Accommodations in Salzburg, Austria
Good Sleeps
In this pedestrianized city of salt there are more accommodations than you can poke a stick at. Not that I endorse stick poking, or any other poking of sorts. Below is an abridged list of restful lodgings to simplify, from cheap to steep, both for Railers and Drivers (the latter found in the latter half of this Good Sleeps section). Unless otherwise stated, all accommodations come with breakfast and have a shower and toilet in the room, excluding hostels (and of course the two campgrounds listed at the very end of this section).
To help you better navigate this section, I’ve rated each accommodations entry with a dollar symbol based on the price of double occupancy. For example, one $ symbol means the price of a double (twin) at the respective property is 60€ or less; two $$ symbols mean the price of a double (twin) is generally between 60€ and 100€; three $$$ symbols mean the price is generally between 100€ and 170€; four $$$$ symbols mean the price exceeds 180€.
$ — pocket-friendly, 60€ or less.
$$ — moderately priced, generally between 60€ and 100€.
$$$ — upper end, generally between 100€ and 170€.
$$$$ — superior, from 180€.
Note: Room prices throughout town typically increase a great deal during the month-long Salzburg Festival in August. As you already know from reading the beginning of this chapter, I urge you to buy the Salzburg Card—which also may be for sale at your accommodations. Note that when “dbl” is written below it refers to a private room for two persons, not necessarily a private room having a double bed. Typically in Austria a double bed is two singles, or twins, pushed tightly together to form a double. If it is a twin you’re after, request when booking that the beds be separated.
The weather in Salzburg rarely sizzles in summer but in case you arrive during a heat wave, you risk a sleepless night due to the open windows in your room amplifying the possible street racket like bullhorns at a union rally, unless of course your accommodations are air-conditioned. Thus, here are the few digs from this Good Sleeps section that have AC: Star Inn, Ramada, Hotel Stein, Art Hotel Blaue Gans, Hotel Sacher, and Hotel Schloss Mönchstein.
Budget-minded travelers looking for a private room should also consider the newly refurbished accommodations at the hostels YoHo and JUFA.
Railers, from the main train station, the Ramada is located next door and the YoHo hostel is a 10-min walk. All the rest are within a 30-min walk or, easier, reachable via bus.
Although I am (obviously) partial to all the digs listed in this Good Sleeps section, I would have to say my favorite is bucolic Gästehaus Bonauerhof (pictured in the header above). However, it is a distance from the Old Town and therefore better suited for Drivers. That said, I’ve written directions for Railers, too.
Lastly, you’re welcome to enjoy the perks listed for the (hostel-hotel) JUFA, namely the free screening of the movie “The Sound of Music” (every evening at 20:00), their pocket-friendly cafeteria and free Wi-Fi in the lobby.
Note: To beat down the listed room rack-rates for the accommodations on this page, comparison shop the recommended wholesalers here.
PURCHASE the full do-it-yourself Salzburg, Lake District & The Sound of Music destination guide, pdf file download or traditional-style guidebook (pictured below). See this guidebook on Amazon.com
Click thumbnail for larger image (but note the actual size of the guidebook is 5.06" x 7.81", not what's shown).
Brett Harriman (Photoshoped) is seen here on Kapuzinerberg holding the Salzburg, Lake District & The Sound of Music guidebook with old-town Salzburg in the background. (2012 guide out soon) (See this guidebook on Amazon.com)
(See Comments at the bottom of the page and feel free to add one of your own!)
$ (hostel) YoHo, (Paracelsusstrasse 9, a 15-min walk from the Old Town, tel. 0662/879-649, free Wi-Fi in lobby or use of Internet computer for for 1.50€/hr). If you’re looking for a hostel with a lively atmosphere, look no further. YoHo is the No. 1 choice in town for backpackers, affording its guests friendly staff, discounted tours, bike rental, daily screening of the movie “The Sound of Music” (at 10:30), inexpensive meals (for breakfast and dinner, including all-you-can-eat salad), DVDs on loan from reception, and an in-house bar with a very “happy hour” (typically 18:00-19:00). PRICE, (summer rates quoted, less off-season; sheets and key included but require a 5€ deposit), 8-bed dorm 19€, 6-bed 20€, 4-bed 21€ (23€ with shower in room), sgl from 40€, dbl from 65€, family room possible. All major CCs accepted. Note: Check-out 10:00! GPS: N47 48.496 E13 02.848. Drivers, street parking where space is available (free weekends or Mon-Fri 1.30€/hr 9:00-19:00 max 3hr); discounted garage parking possible (see reception). Railers, from the main train station YoHo is roughly 7€ by taxi or a 10-min walk. By foot, exit front of station and go left some 200 meters to the traffic light, then walk left under rail bridge. Continue straight and make the second right into Paracelsusstrasse. Your digs are on the second block, right side. From Salzburg airport, a taxi will cost around 16€ (depending on traffic), or hop on bus 2 toward town and get off at Stelzhamerstrasse, 30-min ride (5th stop after main train station; bus departs every 10 min, and every 20 min after 19:00 Mon-Sat and all day Sun)—exit bus left then make the first left (Lasserstrasse), at the forward intersection go left again and cross the street to your digs.
$$ (hostel) Institute St. Sebastian, (Linzergasse 41, a 5-min walk from the Old Town, tel. 0662/871-386, reception open daily 8:00-12:00 & 16:00-21:00 but longer in summer, Wi-Fi 2€/hr or 5€/day). Incomparable hostel, clean facilities and centrally located, Institute St. Sebastian doubles as a home for college students, thus it has all the necessary amenities to sustain long-term occupancy, e.g. elevator, self-service kitchens (request key for fridge space), laundry facility (by appointment only, about 4€/load), communal rooms, and a peaceful rooftop terrace. What’s more, St. Sebastian’s is oozing with history (and thus the reason I used the word “incomparable” above) because it adjoins a late-Gothic church built in 1505 and the hostel’s backyard is an enchanting cemetery, landscaped in 1595. Eternal inhabitants include Mozart’s father, Leopold (d. 1787) and Mozart’s widow, Constanze (d. 1842). PRICE (includes sheets, breakfast), dorm bed 21.50€ (or 19.50€ with own sheets), sgl 44€, dbl 70€, trpl 84€, quad 98€. CC: VC, MC. Note: If staying only one night add 2€ to rate. Church bells begin ringing at 6:00! GPS: N47 48.231 E13 02.814. By foot from the Old Town, walk across the Salzach River via the Staatsbrücke (main bridge) and climb Linzergasse to No. 37, then swing left through the arch to reception just inside the door on the right. Railers, from the main train station, it’s about a 25-min walk (take Rainerstrasse straight to Mirabellplatz then follow “Exit bus left…” directions), 8€ with taxi, or take any bus direction Zentrum and get off at Mirabellplatz (3rd stop). Exit bus left and cross the street with the traffic light into Paris-Lodron-Strasse. Continue straight some 150 meters to the stone archway on the right, just past the Loreto church. Walk through the archway and continue straight through the passages. The door into the hostel will appear near the end on the left at No. 41 (before archway). From Salzburg airport, a taxi will cost around 19€ (tell the driver you want to be driven through the city [the alternative route is longer via the autobahn]), or hop on bus 2 toward town and get off at Mirabellplatz, 30-min ride (3rd stop after main train station; bus departs every 10 min, and every 20 min after 19:00 Mon-Sat and all day Sun), then follow the above directions for Railers: “Exit bus left…”.
