for the same price.

Book your ticket for the tourist bus

Tips on how to get the most out of the Salzburg Card

street food place|©Jimmy Pierce
street food place|©Jimmy Pierce
  • Plan the places to visit, starting with those included on the Salzburg Card.
  • Check the timetables of the main attractions, as well as the timetables of the transport lines you plan to use.
  • Remember that the card's validity period starts to run after the first use.
  • Select the most suitable option, according to the time you plan to spend in the city.
  • Start your journey at midday, so you won't get so exhausted.
  • Make sure you plan things to do in Salzburg with children- there are cards for children aged six to 15 at a lower cost.