Getting around Hallstatt

Austria

Hallstatt is so small that you won’t need any public transport within the town itself. You can walk through the historic centre, and ordinary visitors cannot even get there by car or bus.

You’ll mainly use buses when travelling to Obertraun, Dachstein-Krippenstein, Gosausee or Bad Ischl. Hallstatt railway station is situated on the opposite shore of the lake and is connected to the centre by a ferry.

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Where How Journey time
Centre -> P1, P2 or Hallstatt Lahn On foot 10–20 minutes
Hallstatt railway station -> Town centre Ferry from Hallstatt Markt 7 minutes
Dachstein Krippenstein Bus 543, return 544 15 minutes
Gosausee By bus, changing at Gosaumühle 1 hour
Bad Ischl By bus, changing at Gosaumühle 45 minutes

On foot through Hallstatt

The historic centre is a pedestrian zone and public transport does not go there. You’ll need to continue on foot from the bus stops and car parks.

  • It takes about 10 minutes to walk from the Hallstatt Lahn terminal to Marktplatz
  • From the Hallstatt Nord stop, it takes about 15 minutes to walk to Marktplatz
  • From car parks P1 and P2, allow 10 to 20 minutes’ walk, depending on where you’ve parked
  • The Hallstatt Lahn terminal and car park P2 are closest to the lower station of the Salzbergbahn cable car

There are no regular city buses or public shuttle services running between the car parks, bus stops and the town centre.

Furthermore, during the day the main street is usually full of tourists, so walking is often quicker than any form of transport.

The ferry between the city centre and the railway station

Hallstatt railway station is situated on the eastern shore of the lake. From the platform, it’s a two-minute walk down to the ferry terminal, from where you can take the ferry to the Hallstatt Markt pier right in the historic centre.

The crossing itself takes about 7 minutes and the ferry runs all year round. A single ticket costs 4 eur, a return ticket 8 eur.

A combined train and ferry ticket is not currently available.

You cannot pay by card on the ferry. Take cash with you and bear in mind that you will have to pay for the crossing separately.

  • at the railway station -> pay the ferry crew directly when boarding
  • In the centre of Hallstatt -> buy your ticket from the small kiosk at the ferry terminal

Not all ferries automatically connect with all trains. The ferry timetable is aligned with some train services, but you may sometimes have to wait up to 40 minutes at the railway station.

What’s more, in the evening, the boat service ends considerably earlier (around 6.30 pm) than the last train departs!

You should therefore check the current ferry timetable yourself before travelling.

If the train is delayed, the ferry’s departure may be postponed, but the connecting service is not guaranteed.

If you are arriving on the last ferry, do not automatically alight at Hallstatt station. Look for a connection via Obertraun-Dachsteinhöhlen or Steeg/Hallstätter See-Gosau and allow for a bus or a pre-booked taxi.

In summer, pleasure boats also operate between Hallstatt Markt, Hallstatt Lahn and Obertraun.

They only run a few times a day and may be cancelled in bad weather. The bus is a more practical option for general travel in the area.

Buses around Hallstatt

OÖVV regional buses numbers 543 and 544 pass through Hallstatt. The following stops are particularly important for tourists:

  • Hallstatt Lahn (Bus Terminal) – the main terminal near car parks P1 and P2, the Salzbergbahn cable car and the southern edge of the town centre
  • Hallstatt Nord – the northern edge of the town, from where it is a short walk to the churches, the viewpoint and the Marktplatz
  • Hallstatt Gosaumühle – a transfer stop outside the town centre at the junction of the roads to Hallstatt and Gosau

Gosaumühle is not in the centre of Hallstatt. When travelling into town, carry on to Hallstatt Nord or Hallstatt Lahn.

How to search for connections

Don’t rely on Google Maps when searching for buses in Hallstatt. Local services often don’t appear at all or show an incomplete route.

The most reliable option is the official OÖVV search tool. It includes up-to-date timetables, delays, service suspensions and the exact names of stops.

Useful apps:

  • OÖVV Routenplaner for finding buses and checking current departures – Android / iOS
  • OÖVV Ticket App for buying tickets – Android / iOS
  • ÖBB Scotty for combining buses, trains and walking – Android / iOS

OÖVV uses two separate apps. The Route Planner is mainly used to search for connections, whilst the Ticket App is used to buy tickets.

Always check the ferry service to the station directly on the ferry company’s website.

To Obertraun and the Dachstein Krippenstein

Bus 543 runs from the Hallstatt Lahn terminal directly to the lower station of the cable car. Get off at the Obertraun Dachsteinseilbahn stop.

The return journey to Hallstatt is service number 544.

The same services also serve the centre of Obertraun, Obertraun-Dachsteinhöhlen railway station and accommodation around the lake.

  • Journey time: 10 minutes
  • Frequency: once an hour
  • Fare: 3,50 eur

To Gosausee

From Hallstatt, take bus 544 to the Gosaumühle stop and change there to bus 542 towards Gosau. The final stop, right by the lake, is called Hintertal b. Gosau Gosausee.

  • Journey time: 45 minutes
  • Frequency: once an hour
  • Fare: 7,60 eur

To Bad Ischl and Bad Goisern

You also change at Gosaumühle when travelling towards Bad Goisern and Bad Ischl. Bus 544 runs from Hallstatt to here, and you then continue on lines 541 or 542, depending on the specific service and direction.

The numbers of connecting buses may vary depending on the direction of travel. It is more reliable to search for the entire route using the names of the stops.

Tickets and payment on the bus

You can buy a ticket directly from the driver. Simply tell them the name of your destination stop.

Payment can be made:

The fare is calculated based on the fare zones travelled through. When purchasing via the app, you will see the fare before payment.

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Salzkammergut Shuttle

Bus services become less frequent in the evening, and some places in the surrounding area are not served by regular routes. These gaps are filled by the Salzkammergut Shuttle, which can be booked in advance.

The shuttle only runs between fixed stops. You must book it at least 1 hour before your journey:

  • Online via the booking system
  • By telephone on +43 50 422 422
  • Via the app, which is currently only available for Android

A short journey of up to 3 stops costs 3,50 eur; a longer journey within a single route 6 eur. You can pay in cash or by card.

The shuttle service complements regular buses and trains. If a regular service is running at a suitable time, the booking system may not allow you to book a journey. It is therefore most useful early in the morning, in the evening, or when travelling to less accessible starting points for hiking trails.

Taxis, Uber and Bolt

Neither Uber nor Bolt operate in Hallstatt. Do not rely on them in the neighbouring towns of Obertraun, Gosau or Bad Goisern either.

Traditional taxis are available, but you’ll need to book one by phone. Don’t expect them to be waiting automatically at the bus terminus or the cable car station.

We recommend booking in advance for evening and early morning journeys.

Contact details for local taxi services:

You’ll mainly use a taxi after the last bus has left, if you have an early train to catch, if your accommodation is away from the main stops, or when returning from a hike.

Prices vary. When booking, make sure to confirm the price and whether card payments are accepted.

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