Hallstatt, Austria is one of those fairytale villages tucked away in a remote part of town. If you want to take a day trip from Salzburg to Hallstatt, this post will give you all the details on how to best get there. I love finding the small villages no one has heard of and far from easy reach. The harder it is to get to the more of a hidden gem it is! Hallstatt, 2.5 hours out from Salzburg by 2 trains and a ferry is one of those. The Austrian mountains perfectly situated behind a serene lake full of gorgeous swans was worth the trek. Hallstatt became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997 and it’s the perfect place to add to your Austria bucket list.
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Quick links:
🏨 Book the Austria Trend Hotel located at the Salzburg Train station so you can easily get to Hallstatt if taking the train!
🎫 Best Tour Option is a guided tour from Salzburg. They take care of the transportation so you can travel at ease and learn some history.
🧷 Travel Insurance with SafetyWing in case of any accidents. Better safe than sorry!
How to Get to Hallstatt, Austria
It was my dream to see Hallstatt while it was snowing even though it would be freezing! I have seen pretty snow pictures here but regardless it is a beauty no matter when you go. I visited in March. The town is becoming more & more discovered and can get crowded but wasn’t too bad in March.
The closest airport is Salzburg which is where I opted to come in from. Alternatively, Vienna is about a 4-hour journey away.
Directions from Salzburg to Hallstatt
| Type | Cost | Time | How to Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train + ferry | €12 | 2.5 hours | Trainline |
| Guided Tour | €63 | 1.5 hours | Get your guide tour |
| Car Rental | from €100/day | 1 hour | Discover Cars |
You can either take 3 buses or 2 trains and a ferry to get to Hallstatt. I took the train/ferry option and here’s how to do it!
The total journey time to Hallstatt from Salzburg via public transport is approximately 2.5 hours.
See here for the Google Maps link to the directions described below.
NOTE: Be sure to book your train tickets ahead of time here (destination: Hallstatt Bahnhaf).
Step 1: 🚂 train from Salzburg < Attnang-Puchheim
🕑44 minutes (2 stops)
*change trains*
Step 2: 🚂 train from Attnang-Puchheim < Hallstatt Bahnhaf
🕑 1 hour, 36 minutes (20 stops)
*a ferry will be waiting for you when you get off the train*
Step 3: ferry ⛴️from Hallstatt Bahnhaf < Hallstatt Market
🕑 5 min ride
Please note: the last ferry is at 6:15pm to meet the last train at 6:32pm daily.
The quickest way to get from Salzburg to Hallstatt
If the above sounds like a lot, you can either rent a car to get to Hallstatt or go worry-free and take a tour to get there. This tour will cover the transportation which takes only 1.5 hours by coach.
If you decide to drive, you can rent a car in Salzburg using Discover Cars which will show you the best price across all the rental companies in Austria. The drive will take just over 1 hour making this the quickest way to reach Hallstatt.
Best place to stay for a day trip to Hallstatt
I ended up staying in Salzburg at the Austria Trend Hotel which was conveniently located 2 minutes walking from the train station. This made it super easy for me to get to Hallstatt and back in one day. Plus, it was pretty affordable for a solo traveler. There are not many hotels in Hallstatt itself and the ones that are available can be quite pricey.
Top things to do in Hallstatt, Austria on a one-day trip
The town is small enough to see in a couple of hours – just wander amidst the market square and swan-filled lake, end with a nice Austrian dessert!
1. Take the funicular to the SkyWalk
For an amazing view take the funicular up to the viewing platform.
2. Visit the Market Square
Wander the small town and visit this colorful square which is the main point in the town. It is so so charming!
3. Take a postcard famous photo
The famous picture with the church perched in front of the Austrian mountain with swans in the forefront is located at Gosaumühlstraße 67
4. Hang out with the beautiful swans
The beautiful swans span across the lake. I sat near the lake and admired them peacefully swimming along.
5. Have a cream strudel at Cafe Derbl
Cafe Derbl is a great place to try Austrian desserts. Try a cream strudel with vanilla sauce and have a coffee or tea with it to end your day trip in Hallstatt.
Hopefully, you enjoyed learning about the best things to do for a day trip to Hallstatt!
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