The Salzkammergut region is one of the most beautiful areas in Austria, with clear Alpine lakes, charming villages and dramatic mountain scenery. Salzburg is an excellent base for exploring the region by public transport, although a car can be useful if you want to stop at smaller lakes or viewpoints. This guide compares seven lake day trips from Salzburg by travel time, transport, cost, activities and overall experience.
Salzburg is one of the easiest bases in Austria for exploring Alpine lakes without renting a car. In this guide, I compare seven lake day trips by journey time, public transport, cost, activities, and overall experience. I visited several of these places myself, and I’ve included the practical details I wish I had known before travelling. One destination, Königssee, is across the border in Germany, while the Guest Mobility Ticket may cover eligible public transport journeys within SalzburgerLand.
1. Lake Wolfgangsee
Wolfgangsee is the best choice for an easy, scenic lake day trip from Salzburg. St. Gilgen has a walkable waterfront, Mozartplatz, cafés and boat connections to St. Wolfgang. The Zwölferhorn cable car adds panoramic views and hiking, although some services are seasonal.
- Best for: first-time visitors, villages, boat trips and mountain views.
- Plan: 4–6 hours.
- Accessibility: St. Gilgen is relatively easy to explore, but the cable car and lakeside paths can involve slopes.
- Main drawback: boat and cable-car tickets cost extra, and summer weekends can be busy.
How to Get to St.Gilgen from Salzburg
Take Bus 150 from Salzburg’s main bus station to St. Gilgen (about 1 hour). Buses run regularly throughout the day. Check the official website for the 150 bus timetable.
Budget guide: allow roughly €15 return for the bus, plus about €10 or more for a boat ride, depending on the route. Prices and departures change, so check the Salzburg Verkehr app and the official timetable before travelling. If your accommodation issues a valid Guest Mobility Ticket, eligible public transport may be covered, but boats and attractions are separate.
2. Lake Fuschlsee
Fuschlsee is a quieter option that works especially well when combined with Wolfgangsee on the same bus route. Fuschl am See has clear water, a lakeside promenade, cafés, walking paths and seasonal paddleboat or swimming opportunities. I enjoyed stopping here because it feels more relaxed than the better-known lakes.
- Best for: swimming, a peaceful village stop and combining two lakes.
- Plan: 2–4 hours.
- Accessibility: the village centre and promenade are manageable, but check individual lakeside access.
- Main drawback: there are fewer major sights, and swimming and boat rentals are seasonal.
How to Get to Fuschl from Salzburg
Public transport: take Bus 150 from Salzburg Hauptbahnhof towards St. Gilgen and get off at Fuschl am See, usually around 40 minutes. Allow roughly €10–€12 return without a mobility pass, but verify the current fare and timetable before departure. Because Fuschlsee and Wolfgangsee share the route, they can be planned as one longer day trip.
3. Hallstätter See (Lake Hallstatt)
Hallstatt is the most famous option on this list, but it is also one of the longest and busiest day trips. The village sits beside Hallstätter See, with viewpoints, the waterfront, the salt mine area and the historic centre. The walk to the viewpoint is uphill; the funicular is easier but costs extra.
- Best for: iconic scenery, photography and history.
- Plan: a full day, with at least 5–6 hours at the destination.
- Accessibility: the village is mostly walkable, but slopes, crowds and the viewpoint route may be difficult for some visitors.
- Main drawback: the journey is long and the village can be extremely crowded in peak season.
How to Get To Halstatt From Salzburg
You will need to catch a train from Salzburg to Hallstatt Bahnhof then ferry across the lake to the village. This will take you around between 2-2.5 hrs. Unfortunately this is not free because Hallstatt does not quite fall in the Salzburg region but it worth every penny. It will cost you around €35 for a round trip. This includes the price for the ferry. For further details, read our cheapest way to get to Hallstatt post. It has in depth guide on methods not even found on google maps and as such makes the trip cheaper.
4. Lake Mondsee
Mondsee is an easy, flexible lake day trip with a pleasant town centre, lakeside walks, restaurants, watersports and Mondsee Abbey. Sound of Music fans may recognise the abbey from the film. It is less dramatic than Hallstatt, but it is a good choice when you want a slower day with simple logistics.
- Best for: families, a relaxed lakeside walk and Sound of Music interest.
- Plan: 3–5 hours.
- Accessibility: the town centre is generally straightforward, while lakeside activities vary by venue.
- Main drawback: the best swimming and boat-rental options are seasonal.
What to do: walk along the promenade, visit Mondsee Abbey, stop for lunch, and check local operators for paddleboat, cycling or swimming options. Allow around one hour each way from Salzburg and budget approximately €15 return without a mobility pass. Check the live Bus 140 timetable and fare before travelling.
How to Get to Mondsee from Salzburg
From Salzburg, take Bus 140 directly to Mondsee town. It takes around an hour and it is €15 return. (Keep reading to check how you will get this for free!)
5. Atter See
Obertrumer See is the destination described in this section, not Attersee. It is a quieter local lake near Salzburg with a lakeside park, picnic areas, swimming spots and nature walks. The atmosphere is more relaxed and less tourist-focused than Hallstatt or Wolfgangsee.
- Best for: swimming, picnics and a low-key local escape.
- Plan: 3–4 hours.
- Accessibility: choose the lakeside area carefully because paths and access points vary.
- Main drawback: it has fewer headline attractions, so it is better for relaxing outdoors than sightseeing.
