How To Get to Hallstatt:


Distance From Salzburg
:
 2 Hours 15 minutes by Bus -or- 2.5 hours by train plus a short ferry ride.  Only 1 hour and 15 minutes by car.

Distance From Vienna: 4 hours by train.  A little over 3 hours by car from Vienna.  Much better to see Hallstatt as a day trip from Salzburg than as a stop between Vienna and Salzburg.

Bus Timetables From Salzburg: Bus 150 (here); Bus 542 (here); Bus 543 (here).  The first bus out 5:55am (8:15am on Sundays) and the last bus return is between 5-6:19pm.

Train Schedules: Austrian National OEBB website (here).  The first train out 5:12am and the last return is at 6:32pm (ferry 17 minutes before).

Luggage Storage: Read more here.

Getting To Hallstatt Overview:

Getting to Hallstatt from Salzburg, Vienna, or Munich can seem confusing at first glance, but is pretty easy and cheap if you know what to do.  If you are coming from Vienna or Munich it is best to take the train to Hallstatt, but if you are coming from Salzburg you should use the bus assuming you don’t have a rental car.

We prefer to take the bus from Salzburg to Hallstatt better than the train because the bus option is a little faster, cheaper, and sets you up better to also visit either the Salt Mine (more info) or the Dachstein Ice Cave (more info) as you get into town.  Taking the train to Hallstatt from Salzburg is okay, but that option is better for your return to Salzburg than it is for your arrival.  That’s because the train puts you across the lake from town requiring a ferry transfer, is slightly slower, and makes getting to the Ice Cave or Salt Mine more difficult.  We explain all of the options and routes on the best ways to get to Hallstatt by bus, train, and driving a rental car in detail below.




How to Get Hallstatt By Bus From Salzburg:

Bus Route Overview: Taking the bus from Salzburg to Hallstatt is awesome because it is about 20 minutes faster than taking the train.  Another reason we like it more than the train is that the last leg of the bus route continues through Hallstatt all the way to the Dachstein Ice Cave Visitor Center which can otherwise be a hassle to get to.  The Dachstein Ice Caves are a must do experience while visiting Hallstatt.

Bus Timetables: Bus 150 Timetable HERE.  Bus 542/543 Timetable HERE.  An overview of the route segments and transfers is below which is important if you are going to the Ice Caves. For the current schedule plus use the advanced booking engine (website) and select bus only under more options.   Keep in mind that the first bus leaves Salzburg at 5:55am-6:45am Monday-Saturday, but not until 8:15am on Sundays.

Bus Ticket Cost & Buying: You can buy your bus tickets at the Salzburg train/bus station or directly from the driver.  The home page for the rail company defaults searches to the train option and in order to book the bus ticket ahead of time, you need to use the advanced booking engine (website) and select bus only under more options.  Make sure to put Hallstatt Lahn as the destination which is the bus station as the train station is across the lake from town.  Expect to pay around 15€ each way per person and have cash with you.

We almost always buy full fare round-trip tickets upfront and have the driver put everyone’s individual fares on 1 ticket so we don’t have to find 2-3 separate tickets on the way home.  Just let them known you are going to Hallstatt Lahn and returning to Salzburg to pay for the round trip upfront.  There is also sometimes 24-hour regional bus pass (Tageskarte) available for 2 people starting at just 25€.  We have bought it twice with no issues, but on two other visits the driver had no idea what we were talking about.

Summary of Route Legs & Transfers: Our map above will help a ton, but here is the overview of each leg.

How To Get To Hallstatt From Salzburg - Post Bus 150 Salzburg Station

Step 1: Salzburg > Bad Ischl (Bus 150)

Step 1: Salzburg > Bad Ischl (Bus 150): Bus #150 leaves the from Stall ‘F’ at the bus depot in front of Salzburg’s main train station and 90 minutes later arrives in Bad Ischl (pronounced: badt ish-l).  We suggest getting the earliest departure time possible if you plan on returning to Salzburg the same day to maximize your time in Hallstatt.  Leaving twice an hour, the earliest bus depends on the day of the week which is 5:55am Monday-Saturday, but not until 8:15am on Sundays.

Total Time: A 90-minute ride from Salzburg to Bad Ischl.

Route Schedule: Bus 150 Printable Route Schedule.

