Salzburg Card, the tourist card to save money in Salzburg

The Salzburg Card is the official tourist card of the city of Salzburg, allowing you to visit the main attractions of the city of Mozart with ease. The card offers not only free admission to more than 30 attractions and museums, but also unlimited use of public transport and priority queue-free access to many major tourist destinations.

With this card, you can explore Salzburg conveniently and inexpensively, gaining access to castles, museums, funicular railways and even mountain hikes. The Salzburg Card is the ideal solution for those who want to discover the cultural and natural heritage of this fascinating Austrian city, optimising time and money during their visit.

The card is available in three different durations (24, 48 or 72 hours) and is activated on first use at any included attraction or means of transport. The validation system is simple: just show your physical or digital card and you immediately gain access to the attractions without having to buy separate tickets.

What the Salzburg Card includes

The Salzburg Card 2025 includes free admission to more than 30 attractions in and around Salzburg. Highlights include:

Historical and cultural attractions: Mozart’s Birthplace in the famous Getreidegasse, Mozart’s House (Wohnhaus), the DomQuartier including the Cathedral and Residence Museums, the Salzburg Museum and the Museum of Modern Art.

Fortresses and palaces: Hohensalzburg Fortress with funicular railway included, Hellbrunn Palace and Gardens famous for its Baroque water features, and access to St. Peter’s Catacombs.

Nature experiences: The Untersberg cable car (the most expensive of all included attractions), panoramic cruises on the Salzach River, access to the Salzburg Zoological Garden and the Natural History Museum.

Public transport: Unlimited use of all Obus city buses, the regional Postbus lines (120/121 to Elixhausen, 130/140 to Eugendorf, 160 to Elsbethen, 170 to Rif/Taxach, 180 to Großgmain, 181 to Walserberg) and the S1 Localbahn railway.

The card also offers discounts of 20-25% on hop-on hop-off tours, reductions for concerts of the Mozarteum Orchestra, Salzburg Advent Serenades and numerous other activities and tourist experiences.

What is NOT included in the Salzburg Card

Some important Salzburg attractions are not included in the card, but often offer discounts to card holders:

Salzburg Cathedral: Admission to the baroque cathedral is not free of charge, but card holders receive a discount on the entrance fee.

Seasonal attractions: During winter some attractions close temporarily: Hellbrunn Palace, river cruises, Folklore Museum, Open Air Museum and Christmas Museum. Please consult the updated opening times in the official brochure.

How the Salzburg Card works

The Salzburg Card can be purchased online at questo link or by filling out the form below. You will receive a digital voucher by email to print out or keep on your smartphone. The voucher can be redeemed for the physical card at two pick-up points in the city centre:

• Tourist Information Office at the Central Station (Hauptbahnhof, main hall) open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m
• Information Office at Mozartplatz (closed on Sundays from January to April and from October to November)

The card is activated automatically the first time it is used at any attraction or means of transport included. For the physical card, the name, date and time of first use must be filled in. The digital version is activated automatically and can be shown directly from your phone.

How much does the Salzburg Card cost

The costs of the Salzburg Card vary depending on the season and duration chosen. Prices are differentiated between high and low season to optimise value throughout the year.

Low Season (1st January – 30th April and 1st November – 31st December 2025)

• 24 hours: €29.00 adults – €14.50 children (6-15 years)
• 48 hours: €38.00 adults – €19.00 children (6-15 years)
• 72 hours: €44.00 adults – €22.00 children (6-15 years)

High Season (1 May – 31 October 2025)

• 24 hours: €31.00 adults – €15.50 children (6-15 years)
• 48 hours: €40.00 adults – €20.00 children (6-15 years)
• 72 hours: €46.00 adults – €23.00 children (6-15 years)

Children under 6: Free admission to attractions (no card required) Group discounts: Available for groups of 20 or more people

Prices have remained stable in recent years, making the Salzburg Card one of the most affordable tourist passes in Europe compared to other similar destinations.

To whom the Salzburg Card is worthwhile

The Salzburg Card is convenient for various types of travellers, but particularly advantageous in specific circumstances:

• Families with children: Reduced prices for children (6-15 years) and free admission under the age of 6 make the card ideal for families visiting museums, zoos and interactive attractions.
• Stays of 2-3 days: Those staying in Salzburg for more than one day can take full advantage of the 48- or 72-hour cards, visiting attractions both in the city and in the surrounding area.
• Culture lovers: With over 30 museums and cultural sites included, the card is perfect for those who want to learn more about Salzburg’s history, art and traditions.
• Public transport users: Those who frequently travel by local buses and trains to attractions outside the city centre will make considerable savings.
• Untersberg visitors: The Untersberg cable car alone costs more than a 24-hour card, making the Salzburg Card worthwhile even if you only visit this attraction plus a few in the city.

Savings example

With a 72-hour card (€46 in high season) you could visit:

• Untersberg Cable Car (€26)
• Hohensalzburg Fortress (€15)
• Mozart Birthplace (€15)
• Hellbrunn Palace (€14)
• Public transport (approx. €15 for 3 days)

Total value: €85 – Card cost: €46 = Savings: €39

Savings increase in proportion to the number of attractions visited and the use of public transport, making the Salzburg Card one of the smartest purchases for exploring the city of Mozart.

Salzburg Card vs SalzburgerLand Card

Do not confuse the Salzburg Card (for the city) with the SalzburgerLand Card (for the entire region). The SalzburgerLand Card costs €99-124 for adults, is valid 6-12 days and includes 180 attractions throughout Salzburg, but is more suitable for longer stays and regional itineraries.