Salzburg Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended hotels

W.A. Mozart Airport has only two bus lines to the centre: the 10 (every 10 minutes, about 15 minutes to the Altstadt) and the 2 (every 10 minutes on weekdays, towards the central station in 20 minutes). The airport is less than 4 km from the city and shares the area with the Wals-Siezenheim trade fair district. Those with at least a day for the UNESCO World Heritage old town find the Altstadt the most convenient base; those leaving at dawn or on a one-night layover have two hotels literally steps from the terminal.

Wals-Siezenheim and the airport area

Airport area · The Airporthotel Salzburg is about 100 metres from arrivals, less than a 2-minute walk; the Leonardo Hotel Salzburg Airport is about 2 km away, reachable in 2 minutes by car or a 15-minute walk along a safe route.

Best for: Departures before 7am and one-night layovers, when it's not worth heading towards the centre.

Pros

You reach the airport on foot or in just a few minutes, without depending on buses or taxis
The area is also connected to the trade fair district (Messe) and the McArthurGlen outlet, useful for business travelers

Cons

Around here there are only terminals, car parks and fair pavilions: dinner means staying at the hotel
For an evening in the centre, 15-20 minutes are still needed on bus line 2 or 10

Recommended hotels in this area

Airporthotel Salzburg - Hotel am Salzburg Airport: The only hotel literally located inside the airport grounds, about 100 metres and a 2-minute walk from the arrivals hall; indoor pool and gym for those with hours to pass between two flights.
Leonardo Hotel Salzburg Airport: In the Messe district of Wals-Siezenheim, 2 minutes by car or a 15-minute walk from the terminal along a safe pedestrian route; breakfast is the most mentioned point in reviews.

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Old town (Altstadt)

City centre · Bus 2 from the central station (Hauptbahnhof) every 10 minutes, 20 minutes to the airport; bus 10 from the old town every 10 minutes, about 15 minutes. By taxi 10-15 minutes depending on traffic.

Best for: Those with at least a day for the cathedral, Mozart's birthplace and Hohensalzburg fortress.

Pros

Cathedral, Residenzplatz and Mozart's birthplace just steps from the room
Two direct bus lines to the airport, with no changes, running frequently every day

Cons

The Altstadt's streets are pedestrian and often closed to traffic: taxis stop some distance from the most central hotels
On summer weekends and during the Festival the area stays very touristy and noisy until late

Recommended hotels in this area

Radisson Blu Hotel Altstadt: One of Salzburg's oldest inns, with origins dating back to 1377, with exposed beams and period furnishings; just steps from Residenzplatz and Mozartplatz.
Sheraton Grand Salzburg: Overlooking the Mirabell Gardens and Palace, with a panoramic terrace on the seventh floor facing the Hohensalzburg fortress.
Altstadthotel Kasererbräu: A historic building in one of the most characteristic districts of the Altstadt, with an entrance hall described by guidebooks as among the most distinctive in the city.

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