Hallstatt is Austria's truly quintessential fairytale town. The moment you arrive, you feel as though you've stepped into a picture-perfect postcard, where idyllic streets, quaint houses and breathtaking landscapes make you feel as though there's a touch of magic around every corner.
I have been to Hallstatt three times now: once in the winter on a solo visit, then again later that summer with my mum and now in autumn with my partner. I am looking forward to visiting in spring and completing the seasonal set!
→ Follow along my Austrian adventures on Instagram @JanaInAustria!
I first visited Hallstatt in January 2022 by myself and returned with my mum later that summer in July, as well as again in October 2026 with my partner and updated the original post with all the new things we did. This post was first published on 6 January 2022; updated 3 July 2022; last updated 30 October 2026.
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Below is some useful information for preparing for your trip to Hallstatt. In all cases, please be sure to check with the relevant local authorities for the latest and accurate information.
Language: The official language of Austria is Austrian German. It is a dialect of German with its own unique vocabulary and grammar, so while it is mutually intelligible, it has a different pronunciation.
The first foreign language taught at most schools is English and Austria is actually considered the third-best country in the world for English fluency, according to the English Proficiency Index.
Currency: The currency used in Austria is the Euro, denoted as €.
I use a Wise account when I travel which allows me to have a single, free account with multiple currencies. I only have to pay once to convert my money in the app and then I can pay in the local currency!
→ Check the latest currency conversion between € and your local currency.
Data: Before you arrive, I recommend purchasing an eSim on your phone so that you can access data the moment you land. eSims are much more convenient as it means you don't have to put a separate physical Sim into your phone. AirAlo offers great deals for eSims of various data sizes and time lengths in Austria.
→ Load an international eSim on your phone with AirAlo.
Visa: Austria is part of the EU, EEA and Schengen Zone. Citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland do not need a visa to visit Austria. Others will receive a visa on arrival. Many passport holders will require a Schengen Visa to visit Austria which permits stays of up to 90 days within the Schengen Zone.
→ Check if you need a visa for Austria.
Time of year to visit: Austria can be visited all year-round, depending on what you're interested in. Austria is lucky in that it experiences all four seasons fully: flowers in the spring, heat and sun in the summer, changing leaves in the autumn and full-on snow and Christmas in the winter.
Length of stay: I have visited Hallstatt three times, in winter, summer and autumn, each time just as a day trip from nearby Salzburg, where I live. It's totally feasible to see all of the highlights of Hallstatt in a day and most tourists do it this way but it could also be lovely to spend a night here, especially as that gives you the chance to explore the busy town before and after the day-trippers are around and support the local economy.
Winter
Summer
Autumn
By flight: The closest airport is in nearby Salzburg. The W. A. Mozart Airport is Austria's second-largest airport after Vienna, the capital city. You can base yourself in Salzburg and do a day trip to Hallstatt or head straight to the town and stay there.
It's a fairly small airport with one main departure lounge however it services over 50 direct destinations on three continents. Best of all, Salzburg connects directly with Frankfurt (Germany), Dubai (United Arab Emirates) and Istanbul (Türkiye) from where you can get anywhere in the world.
Alternatively, one of Europe's biggest and busiest airports is in Munich just across the border in Germany. You can drive from Munich Airport to Hallstatt in about three hours.
Flying into Salzburg
Salzburg's W. A. Mozart Airport
By car: If you're arriving from a neighbouring European country (Austria borders eight!) or within Austria, you can also get to Hallstatt with your own wheels. Hallstatt is about an hour and 15 minutes from Salzburg, three hours from Innsbruck and about three and a half hours from Vienna.
→ If you don't have your own car, you can rent one in Salzburg, Innsbruck or Vienna.
However, due to how busy it gets, there is no parking directly in Hallstatt. Only residents are able to park their cars within the village; not even overnight guests may drive into Hallstatt. Instead, there are four large parking lots nearby from where you can walk or take a shuttle into town - they're clearly marked as you drive in and you simply need to follow the signs. You cannot reserve a spot in advance and so it is first-come, first-serve. Therefore, it is highly encouraged to travel to Hallstatt by public transport if possible.
