Is Salzburg safe?
Very safe. Pickpockets work the old town in summer; the main risks are bike theft and cold or wet weather.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 5/5, very safe.
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2026-08-20.
- Homicide rate in Austria: 0.9 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Austria: 4.9 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 133 · Ambulance 144 · Fire 122 · All emergencies 112.
Safety in Salzburg at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Petty theft in tourist areas and festival crowds; occasional drunk nuisance near the station and Linzer Gasse late at night. |
| At night | Safe and quiet; the old town is lit and bars close by 1–2 am. Night buses run on weekends. |
| Solo women | Comfortable alone, day and night. |
| Other risks | Rain and slippery cobblestones; Fast weather change on Untersberg and nearby peaks |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Costumed 'Mozart concert' ticket sellers charge inflated prices
Take care
- Hauptbahnhof area late at night: drunk crowds
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Motorways and expressways need a vignette; driving without one brings steep fines.
- Nazi symbols and salutes are serious crimes.
- Riding public transport without a valid ticket brings an on-the-spot penalty fare.
How Salzburg compares in Austria
Quick answers
Is Salzburg safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable alone, day and night.
Is Salzburg safe at night?
Safe and quiet; the old town is lit and bars close by 1–2 am. Night buses run on weekends.
What is the crime rate in Salzburg?
Petty theft in tourist areas and festival crowds; occasional drunk nuisance near the station and Linzer Gasse late at night. Nationally, Austria records 0.9 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Salzburg?
Police 133 · Ambulance 144 · Fire 122 · All emergencies 112.
More about Salzburg
Going to Salzburg solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Salzburg meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Salzburg Tourism
- Salzburg Airport
- ÖBB
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.