Parking in Salzburg Altstadt

I haven't driven to Salzburg since COVID, but what i remember is that parking in the Altstadt is a PIA. My favorite hotel is not too far from the seahorse fountain, and I actually found parking to be best on the other side of the river. You might consider parking at the train station.

Thank you for your quick response. I'll have to check how far the train station is from the sites I want to visit. I read an article that said arrival at the Altstadt A garage is recommended for before 9 am. This is doable, but I'm just wondering how much traffic is in and around that area in the morning. As you mentioned, if it's a PIA to get there, perhaps one of the P&R parking locations might be better. I just would prefer not to have a long shuttle ride from the parking spot.

Tiefgarage Mönchsberg (Altstadtgaragen A+B) as you mention is quite convenient to the Altstadt, there is an elevator, but it is also eye wateringly expensive. All day is more than €25, and yes, traffic in the city can be quite awful. At busy times you will wait in a considerable queue to park. If you don't like being under the mountain (the Mönchsberg) that could be an issue.

There is usually a special short term ticket at the Mönchsberg if you are willing to do some work for the €8.50 for 8 hours (cheaper for 3 or 5 hours) by getting a punch card and taking it to specific merchants and getting the cashiers to punch your card.

Very simple to use the P&R sites. €15 all day (shorter times same one price) gets you easy parking and a special bus ticket for the folks in the car up to 5. All P&R pricing is the same, with one summertime exception. The same deal is only €5 in July and August but only at P&R Messe.

When I drive to Salzburg from Germany I park under the mountain and play tag with the punch card.

Otherwise I stay in a small hotel on Moosstraße and take the 21 or 22 bus the short ride into town, hotel guests get a transportation card when they check in.

... bus (with transfers) from the hotel is a minimum of 45 minutes and limited to a schedule while driving is 15 minutes, so driving seems like the best option.

I cannot imagine that you can be three times faster with a car than the bus.

Check travel times from A to B: https://fahrplan.salzburg-verkehr.at/

You will get a travel pass from the hotel, granting free use of all public transport, not only in the City of Salzburg, but also in the whole State of Salzburg.

The travel pass mentioned is the Salzburg mobility pass. Giving you free public transport within Salzburg region. Provided by your accommodation.

The Park and Ride I'm thinking of is kinda on the edge of town off the main artery. And yes, they shuttle you into town on minibusses.

Alternatively, driving in the Altstadt isn't super fun but if you've driven Europe, it won't be anything daunting. There are parking garages you can find on a map. Word to the wise... the spaces in the underground garage we chose were really tight. We had an Audi A5 (not a huge car by American standards) and my family had to get out before I parked, folded in the mirrors and gingerly slid out. So my upshot advice is to rent a smaller car.

But have you considered just changing your hotel to one inside the city? I would trade a great hotel for a decent hotel that eliminated 30-45 minutes of mucking about every trip. Plus you can enjoy a beer or wine and stroll back through the city to your hotel.

I go here: https://www.salzburg.info/en/travel-info/arrival-traffic/car/parking/p-r-sued

P+R Combined Ticket: € 15.00
The combined ticket is valid for parking and as a day pass for up to 5 passengers traveling together on all trolleybus and bus lines within the city. The bus takes you right outside/next to the Altstadt. Obus-Line 3 und 8.

I usually stay near Berchtesgaden or Werfen and drive in. No need for an Austrian vignette when you do not use the Autobahns.