$$ (hostel-hotel) JUFA, short for Jugend & Familiegästehaus, (Josef-Preis-Allee 18, tel. 05/708-3613, free Wi-Fi in lobby or use of Internet computer for purchase). This large 4-story youth-and-family hostel-hotel, located within easy reach of the Old Town (under 10 min by foot), has just undergone major renovations that deserve your attention. The lobby is spacious and sunlit, inviting and airy, a place to make new friends, exchange ideas and stories, pick up the latest brochure or sign up for a discounted tour, plan the day’s itinerary or relax with a beverage from the café-bar, watch the movie “The Sound of Music” (free daily screening at 20:00), log on to free wireless, or rent a bike (5€/3hr or 10€/day) and cycle along the river. Adjoining the lobby, the cafeteria serves up a heaping lunch (12:00-14:00) and dinner (18:00-20:00) menu (6.50€ small plate or 9.50€ all-you-can-eat buffet) with vegan alternatives. Stop by; dig in. All told, this wheelchair-accessible hostel-hotel has 350 beds, an elevator, laundry (5€/load=wash-dry-powder), congenial staff, and fab views to the fortress! PRICE (includes sheets, breakfast), 8-bed dorm from 19€, sgl 55-65€, standard dbl from 85€, comfort from dbl 115€, family room available. All major CCs accepted. Note: All private rooms are outfitted with a shower and toilet. Check-in from 13:00. Must be a member or an extra charge (1.50€/night) will apply. If you stay only 1 night there will be a 2.50€ surcharge. Individual travelers looking for a dorm bed here have only the 8-bed option. Although these dorms are renovated, they are one level below ground in a confined area thus I’m not overly enthusiastic about them. The only other option is if you’re traveling in a small group of 3 or 4, then you can opt for your own 4-bed dorm at 30-35€ per person. Lockers are provided in the hallway and work with a 2€ deposit (coin is returned upon reopening locker). Suggestion: Devote an evening to the film classic “The Sound of Music.” Have dinner here around 19:00 then watch the movie at 20:00. If you’re not finished with your meal by the time Maria takes to the hills, eat it in the TV area. Also, to complement your von-Trapp experience: beer, soda, hot drinks, pizza, sandwiches, fruits and whatnot are always available for purchase at the snack bar. GPS: N47 47.689 E13 03.370. Drivers, park in lot out front of property, 5€/day. Railers, from the main train station, a taxi will cost around 9€, or ride either bus 3, 5, 6 or 25 to Justizgebäude (10 min)—exit bus left and walk some 50 meters to the crosswalk and cross over. On the other side of the road take the lane Josef-Preis-Allee straight to your digs at the end. From Salzburg airport, a taxi will cost around 15€ (depending on traffic), or ride bus 8 toward town (departing Mon-Sat every 10 min until about 20:25, *no service thereafter or on Sun) and get off at Justizgebäude (20-min ride), then follow the above directions for Railers: “—exit bus left…”. *If arriving after hours or on Sunday, ride bus 2 from outside the airport to the Hauptbahnhof (main train station) then follow directions above for Railers.
$$ Star Inn, (Hildmannplatz 5, tel. 0662/846-846, free Wi-Fi and use of Internet computer in lobby). These newly opened 3-star digs (July 2007) with few frills but modern design and flat-screen TVs add 86 air-conditioned rooms (48 standard, 17 business, 17 family, 4 suites) to Salzburg’s accommodations pool for both Railers and Drivers. Conveniently positioned just outside the west end of the Old Town, in front of the Siegmundstor (gate) cutting through the Mönchsberg (Monks’ Ridge) to the festival halls and main shopping street, Star Inn’s proximity to Mozart’s birthplace and other major attractions is just the proverbial cow chip chuck away. PRICE (add 10€ to standard and biz rate if you’d like a balcony), standard sgl 69€ (biz 89€, suit from 109€); standard dbl 89€ (biz 109€, suite from 129€); trpl/family two-dbl beds 119€ (suite 149€); quad/family two-dbl beds 129€ (suite 159€); breakfast buffet 11€/person. All major CCs accepted. Note: Children ages 2-11 accompanied by their parents stay for free, including breakfast. During the month-long Salzburg Festival in August, add 40€ per night to the room price. GPS: N47 47.855 E13 02.264. Drivers, parking 15€/24hr; exit the A1 autobahn at “Flughafen” and follow signs to Salzburg, then Mitte and Hotel route. After about 4 km you will reach a giant cliff face and a tunnel funneling into the Old Town—don’t drive through the tunnel! Before it, on the right, are your digs. Park by the hotel to unload and notify reception of your arrival. Railers, from the main train station, a taxi will cost around 10€, or hop on bus 1 direction Europark/Red Bull Arena (departs every 10 min, and every 20 min after 19:00 Mon-Sat and all day Sun) and get off at Reichenhaller Strasse (15-min ride; when the bus goes through the tunnel, Reichenhaller Strasse is the next stop. Push halt button on handrail to signal driver). Exit bus right, stroll back to the crosswalk and your digs are across the street. From Salzburg airport, a taxi will cost around 9€, or ride bus 8 toward town (departing Mon-Sat every 10 min until about 20:25, *no service thereafter or on Sun) and get off at Reichenhaller Strasse and your digs (10-min ride). *If arriving after hours or on Sunday, hop on bus 2 outside the airport then connect onto bus 1, like so: ride bus 2 toward town (departing every 10 min until about 22:35) and get off a few stops later at Hans-Schmid-Platz (mention this to bus driver upon boarding). From here cross over to bus 1 direction Messe and get off after a handful of stops at Reichenhaller Strasse and your digs.