Our visit was a short stop while returning to Salzburg, and we found a quiet place beside the lake for a quick swim. That personal experience is why I would recommend this area for travellers who prefer peaceful outdoor time over a packed sightseeing itinerary. Check local signs and designated bathing areas before entering the water.
How to Get to Obertum Am See from Salzburg
Public transport: take Bus 120 towards Obertrum am See; the journey is roughly 40 minutes. Allow about €10 return without a mobility pass, but check the current Salzburg Verkehr route planner for the exact stop, timetable and fare. Plan around half a day, especially if you want time for a picnic or swim.
6. Zell am See
Zell am See is a larger, more developed resort town with a lakeside promenade, mountain views, watersports, restaurants and cable-car or hiking opportunities nearby. It feels more like a full resort destination than a quiet village.
- Best for: mountain scenery, a lively town and combining the lake with hiking.
- Plan: a full day because the journey is longer.
- Accessibility: the town centre and promenade are relatively easy, but mountain activities vary considerably.
- Main drawback: it can feel expensive and resort-focused, and the travel time makes it less suitable for a short outing.
How to Get To Zell am See from Salzburg:
Public transport: direct trains from Salzburg to Zell am See usually take around 1 hour 45 minutes. Budget approximately €30 return without a mobility pass, but verify the current ÖBB fare and departure before travelling. Allow at least 6–8 hours overall so the journey is worthwhile.
7. Königssee (Germany)
Königssee is across the border in Germany, but it is one of the most memorable lake trips from Salzburg. The emerald lake, steep mountain walls and electric boat journey to St. Bartholomä make it feel very different from the Austrian lakes. Berchtesgaden and the Eagle’s Nest can be added only if opening conditions and transport connections allow.
- Best for: dramatic scenery, boat trips and a full-day adventure.
- Plan: a full day.
- Accessibility: the boat and lakeside areas are easier than the longer mountain hikes, but check access and weather conditions.
- Main drawback: it involves an international border crossing, separate German transport arrangements and additional boat costs.
What to do: take the electric boat towards St. Bartholomä, walk around the permitted lakeside paths, and check the official Königssee operator for boat times and ticket availability. Swimming is not automatically permitted everywhere, so follow local signs. The Eagle’s Nest is a separate attraction and should be checked independently before including it in your itinerary.
When on the lake you need to get on the electrical boat ride. There are two main options here either keep crossing the entire length of the lake or stop at St. Bartholomä Church. This is what we opted to do as it was a great area to explore and relax. You can even take a dip in the lake. Tickets for the boat ride can be bought directly on the Konigsee Lake website.
Read our Complete Guide on how to spend your day trip in Konigssee for more information!
How to Get To Berchetsgaden From Salzburg
Public transport: take Bus 840 from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden, then connect towards Königssee or walk from the relevant stop. Allow around 1.5 hours each way, depending on the connection. Check the current timetable, border requirements and fares before departure; this journey is not covered by the SalzburgerLand Guest Mobility Ticket once you travel outside the province.
How to Get to the Best Lakes in Austria for Free!
You might be wondering if this was clickbait as I have mentioned price tags for all the buses and trains mentioned in this post. These prices can be significantly reduced or become zero if you are staying in Salzburg.
On checking in at your accommodation in Salzburg from the 1 May 2025 you should receive a guest mobility ticket. This will give you free public transport in the region and facilitate any day trips from Salzburg you desire to go on. For a full list of routes check out the Salzburg Guest Mobility website.
List of Free Lakes You Can Visit
- Wolfgangsee
- FuschlSee
- Mondsee
- St Gilgen
- Zell Am See
Prices Without Mobility Ticket
| Lake | Transport Mode | Approx. Travel Time | One-Way Transport Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wolfgangsee | Bus | 1 hr | €7–€9 |
| Fuschlsee | Bus | 40 min | €5–€7 |
| Mondsee | Bus | 1 hr | €8–€10 |
| Hallstatt | Train + Ferry | 2.5 hrs | €25–€32 |
| Obertrumer See | Bus | 40 min | €4–€6 |
| Mattsee | Bus | 45 min | €5–€7 |
| Zell am See | Train | 1 hr 45 min | €25–€30 |
| Königssee (Germany) | Bus + Bus/Walk | 1.5 hrs | €7–€9 |
Salzburg Lake Tours
If you do not want to go into the hassle of planning and catching public transport to get to these beautiful lakes you can always opt for tours. Below are some fantastic options albeit more expensive from GetYourGuide. You can click on any one to view a full list of tours available.
My Recommendations
If you only have time for a couple of day trips from Salzburg then I would look no further then Konnigsee and Hallstatt. Although every lake was stunning, these 2 were simply magical and offer other things to do as well as just exploring the lake.
For this reason alone I would put them on the very top of the best lakes in Austria as I had the best time here and will definitely be back to visit if I ever find myself in the region again. This time I will incorporate some nice long hikes as I visited here with my parents and some of the hikes I go are definitely not suited for them! Another unique day trip not mentioned here is a visit to the Werfen Ice Caves. They are the biggest ice caves in the world and are not to be missed.
Like I said the lakes in Austria are definitely up there in terms of the most beautiful in Europe. However one lake that has a say on that subject is definitely Lake Bled. Find out what to do in Lake Bled – one of Europe’s most picturesque lakes
If you do want to visit Austria another excellent time is for the Christmas markets. The ones in Vienna are one of the more famous ones in Europe and here is a list of the top Christmas markets in Vienna you should visit
