Salzburg Card

The Salzburg Card is a tourist card that works exclusively in Salzburg. It is the best way to save if you are planning a vacation here, as it includes free access to more than 30 attractions. You can also take unlimited rides on the city's public transportation.

It's ideal if you're looking for things to do in Salzburg with kids, as children under 15 pay a lower rate. You can't miss out on all the benefits of this card, so here's how to use it, activate it and get the most out of it.

The most complete option

Salzburg Card

Have fun at the best attractions, discover the highest areas and the history of Mozart with this tourist pass.

You can tour the city in 24, 48 or 72 hours, with unlimited access to public transportation, as well as free and queue-free admission to many attractions.

From $37 at Hellotickets

The Salzburg Tourist Card will help you avoid the queues, as it gives you priority access to different attractions in the city. It is activated after the first use, and the best thing is that it allows you to use public transport with unlimited travel.

It is ideal all year round, especially if you are looking for things to do in Salzburg in December, as for special dates (like Christmas) there are discounts for events, free concerts and free or half-price excursions. Note that you can pick up your card at different points in the city.

Recommended if... you are planning to visit Salzburg in at least two days. This way, you can take full advantage of the card's benefits.

The Salzburg Card is a very comprehensive tourist benefit, ideal if you plan to explore the city on your own. It is a great incentive to visit this Austrian region, as you can save money while seeing the city's main tourist attractions.

• Free admission to more than 30 attractions, with skip-the-line access (selected attractions only). Includes places such as Hellbrunn Palace, Mozart's Residence House, Mozart's Birthplace, Hohensalzburg Fortress, the Untersberg Cable Car and the Haus der Natur Science Museum.
• Free public transport, with unlimited travel. Includes some lines of the city bus, the Festungsbahn funicular, the Untersbergbahn elevator, the Mönchsberg elevator and Tour I along the Salzach River.
• Discounts on events and concerts.

The Salzburg Card is a very easy to use card, after purchase it is automatically activated after the first use and can last from 24 to 72 hours. The 24 hour option will allow you to enjoy a full day of fun, it is ideal if you want to get a superficial glimpse of the city.

However, the most recommended options are the 48 and 72 hour options, as you will have more time to explore and see the places that are part of the best tours of Salzburg. On the back of the card you must fill in the requested data, so you can start using public transport unlimited.

The Salzburg Card is very inexpensive, especially when you consider all that is included. You can find it from 34 euros per person, and there are options for children between the ages of six and fifteen starting at 15 euros. Children under six years old do not pay, however some attractions in the city may require an entrance fee.

Remember that it is a customizable tourist benefit, as you can book for 24, 48 or 72 hours. Keep in mind that the longer the duration, the higher the cost of the card. This tourist pass is just as useful for touring the city as the Salzburg sightseeing bus tour with free stops.

There are many places you can visit with the Salzburg Card. It is a great option to visit Mozart's birthplace, or the house where he lived during his youth. Austria is a city whose musical culture is contagious, you will be inspired by its artistic spaces.

With the card you can also climb to the highest points of Salzburg, such as the Hohensalzburg Fortress, the Mönchsberg Lift and the Untersberg Cable Car. If you like history there are a few in the museums and palaces available.

Hellbrunn Palace

Hellbrunn Palace is an Austrian construction with more than 400 years of history. It was the summer residence of important Austrian and German figures, such as princes, ministers and archbishops. Its walls recorded unique moments, of which unique objects and stories remain.

Here you are free to explore at your leisure, there are many fun attractions for people of all ages. Some of the things you can do are:

• Water Games: this is one of the most popular activities. There are machines in the shape of animals that spit water, their soothing sound will accompany you while you walk through the facilities. You will never know what you will find, as they have special effects and there are caves with water fun.
• Hellbrunn Gardens: they are on an artificial park and it is ideal if you are looking for things to do in Salzburg in December. In this season many people come for the Christmas market that takes place in the area of the gardens.

Mozart's Residential House

In Austria there are many spaces that honor Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Wolfgangus Mozart, better known as Mozart. In the Mozart Residence House you can visit the museum where you can see the musician's original pianoforte, as well as portraits and objects of the composer.

Here he lived some of his best moments, since he moved in when he was approximately twenty years old. Today, details of the original facade are preserved, however part of it was rebuilt after damage in World War II. The cost per person starts at 12 euros, but with the Salzburg Card you can enter for free.

Mozart's birthplace

If you are planning to take a tour of Mozart's best concerts, you probably first need to take a look at his birth house. Here you'll find his childhood instruments, as well as personal letters and sheet music.

It is known as Mozart's Birthplace and is located ten minutes away from the residential house. It is an old yellow house, hidden in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the old town. Take the opportunity to visit the original rooms as well as the exhibits of personal items.

Hohensalzburg Fortress

The Hohensalzburg Fortress is a mythical monument, which you cannot miss.

It is the best preserved fortress in Europe, so it attracts hundreds of tourists. The best season to visit it is from November to April, as it is less crowded. It was built to protect the city, as well as the nobility that ruled around the year 1500.