$$$ Hotel-Pension Chiemsee, (Chiemseegasse 5, tel. 0662/844-208, no Internet access). Situated next to a few wine bars on a pedestrian lane near Mozartplatz in the Old Town, this 3-star boutique pension lovingly run by Veronika Höllbacher is so cute that you’ll want to call it your own. The only drawback, the building dates from the 12th century and the elevator-equivalent in those days is a narrow staircase climbing to the rooms and petite reception area. Incorporate this into your exercise program to help work off the schnitzel hand-prepared next door (Mon-Sat 8:00-18:00) in Veronika’s newly opened traditional-style restaurant: zur Schnitzel Schmiede (meaning ‘To the Schnitzel Smith’). PRICE (includes breakfast), sgl 58-72€, dbl 88-138€, trpl 110-148€, for a few extra euros book a suite or an apartment. CC: VC, MC. Note: Pay with cash and receive a 5€ discount per person. If reception is unattended upon your arrival, a message will be waiting for you by the in-house telephone connecting Veronika. Switching gears; through the archway (No. 8) at the end of the lane is the Chiemsee Hof, an urban palace dating from 1216 that presently houses the provincial offices of the state governor. GPS: N47 47.867 E13 02.967. Drivers, because of the new security pilons, notify Veronika upon booking that you'll be arriving by car. Additionally, the property is tough to find, thus plan your route or stop by (Süd) TI for directions. You’re allowed to unload out front of the pension but it’s very tight and parking (about 15€/day) is a short jog away. Railers, from the main train station, a taxi will cost around 9€ or catch bus 3, 5, 6, or 25 direction Zentrum and get off at Mozartsteg (10-min ride). Exit bus left; walk to the next street (Sebastian-Stief-Gasse) and turn right. This leads to Papaganoplatz. From here, go left (Pfeifergasse). Make the next right then go right again (Chiemseegasse) to your digs third on the right. From Salzburg airport, a taxi will cost roughly 15€ (depending on traffic), or ride bus 8 toward town (departing Mon-Sat every 10 min until about 20:25, *no service thereafter or on Sun) and get off at Mozartsteg (20-min ride), then follow the above directions for Railers: “Exit bus left;…”. *If arriving after hours or on Sunday, ride bus 2 from outside the airport to the Hauptbahnhof (main train station) then follow directions above for Railers.
$$$ Ramada, (Südtiroler Platz 13, tel. 0662/22850, toll-free reservations from USA/Canada 1-888-298-2054 or within Austria 0800/201-478, within Germany 0800/181-9098, free Wi-Fi and use of Internet computer in lobby). Not only is this the sole Ramada property listed in any one of my guides, it is the only Ramada in Austria! Positioned next to the main train station within a 6-floor glass tower, these contemporary digs are most convenient for Railers in search of 4-star accommodations bang on the doorstep of local transportation (buses, taxis, trains) journeying people here and there, including to all the sights and Berchtesgaden. Moreover, meters away is a coin laundry, supermarket, pharmacy, and the TI. Opened May 2008, this new Ramada offers 120 small yet modern air-conditioned rooms, each with a flat-screen TV but oddly without a mini-bar. Enjoy breakfast or dinner in Ramada’s sixth-floor scenic restaurant in view of the dramatic Salzburger Alps, fortress and church steeples. PRICE, sgl from 95€, dbl from 115€, trpl possible, breakfast buffet 15€/person. All major CCs accepted. Note: The fifth floor is smoking; the four floors below it are non-smoking. During the month-long Salzburg Festival in August, add 25€ per night to the room price. Railers, exit main train station right into your digs. From Salzburg airport, a taxi will cost around 15€, or hop on bus 2 toward town and get off at the Hauptbahnhof (main train station), 20-min ride (bus departs every 10 min, and every 20 min after 19:00 Mon-Sat and all day Sun). Drivers, parking 14€/24hr, follow signs to Zentrum then Hauptbahnhof.
$$$ Hotel Wolf-Dietrich, (Wolf-Dietrich-Strasse 7, tel. 0662/871-275, free Wi-Fi and use of Internet computer in lobby). Located on a quiet street within a 10-min walk of Mirabell, Mozart and the Old Town, this stylish boutique hotel deserves every one of its 4 stars. Rooms are tastefully decorated, comfortable, practical and some even downright romantic, such as the themed suites with their canopy beds and free-standing bathtubs. The hotel’s 40 rooms are actually situated within two buildings: the Altstadt is the main building (with reception, spa and elevator) and the Residenz is directly across the street (without elevator). Both properties are fine, each elegantly refurbished within a large historic row house, except that to reach the top (fourth) floor of the Residenz is roughly 95 steps, which can be tough going for some. One of the delights about the Wolf-Dietrich is its free amenities and services, such as the spa (swimming pool, Finnish sauna, steam room, infra-red cubicle); the complimentary tea-coffee-cake-fruit in the afternoon; the selection of organic foods at breakfast; daily international newspapers; and because all rooms have a DVD player you can borrow a DVD from the library of movies (like, for example, The Sound of Music) available free of charge at reception. PRICE (includes breakfast), sgl 70-130€, standard dbl 85-170€, superior dbl 125-225€ (opt for the superior dbl if your budget allows), suite or family room 155-255€, extra bed 25€. All major CCs accepted. Note: Vegetarians, try Spicy Spices just a few doors along. Convenient if you’re in need of fresh clothes, the hotel has an in-house laundry service or you’ll find a laundromat (Mon-Fri 7:30-18:00, last wash 16:00, Sat 8:00-12:00, last wash 10:00, 10€/load, pay attendant Susan or Monika directly) parked on the corner (at Paris-Lodron-Strasse). Around the other corner is St. Sebastian’s cemetery, grave site of Mozart’s father and widow. GPS: N47 48.260 E13 02.906. Drivers, hotel parking 15€/day, unload out front then have reception guide you further (to nearby garage). Railers, from the main train station, a taxi will cost around 8€, or hop on bus 2 direction Zentrum/Obergnigl and get off at Wolf-Dietrich-Strasse (4th stop but push halt button on handrail to signal driver; bus departs every 10 min, and every 20 min after 19:00 Mon-Sat and all day Sun). Exit bus right then go left on Wolf-Dietrich-Strasse to your digs ahead on the right. From Salzburg airport, a taxi will cost around 19€ (tell the driver you want to be driven through the city [the alternative route is longer via the autobahn]), or hop on bus 2 toward town and get off at Wolf-Dietrich-Strasse, 30-min ride (4th stop after main train station but push halt button on handrail to signal driver; bus departs every 10 min, and every 20 min after 19:00 Mon-Sat and all day Sun). Exit bus right then go left on Wolf-Dietrich-Strasse to your digs ahead on the right.
