Hallstatt-St. Wolfgang -St. Gilgen : Fairytale Villages & Stunning Lakes in DIY Tour from Salzburg

Is Hallstatt really the most beautiful village in Austria… or have travelers been overlooking the two places that are even more breathtaking?
Want to see the most beautiful villages and lakes in Austria on a DIY tour by public transport from Salzburg? Today we’re exploring Hallstatt, St. Gilgen, and St. Wolfgang — by public bus, ferry, and train— in one unforgettable trip. Stay till the end for tips that will save you time, money, and stress & help you plan the most unforgettable trip!

The journey starts from Salzburg at 7:45 AM, taking a train to Golling (0:27-0:30, 1:04).
• From Golling, take bus number 470 to Gosau, then bus number 542 to Hallstatt (2:06-2:16).
• Guest Mobility Card: For regional trains outside Salzburg, the Guest Mobility Card (introduced in 2025) is recommended over the Salzburg card. It can be obtained from your accommodation host (1:31-1:54). A 3-day pass was less than €5 (2:02-2:05).
• The first part of the bus journey to Hallstatt is covered by the Guest Mobility Card, while the second half costs €5.80 per person (2:19-2:24).

Hallstatt:
• Hallstatt is described as one of the most photographed villages in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site (2:28-2:33).
• The video recommends reaching the postcard viewpoint early as it can get very crowded (4:11-4:16).
• Visitors are reminded that Hallstatt is an actual village, so keep voices down (4:21-4:26).
• Insel (Bathing Island): A man-made island 10 minutes walk from town, offering a playground, shallow water, and a diving board (4:52-5:03).
• For quiet time, explore the right side of the town towards a small island accessible by a wooden bridge (5:08-5:18).
• A ferry ride across Hallstatt Lake costs €4 per person (cash only) and offers a different perspective of the village (6:35-6:47, 6:56-7:01). Check ferry timings at the pier (6:49-6:51).
• From Hallstatt train station, take a train to Bad Ischl (€5.30 per person as of 2025), which offers spectacular views alongside the lake (7:32-7:47, 8:35-8:43).

St. Wolfgang:
• From Bad Ischl, take a bus to St. Wolfgang, which offers picturesque countryside views (10:03-10:20). The bus stop is right next to the Bad Ischl train station (9:31-9:34).
• St. Wolfgang is a historic and legendary village on Lake Wolfgang, named after Saint Wolfgang. It was a pilgrimage site that became a popular tourist destination and a spa resort for Vienna's elite (10:55-11:04, 11:41-13:03).
• Take a ferry from St. Wolfgang to St. Gilgen for €11.20 (12:12-12:18). The ferry ride is scenic and relaxing (13:27-13:30).

St. Gilgen:
• St. Gilgen is located at the northwestern edge of Lake Wolfgang, surrounded by mountains (14:00-14:06).
• Its charm lies in its cultural and musical legacy; it is the birthplace of Mozart's mother and his sister also lived there (14:12-14:15, 14:39-14:44). Mozart himself never visited (14:47-14:49).
• St. Gilgen is known for its elegant wooden chalets, lakeside promenade, musical heritage, and panoramic access to the Wolfgang region (16:48-17:00).
• It is less crowded than Hallstatt, offering a more relaxed experience (17:01-17:09).


Please follow our Facebook page for details of upcoming tours: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...

#hallstatt #salzburg #europe #austriatravel #salzkammergut #st.gilgen #wolfgangsee #austria #travel #travelcontent #traveltips