When you go up you will find a museum, where you can learn about the history in detail. In addition, it houses historical objects and the belongings of the monarchs. If you don't want to go hiking, you can take the cog railway on the Festungsgasse. Keep in mind that it is quite steep, but it is worth it.

Mönchsberg elevator

To access one of Salzburg's most scenic mountains, all you need to do is use the Mönchsberg elevator. It is a comfortable and efficient transport and the ride takes no more than 30 seconds.

The approximate cost is 4 euros for adults, it is worth purchasing the card just in case you plan to visit other attractions. In addition, the best area of the mountain is the terrace with privileged views of the Old Town.

On Mönchsberg Mountain you will find the Museum of Modern Art, which is open from Tuesday to Sunday. It is a restructured building where contemporary art is exhibited.

Cable car to the Untersberg mountain

Another paradise in the heights that you cannot miss is the Untersberg mountain. It is a favorite path for hikers, as it is of low difficulty. It is a hassle-free experience, as it is totally safe for the whole family.

You can take advantage of the click hereclickhererecorridoby tourist bus from Salzburg, specifically the blue line. The first stop on this route, will drop you off at the St. leonhard Untersberg Railway. From here you will have easy access to the cable car.

Science Museum Haus der Natur

With the Salzburg Card you can visit the Science Museum Haus der Natur, also known as Casa della Natura. It is an interactive museum with a variety of spaces, where you can learn about dinosaurs and other species.

It is open all year round, except on December 25. There are family tickets from 15 euros, as well as special discounts for seniors, people with disabilities, students, military and large groups.

It is worth it since it has a variety of spaces. You can head to the observatory, where you will learn about science, culture and Austrian society. It has a telescope, ideal if you are passionate about the astronomical world. You can also visit the aquarium, the reptile zoo, as well as exhibits on human evolution, the ice age and the universe.

The Salzburg Card offers different types of transportation, which you can access completely free of charge. You can enjoy train, bus and trolleybus lines, as well as boat, rail and cable car rides.

Bus lines

The Salzburg Card covers different public bus routes, so you can move around the city at your leisure. It mainly covers:

• Trolleybus lines 1-14, it is a transport system that has been operating in the city since 1940, as it replaced the streetcar. They run every 10 minutes
• Albus lines, specifically 20-28, 31, 34, 35 and 151.
• Postbus lines, which go to small towns in the surrounding area.
• Salzburg bus lines, all downtown lines and number 25 to the cable car.

The Salzburg Card also includes the WALSIE bus cab. You can also take advantage of the local Lokalbahn train, which runs to the Acharting district in Salzburg.

Festungsbahn funicular railway

The Festungsbahn funicular is a very particular railroad that runs on steep slopes. It will allow you to go up to the Hohensalzburg Fortress and appreciate the ramparts where it is built. Note that it runs from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., so you will have enough time to visit it.

Untersbergbahn Elevator

The Untersbergbahn Lift is a cable car that will take you to the top of the mountain in record time. You can find tickets from 28 euros, so the Salzburg Card will help you to economize your budget.

Tour I on the Salzach River

You can go aboard a boat on the Salzach River, it is a different experience that will take you to know Salzburg from the water. The best thing is that with your card, you can access for free.

You can get the most beautiful views of the old town, as well as admire the Hellbrunn Palace and its surroundings.

The Salzburg Card is worth it when you are planning to spend a vacation in Austria and stay at least 1 day in Salzburg. Although if you can extend the visit to 3 days, you will get more out of it. It's also a great option if you plan to include at least two attractions in your itinerary.

If you plan to visit the Untersberg cable car, I definitely recommend getting this card as it will save you a few euros. In addition, you can combine it with the Salzburg sightseeing bus tour to get to all available attractions faster.

It is not advisable to buy the Salzburg Card if you plan to stay only a few hours in the city, as it will not give you time to appreciate all the attractions available. It is also not recommended if you are traveling on a tight budget, as there are free activities in the city that you can take advantage of.

Finally, it is not recommended if you are traveling with a large group or family, as the price will rise considerably. There are attractions that offer family-friendly prices that may better suit your plans.

The Salzburg Card is ideal if you plan to visit Salzburg in 1 day, as you will be able to see the main attractions in a short time. It includes different attractions and transportation for the same fee. In many cases you will save quite a few percent.

For example, the Untersberg cable car is quite expensive, the price is equivalent to a 24-hour Salzburg Card.

Another way to save while you are in town is to purchase the Salzburg sightseeing bus tour. It is a pass that also works for 24, 48 or 72 hours and has two lines, the blue and the yellow.

It is ideal as it interconnects the city with its surroundings, the yellow one goes through the old town and the blue one goes to the outskirts. In addition, you can get on and off for the same price.

• Plan the places you will visit, starting with those included in the Salzburg Card.
• Check the timetables of the main attractions as well as the transport lines you plan to use.
• Remember that the validity period of the card begins to run after the first use.
• Select the most suitable option, according to the time you plan to spend in the city.
• Start your trip at noon, this way you won't get so exhausted.
• Take advantage of planning things to do in Salzburg with children, there are cards for children between six and fifteen years old at a lower cost.