$$$ Goldene Ente, (Goldgasse 10, tel. 0662/845-622, use of free Internet computer in lobby). Tucked onto a crooked pedestrian lane flanked by art and antique shops in the heart of the Old Town; at the Goldene Ente, or Golden Duck, you’ll get an authentic feel of Baroque life in Mozart’s day. Really! Dating from the 14th century, the Golden Duck is one of Salzburg’s oldest inns, complete with a rich Austrian tradition and a venerated restaurant serving regional cuisine. And you’ll be happy to know that at this newly renovated 3-star hotel a non-smoking environment is maintained and each of its 21 rooms is individually designed, although some are smallish. Upon arriving, ride the petite elevator (or climb the stairs) to reception on the first floor where blond Ulrike is routinely on duty and (as your cordial host) ready to welcome you to sensational Salzburg! PRICE (includes breakfast), pay cash and receive 5% discount; sgl 100-125€, standard dbl 125-160€, superior dbl 150-200€, apartment 200-300€, extra bed 40€. CC: VC, MC. Stay three nights (outside of high season such as Easter, July/Aug and Dec), pay cash, and you qualify for a fourth night free! —Ask when booking. Drivers, park in Altstadt Garage (under 10-min walk), 14€/24hr. Railers, from the main train station, it’s about a 25-min walk, 9€ with taxi, or catch bus 3, 5, 6, or 25 direction Zentrum and get off at Rathaus (5th stop)—exit bus left then take the lane on the right (beneath arch). Go left ahead, skirt the plaza to your right, make the first right then go left on Goldgasse to your digs a short ways farther on the right. From Salzburg airport, a taxi will cost around 15€ (depending on traffic), or ride bus 8 toward town (departing Mon-Sat every 10 min until about 20:25, *no service thereafter or on Sun) and get off at Rathaus (20-min ride), then follow the above directions for Railers: “—exit bus left…”. *If arriving after hours or on Sunday, ride bus 2 from outside the airport to the Hauptbahnhof (main train station) then follow directions above for Railers.
$$$$ Hotel Stein, (Giselakai 3, corner of Linzergasse, tel. 0662/874-3460, free Wi-Fi). If these digs fit within your budget, stay here! Dating from 1399, the building now the 4-star Hotel Stein has a premier location on the right bank of the Salzach River facing the Old Town. Squeaky parquet flooring and dim lighting add character to this historic but recently renovated property featuring designer rooms set in appealing motifs such as Stein (or ‘stone’) and classic Mozart. Make your stay here memorable and request that your room face the river and Old Town (33 of 56 rooms boast this stellar view). 
If stunning vistas bursting from bedroom windows aren’t enough, guests indulge in buffet breakfast on the hotel’s über-scenic rooftop terrace (called the Stein Terrasse) where romantic views of the Old Town and fortress could hardly get better. Case in point: look to my pictured breakfast; simply scrumptious! This could be yours, too. PRICE (includes rooftop breakfast and room with river view), standard sgl 144€/*174€ (executive 174€/*204€), standard dbl 194€/*234€ (executive 214€/*254€—opt for the executive if your budget allows), suite from 264€. All major CCs accepted. *High season, 2011: April (Easter week) 15-26, July 24 (Salzburg Festival) thru Aug 31, Advent weekends and New Year’s Eve. Note: Some street noise may penetrate the room’s double-paned windows; instead of a mini-bar in the room, staff offer a 24-hour drink service; and because there is no bag-carrying porter on duty, ask reception and they’ll do the lifting for you. Lastly, put key in wall to activate room. GPS: N47 48.083 E13 02.699. Railers, from the main train station, it’s around a 20-min walk, 9€ with taxi (depending on traffic), or catch bus 3, 5, 6, or 25 direction Zentrum and get off at Rathaus (5th stop)—walk back across the bridge to Hotel Stein on the corner. From Salzburg airport, a taxi will cost around 15€ (depending on traffic), or ride bus 8 toward town (departing Mon-Sat every 10 min until about 20:25, **no service thereafter or on Sun) and get off at Rathaus (20-min ride) then walk across the bridge to Hotel Stein on the corner. **If arriving after hours or on Sunday, ride bus 2 from outside the airport to the Hauptbahnhof (main train station) then follow directions above for Railers. Drivers, exit A10 autobahn at Salzburg-Süd and follow signs toward Salzburg. Eventually, after about 8 km, you’ll arrive at a reasonably congested intersection. Here will be a traffic light then traffic circle—go right on the circle and cross the river. On the other side, turn left at the traffic light. At the next intersection (a few meters before the traffic light) are your digs on the right. Pull into the provided space by the front door and unload—reception will explain where to park (garage, 19€/24hr, is a 5-min walk from hotel).
$$$$ Art Hotel Blaue Gans, (Getreidegasse 43, tel. 0662/8424-9150, free Wi-Fi and use of Internet computer in lobby). This trendy art hotel could hardly be better situated in the hub of the Old Town, on Salzburg’s historic shopping street, Getreidegasse, the address of Mozart’s birth house. The Blaue Gans, or Blue Goose, dates from the 16th century and, although the historical shell remains, these digs have been fully refurbished to an air-conditioned house of contemporary design studios for tasteful travelers like you and me to lay our heads. (If time allows, have the receptionist show you the wowing before-and-after pictures of the renovations.) Rooms are minimalist yet fashionable, a product of modern art, each individually created but similarly outfitted with flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi. The hotel regularly hosts art exhibitions and social events, usually an in-vogue affair. On one of my recent visits, the luxury car manufacturer Maserati was holding a promotion for its latest GranTurismo. Adjoining the hotel is the recommended traditional-style Blaue Gans restaurant and next door to that is Sporer wines & spirits. Note: If the front desk is unattended upon your arrival, feel free to log onto the lobby Internet computer until the receptionist returns. Most rooms here are first listed by the word “art” then their size in square meters, for example art.15 means 15 sq.m. The art.15 and art studio are petite singles; the art.20 is a small double; the art.25 is a standard-sized double; the art.30 is spacious, and so on. PRICE (includes breakfast), “art.15” 125-145€, “art studio” (about 17 sq.m) 135-155€, “art.20” 145-165€, “art.25” 175-205€, “art.30” 195-245€, “artelier” (about 40 sq.m) 205-265€, “city flat”/“festspiel suite” (about 80 sq.m) 269-345€, bi-level “maisonette suite” (about 115 sq.m) 369-440€, extra bed 35-40€. All major CCs accepted. Railers, from the main train station, a taxi will cost around 10€, or hop on bus 1 direction Europark/Red Bull Arena (departs every 10 min, and every 20 min after 19:00 Mon-Sat and all day Sun) and get off at Herbert von Karajan Platz (10-min ride; 3rd stop after crossing river but push halt button on handrail after 2nd stop, Mönchsbergaufzug, to signal driver to stop). Exit bus left, cross the street (left) with the traffic light, to your digs on the left (enter through back door and head straight to front desk). From Salzburg airport, a taxi will cost around 11€, or ride bus 8 toward town (departing Mon-Sat every 10 min until about 20:25, *no service thereafter or on Sun) and get off at Herbert von Karajan Platz (15-min ride). Exit bus straight to your digs in front of you (enter through back door and head straight to front desk). *If arriving after hours or on Sunday, catch bus 2 outside the airport then connect onto bus 1, like so: ride bus 2 toward town (departing every 10 min until about 22:35) and get off a few stops later at Hans-Schmid-Platz (mention this to bus driver upon boarding). From here cross over to bus 1 direction Messe and get off after a handful of stops at Herbert von Karajan Platz (first stop after tunnel; push halt button on handrail to signal driver). Exit bus straight to your digs in front of you (enter through back door and head straight to front desk). Drivers, exit A1 autobahn at “Flughafen” and follow signs to Salzburg, then Mitte and Hotel route. After about 4 km you will reach a giant cliff face; drive through the tunnel and at the traffic light continue straight; pull into the first available space on the left to unload in front of your digs. The outdoor café/restaurant on the left belongs to the Blaue Gans; enter through back door and head straight to the front desk; have receptionist explain where to park (10€/24hr).
$$$$ Hotel Sacher Salzburg, (Schwarzstrasse 7, tel. 0662/889-770, use of Wi-Fi and Internet computer for purchase). 
