City, Austria
Salzburg
Baroque old town, Mozart sites, Sound of Music tours and mountain views, compact enough for a solo weekend or longer base. Smaller and pricier than Vienna; winters are grey and evenings quiet.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$2,360–3,380Comfortable, one person · €2,100–3,000Details
- Value for money33/100Better value than 32% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–SepWarmest: Jul, 24°CDetails
- Air quality9 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2021) · Fairly cleanDetails
- Internet107 MbpsFixed broadband, Austria medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableExcellent spring water; public fountains in the old town are drinkable unless marked otherwise.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$79–146Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundSalzburg buses (Obus)Very walkableDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards work in most shops and restaurants, but small cafés, market stalls and mountain huts often want cash.Details
Where to stay in Salzburg
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Altstadt (Old Town) | Walkable sights, restaurants; pricey, tourist-heavy |
| Neustadt and Mirabell | Station access, mid-range hotels, gardens |
| Nonntal and Riedenburg | Quieter, residential, near the fortress |
Apps that work in Salzburg
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Lieferando | Widest restaurant choice |
| Wolt | Fast delivery in central areas |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- ÖBB: Train tickets, times and Sparschiene fares
- WienMobil: Vienna public transport tickets and routes
- Taxis: Taxis are metered; book by phone or at the station rank. Public transport and walking cover most trips.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Austria.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards work in most shops and restaurants, but small cafés, market stalls and mountain huts often want cash.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs (Bankomat) rarely charge foreign cards; Euronet and independent machines add fees. Decline currency conversion.
- Tipping: Round up or add about 5–10%, telling the server the total when you pay.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work wherever cards are accepted.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen rules: 90 days in any 180 across the whole area; days spent in other Schengen countries count.
- The EU Entry/Exit System is live: non-EU visitors register fingerprints and a face photo at first entry, so expect longer queues.
- ETIAS (a €20 online pre-travel authorisation) is not required yet; its start has been delayed, so check before travel.
Emergency numbers
Police 133 · Ambulance 144 · Fire 122 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Carrier shops or HoT SIMs at Hofer supermarkets; prepaid SIMs must be registered with ID. EU SIMs roam at home rates. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Austria
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.