Getting around Salzburg: public transport, passes and taxis

Salzburg splits into two jobs: the compact old town on the left bank, which you cover on foot, and everything else — the main station, the airport, the Untersberg and the lakes — which is bus or train territory. Match the mode to the job rather than buying a pass by default.

The historic centre is small enough that walking beats any vehicle. Getreidegasse, the cathedral, the Residenz and the fortress funicular sit within a 15-minute radius, and the river bridges link the old town to the right bank in a few minutes. Streets are pedestrianised or traffic-calmed, so a bus or taxi saves little inside this ring.

Expect cobbles, some slopes toward the fortress and Mönchsberg, and crowds in midsummer. Comfortable shoes matter more than any ticket here. If you are staying outside the ring, walk in and use transport only for the return trip or when carrying bags.

Salzburg AG runs the city network of buses and trolleybuses (Obus). It covers the main station, the old town edges, the airport and suburbs, with frequent daytime service on core lines and reduced evening and Sunday frequencies. For most visitors the useful lines are the ones linking the station, the centre and the airport.

Tickets come as singles, 24-hour passes and longer passes; buy from machines, the operator's app or a Tabak shop, and check whether your paper ticket needs validating. A day pass usually pays off from about three rides. If you plan several paid attractions, compare the Salzburg Card, which bundles city transport with entry to many sights — it only wins if you actually visit enough of them.

The main station (Salzburg Hbf) is the hub for regional trains and S-Bahn services toward the airport, Hallein and beyond, plus the long-distance Railjet and WESTbahn links covered in the Austria pages. City buses connect the station to the old town in a few minutes, and it is also walkable in about 20 minutes.

For lakes and mountains, buses and regional trains do the work; services thin out on Sundays in rural valleys. Plan the last return earlier than you think, especially in spring and autumn when some mountain lifts and seasonal lines stop running. See the day-trip and airport pages for specific routes.

Taxis wait at ranks by the station, the airport and key squares, and can be ordered by phone; meters apply, and tipping is rounding up or about 10%. Short hops inside the city are usually quick and not expensive, but the old town's pedestrian core means the driver may drop you at the edge.

Ride-hailing app coverage is thinner than in Vienna, so do not assume a car will appear in a few minutes at peak times or late at night (check). For airport runs with luggage, a taxi or pre-booked transfer is simpler than juggling buses; compare the price against the bus fare before deciding.

The Salzach riverside paths are flat and largely traffic-free, which makes bikes a realistic option for longer hops along the valley. Rental bikes and e-bikes appear in summer, and some hotels lend bikes to guests (check).

Cycling is less useful inside the pedestrian old town, where you will push the bike more than ride it. Treat it as a way to reach the river, the outskirts or a day-trip start, not as your main old-town mode.

Budget roughly €3 per single ride and €7–8 for a 24-hour pass in 2026, with the Salzburg Card as the bundled option if you are sightseeing hard (all check). Cash is still useful at machines and in small shops, though cards are widely accepted.

The decision rule is simple: if you will ride three or more times in a day, a day pass beats singles; if you will also pay into several attractions, price the Salzburg Card against your list; if you are staying in the old town and mostly walking, buy nothing and pay per ride when you need it.