How Much Does Salzburg Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Salzburg presents a unique budget profile where alpine exploration meets high-culture costs, requiring daily spends ranging from $100 / €85 for budget-conscious solo travelers to $847 / €720 for luxury seekers. While the city is more affordable than Zurich or Geneva, it remains more expensive than neighboring Eastern European hubs due to its status as a premier music and mountain destination. Costs are heavily influenced by the surrounding geography, where access to high-altitude vistas can represent a significant portion of a daily budget. During late spring, visitors enjoy temperatures of 15–20°C (59–68°F), providing ideal conditions for outdoor activities before the peak festival crowds arrive. Understanding the balance between paid attractions and free natural sites is essential for maintaining a moderate daily spend.
Is Salzburg expensive to visit?
Salzburg is moderately expensive, with daily costs typically ranging from $100 / €85 to $847 / €720 depending on your choice of accommodation and alpine activities.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Salzburg
$100
per person /day
$288
per person /day
$847
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $300 | $865 | $2,542 |
| 5-Day Trip | $500 | $1,442 | $4,237 |
| 7-Day Trip | $700 | $2,019 | $5,932 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is recommended to set aside a 15% budget buffer to cover the mandatory City Tourism Tax (Ortstaxe) of approximately $2.35 / €2 per night and potential Gedeck charges in traditional restaurants. If driving, ensure funds are available for the mandatory motorway vignette required on all Austrian highways.
How Does It Compare?
See how Salzburg stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Salzburg
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Inexpensive Restaurant Meal Typical for a local tavern (Gasthof) lunch special. | $19 €16 |
| Mid-Range Three-Course Dinner for Two Does not include alcoholic beverages. | $82 €70 |
| Domestic Draught Beer (0.5L) Expect to pay ~$7.06 / €6 in high-tourist areas like Getreidegasse. | $5.89 €5 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Public Bus Single Journey (Line 2 and 10) Standard adult fare for a single journey into the city center. | $2.47 €2.1 |
| Salzburg 24-Hour Network Pass (Advance Purchase) Buying from the driver costs ~$7.53 / €6.4. Use the Salzburg Verkehr app for the lower rate. | $6.12 €5.2 |
| Taxi Transfer - Airport to City Center Flat or estimated rate for a standard 15-minute ride. | $24 €20 |
| Untersberg Cable Car (Ascent & Descent) Included for free with a Salzburg Card. The ride takes ~10 minutes to reach 1,805m (5,922ft). | $38 €32 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dorm bed in a central hostel (e.g., Yoho Youth Hostel) Includes free luggage storage and breakfast options for ~$7.06 / €6. | $41 €35 |
| Mid-range 4-star hotel (e.g., Imlauer Hotel Pitter) Rates fluctuate significantly during the Salzburg Festival in July/August. | $218 €185 |
| Luxury 5-star hotel (e.g., Hotel Sacher Salzburg) The most prestigious hotel in the city, famous for its Sacher Torte. | $636 €540 |
Activities (5)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Salzburg Card (24 Hours - Peak Season) Covers all public transport and entry to every major attraction. Low season (Jan–Apr, Nov) is ~$38 / €32. | $41 €35 |
| Hohensalzburg Fortress All-inclusive Ticket Includes funicular, castle grounds, panorama tour, all museums, and Princes' Rooms. | $23 €19 |
| Mozart's Birthplace & Residence Combined Ticket Valid for 48 hours; provides access to both major Mozart museums. | $27 €23 |
| Original Sound of Music Tour A 4-hour guided bus tour of the film's filming locations in Salzburg and the Lake District. | $71 €60 |
| Hellbrunn Palace & Trick Fountains Includes audio-guided tour of the palace and a guided tour of the unique trick fountains. | $19 €17 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Dining in the city centers around traditional Austrian taverns where an inexpensive lunch special costs approximately $19 / €16. A mid-range three-course dinner for two averages $82 / €70, while a standard 0.5L draught beer is priced at $5.89 / €5. Budget-conscious hikers often utilize local bakeries and butcher shops for mountain snacks to avoid the higher prices found at peak-top restaurants.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Balkan Grill Walter
$7.06–$9.42 / €6–€8Getreidegasse · Street food area
Legendary spot in a tiny alley; try the 'Number 2' Bosna with onions and secret spices for ~$7.06 / €6.
Augustiner Bräu Kloster Mülln
$9.42–$18 / €8–€15Mülln · Street market
Buy beer from the counter and pick up huge portions of pork or ribs from the 'Delicatessen Arcade' for ~$14 / €12.
L'Osteria Salzburg
$15–$21 / €13–€18Altstadt · Local chain
The pizzas are massive (45cm diameter)—one pizza easily feeds two people for ~$18 / €15.
Burgerista
$13–$19 / €11–€16Altstadt · Local chain
High-quality fast food with unlimited soda refills—perfect for a quick ~$16 / €14 lunch.
Bio-Burger Meister
$11–$16 / €9–€14Linzer Gasse · Local chain
Excellent organic burgers for under ~$12 / €10; very popular with locals.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
The city center is compact and walkable, but reaching outdoor sites like the Untersberg cable car, which costs $38 / €32 for a round trip, requires the public bus system. A 24-hour network pass is available for $6.12 / €5.2 when purchased via the Salzburg Verkehr app, significantly cheaper than buying from a driver. Standard taxi transfers from the airport to the city center are priced at a flat rate of approximately $24 / €20.
