Is Salzburg expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Salzburg is one of Austria's more expensive cities, similar to Vienna or Munich and pricier than Prague or Budapest. A budget day is about €110 per person and a mid-range day about €225; during the Salzburg Festival in July and August prices are much higher.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €55 | €110 | €250 |
| Food & drink | €30 | €55 | €110 |
| Sights & tickets | €20 | €50 | €120 |
| Local transport | €4 | €8 | €25 |
| Per person, per day | €109 | €223 | €505 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Salzburg day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Melange coffee in a café | about €4–5.50 |
| Sausage from a stand (Bosna) | about €4–5 |
| Half-litre of beer at Augustiner Bräu | about €4–5 |
| Hohensalzburg Fortress with funicular | about €15–20 |
| Mozart's Birthplace | about €15 |
| Hellbrunn Palace and trick fountains | about €15 |
| Sound of Music tour | about €50–60 |
| Hotel double near the main station | about €100–160 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the biggest cost in a small, popular city: hotels near the main station cost about €100–160 a double, right-bank hotels around Linzergasse €150–260, the old town €180–300 and palace hotels €350–800, plus a local tourist tax. Sights cost €15–20 each, which adds up over two days unless you use the Salzburg Card. Eating in the Altstadt is pricey, while beer halls and sausage stands are good value. Transport costs little because the centre is walkable.
When it is cheaper
November (before Advent), January to March and early April are usually the cheapest months, often with hotel rates roughly 20–40% lower than in festival season.
How to spend less
- Buy the Salzburg Card if you will visit three or four sights; it includes the fortress funicular, Mozart's houses, Hellbrunn, the Mönchsberg lift and public transport.
- Eat at Augustiner Bräu in Mülln, where you buy food from stalls and beer by the mug.
- Stay near the main station or on the right bank, a short walk from the old town.
- Avoid the Salzburg Festival weeks in July and August unless you are going for the music.
- Walk up to the fortress instead of using the funicular if you do not have the card.
- Have a sausage from the Bosna stands for a cheap lunch.
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Common questions
Is Salzburg expensive?
Yes, by Central European standards: about €110 a day on a budget and €225 mid-range, more during the Festival.
Is the Salzburg Card worth it?
Usually yes if you visit three or four sights; it includes the fortress funicular, Mozart's houses, Hellbrunn and public transport.
How much is the fortress?
About €15–20 including the funicular.