How To Get To Hallstatt From Salzburg - Post Bus 542 Bad Ischl

Step 2: Bad Ischl > Hallstatt Gosaumühle (Bus 542)

Step 2: Bad Ischl > Hallstatt Gosaumühle (Bus 542): At the Bad Ischl train & bus station you will have a 20-minute layover before switching to Bus 542 toward Gosaumühle/Hallstatt.  Bus 542 typically pulls into Bin ‘C’ and will be marked for its final destination of Gosausee (pronounced: go-zow-zee).

After leaving Bad Ischl, you will ride Bus 542 for 20 minutes before have to do a second and final transfer at the Gosaumühle (pronounced: go-zow-mule-ah) Bus Stop.  It is here that Bus 542 heads West to Gosausee as it does not go all the way to the village of Hallstatt.  Don’t worry though as likely everyone else riding Bus 542 with you will also be getting out to transfer at Gosaumühle and it is very easy.

Total Time: A 20-minute ride after a 20-minute layover in Bad Ischl.

Route Schedule: Bus 542 Printable Route Schedule.

How To Get To Hallstatt From Salzburg - Post Bus 543 Hallstatt Gosaumühle

Step 3: Hallstatt Gosaumühle > Hallstatt Lahn > Dachstein Ice Caves (Post Bus/Shuttle 543)

Step 3Hallstatt Gosaumühle > Hallstatt Lahn > Dachstein Ice Caves (Post Bus/Shuttle 543): At the Gosaumühle (pronounced: go-zow-mule-ah) bus stop you will have just under 5 minutes to switch from Bus 542 to neighboring Bus 543.  It is a quick transfer as the buses literally park right next to each other making it easy to do even with luggage.  Remember that almost all of you fellow passengers will be transferring at the same time making the tiny bus stop hard to miss.  In the middle of the tourist offseason we once saw Bus 543 as post van, but most of the year it will be a large coach bus and will be the only one at the bus stop.

After just a 10-minute lakeside ride, you will arrive at Hallstatt’s main bus stop called at the Hallstatt Lahn (Seelände) which sits on the Southside of the village.  From Hallstatt Lahn, you can get out and explore the village which is only 1 mile long or take a tour of the salt mine from the visitor center near the bus stop.

One of the biggest advantages of taking the bus from Salzburg to Hallstatt is that Bus 543 also continues through town all the way to the Dachstein Ice Cave.  Simply stay on Bus 543 instead of getting out at Hallstatt Lahn bus stop and it will take you through Obertraun and up to the Dachstein Visitor Center in just 15 minutes.

The last return bus usually leaves Hallstatt Lahn to reverse the route at 5:30pm (4-430pm in Winter), but you need to check the return schedule board at the bus stop when you arrive in town for changes.  On the OEBB website, the Dachstein stop is called Obertraun Dachsteinseilbahn Talstation.

Total Time: After a 4-minute transfer at Gosaumühle its a 10-minute ride to Hallstatt Lahn.  Stay on Bus 543 for 15 minutes past Hallstatt Lahn to reach the Dachstein Ice Cave.

Route Schedule: Bus 543 Transfer Printable Schedule.

1. Salzburg > Bad Ischl (Bus 150): Bus #150 leaves the from Stall ‘F’ at the bus depot in front of Salzburg’s main train station and 90 minutes later arrives in Bad Ischl (pronounced: badt ish-l).  We suggest getting the earliest departure time possible if you plan on returning to Salzburg the same day to maximize your time in Hallstatt.  Leaving twice an hour, the earliest bus depends on the day of the week which is 5:55am Monday-Saturday, but not until 8:15am on Sundays.

Total Time: A 90-minute ride from Salzburg to Bad Ischl.

Route Schedule: Bus 150 Printable Route Schedule.


2. Bad Ischl > 
Hallstatt Gosaumühle (Bus 542):
 At the Bad Ischl train & bus station you will have a 20-minute layover before switching to Bus 542 toward Gosaumühle/Hallstatt.  Bus 542 typically pulls into Bin ‘C’ and will be marked for its final destination of Gosausee (pronounced: go-zow-zee).

