Travel Tips for Hallstatt, Austria

Cost: €€ (expensive)

Safety: 5/5 for solo female travellers

Hallstatt is a stunning small town located in the Austrian Alps. It’s well known for its breathtaking beauty, alpine scenery, enchanting architecture, fairy-tale charm and rich history.

The town is situated on Lake Hallstatt and has cobblestone streets, colourful buildings and lakeside houses. Some fans speculate that Hallstatt was the inspiration for the fictional kingdom of Arendelle in the Frozen movie, however this hasn’t been confirmed.

I would recommend visiting Hallstatt for an overnight. I felt very safe in the town, so it’s a great spot for solo female travellers.

How to get there

There are no direct flights to Hallstatt, however you can fly direct from Dublin to Salzburg Airport via Ryanair. The flight length is 2 hours and 25 minutes. You can also fly to Salzburg from Shannon and Cork but there will be stop-overs. 

You will then need to get an ÖBB train or bus from Salzburg to Hallstatt. The journey will take about 3 hours. In Hallstatt, the railway station is on the opposite side of the lake, so you will need to get a ferry (more on this below).

As I was already in Vienna in Austria, I booked a guided tour to Hallstatt via bus. The journey took about 13 hours (round trip with stop-overs included). It is also possible to get an ÖBB train from Vienna Hbf to Hallstatt Bahnhof, and that journey takes 3 hours and 20 minutes (one-way).

Language, Currency & Weather

The official language in Austria is German, however I managed just fine speaking English. Austria’s currency is the Euro. 

Summer is pleasant but rainy in Hallstatt, with temperatures ranging between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius.

In winter, the weather is quite cold, with temperatures ranging between 3 and -8 degrees Celsius. Therefore, I would recommend bringing warm clothing if you’re planning to travel between November and February.

Public Transport

To get to Hallstatt, you can travel via train or bus. Once in the town, it’s very easy to walk everywhere as it is a small place.

As I mentioned already, the railway station is on the opposite side of the lake. To get between the station and the town centre, there is the Stephanie Ferry that departs at the respective arrival and departure times of the trains.

If you want to travel to the Salt Mines from the town, you can hop on a funicular. 

The price of the bus or train service to and from Hallstatt will depend on what company you use, and tickets will need to be bought in advance. You can pay for the ferry separately at the quayside before boarding, and it’s about 3 euro per crossing.

Where To Stay

The accommodation in Hallstatt is expensive, so be prepared to spend some extra cash.

In the town centre, I would advise you to book Pension Cafe zum Mühlbach, Fenix Hall Boutique Hotel or Seewirt Zauner.

If you’re travelling with a group, then I would recommend you book an apartment like Privatzimmer am See or W & S Executive Apartments.

If you’re on a budget, Gasthof Simony Hallstatt B&B is a good option.

Where To Go & What To Do

When visiting Hallstatt, there are plenty of activities and attractions to keep you entertained. Firstly, I would recommend you walk along the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, looking at the beautiful colourful buildings.

I would also advise you to visit the Hallstatt Museum and the Bone House (Beinhaus) in Hallstatt’s cemetery (decorated skulls and skeletal remains are stored in the small chapel).

There are so many viewpoints where you can admire the stunning alpine landscapes. My favourites were the Hallstatt Skywalk or the Five Fingers viewing platform.

Depending on the time of year (as it may not be open), book a tour of one of the world’s oldest salt mines.

Another great way to explore is by boat. Book a tour along Lake Hallstatt and take in the alpine scenery and a different view of the town.

If you have enough time, take a hike in the Austrian Alps and enjoy panoramic views of the mountains and the village below.

What & Where To Eat

When visiting Hallstatt, it’s a must to try the delicious Austrian cuisine like the Wiener Schnitzel (breaded and fried veal or pork cutlets), Kaiserschmarrn (pancake dessert), Gulasch (beef stew) and Apfelstrudel (pastry). It’s also important to try a glass of local beer or Austrian wine.

While in the town, I tried the Apfelstrudel and beer at Seewirt Zauner which is located by the lake. This restaurant is super as it focuses on using only fresh ingredients.

Gasthof Simony serves fresh seafood and local Austrian cuisine and Marktrestaurant Hallstatt is in the heart of the town offering a diverse menu and outdoor seating.

I would also recommend trying Restaurant Rudolfsturm (if you have time). The restaurant is located on top of a mountain and serves traditional Austrian dishes.

Have fun in Hallstatt!