The Salzburg Card as a Public Transport Ticket
The trolley buses and city buses are the backbone of public transport in Salzburg. With the Salzburg Card, you can use all public transport within the city area free of charge. This includes all trolley bus and city bus lines as well as selected regional buses up to the city limits. You can also use the funicular railway and the Untersberg cable car for free. However, S-Bahn trains in the surrounding area are not covered.
Validity: The card is valid for 24, 48, or 72 hours, starting from first use. The time only starts running when you use the pass for the first time. Within this validity period, you can use it as often as you like, around the clock.
Practical Use
- Activation: The mobile Salzburg Card activates automatically upon first use. For a physical card, write your name, date, and time on the back before your first journey - this makes the pass a valid ticket.
- Boarding: Validation on the bus is not required. Simply board and have your valid card with you. You can show it to the driver if needed, but this is usually not necessary.
- Inspection: During a ticket inspection, show your Salzburg Card (or the app's QR code) to the staff. The card is personalized; you should have ID ready if requested.
Timetables and Public Transport App
Official App: Use the free Salzburg Verkehr app for timetable information (for Android / iOS). The app provides real-time departures, routes, and ticket purchasing options.
Operating hours: Buses and trolley buses run approximately from 5 AM to midnight. During the day, main lines operate every 10-15 minutes. After midnight, there are night buses on weekends: On Friday and Saturday nights, NachtStern lines depart hourly from Hanuschplatz to all districts until about 1 AM. No night buses operate during weekdays.
Important Lines and Routes
Airport: Trolley bus lines 10 (via Old Town) and 2 (to Central Station) take you from the airport to the city center in about 20 minutes.
Central Station: Several trolley bus lines - 1, 3, 5 - run from the main station via Mirabellplatz directly to the Old Town hub at Hanuschplatz.
Attractions: You can reach Hellbrunn Palace (water features & zoo) without transfers on line 25 from Mirabellplatz. The same line 25 continues to the Untersberg cable car in Grödig.
Transfer points: The most important hubs in the center are Hanuschplatz and Mirabellplatz.
Recommended lines:
- Line 25: Central Station - Old Town - Hellbrunn - Untersberg cable car
- Line 1: Kleßheim - Old Town - Central Station - Exhibition Center