After leaving Bad Ischl, you will ride Bus 542 for 20 minutes before have to do a second and final transfer at the Gosaumühle (pronounced: go-zow-mule-ah) Bus Stop.  It is here that Bus 542 heads West to Gosausee as it does not go all the way to the village of Hallstatt.  Don’t worry though as likely everyone else riding Bus 542 with you will also be getting out to transfer at Gosaumühle and it is very easy.

Total Time: A 20-minute ride after a 20-minute layover in Bad Ischl.

Route Schedule: Bus 542 Printable Route Schedule.


3. 
Hallstatt Gosaumühle > Hallstatt Lahn > Dachstein Ice Caves (Post Bus/Shuttle 543):
 At the Gosaumühle (pronounced: go-zow-mule-ah) bus stop you will have just under 5 minutes to switch from Bus 542 to neighboring Bus 543.  It is a quick transfer as the buses literally park right next to each other making it easy to do even with luggage.  Remember that almost all of you fellow passengers will be transferring at the same time making the tiny bus stop hard to miss.  In the middle of the tourist offseason we once saw Bus 543 as post van, but most of the year it will be a large coach bus and will be the only one at the bus stop.

After just a 10-minute lakeside ride, you will arrive at Hallstatt’s main bus stop called at the Hallstatt Lahn (Seelände) which sits on the Southside of the village.  From Hallstatt Lahn, you can get out and explore the village which is only 1 mile long or take a tour of the salt mine from the visitor center near the bus stop.

One of the biggest advantages of taking the bus from Salzburg to Hallstatt is that Bus 543 also continues through town all the way to the Dachstein Ice Cave.  Simply stay on Bus 543 instead of getting out at Hallstatt Lahn bus stop and it will take you through Obertraun and up to the Dachstein Visitor Center in just 15 minutes.

The last return bus usually leaves Hallstatt Lahn to reverse the route at 5:30pm (4-430pm in Winter), but you need to check the return schedule board at the bus stop when you arrive in town for changes.  On the OEBB website, the Dachstein stop is called Obertraun Dachsteinseilbahn Talstation.

Total Time: After a 4-minute transfer at Gosaumühle its a 10-minute ride to Hallstatt Lahn.  Stay on Bus 543 for 15 minutes past Hallstatt Lahn to reach the Dachstein Ice Cave.

Route Schedule: Bus 543 Transfer Printable Schedule.







How To Get To Hallstatt By Train:

Train Route Overview: Getting to Hallstatt by train is super easy.  From either Salzburg or Vienna you’ll take an Austrian National OBB train to Attnang-Puchheim where you then transfer to the local REX train toward Hallstatt.  The Attnang-Puchheim train station is 50 minutes from Salzburg and 135 minutes from Vienna.  There will be around a 10-minute layover between trains and the final leg takes 85 minutes.

The only goofy thing about taking the train into Hallstatt is that it actually drops you off across the lake from town which requires a short ferry ride (2 Euros).  On the bright side, the ferry’s schedule matches up to meet incoming trains and the ride offers amazing coastal views of Hallstatt.  If you are looking to check out the Ice Caves,  consider staying on the train on your way into town a couple minutes past the Hallstatt Station and get off at the Obertraun Train Station where you can catch the local 542 Postbus which is explained below.

Train Tickets Cost & Timetables: For train info visit the German Bahn Train website or the Austrian OEBB Train website.  If you book early there are often special online fares called Sparschiene fares which are up to 80% off the full fare.  The specials fares go on sale 6 months in advance, but a limited number are available per train and sell out.  The full fare by train from Salzburg to Hallstatt is 15-28€ each way depending on the train options you select.  The first trains out in the morning leave at 5:12am (twice an hour) and the last ferry back to Hallstatt Station leaves at 6:15pm to meet the last train at 6:32pm daily.

Summary of Route Legs & Transfers: Our map above will help a ton, but here is the overview of each leg.

How To Get To Hallstatt From Salzburg - By Train Attnang-Puchheim

Step 1: Salzburg or Vienna > Attnang-Puchheim

Step 1: Salzburg or Vienna > Attnang-Puchheim: It is a direct national train to here from Salzburg in 50 minutes or Vienna Westbahnhof Station in 2 hours.  From/to Salzburg your layover for switching trains will be about 12 minutes and from/to Vienna it will typically be 20-30 minutes.  The first train in the morning typically leaves at 5:12am with departures twice an hour (:12 & :22).

