We'd like to go to the salt mines in Hallstatt but will be staying 1 1/2 hours away in Zell Am See. if we arrive by 10am via car, I am concerned about finding parking. Has anyone driven to Hallstatt and had any difficulties finding parking? On their website, they said it could take up to 1 1/2 hours to find a parking spot! I was even thinking of trying to park in Gosau and taking the bus or train into Hallstatt. If you have any advice, please let me know. Thanks!
Posted by
Bay Area, California
1711 posts
I was there during COVID when entry required vaccinations. Parking was totally crazy. Rude people kept cutting us off and the "line" for paying for parking was non existent.
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
22182 posts
I am absolutely no expert. Only been once, last year. While on my visit the town wasnt crowded the parking still looked to be a mess and I am going to suspect it isnt cheap. I would find another way. The trip was worth if for me. Enjoyed it.
Posted by
2425 posts
We'd like to go to the salt mines in Hallstatt but will be staying 1 1/2 hours away in Zell Am See.
There is no way to make it across the mountains in less than two hours.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5645 posts
If you are just going for the salt mine, have you considered on of the other salt mines in Austria? - https://www.salzwelten.at/de/salzburg
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Oh dear...this is not sounding encouraging! Sounds like it will be a better idea to take a bus tour from Salzburg and avoid the driving and parking debacle!! Thank you!
Posted by
Niagara, Ontario
1748 posts
Get there very early, if you really want to go. Have a peaceful stroll around the village before everything opens up.
Posted by
Nashville, TN
866 posts
I've been in June and even pre-covid the parking and overtourism there was discouraging. What was once a lovely picturesque village has been destroyed by selfie sticks & cheap souvenir shops. I can only imagine what it is now - way worse. There are other places that would be more enjoyable.
Posted by
2425 posts
Sounds like it will be a better idea to take a bus tour from Salzburg [to Hallstatt] ...
If a day tour from Salzburg is an option then I would go for it. But don't book an organized bus tour. Do it on your own, having much more flexibilty. Dare to experience functional public transport. :-)
There are two routes from Salzburg to Hallstatt:
1: Salzburg to Attnang-Puchheim (express train), Attnang-Puchheim to Hallstatt (local train).
2: Salzburg to Bad Ischl (bus #150), Bad Ischl to Hallstatt (local train).
The travel time is about the same for both options (about 2 hours). Option 2 is more scenic than option 1. If you choose option 2 and have enough time, I recommend a short visit of Bad Ischl. Walk to the famous "Zauner" café and pastry store and buy the unique "Zauner-Stollen".
The ferry from Hallstatt train station to Hallstatt town runs according to the arrival/departure times of all trains. You need cash to pay the ferry.
To see most of the scenery take route 2 to Hallstatt and route 1 back to Salzburg (or vice versa).
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
22182 posts
One visit, 2 nights, does not make an expert; so I am not. But fot a few days last September.....
I never saw a selfie stick.
The density of tourism was half that of Disney Land in September.
Didn't notice any tacky tourist shops, but quite a few selling Austrian arts and crafts.
The hotel was about the same price as I am paying in Vienna this June, and that was a room with a balcony and a gorgeous view.
Salt mine and what is up and around it as well as the ride up was well worth it. Price was more or less fair for what you get.
I arrived on a train from Vienna, left for Salzburg with DayTrip.com, and it was waiting for the daytrip driver that I saw the parking.
A 7 t0 10 hour Salzburg to Hallstatt tour is $150 and up including the Salt Mine ticket ... so closer to $100 for transportation and guide. That's really not bad and a lot less stress if you are the least bit worried about your first trip on a public bus. Day trip i think was $250 one way and that worked because the train was cheap using MAV tickets.