Public Transport
Use buses and trains in Salzburg for free - simply show your Salzburg Card and hop on board.
The Salzburg Card as a Public Transport Ticket
Trolley buses and city buses form 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 at no extra cost. 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 clock only starts when you use the pass for the first time. Within this validity period, you can use it as many times as you like, at any hour of the day.
Practical Use
- Activation: The mobile Salzburg Card activates automatically on first use. For a physical card, write your name, date, and time on the back before your first journey - this turns the pass into a valid ticket.
- Boarding: Ticket validation on the bus is not required. Simply board and keep your valid card with you. You can show it to the driver if asked, but this is usually not necessary.
- Inspections: During a ticket inspection, show your Salzburg Card (or the app's QR code) to the staff. The card is personal; have photo ID ready in case it is requested.
Timetables and Public Transport App
Official app: For timetable information, use the free Salzburg Verkehr app (for Android / iOS). The app provides real-time departures, route planning, and ticket purchasing options.
Operating hours: Buses and trolley buses run approximately from 05:00 to midnight. During the day, main lines operate every 10-15 minutes. After midnight on weekends, night buses are available: on Friday and Saturday nights, NachtStern lines depart hourly from Hanuschplatz to all districts until around 01:00. No night buses operate on weekday nights.
Key Lines and Routes
Airport: Trolley bus lines 10 (via Old Town) and 2 (to Central Station) take you from the airport to the city centre in around 20 minutes - a straightforward connection for arriving visitors.
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 and zoo) without changing at Mirabellplatz on line 25. The same line 25 continues to the Untersberg cable car in Grödig.
Transfer points: The most important hubs in the centre are Hanuschplatz and Mirabellplatz.
Recommended lines:
- Line 25: Central Station - Old Town - Hellbrunn - Untersberg cable car
- Line 1: Kleßheim - Old Town - Central Station - Exhibition Centre
Public Transport Questions
Which forms of public transport are included?+
The card is valid on trolley bus lines 1-14, Albus lines 20-28, 31, 34-36, 151, the local railway S1 to Acharting, and selected Postbus routes into the surrounding area. Not included are OBB long-distance trains and the OBB S-Bahn.
Do I need to validate a ticket on the bus?+
No. Validation is not required. Simply board and keep your valid card (or the app QR code) with you - if there is an inspection, just show it to the staff.
Can I get from the airport to the city centre with the card?+
Yes. The journey from the airport to the centre by trolley bus is covered by the Salzburg Card. For current routes and departure times, the free Salzburg Verkehr app is your best resource.
Travel for Free with the Salzburg Card
Buy the card, step on board, and explore Salzburg's public transport at no extra cost.