If you follow this route in reverse to go back to Vienna or Salzburg by train from Hallstatt, remember to keep note of your train number and departure time as return departures leave Attnang-Puchheim multiple times an hour and you want to make sure you are getting on the correct one covered by your ticket.

Total Time: 50 minutes from Salzburg or 2 hours from Vienna to Attnang-Puchheim.

How To Get To Hallstatt From Salzburg - By Train Hallstatt Station

Step 2: Attnang-Puchheim > Hallstatt Bahnhof

Step 2: Attnang-Puchheim > Hallstatt Bahnhof: The local train from Attnang-Puchheim (pronounced: ott-nine pook-haim) to Hallstatt Bahnhof will take 90 minutes.  It will drop you off across the lake from town and the Stephanie ferry will be there to meet the incoming trains and glide you into town.  There are no bag lockers at tiny Hallstatt Station.

If you are visiting the Dachstein Ice Cave & 5 Fingers consider riding the train another 4 minutes past Hallstatt Bahnhof to Obertraun Station to catch bus 543 nearby to go up to the Ice Cave Visitor Center.  This bus route (explained above) also loops back to the village of Hallstatt from the Ice Caves.

Total Time: After a 10-20 minute layover it is a 50-minute ride to Hallstatt’s train station.

How To Get To Hallstatt From Salzburg - By Train Stefanie Ferry Boat

Step 4: Hallstatt Bahnhof > Hallstatt Markt (Stefanie Ferry)

Step 3Hallstatt Bahnhof > Hallstatt Markt (Stefanie Ferry): Running 365 days a year, the Stefanie Ferry Boat (website) meets incoming trains to peacefully glide visitors across the lake from the Train Station to the docks on the Northside of the village center called Hallstatt Markt.  The lake does NOT freeze over in Winter regardless of what you have heard.  Keep in mind that the last ferry back to the station leaves at 6:15pm to meet the last train at 6:32pm daily.

Total Time: Ferries meet the incoming trains and the ride across the lake is around 10 minutes.

1. Salzburg or Vienna > Attnang-Puchheim: It is a direct national train to here from Salzburg in 50 minutes or Vienna Westbahnhof Station in 2 hours.  From/to Salzburg your layover for switching trains will be about 12 minutes and from/to Vienna it will typically be 20-30 minutes.  The first train in the morning typically leaves at 5:12am with departures twice an hour (:12 & :22).

If you follow this route in reverse to go back to Vienna or Salzburg by train from Hallstatt, remember to keep note of your train number and departure time as return departures leave Attnang-Puchheim multiple times an hour and you want to make sure you are getting on the correct one covered by your ticket.

Total Time: 50 minutes from Salzburg or 2 hours from Vienna to Attnang-Puchheim.


2. Attnang-Puchheim > Bad Ischl  > 
Hallstatt Bahnhof:
 The local train from Attnang-Puchheim (pronounced: ott-nine pook-haim) to Hallstatt Bahnhof will take 90 minutes.  It will drop you off across the lake from town and the Stephanie ferry will be there to meet the incoming trains and glide you into town.  There are no bag lockers at tiny Hallstatt Station.

If you are visiting the Dachstein Ice Cave & 5 Fingers consider riding the train another 4 minutes past Hallstatt Bahnhof to Obertraun Station to catch bus 543 nearby to go up to the Ice Cave Visitor Center.  This bus route (explained above) also loops back to the village of Hallstatt from the Ice Caves.

Total Time: After a 10-20 minute layover it is a 50-minute ride to Hallstatt’s train station.


3. 
Hallstatt Bahnhof > Hallstatt Markt (Stefanie Ferry):
 Running 365 days a year, the Stefanie Ferry Boat (website) meets incoming trains to peacefully glide visitors across the lake from the Train Station to the docks on the Northside of the village center called Hallstatt Markt.  The lake does NOT freeze over in Winter regardless of what you have heard.  Keep in mind that the last ferry back to the station leaves at 6:15pm to meet the last train at 6:32pm daily.

Total Time: Ferries meet the incoming trains and the ride across the lake is around 10 minutes.

