Getting Around

By Public Transportation

Information about local public transportation is available at the local tourist office.

By Bus/Tram -- The city buses and trams provide quick, comfortable service through the city center from the Nonntal parking lot to Sigsmundsplatz, the city-center parking lot. The one-ride fare is 1.80€ ($2.35) for adults and .90€ ($1.15) for children 6 to 15; those 5 and under travel free. Buses stop running at 11pm.

Discount Passes -- The Salzburg Card not only lets you use unlimited public transportation, but it also acts as an admission ticket to the city's most important cultural sights. With the card you can visit Mozart's birthplace, the Hohensalzburg Fortress, the Residenz gallery, the world-famous water fountain gardens at Hellbrunn, the Baroque Museum in the Mirabell Gardens, and the gala rooms in the Archbishop's Residence. The card is also good for sights outside of town, including the Hellbrunn Zoo, the open-air museum in Grossingmain, the salt mines of the Dürrnberg, and the gondola trip at Unterberg. The card, approximately the size of a credit card, comes with a brochure with maps and sightseeing hints. Cards are valid for 24, 48, and 72 hours and cost 23€ ($30), 29€ ($38), and 34€ ($44), respectively. Children up to 15 years of age receive a 50% discount. You can buy the pass from Salzburg travel agencies, hotels, tobacconists, and municipal offices.

By Car

Driving a car in Salzburg is definitely not recommended. In most places it's impossible, since the monumental landmark center is for pedestrians only. Public parking lots -- designated with a large P -- are conveniently located throughout the city. If you're driving into Salzburg, leave your car on the left bank of the Salzach River. You'll find convenient underground parking lots like the one at Mönchsberg, from which it's an easy walk to the center and Domplatz.

However, we do recommend a car for touring around Land Salzburg; relying on public transportation means a lot of travel time.

Rentals -- Car rentals are best made in advance. If not, try Avis (tel. 0662/877278) or Hertz (tel. 0662/876674), both located at Ferdinand-Porsche-Strasse 7. Avis is open Monday to Friday 7:30am to 6pm and Saturday 8am to noon; Hertz is open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday 8am to 1pm.

Repairs -- Try ÖAMTC (Austrian Automobile Service), Alpenstrasse 102 (tel. 0662/639990), or ARBÖ (Austrian Motorists Association), Münchner Bundesstrasse 9 (tel. 0662/433601), day or night. The emergency number, in case of automobile breakdowns, is tel. 120 for ÖAMTC and tel. 123 for ARBÖ.

By Taxi & Horse-Drawn Cab

You'll find taxi stands scattered at key points all over the city center and in the suburbs. The Salzburg Funktaxi-Vereinigung (radio taxis) office is at Rainerstrasse 27 (tel. 0662/8111 to order a taxi in advance). Fares start at 3€ ($3.90).

A "traditional taxi" -- a fiaker (horse-drawn cab) -- will provide you with not only a ride, but a bit of history of the region as well. You can also rent a fiaker at Residenzplatz. Four people usually pay 33€ ($43) for 20 minutes and 66€ ($86) for 50 minutes, but all fares are subject to negotiation.

By Bicycle

In an effort to keep cars out of the center, Salzburg officials have developed a network of bicycle paths, which are indicated on city maps. One bike path goes along the Salzach River for 14km (9 miles) or so to Hallein, the second-largest town in Land Salzburg.

May through September, you can rent bicycles at Topbike, Heringstrasse 8 (tel. 06272/4656), daily from 9am to 7pm. Rentals cost about 15€ ($20) per day, with a 10% discount for Salzburg card holders.