Mountain town in Salzburg, Austria
Zell am See
Lake and glacier resort with skiing on Schmittenhöhe and the Kitzsteinhorn, summer lake swimming and easy hikes. Good for an active trip with a simple base; busy and pricey in season, quiet otherwise.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$2,700–3,830Comfortable, one person · €2,400–3,400Details
- Value for money22/100Better value than 21% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goJan–Mar, Jul–SepWarmest: Jul, 23°CDetails
- Air quality6.8 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2024) · Fairly cleanDetails
- Internet107 MbpsFixed broadband, Austria medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableExcellent alpine water; village fountains are drinkable unless marked otherwise.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$79–146Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundÖBB trainsWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards are accepted in hotels and larger restaurants; mountain huts, small cafés and lakeside kiosks often want cash.Details
Where to stay in Zell am See
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Zell am See center | Lakefront, restaurants and lifts; easiest base |
| Schüttdorf | Cheaper rooms near the station and Schmittenhöhe |
| Kaprun | Glacier skiing at the Kitzsteinhorn; 15 min by bus |
Apps that work in Zell am See
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- ÖBB: Train tickets, times and Sparschiene fares
- WienMobil: Vienna public transport tickets and routes
- Taxis: No ride apps; taxis are scarce and expensive. Book ahead or use buses and trains.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Austria.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards are accepted in hotels and larger restaurants; mountain huts, small cafés and lakeside kiosks 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.