Getting To Hallstatt By Car:

1. Driving From Salzburg (1 Hour and 15 Minutes):

Driving Route Overview: If you already have a rental car, you will really want to consider driving to Hallstatt from Salzburg.  The biggest advantage to driving to Hallstatt from Salzburg is that it only takes 1 hour and 15 minutes compared to over 2 hours by bus or over 2.5 hours by train.  The driving route is very easy with rolling hills as you weave through the beautiful Salzkammergut Lake Region.  Driving is also nice as it makes getting between Hallstatt village and the Dachstein Ice Cave Visitor Center (3 miles away) very easy.

2. Driving From Vienna (3.5 Hours):

Driving Route Overview: Driving to Hallstatt from Vienna doesn’t save you much time at all as it still takes 3.5 hours each way compared to 4 hours by train.  The only reason we would ever recommend driving to Hallstatt from Vienna is if you continuing onto Salzburg after visiting or if you are staying overnight in Hallstatt (book your hotel far in advance).

3. Driving From Munich (2.5 Hours):

Driving Route Overview: Driving to Hallstatt from Munich is actually a lot more practical than you would think as it is only 2.5 hours each way compared to 4-4.5 hours by train.  The train ticket would also set you back 100 euros round trip, but there are steep discounts for buying far in advance.  Ultimately if you are driving from Munich you should be finding time to spend at least a night or town on the way in Salzburg anyway so this drive would be pretty rare.

Very Important: If you are driving over the border of Germany and Austria you need to make sure you have a European Union travel sticker called a “vignette” in your car window.  The vignette stickers are required to enter Austria, but because Germany doesn’t require them your car may not have one included in your car when you pick it up.  These stickers only cost around 10 euros and can be picked up either from your rental car company or from almost any gas station, but the ticket for not having one is almost 200 euros.

4. Parking In Hallstatt:

Parking Overview: There are 3 main parking lots right on the Southern end of Hallstatt village (P1, P2, & P3) which are very clearly marked as you come into town.  These lots are located close to the Salt Mine Visitor Center and the main Hallstatt Lahn Bus Stop.  While one of the lots is closed in Winter, we have never had an issue getting a spot.  This is because most visitors come in by train or in hoards on tour buses and not by car.  There is also a large parking lot right at the Dachstein Ice Caves Visitor Center.  If you are staying in a hotel overnight they have special parking spots on the edge of town that are free and includes a shuttle (they will verify your accommodations when you park).



Bag Lockers & Luggage Storage:

If you are stopping at Hallstatt on your way in between Vienna and Salzburg or Munich you will need to plan ahead to store your luggage during your visit.  The biggest issue, is that unlike other main cities in Austria, there are no bag lockers at the Hallstatt train station.  You will either need to drop your bags at one of the stations on the way during a short layover or you’ll need to take advantage of one of the limited luggage storage options in the heart of Hallstatt.

Read More: Luggage Storage Options Near Hallstatt.

How To Get Around In Hallstatt:

Once you get to Hallstatt you can get anywhere in town quickly by foot.  A funicular takes you from City level up to the Salt Mines.  The Stephanie Ferry quickly brings you across the lake if you need to catch a train.  If you wish to get to the Ice Caves check the local Post Bus Schedule.  Taxis are limited, however, there are a couple companies.  If you are struggling to find one, any Inn Keeper or the Visitor Center staff can help.

Interesting Facts About Getting To Hallstatt:

The only ways to get to Hallstatt over 2,000 years was to either take the narrow trails around the lake or a boat from the Steeg (Northside of the Lake).  In 1877 the train line opened across the lake stopping in nearby Obertraun with the Hallstatt Train Station and ferry to cross the water opening in 1881.

Nine years later they finally completed Hallstatt’s lakeside road in 1890 after demolishing some medieval homes along the river bank of the village.  Part of the new Lake Road, or Seestraße in German (pronounced: Zee-stra-sa, roll the ‘r’), still had to be elevated hanging over the water on stilts just to make one full lane.  Proper two was traffic to and from Hallstatt wasn’t possible into town until the car tunnel under Salt Hill (Saltberg) was finished in the 1960s.  The rumble from the tunnel construction was used to make the popular, and gorgeous, Bather’s Island (Badeinsel) on the Southside of town not far from the main Hallstatt Lahn bus stop.