Salzburg Old Town is easiest to reach by trolleybus (Obus) or bus to a central stop like Rathaus, Mozartsteg, or F.-Hanusch-Platz, then walking a few minutes into the pedestrian streets.
Below is a practical, copy-paste-friendly guide to get you into the heart of the Altstadt (think Getreidegasse / Residenzplatz / Domplatz area) as quickly as possible—without arriving on the “wrong side” of the river.
Quick comparison: best ways to reach Salzburg Old Town
| Option | Best for | Typical steps | Time (typical) | Drop-off that’s great for Old Town |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| From Salzburg Hbf by trolleybus/bus | Most travelers arriving by train | Board outside station → get off central stop → short walk | ~10 min ride | Rathaus / Mozartsteg / F.-Hanusch-Platz |
| From Salzburg Airport (SZG) by bus | Fast + cheap from the airport | Bus 10 to city center or Bus 2 to Hbf → continue | ~15 min (Bus 10) or ~23 min to Hbf (Bus 2) | City-center stops + short walk (choose closest) |
| Taxi / rideshare | Luggage, late arrival | Door-to-edge-of-Old-Town → walk | Usually fastest in-door time | Ask for drop-off near the Old Town edge (e.g., Hanuschplatz area) |
| Car + garage / P+R | Road trip | Park outside restricted zone → walk or shuttle | Varies | Altstadt garages or P+R + shuttle/trolleybus |
| Walk (from Hbf) | Light luggage + nice weather | Follow signs toward center/river | ~20 min walk | You arrive directly into the center area |
Key idea: pick the right “Old Town stop”
Salzburg Old Town is compact, but it still helps to choose a stop that matches your target streets.
- Rathaus: very convenient for the core Old Town lanes (quick walk into the pedestrian area).
- Mozartsteg: ideal if you want to approach the Old Town from the riverside and cross into the center immediately.
- F.-Hanusch-Platz: a central “edge-of-Old-Town” stop that’s an easy walk into the heart of the Altstadt.
These stops appear on Salzburg’s official public-transport network map and are commonly used for Old Town access.
Nearest metro station to Salzburg Old Town
There is no metro station for Salzburg Old Town because Salzburg does not have an underground metro system; the closest “rapid transit” hub most visitors use is Salzburg Hauptbahnhof (train/S-Bahn) and then a short bus ride or walk.
Salzburg’s city transport is built around trolleybuses (Obus) and buses, not a metro.
Closest train station to Salzburg Old Town
The closest (and most useful) train station to Salzburg Old Town is Salzburg Hauptbahnhof (Salzburg Hbf).
From Salzburg Hbf you can:
- Walk to the town center in about 20 minutes, or
- Take trolleybus lines 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6 to Salzburg Old Town in about 10 minutes.
How to get to Salzburg Old Town by metro
You can’t get to Salzburg Old Town by metro because Salzburg has no metro; instead, use the trolleybus/bus network (Obus) from Salzburg Hbf or the airport to a central stop like Rathaus or Mozartsteg.
If you’re used to metro travel in bigger cities, treat Salzburg Hbf as your “main transfer point,” then switch to Obus/bus.
How to get to Salzburg Old Town from Salzburg Hauptbahnhof (Hbf)
From Salzburg Hbf, the simplest route to Salzburg Old Town is trolleybus lines 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6 to a central stop (Rathaus/Mozartsteg area), which takes about 10 minutes.
Step-by-step (fastest “no-stress” method)
- Exit Salzburg Hbf to the forecourt (bus/trolleybus stops are right outside).
- Board Obus/trolleybus line 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6 in the direction of the center.
- Get off at Rathaus or Mozartsteg (both are excellent for Old Town access).
- Walk a few minutes into the pedestrian streets (Getreidegasse / Residenzplatz / Domplatz area).
Prefer walking?
Walking from Salzburg Hbf to the town center takes about 20 minutes, and it’s straightforward if you like stretching your legs after a train ride.
How to get to Salzburg Old Town from Salzburg Airport (SZG)
From Salzburg Airport, the easiest public transport is Bus 10 to the city center (about 15 minutes) or Bus 2 to Salzburg Hbf (about 23 minutes), then continue to Old Town by trolleybus or on foot.
Option A: Airport → City center (best “direct” approach)
- From the airport terminal, take Bus 10 toward the city centre (runs frequently; typical journey ~15 minutes).
- Get off at a central stop near the Old Town edge (check your map for the closest stop to your accommodation).
- Walk into the Old Town in minutes.
Option B: Airport → Salzburg Hbf → Old Town (best if you like a clear hub)
- Take Bus 2 between Salzburg Airport and Salzburg Main Station (Hbf) (typical journey ~23 minutes).
- From Salzburg Hbf, take trolleybus lines 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6 to the Old Town (about 10 minutes).
- Get off at Rathaus or Mozartsteg and walk into the center.
How to get to Salzburg Old Town by S-Bahn or regional rail
If you’re staying outside central Salzburg, the S-Bahn is a convenient way to reach the city area, with connections designed to link into inner-city bus lines toward Old Town.
In practice, most visitors use Salzburg Hbf as the rail arrival point, then switch to trolleybus/bus for the final 10 minutes.
How to get to Salzburg Old Town by car
Driving directly into Salzburg Old Town is restricted and can trap you inside the controlled zone, so the smart move is to park in a garage or use P+R and then enter Old Town on foot or by public transport.
Important: restricted access (bollards)
Salzburg operates a restricted inner-city zone with bollards, and drivers can face problems if they enter at the wrong time and can’t exit normally.
Best car strategy (simple and safe)
- Use a central garage near Old Town (e.g., Altstadtgaragen) and walk in.
- Or use P+R and ride public transport into the center at a discounted fare.
- In peak periods, Salzburg’s tourist office also promotes a City Shuttle (Line 18) from P+R Messe to Old Town (seasonal/period details apply).
Tips to arrive smoothly (and avoid common mistakes)
- Don’t aim for “Salzburg Old Town” as a single pin. Instead, set your map destination to a central Old Town point (e.g., Getreidegasse / Residenzplatz area) and choose the nearest stop.
- From Salzburg Hbf, use the listed trolleybus lines 1/2/3/5/6 for a quick Old Town ride (about 10 minutes).
- If you’re driving, avoid entering the restricted zone blindly. Park first, then walk in.
- Remember: Salzburg has trolleybuses, not a metro. If your routing app suggests “metro,” it’s usually translating “rapid transit” loosely.
FAQ
Is Salzburg Old Town walkable once I arrive?
Yes—Salzburg Old Town is compact and designed for walking, so most routes end with a short stroll from your stop.
What’s the easiest route from Salzburg Hbf to Salzburg Old Town?
Take trolleybus lines 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6 from Salzburg Hbf to the Old Town area (about 10 minutes). (https://www.salzburg.info)
How do I get from Salzburg Airport to Salzburg Old Town by public transport?
Use Bus 10 to the city centre (~15 minutes) or Bus 2 to Salzburg Hbf (~23 minutes) and then continue by trolleybus/bus or on foot. (https://www.salzburg-airport.com/)
What is the closest train station to Salzburg Old Town?
Salzburg Hauptbahnhof (Hbf) is the closest and most practical station for Old Town access. (https://www.salzburg.info/)
Can I drive into Salzburg Old Town?
Access is restricted; it’s usually better to park in a garage or use P+R and enter on foot/public transport. (https://www.salzburg.info)
