Flight-Free Travel to Salzburg from the UK

Travel by Train

Getting to Salzburg by Train via Paris

Travel by Coach

Getting to Salzburg by Coach (includes one change)

DIY Walking Tours For All

Accessible DIY Walking Tours in Salzburg

Travel to Salzburg without flying.

There are two different ways to get to Salzburg in Austria which don’t involve going anywhere near an airport (sadly, neither is accessible though, so please see the “Accessibility” explanation below – and which also shows you an alternative way of reaching Salzburg, which IS accessible):

The direct Eurostar train between London and Paris Nord; followed by the Nightjet night train between Paris Est and Vienna Central Station (Vienna Hauptbahnhof).

And as both Paris Nord and Paris Est are just moments apart, the connection is very easy. Plus, there are plenty of restaurants near both Paris stations – where you can enjoy dinner before boarding the night train to Salzburg.

If you are arriving in London by train from other parts of the UK and need to travel across London first, see the Getting To London St.Pancras International From Other Major London Railway Stations article;
A FlixBus coach from London to Salzburg (25-30 hours). This is NOT an accessible option either though (yes, some coaches are accessible, but until coaches have accessible toilets too, they’re to be avoided – 30 hours is a long time to cross your legs).

Option 1a (Accessible): Eurostar Train from London to Paris

The direct London to Paris Eurostar train takes around 2 hours 20 minutes (just over 3 hours to Paris when you include the time difference).

However, you’ll need to be at London St.Pancras Station by around 2pm at the very latest, to catch a London to Paris train that will get you to Paris in time to catch the Paris to Salzburg night train (and even earlier if you want to leave enough time to have dinner in Paris before boarding the night train to Salzburg).

The Paris to London Eurostar train arrives in Gare du Nord. The Paris to Salzburg Nightjet night train leaves Paris from Gare de l’Est though. However, you can WALK between Paris Nord and Paris Est in 10 minutes.

Option 1b (NOT Accessible): Nightjet night train from Paris to Salzburg

Probably the biggest advantage of taking the Nightjet night train between Paris and Salzburg, is that the train journey is overnight (so you arrive in Salzburg ready to go on your first day).

A night train may seem like a more expensive option, but it also saves you on a night’s hotel accommodation (which will be the best part of £100 – even more so if you decide to overnight in a London or Paris hotel first).

Plus, because the night Paris to Salzburg night train doesn’t leave Paris until around 7pm, you can take any London to Paris Eurostar train that departs London by 2:30pm.

Lunch in London – followed by Dinner in Paris – and then Breakfast in Salzburg!

Where do I sign up?

Accessibility:

As there is no wheelchair compartment on the Paris to Salzburg Nighjet night train, this route via Paris is NOT accessible.

There IS an accessible way to reach Salzburg via Vienna though (but it involves taking an additional train):

Just follow the Flight-Free Vienna route via Brussels, and once in Vienna, take an additional day-train (just 2hrs 30mins – and direct). Tickets for the Vienna to Salzburg train can also be bought, before you travel, from RailEurope.

To obtain boarding assistance, simply complete the OBB online request form (mobility assistance) – again, at least 36 hours before travel – plus, you must be at the arranged meeting point in Vienna Hauptbanhof (Vienna Central Train Station) at least 20 minutes before the train’s departure time.

As you have to go via Vienna anyway, a Vienna & Salzburg “two-city break” is the reward?

Option 2: Flixbus Coach from London to Salzburg (NOT Accessible)

This is the budget option.

You’ll be sitting on a coach for 25-30 hours though. And you will have to make one change (the location varies depending on the bus you take).

FlixBus coaches leave from London Victoria Coach Station, and arrive in Salzburg at Salzburg South Bus Stop.

The Salzburg South Bus Stop is still some way from the city centre though (next to the Salzburg South P+R – Park and Ride). Although getting to central Salzburg from there is VERY easy – and takes just 20 mins on local bus #3 (which stops just by the Flixbus bus stop).

Accessibility:

The coach is NOT an accessible option for getting to Salzburg though.

Yes, some coaches are accessible, but until coaches have accessible toilets too, they’re to be avoided (unless you’re happy crossing your legs for up to 30 hours).

Public Transport in Salzburg

There is no metro/subway system in Salzburg. Nor will you see any trams.

You have either the choice of the electrically-powered trolleybuses (they just look like regular buses/bendy-buses, but are powered by overhead electrical wires – like a tram), or just regular buses.

The trolleybus/bus is all you really need though.

However, Salzburg is a very walkable city (in fact the old town area of Salzburg has been almost pedestrianised now – so, other than taxis, and a few early-morning deliveries, you’ll see no traffic there).

If you do use the bus though, than there are different ways to buy your ticket (and all have varying prices!):