→ Learn more about parking in Hallstatt.
By public transport: Reaching Hallstatt by public transport is very easy and popular. From Salzburg, either take bus 150 to Bad Ischl and transfer to the train to Hallstatt or take the train from Salzburg to Attnang-Puchheim and transfer to Hallstatt. The journey is about two hours.
→ Purchase your train tickets to Hallstatt with ÖBB (Österreichische Bundesbahnen).
Once you arrive at Hallstatt station, you need to ride the cute 15-minute ferry across the Hallstätter See. It aligns with the train schedule, departing shortly after the train arrives. At the time of writing, it was €7 per person for a round trip (keep your ticket for the return journey!) payable by cash only. Don't forget to check when the last ferry runs each day so you don't miss your trip back!
Riding the train from Salzburg to Hallstatt in summer
Sunny Traunsee from the train
Riding the train from Salzburg to Hallstatt in winter
Snowy Traunsee from the train
Taking the ferry to Hallstatt in summer
Taking the ferry to Hallstatt in winter
By guided tour: It is possible to visit Hallstatt with a guided tour which is a great option if you're short on time and want to do a day trip from where you're staying or simply want to go the guided route. These tours are available primarily from Salzburg or Vienna but also available from a few other nearby cities such as Munich or Bratislava.
Due to how busy it gets, Hallstatt is actually traffic-free, with only residents able to park their cars there; not even overnight guests may drive into the village. Check out the "how to get to Hallstatt" section above for details.
Therefore, the best and only way to explore Hallstatt is on foot! This is the best way to wander the adorable little streets and enjoy the idyllic town from every angle.
I have visited Hallstatt three times, once in summer, winter and autumn (looking forward to visiting it in spring!). Each time, I have come just as a day trip from nearby Salzburg, where I live. It's totally feasible to see all of the highlights of Hallstatt in a day and most tourists do it this way but I think it could also be lovely to spend a night here, especially as that gives you the chance to explore the busy town before and after the day-trippers are around and support the local economy!
Hallstatt is a small, very famous, beloved mountain town located on the shores of the Hallstätter See. All the highlights can very easily be seen in a few hours.
Find the most famous view of Hallstatt
This fairytale view of Hallstatt is definitely one of the most famous in Austria overlooking the town, the lake and the mountains behind it. It's a short walk along the lake; this is the exact location on Google Maps.
Please be quiet and respectful of the local residents who live here while taking photographs.
In winter
In summer
In autumn
Wander around town
The best thing to do is simply wander the idyllic streets and enjoy the views of the lake from every angle.
Visit the Marktplatz
The main square of Hallstatt is the Marktplatz with the famous Holy Trinity Statue and fountain surrounded by colourful houses and restaurants.
In winter
In summer
In autumn
Hike up to the Skywalk Welterbeblick
One of the best things to do here is to make your way up the mountain above the town to the Skywalk Welterbeblick, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with exceptional panoramic views across the Hallstätter See and Hallstatt below. It can get pretty busy with everyone vying for a photo from the pinnacle of the Skywalk but it's definitely worth it! There is also a restaurant at the top.
You can ride the three-minute funicular up from town for €10 each way but I can really recommend the one-hour walk up through a beautiful forest. The trail starts at the bottom of the funicular, called the Salzbergbahn.
Check out the view from the Pfarrkirche
Walk up to the Mariä Himmelfahrt and wander through the little cemetery with incredible views over Hallstätter See and the tops of the roofs of the village.
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Hi! I’m Jana, a Dutch-German-British-Canadian with a dream of seeing every country in the world. I am a storyteller, photographer and adventurer passionate about documenting and sharing my travels.
Lovely music, video, photos and crisp story. Loved it, lm there next month.
See you in lndia!
Thanks.
Author
Thank you so much! Have a wonderful time – Hallstatt is magical.