Nestled on the right bank of the Salzach River and facing the Old Town, Hotel Sacher has a reputation of impeccable service, accommodations and tradition that far exceeds the boundaries of Austria, and Europe. Since its grand opening in 1866 (then the Österreichischer Hof), Hotel Sacher’s sumptuous 5-star digs have been a popular rendezvous for celebrities, royalty, jet-setting tycoons, political heavyweights, Hollywood movie stars, honeymooners, and free spirits like you and me who care to splurge once in awhile for that deserving occasion. Among Sacher’s famous residents, Julie Andrews and director Robert Wise stayed here in 1964 during the filming of “The Sound of Music.” Tom Hanks, the Dalai Lama, John Denver, Sylvester Stallone, Placido Domingo, and First Lady Hillary Clinton have also been guests at Hotel Sacher, an esteemed property belonging to The Leading Hotels of the World (www.lhw.com). Individuality and personal service are top priorities at Hotel Sacher, privately owned and run by the Gürtler family since 1988. Guests are welcome to indulge in his or her taste of luxury. Painstakingly planned by management and industry professionals, each of Sacher’s 113 rooms and suites have been individually decorated and are a showcase of precious antiques and Oriental rugs, silk wallpaper and original oil paintings. Delicate and soothing color schemes complement sophisticated design elements. Rooms are clean, sharp, spirited, homely, fashionable, air-conditioned, outfitted with flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi and the latest sound systems. On the lower floor, guests get in shape at the fitness center and rejuvenate in the sauna/steam bath, all free of charge. (A broad range of massages and the use of the solarium can be booked via the concierge.) 
Savor the finest cuisine in Sacher’s three restaurants; experience traditional Austrian coffeehouse culture at Café Sacher; or meet in the hotel’s Piano Bar (daily 11:00-01:00) and chill with a cocktail to the air of a live pianist (Mon-Sat beginning at 18:00). At Hotel Sacher, everything is possible. Even a room facing the river and Old Town (which I recommend you request, the alternative is to face the busy road on which you arrived). PRICE (advance Internet rates quoted), dbl standard from 179€, dbl superior from 258€, dbl deluxe from 337€, junior suite from 414€, executive suite from 810€, presidential suite from 2,350€, breakfast buffet 29€ (or may come with room depending on package). For the latest deals, go to the hotel’s website and click Hotel Sacher Salzburg then Packages. Note: Hotel Sacher Salzburg is the sister property of Hotel Sacher Vienna. Did you know, since 1832, as per a closely guarded secret recipe, Franz Sacher and family have been whipping up the world’s most famous torte: a rich chocolate cake with a hint of apricot. The 4-portion Piccolo size cake presented in a classic-style wooden box with Sacher imprint is a sweet gift idea (20€, maximum freshness within 14 days of purchase). To order your Original Sacher Torte, show up in person (café or gift shop) or go to the hotel’s website. GPS: N47 48.135 E13 02.565. Drivers, a doorman awaits your arrival, (valet) parking 29€/day. Railers, from the main train station, a taxi will cost around 7€. From Salzburg airport a taxi will cost roughly 13€ (depending on traffic; tell the driver you want to be driven through the city [the alternative route is longer via the autobahn]).
$$$$ Hotel Schloss Mönchstein, (Mönchsberg Park 26, tel. 0662/848-5550, free Wi-Fi and and use of Internet computer). “Enchanting” is the first word that comes to mind when pondering Schloss Mönchstein, a luxurious 5-star castle hotel perched upon the cliffs rising above the Old Town. Needless to say, the views from here are stupendous! The property, secluded on the bluff by 4 acres of private forested reserve, was first mentioned in the year 1350 as Tetelheimer Tower. In the coming centuries, aristocrats and prominent persons caught wind of the beloved castle estate and became regular visitors. Today, overnighters are treated to rooms furnished with antiques and marble and contemporary comforts, creating a truly exquisite atmosphere. All told, the hotel has 24 exclusively designed rooms and suites, an award-winning restaurant, a romantic wedding chapel, and a restorative health spa (in which many treatments are available, including the classic massage 90€/50 min and body peel 48€/30 min). Freshly completed renovations make Hotel Schloss Mönchstein one of Salzburg’s finest accommodations. PRICE (includes breakfast), dbl 280-345€, junior suite 595-780€, Schloss suite 725-850€, Mönchstein suite 1,100-1,300€, Maria Theresia suite 1,300-1,400€, Royal Suite 1,500-1,950€. Note: Once settled into the hotel, your means of connecting the Old Town will be on foot (pleasant 25-min walk down) or quicker via the nearby Mönchsberg Lift. GPS: N47 48.192 E13 02.151. Drivers, free parking on property; the only way up the bluff is via the district of Mülln, home of the Augustinian brewery and monastery (marked by the copper-topped church steeple). Railers, from the main train station, a taxi will cost around 9€ (depending on traffic). From Salzburg airport a taxi will cost about 15€ (depending on traffic).
Accommodations better suited for Drivers
$$ (hostel-hotel) JUFA listed above also works well for Drivers since it has a (small, 5€/day) parking lot out front and is within easy walking distance of the Old Town.