Accommodation Overview
Hostel dorm beds start at $41 / €35, often providing essential amenities like luggage storage for hikers. Mid-range 4-star hotels average $218 / €185, while the city's prestigious 5-star establishments reach $636 / €540 per night. Prices for all tiers fluctuate significantly during the Salzburg Festival months of July and August.
Accommodation Budget in Salzburg
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase the Salzburg Card for $41 / €35 in peak season; it covers the $38 / €32 Untersberg cable car and the $23 / €19 Hohensalzburg Fortress entry, paying for itself with just two uses.
- 2 Buy bus tickets in advance via the Salzburg Verkehr app to pay $6.12 / €5.2 for a 24-hour pass instead of the $7.53 / €6.4 on-board price.
- 3 Visit Augustiner Bräu Kloster Mülln for some of the city's most affordable beer at $5.89 / €5 per half-liter, and bring your own food to their beer garden to save on meal costs.
- 4 Fill water bottles from the city’s many 'Trinkwasser' fountains, which provide high-quality alpine spring water for $0.
- 5 Eat at Balkan Grill Walter in Getreidegasse for a legendary and inexpensive local snack that costs much less than a sit-down restaurant meal.
- 6 Refuse the 'Gedeck' or bread basket in upscale restaurants if you do not want to pay the per-person cover charge.
- 7 Opt for the combined Mozart's Birthplace & Residence ticket for $27 / €23 to save over buying individual entries to the two museums.
- 8 Hike up the Mönchsberg or Kapuzinerberg instead of taking the funicular or elevators to enjoy panoramic views of the Alps for free.
- 9 Visit the University of Salzburg’s 'Mensa' (cafeteria) for some of the cheapest hot meals available to the public in the city.
- 10 Stay in the Maxglan or Riedenburg districts, which are within walking distance of the Altstadt but offer lower accommodation rates than the historic center.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Jul, Aug, Dec
+30-50%
Jan, Feb, Nov
-20-30%
May, Jun, Sep
Late spring (May–June) offers 15–20°C (59–68°F) weather and moderate prices before the Festival crowds arrive. December is magical but pricey due to world-famous markets.
Events to Watch
- ● Salzburg Festival (July-August): +100% hotel rates
- ● Christmas Markets (December): High demand
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Stroll through the Mirabell Gardens to see the Pegasus Fountain and the Dwarf Garden at $0 cost.
- 2 Visit Hangar-7 at the airport to view the impressive Red Bull collection of historic aircraft and Formula 1 cars for free.
- 3 Hike the trail from the Altstadt up to the Richterhöhe on the Mönchsberg for spectacular views of the fortress and mountains.
- 4 Walk through the historic St. Peter's Cemetery (Petersfriedhof), one of the oldest and most beautiful cemeteries in the world.
- 5 Explore the Kapuzinerberg mountain trails for a quiet escape into nature and a unique view of the city skyline.
- 6 Visit the Kollegienkirche (University Church), a masterpiece of Baroque architecture with free entry for visitors.
- 7 Window shop along the Getreidegasse to admire the traditional wrought-iron guild signs.
- 8 Listen to the Salzburg Glockenspiel at 07:00, 11:00, and 18:00 daily from the Kapitelplatz for free.
- 9 Walk the 'Art Project Salzburg' trail to see various modern sculptures scattered throughout the Old Town at no cost.
- 10 Visit the Fuschlsee lake, located a short bus ride away, which offers free public swimming areas and hiking paths.
- 11 Explore the grounds of Hellbrunn Palace, which are free to enter even if the Trick Fountains require a paid ticket.
- 12 Attend a free 'Mozartteum' student concert, often held at the university during term time.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Mozart Dinner Concert at St. Peter Stiftskulinarium
Combine a candlelit 3-course dinner in Europe's oldest restaurant with live Mozart opera performances for ~$99 / €84.
Helicopter Tour over the Alps
Unbeatable views of the Berchtesgaden Alps and the city for ~$341 / €290 per person.
Sacher Torte Experience at Cafe Sacher
Indulge in the original chocolate cake with whipped cream and a coffee for ~$19 / €17 in a regal setting.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Salzburg
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Salzburg and what they cost
Hallstatt
$41 / €35 by train + ferry
$47 / €40
$124 / €105
Eagle's Nest (Berchtesgaden)
$14 / €12 by bus
$38 / €32
$77 / €65
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
Yes
Widely accepted in hotels and restaurants, but small cafes and some mountain huts are cash-only.
Round up to the nearest $1.18–$2.35 / €1–€2 for small totals, or add 5–10% for sit-down service. Hand the tip directly to the server rather than leaving it on the table.
Use bank-affiliated ATMs (Raiffeisen, Sparkasse) for better rates. Avoid 'Euronet' ATMs which charge fees of ~$4.71–$7.06 / €4–€6 plus high conversion spreads.
Connectivity
eSIM: $11–$18 for 10GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $12 / €9.9 for a starter kit with 10GB-20GB (A1 B.free).
WiFi: Excellent in the Altstadt, hotels, and main train station (OEBB Free WiFi).
Get an Airalo eSIM or an A1 B.free local SIM card for reliable 5G coverage.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Salzburg.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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