The most expensive option is just to by a single journey ticket directly from the bus driver. Bus drivers also sell 24-hour tickets. These may be a better option if you plan to use the buses in Salzburg a lot.
A cheaper option is to buy your ticket in advance (from a ticket machine, or from some tobacconists). Doing it this way is about 30% cheaper.
You can buy either 1-hour, or 24-hour, bus tickets in advance. Then, when you board a bus, simply validate your ticket in one of the orange ticket validation machines available on the bus.
IMPORTANT: Ticket machines can be found at some, but not all, bus stops.
Your third option might probably be the best option for you. Buy a Salzburg Card.
Normally, I’m not a fan of “city cards”, as they tend to be value-for-money only if you intend to see many attractions.
However, the Salzburg Card, as well as giving FREE admission to ALL the attractions of Salzburg, also gives you FREE transport on ALL buses in Salzburg (and also on bus number 25, which will take you to the Untersberg Cable Car).
The Salzburg Card can be bought for 24-hr (€30), 48-hr (€39) or 72-hr (€45) time periods. It can be bought online – and then simply used on your mobile device (however, run out of power – and no card). Worry not though. A physical Salzburg Card can also be bought at most hotels, and at all tourist information offices – including at the tourist information in Salzburg train station when you first arrive (you can also buy it at both newsagents and at the “Press&Books” shop in the train station).
And the Salzburg Card can be seriously good value, especially the 72-hour Salzburg Card (using it works out at just €15 per day – so once you visit just one attraction, and take just one local Salzburg bus journey, everything else is free really – and I’m guessing that you want to see more than just one attraction each day that you’re in Salzburg?).

Accessibility:

All electrically-power trolleybuses and regular buses in Salzburg are completely accessible – as well as all bus stops too.

Salzburg Hotels / Salzburg Hostels / Salzburg Apartments

Where in central Salzburg is the best place to look for a hotel?

Hmmm? Well, as you’ll be arriving in Salzburg at Salzburg Train Station (Salzburg Hauptbahnhof), and as you will also be departing from there at the end of your visit to Salzburg – then it would make sense to stay as close as possible to there.

As well as there being plenty of hotels near Salzburg Station or “Salzburg Hauptbahnhof” (as Salzburg’s train station is known locally) is THE major public transport hub in Salzburg. All of the best visitor attractions can be accessed from Salzburg Train Station.

Your instinct may be to stay in the more touristy “Salzburg old town”. However, this is as far from the train station as you can get. So you either lug your luggage there (and back again at the end of your stay in Salzburg), or you just stay near the station and wander down to the old town when you want (or take a trolleybus/bus).

The following hotels are moments away from Salzburg train station (the hostel is a bit further away – but still easily walkable). And all three receive seriously good reviews:

4-Star Hotel

arte Hotel Salzburg

Salzburg Train Station

Near Salzburg Train Station

14th floor bar has amazing views over Salzburg

Accessible Rooms Also Available

3-Star Hotel

Motel One Salzburg

Salzburg-Mirabell

On banks of the Salzach River in Salzburg

Just 800m from Salzburg Train Station

Accessible Room with Accessible Toilet + Roll-In Shower Available

Hostel

YoHo - International Youth Hostel

Vienna Naschmarkt

Perfectly located in central Salzburg

10 mins to Salzburg Train Station in one direction, 10 mins to Salzburg Old Town in the other

Dorm Accommodation (Shared Bathroom)

More....

For details of other Salzburg hotels, Salzburg hostels and apartments in Salzburg, see Booking.com Salzburg

Accessible Salzburg Hotels, Hostels & Apartments:

Finding a truly accessible hotel, hostel or apartment anywhere can be a bit of a nightmare.

But the accessibility filters on the Booking.com Salzburg Hotel search (simply scroll down on the left), make it much easier.

There’s a wee trick though:

By default, the filters are a bit limited. So, ignore the filters initially, simply enter your desired dates, and make an initial search. You will then be presented with ALL properties that are available on your desired dates – and much more detailed filters (on the left – keep scrolling down until you see the “Property accessibility” and “Room accessibility” filters). NOW, filter the results as required. As I need step-free access & a roll-in shower as a minimum, I select BOTH of the “Wheelchair accessible” Property and “Roll-in shower” Room filters.

IMPORTANT: Always specify that you MUST have an accessible room, in the “Comments” during the hotel booking process.

DIY Walking Tours of Salzburg

There are currently two different DIY Walking Tours of Salzburg:

Salzburg Circular DIY Walking Tour (Mirabell Palace). Just 2.3km (about 1.5 miles) walking distance. You could dash round in an hour or so – but I would really expect to spend a full day (there’s just so much to see & do on this Salzburg DIY Walk – especially in the Mirabell Palace & Gardens).
And although it’s a circular walk, I’d recommend that you start, and finish, at the Mirabell Palace (which you can visit at either end of the walk).
Points of Interest: Mirabell Palace > Kurgarten > Müllner Steg (Bridge) > Kaipromenade > Salzachgalerien > Natural History Museum > Marko-Feingold-Steg (Bridge) > Mozart Residence > Dreifaltigkeitskirche > Mirabell Palace Gardens;
Salzburg Old Town DIY Walking Tour. Just 2.5km (less than 2 miles) walking distance. Again, you could dash round in an hour or so – but I would really expect to spend a full day in the Old Town area of Salzburg.
The walk starts from the bus stop you would alight at when returning from Hellbrunn Palace. So I’d definitely recommend visiting Hellbrunn Palace in the morning, and taking this stroll around the Old Town of Salzburg afterwards.
Points of Interest: Mozartsteg (Bridge) > Mozartplatz > Residenzplatz > Salzburg Museum > Salzburger Glockenspiel > Marien Statue > Salzburg Cathedral > Sphaera > Kapitelschwemme Horse Well > Festungsbahn (funicular railway) > Hohensalzburg Castle > Museum der Moderne Salzburg> Schmuck Passage> Mozart’s Birthplace > Staatsbrücke > Salzburg Makartplatz.

Accessibility:

Both DIY Walking Tours of Salzburg are completely accessible/step-free.

Dropped kerbs are always available where needed in central Salzburg.

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Thank you so very much – and have a great time in Salzburg!