$ (hostel) Eduard-Heinrich-Haus Jugendherberge, [HI] (Eduard-Heinrich-Strasse 2, tel. 0662/625-976, use of Wi-Fi and Internet computer for purchase). The Eduard Heinrich Haus, peacefully located 2.5 km south of the Old Town on the edge of a wooded reserve near the river, is a clean hostel for families and the quieter type. On the property is a sun terrace with BBQ, ping-pong table, giant-sized chess set, laundry facility, and cafeteria (lunch/dinner 7.50€ but must reserve meal in advance). PRICE (includes sheets, breakfast), 6-bed dorm 19€ with shower-toilet in room, 4-bed dorm 19€ (23€ with shower-toilet in room), sgl 32€ (34€ with shower-toilet in room), dbl 46€ (55€ with shower-toilet in room), family discounts available. All major CCs accepted. Note: Must be a member or an extra charge (3€/night) will apply. Reception open daily 7:00-10:00 & 17:00-24:00. Property doubles as a learning institute, often attracting student groups during the day. GPS: N47 46.852 E13 04.353. Drivers, free parking on property; exit A10 autobahn at Salzburg-Süd and follow signs toward Salzburg. After about 4 km you’ll pass the Park+Ride and TI; continue straight and a few traffic lights farther turn right into Billrothstrasse—follow this street all the way to end as it curves left around eventually reaching the hostel on the right. Railers, I don’t recommend this hostel for you because of its distance from the Old Town, but just in case you need the directions: from the main train station hop on bus 3 direction Salzburg Süd and get off at Polizeidirektion (20-min ride; bus departs every 10 min, and every 20 min after 19:00 Mon-Sat and all day Sun). Cross the boulevard with the light into Billrothstrasse—follow this street a distance then go left on the pedestrian lane Robert-Stolz-Promenade; continue straight, ahead go right (Billrothstrasse) to your digs on the left. From Salzburg airport, ride bus 8 toward town (departing Mon-Sat every 10 min until about 20:25, *no service thereafter or on Sun) and get off at Polizeidirektion (30-min ride), then follow the above directions for Railers: “Cross the boulevard…”. *If arriving after hours or on Sunday, ride bus 2 from outside the airport to the Hauptbahnhof (main train station) then follow directions above for Railers.
$ Etap (Airport) Flughafen, (Josef-Lindner-Strasse 8, tel. 0662/857-036, hotel code 3705, free Wi-Fi). Neighboring the autobahn within a commercial center boasting numerous bars and restaurants, 5 km west of the Old Town, these accommodations above an erotic merchandise store are perfect for Drivers who are arriving late into town without reservations (24-hour check-in possible with credit card). Etap is a basic-service, budget hotel with everything a traveler needs, including satellite TV and climate-controlled rooms. Beds are a one-piece (triple) unit with a double on the bottom and a single bunk-like bed on top for a child. PRICE, sgl *41€/46€, dbl *52€/57€, trpl—same price as dbl but room only possible with child 12yr or under, breakfast 6€/person. All major CCs accepted. *Online rate booked at least 30-days in advance. Note: The above-listed "hotel code" is compatible with Etap website, creating a shortcut to the property—type hotel code in the “Destination” field and click Search, then click hotel link. GPS: N47 47.637 E12 59.132. Drivers, Etap is immediately off the A1 autobahn at exit “Flughafen”; turn right at the (green BP) gas station then right up the ramp and left around to Etap on the right. Free parking; unload out front; ride elevator up to level 1 for reception, then notify staff where you parked. From Salzburg airport would be about a 15-min walk or a short cab ride. Railers, I don’t recommend this hotel for you because of its distance from the Old Town, but just in case you need the directions: from the main train station hop on bus 2 direction Airport/Walserfeld and get off at Outlet Center (20-min ride; bus departs every 10 min, and every 20 min after 19:00 Mon-Sat and all day Sun), then few-min walk (behind Burger King and green BP gas station).
$$ Gästehaus Bonauerhof, (Kapellenweg 3, Viehhausen, tel. 0662/853-361, free Wi-Fi and use of Internet computer). I absolutely adore these digs, and I think you’ll find ’em adorable too. If you’re looking for a quiet bed on a working farm in the ’burbs bursting with fresh country air and vast pastoral vistas, this is for you. Gästehaus Bonauerhof is a family run farmhouse by Helga and Gregor Götzinger who offer seven reasonably sized apartment-like rooms, each with its own balcony, and big hospitality typically associated with country folk. 
Located in the village of Viehhausen 7 km west of Salzburg Old Town, Helga and Gregor have plenty of room for you and their stable of horses, 40 dairy cows, and handful of rabbits: Fredi, Tom, Peter and Fani. Aside from the petting zoo, go for a dip in the natural, spring-fed pool or you’re welcome to borrow the family bikes to cycle through the pretty pastures. Your first stop can be the charming chapel across the street to view the scene (left of its front door) depicting the raging infernos that swept through the village in 1874, charring 12 houses. Right of the chapel door is a memorial to the locals who fell during both world wars. PRICE (includes breakfast), cash only; sgl 38€, dbl 65€, trpl 85€. Book early! There are only 7 rooms. Note: Consider buying the Salzburg Card from Helga to save on the sights as well as bus fare to/fro the Old Town. Bus 27 regularly shuttles between Viehhausen and Salzburg Old Town (Hanuschplatz) every day until last bus around 23:00. GPS: N47 46.985 E12 59.252. Railers, from the main train station, hop on bus 27 direction Airport and get off at Viehhausen Ortsmitte (30-min ride; either notify driver of your intended stop or push halt button on handrail to signal driver to stop; bus departs Mon-Fri every 15 min until about 19:59, Sat until 18:32—outside of these hours including Sunday, bus 27 departs Hanuschplatz in the Old Town every 20-30 min until last bus at 23:10). From Viehhausen Ortsmitte it’s a short walk; exit bus left then ahead go right at the chapel into (lane) Kapellenweg to your digs on the left. From Salzburg airport, a taxi will cost roughly 7€, or ride bus 27 direction Hauptbahnhof and get off at Viehhausen Ortsmitte (5-min ride; either notify driver of your intended stop or push halt button on handrail to signal driver to stop; bus departs every 15 min, and every 20-30 min after 19:00 Mon-Sat and all day Sun until last bus at 23:05). From Viehhausen Ortsmitte it’s a short walk; exit bus right then go right around the corner and ahead go right at the chapel into (lane) Kapellenweg to your digs on the left. Drivers, Gästehaus Bonauerhof is just off the A1 autobahn at exit “Salzburg West.” If you’ve just connected onto the A1 from the A10 or Germany, after exiting at Salzburg West then turn right toward Salzburg and immediately right again at the Viehhausen sign. Take this road a few hundred meters and turn left at the chapel; this is Kapellenweg and your digs are on the left. If you’re coming from the east on the A1 (e.g. from Linz or Vienna), after exiting at Salzburg West go all the way around the turning circle direction Salzburg, then ahead (just after the Himmelreich sign) turn right at the Viehhausen sign. Take this road a few hundred meters and turn left at the chapel; this is Kapellenweg and your digs are on the left.
$$ Star Inn. These digs work well for both Drivers and Railers, thus its entry is listed above in the first section.
