The Salzburg Card is the city’s official sightseeing pass, and in a place where most of the headline museums sit within a few minutes of each other it is one of the better-value cards in Europe. It is sold for 24, 48 or 72 hours from first use and gives one free entry to each of a long list of attractions, including the Hohensalzburg Fortress all-inclusive ticket with the FestungsBahn funicular, Mozart’s Birthplace, the Mozart Residence, the DomQuartier, Hellbrunn Palace and its trick fountains in season, the Museum of Modern Art on the Mönchsberg and in the Rupertinum, the Haus der Natur, the Catacombs of St Peter, the Toy Museum, the Salzburg Christmas Museum, the Stiegl-Brauwelt beer world and Salzburg Zoo. It also covers city buses, the Mönchsberg lift, the Untersberg cable car and the Salzach river cruise, and earns discounts on concerts and excursions. This page links to the Tiqets Salzburg Card ticket.
How it works: you book online and receive a phone voucher, then exchange it for the physical card at one of the listed points, such as the Tourist Info at Mozartplatz 5, the Tourist Info at Salzburg main station on Südtirolerplatz, or the shuttle bus to the historic district. The clock starts at first use, not at collection. Each attraction can be visited once. Cancellation and rescheduling are free until a day before.
What to expect: the card pays for itself quickly if you visit the fortress, both Mozart houses and the DomQuartier, and the free buses save effort in bad weather. Prices are set by season, so it is a little cheaper in the quieter months. Some inclusions are seasonal: in November 2026 Hellbrunn’s palace and trick fountains are closed for winter, and lifts and cruises have their own maintenance breaks, so check what is running on your dates. Concerts and excursions are discounted, not free.
Making the most of it: plan one long, museum-heavy day and start early, as entries add up fast. A 48-hour card suits most first-timers, combining the fortress and DomQuartier on day one with the Mozart houses, the Mönchsberg and a river cruise or Hellbrunn on day two.
What to expect
The experience
A timed city pass with one free entry to each included attraction plus free buses, lifts and a river cruise.
Best time
Activate it on your busiest sightseeing day, first thing in the morning.
How long
24, 48 or 72 hours from first use.
Tips
Collect the physical card at the Mozartplatz or main station Tourist Info and check seasonal closures before you plan your route.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-timers planning to see the fortress, both Mozart houses and the DomQuartier in a day or two.
- Families
- Free entries to the zoo, Toy Museum and Haus der Natur, plus free buses, add up quickly for families.
- Couples
- Use the river cruise and Mönchsberg lift for easy, scenic moments between museums.
- Pair with
- Hohensalzburg Fortress and Mozart’s Birthplace, the two entries that pay back most of the cost.
- Time needed
- One to three days.
Good questions
Is the Salzburg Card worth it?+
Usually yes, if you visit the fortress, the Mozart houses and the DomQuartier, which together cover most of the cost. It also saves on buses and lifts.
Does the Salzburg Card include the fortress funicular?+
Yes, the card includes the Hohensalzburg Fortress all-inclusive ticket and the FestungsBahn funicular. Note the funicular maintenance closures in November 2026 and early 2027.
When does the Salzburg Card start?+
It starts at first use, not when you collect it, and runs for 24, 48 or 72 hours. Each included attraction can be visited once.
Where do I collect the Salzburg Card?+
Exchange your phone voucher at the Tourist Info at Mozartplatz 5, at the main station on Südtirolerplatz, or on the listed shuttle bus. Check the voucher for current exchange points.
Are concerts included?+
No, concerts and excursions are discounted rather than free. Museums, sights, buses, lifts and the river cruise are included.