$$ Gasthof Auerhahn, (Bahnhofstrasse 15, tel. 0662/451-052, closed last two weeks of June, free Wi-Fi). These unpretentious digs swathed in countrified décor sit opposite a hushed rail line and above the family run restaurant, known locally as an insider tip. But because of Auerhahn’s slight distance from the Old Town, it is only recommended for Drivers (who can park here for free). And since there’s no elevator, you’ll be able to work off the breakfast buffet walking up two floors to your room. At the Auerhahn, named after an alpine bird similar to a rooster, street-facing rooms come with bearable traffic noise and distant views to the fortress. Notify restaurant staff of your arrival; you’ll likely check-in with reserved Heidi and the family dog, Jesse, rescued from the animal shelter. PRICE (includes breakfast), sgl 45-52€, dbl 78-88€, trpl 90-102€. All major CCs accepted. GPS: N47 49.231 E13 02.911. Railers, with so many of the above choices closer to the Old Town, I don’t recommend these digs for you. Drivers, Gasthof Auerhahn is located about 1 km north of the Hauptbahnhof, or main train station; parking can be tough to find during peak hours but nonetheless free at the back of the property or on the street (Feldstrasse) running adjacent. Note: Once settled into the hotel, your means of connecting the Old Town will be via bus 3 (direction Salzburg Süd), which is a 5-min walk to/fro the “Werkstättenstrasse” bus stop (bus departs every 10 min, and every 20 min after 19:00 Mon-Sat and all day Sun). From “Werkstättenstrasse” it’s only a couple of stops to the main train station and a handful more into town. I recommend you get off at Mozartsteg (2nd stop after crossing river), exit bus right then march left uphill into Mozartplatz (a good starting point into the Old Town and from where you can begin my do-it-yourself orientation tour of the city). To return to Gasthof Auerhahn, bus 3 only departs from the New Town side (or right bank) of Salzburg. From principal stops such as Theatergasse, Mirabellplatz or Hauptbahnhof, catch bus 3 direction Itzling-Pflanzmann and get off at Werkstättenstrasse. Exit bus left then go right on Werkstättenstrasse; march all the way to the end of the street then go left to Gasthof Auerhahn ahead on the corner.
$$$ Hotel Untersberg, (Dr. Friedrich Ödlweg 1, St. Leonhard, tel. 06246/72575, use of Wi-Fi and Internet computer for purchase). More bucolic bliss can be found here at Hotel Untersberg, a 4-star rustic retreat with a bona fide Austrian feel idyllically nestled at the foot of Untersberg mountain, on the road connecting Salzburg with Berchtesgaden, 13 km (or 8 mi) to either destination. Country-style furnishings accent spacious rooms that fill with fresh alpine air puffing in from the breathtakingly scenic balcony. In summer, the balconies are colorfully ornamented with vibrant geraniums and every half hour a cable car glides by ascending to the summit of Untersberg mountain. See reception for your discount on the cable car as well as, if desired, free use of a bicycle for pedaling around the edelweiss. For your dining pleasure, Hotel Untersberg has a traditional Austrian restaurant that seeks to indulge your palate. PRICE (includes breakfast and use of sauna), sgl (Salzburg Land) 67-74€, sgl (Kaiser Karl) 78-86€, dbl (Salzburg Land) 112-126€, dbl (Kaiser Karl) 128-142€, trpl and apartment available. All major CCs accepted. Note: Hotel reception groups its rooms into two comfort categories: the Salzburg Land and Kaiser Karl. Although both are fine, opt for the superior Kaiser Karl room if your budget allows. Consider buying the Salzburg Card from reception to save on the sights as well as bus fare to/fro the Old Town. GPS: N47 43.612 E13 02.597. Railers, I don’t recommend this hotel for you because of its distance from the Old Town, but just in case you need the directions: from the main train station hop on bus 25 direction Untersbergbahn (departing every 20 min, and every 30 min after 18:00 Mon-Fri and 17:00 Sat/Sun) and ride it to the end, 30 min. Drivers, free parking on property; exit A10 autobahn at Salzburg-Süd and head toward Berchtesgaden—after 1 km you’ll see the hotel’s flowering facade on the right (turn at traffic light). After you’ve checked in and are ready to head into Salzburg, either catch bus 25 (departing every 20-30 min from behind hotel) or drive into town and park (see Drivers/Parking).
$$$ Gasthof zur Post, (Mozartplatz 8, tel. 06227/2157, free Internet). Although a fair distance from Salzburg, 27 km to be more specific, I’ve listed these digs here because if you’re heading out to the lake district (Salzkammergut) and are open to spending the night in a lakeside village, then consider Gasthof zur Post, located on the tremendously scenic Wolfgangsee.
Gemütlichkeit at Gasthof zur Post isn’t just a term, it’s the real deal. Receiving rights to serve beer in 1415, Gasthof zur Post is a historic gem nearly 600 years old! And nobody is more proud of the fact than the owners (since 1999) and your cordial hosts: Katharina and Norbert Leitner. Catching the eye of all who enter, the provincial mural spanning the front facade dates from 1618 and depicts scenes of noblemen hunting game. The hotel again entered the history books on August 23, 1784, when Mozart’s sister (Nannerl) held her wedding reception here in the Gaststube, or dining room. With emphasis on homegrown décor, the hotel’s fresh rustic interior was built using only timbers and materials from the Salzkammergut. What’s more, each bedroom has its own cultured feel with contemporary design elements, and most have a balcony capitalizing on the dreamy views of the lake and Alps. Wine connoisseurs will treasure a trip down the narrow stone steps into the 16th-century vaulted cellar, where Austrian reds and whites are selected to be savored after an exciting day of sightseeing and adventure. Note: Hotel has elevator, bike rental, and recommended restaurant. PRICE (decreases significantly if staying three or more nights), sgl 92-126€, dbl 112-160€, family room from 163€. CC: VC, MC, AE. GPS: N47 46.021 E13 21.851. Gasthof zur Post is situated on Mozartplatz in the heart of St. Gilgen, a 3-min walk to/fro the ferry dock. Free parking (behind hotel); unload out front then have reception point you the way.
$$$$ Trapp Villa, (exclusive bed-and-breakfast-style accommodations, tel. 0662/630-860, free Wi-Fi in foyer, book ahead and online for possibly a better rate than what I’ve quoted here: sgl from 100€, dbl from 190€, dbl deluxe from 230€, jr suite from 250€, wingside suite from 395€, Baron Suite from 420€, two-night special possible with dinner and SOM tour). Here you have the opportunity to overnight in the former residence of Salzburg’s most famous family.
Dating from 1863, this historic site was not used in the filming of the movie (for reasons explained below) and it is virtually unknown to all fans before you. Excited? Well ya should be. Read on…
Idyllically set within an eight acre forested reserve in the Salzburg suburb of Aigen, the 14-room von Trapp villa is significant because it is here the story truly began in 1926 when a determined 21-year-old Catholic girl from the convent arrived to care for the captain’s sick daughter.
Georg and the children had moved here in 1923, where the family remained until Hitler’s fascist army marched into Salzburg 15 years later. After the von Trapps fled Austria, the Nazis seized the villa. Heinrich Himmler, the head of all Nazi police forces, was especially fond of the property and resided here when in town on “business.” At this time the villa’s leafy quaintness was sacrificed to a cordon of armed guards and barbed wire. Postwar, a religious order, the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, purchased the villa and kept it secluded from the community. Until now! The missionaries leased the property to a hospitality group that opened it November 2008 to the public as the Villa Trapp. Not only will you have the opportunity to sleep in the family’s former bedrooms, but you’ll also have the possibility to enjoy a specially prepared SOM dinner in the family dining room (where the children promptly gathered for meals on whistle command) and to get married in the house chapel (presently set in Georg and Maria’s former bedroom; the location of the original chapel, where Father Wasner gave Easter Mass in 1935 when he first met the Trapp family and discovered their exceptional singing ability, is now the breakfast room). Although no actual furnishings from the von Trapp household remain, the villa is indeed in original condition—including the parquet flooring and the tall bending staircase whose wooden hand-railing repeatedly entertained the seven youngsters as a thrilling slide when their father wasn’t looking—and outfitted with period furniture and fixtures as well as photos of the von Trapps and some family items. (Picture of front facade courtesy of the ©Villa Trapp Foundation.)
Note: Since the villa is now an overnight guest house it is not possible to tour. However, members of the Villa Trapp Foundation are welcome to visit the property (thus the following Suggestion).
Suggestion: You too can be a part of this historical residence even if the lodgings are fully booked. Join the Villa Trapp Foundation (www.villa-trapp.com, lifetime membership 25€) and, among the benefits, you will receive an invite to visit Villa Trapp as well as a 5% discount on all merchandising (i.e. gift-shop items). If your visit to Villa Trapp is last-minute, you can typically join the foundation at the property (if the gate is closed, ring the buzzer to be let in).
GPS: N47 47.347 E13 04.906. To get there, Villa Trapp is located at Traunstrasse 34 in the suburb of Aigen, 3 km southeast of Salzburg’s Old Town. 
By taxi from the Old Town is roughly 13€. Railers (if you’re carrying a valid Salzburg Card then I suggest traveling by bus), from Salzburg’s central station, there’s a regularly scheduled train (departing every 30 min Mon-Sat, hourly on Sun) to Bahnhof Aigen (from which the von Trapps originally “escaped” the Nazis in 1938), 9-min trip then 9-min walk. From Aigen station bounce down the steps, through the underpass to the other side of the tracks, and up the steps. Veer right, go straight a few meters then right around the corner and follow the whitewashed wall all the way to the intersecting street and right around to the front gate of the von Trapp villa nestling in the trees. By bus from the city, hop on #7 direction Salzburg Süd and get off at Bahnhof Aigen (train station from which the von Trapps originally “escaped” the Nazis in 1938), 10-min ride (bus departs Hanuschplatz and Mozartsteg every 10 min, and every 20 min after 19:00 Mon-Sat and all day Sun). From Bahnhof Aigen, it’s less than a 10-min walk—jog across the street, down the steps, through the underpass to the other side of the train tracks, and up the steps. Veer right, go straight a few meters then right around the corner and follow the whitewashed wall all the way to the intersecting street and right around to the front gate of the von Trapp villa nestling in the trees. Drivers, note that street parking here is scarce and on the property it is limited to overnight guests (unless you’re joining the abovementioned Villa Trapp Foundation). If you’re coming from the autobahn at Mondsee, head towards Salzburg and exit at “Salzburg Nord.” Drive towards Salzburg. Continue on this busy avenue (Salzburger Strasse turning to Vogelweiderstrasse) all the way to the end. At the traffic light, turn left. Ahead, under 1 km, veer right onto a one-way section of road (Ignaz-Härtl-Str, after gas station) then go right at the forward junction. Drive this heavily trafficked road nearly 1 mile to the end and turn left (direction Hellbrunn, Untersberg). This will put you onto Aigner Strasse, leading to Aigen. Continue straight and at the second traffic light (Blumaustrasse), turn left. Drive beneath the train tracks (on which the von Trapps originally “escaped” the Nazis from nearby Aigen station in 1938), follow the road right around and make the second right into Traunstrasse. At the other end of this residential street, beyond the whitewashed wall, is the von Trapp villa (right) nestling in the trees. If you’re coming from the A10 autobahn, exit at Salzburg-Süd and drive towards Salzburg. After about 4 km turn right (immediately past the Park+Ride) direction Aigen. Continue straight and cross the river. Go around and left on the upcoming traffic circle, putting you onto Aigner Strasse leading to Aigen. Continue straight—you’ll soon drive beneath the train tracks on which the von Trapps originally “escaped” the Nazis from nearby Aigen station in 1938—about 3 km ahead at the 4th traffic-lighted intersection turn right (Blumaustrasse). Drive beneath the train tracks again, follow the road right around and make the second right into Traunstrasse. At the other end of this residential street, beyond the whitewashed wall, is the von Trapp villa (right) nestling in the trees.
Camping:
Panorama, (Rauchenbichler Strasse 21, open mid-March thru Oct and over the New Year holidays, office generally 8:00-23:00, tel. 0662/450-652). Living up to its name, Camping Panorama is parked on a restful ridge set before stunning views that stretch across Salzburg. Moreover, it has all the necessities a camper would desire, including laundry facilities (washer-dryer), a Viennese-style bistro (mid-May thru Sept), and apartment-style living for those who prefer all the household comforts. GPS: N47 49.726 E13 03.154. Camping Panorama is positioned 3 km north of the Old Town. Drivers, exit A1 autobahn at “Salzburg Nord” direction Salzburg and immediately follow camping (Stadtblick) signs right up the hill.
Schloss Aigen (located on the lane Weberbartlweg but enter "Glaserstrasse" into your navigation system, office generally 7:30-22:45, tel. 0662/622-079). Campground Aigen is situated 5 km southeast of the Old Town in a leafy, rural area that epitomizes tranquility—even the drive here is wunderbar! Moreover, the distant views across green meadows to the fortress are mesmeric. The campground also runs an on-site beer garden and casual restaurant (that milk, butter, bread, and Würst for grilling can also be purchased). GPS: N47 46.791 E13 05.470. Drivers, exit A10 autobahn at Salzburg-Süd and drive towards Salzburg. After about 4 km turn right (immediately past the Park+Ride) direction Aigen. Continue straight and cross the river. Go around and left on the upcoming traffic circle, then make the second right following the camping signs all the way through the residential area. Immediately after the petite bridge over the babbling brook, turn right. SOM fans, you’re near the real von Trapp villa (see above entry).
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(This page was last updated March 2011.)
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