Salzburg, Austria

• Salzburg is Austria's fourth-largest city at the foot of the Alps. The baroque Old Town (Altstadt) is a UNESCO site with Mozart's birthplace, the Hohensalzburg Fortress on the hill above, and cobblestone streets full of tourist shops and cafes. It's undeniably beautiful, though during summer it can feel overrun with tour groups.
• Austria consistently ranks as one of Europe's safest countries, and that shows in Salzburg. The cafe culture here means sitting alone with a book or laptop for hours is normal - you'll see locals and tourists doing it everywhere. Nobody will rush you or make you feel awkward.
• Most people in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants speak English. Learning basic German greetings (Grüß Gott, Danke, Bitte) is appreciated but not essential. Emergency services (112) have English-speaking operators, and you'll see police around the main tourist areas regularly.
• If you stay overnight, you get free public transport through the Guest Mobility Ticket. Buses run until 1am on weekdays, 3am on weekends. The Old Town is small and walkable - you can cross it in 15-20 minutes. Most areas feel safe at night, though the train station area is better avoided after dark.

German is the official language. English is common in tourist areas, hotels, restaurants, and among younger people. Emergency services (112) have English-speaking operators. The US Embassy in Vienna is available 24/7 at +43-1-31339-0.

• Austrians dress more formally than you might expect. Locals wear smart-casual even for daily errands, and classical concerts at venues like the Festspielhaus require formal attire. Churches need covered shoulders and no shorts.
• Greetings are formal - firm handshakes with direct eye contact. Use titles (Herr/Frau + surname) unless someone invites you to use first names. The traditional greeting 'Grüß Gott' (literally 'God greet you') is standard across Austria.
• Punctuality is taken seriously - arrive 5-10 minutes early for reservations. If you're running late, call or text. At restaurants, wait for someone to say 'Guten Appetit' before eating, keep your hands visible on the table (but not your elbows), and tip around 10% by rounding up.
• Keep your voice down on public transport and in restaurants - loud conversations are seen as rude. Austrians follow rules strictly: recycling, pedestrian signals, and quiet hours (10pm-6am in residential areas). Most shops close on Sundays.

The first hour after landing is when you're tired, carrying everything, and easiest to take advantage of. Three things to sort before you fly:

• Your ride from the airport. A driver who meets you in arrivals, at a price fixed before you fly — no haggling at the taxi rank.

  Book an airport pickup

• Data the moment you land. Maps, ride apps and a way to call for help as soon as you switch your phone on. An eSIM installs at home.

  Get a good eSIM

• The emergency number. Emergency Services (EU-wide): 112. Save it in your phone, not just on this page.

  All emergency contacts

• If you stay overnight, you get a Guest Mobility Ticket that covers all public transport in Salzburg province during your stay. It costs €0.50 per night (included in your accommodation tax) and works on all buses and trolleybuses.
• The Old Town is walkable - most attractions are within 15-20 minutes on foot. The cobblestone streets look nice but are annoying with wheeled luggage.
• Buses and trolleybuses run until 1am weekdays and 3am weekends. Single tickets cost €2.50 at machines or €3 onboard if you're not using the Guest Mobility Ticket. The Salzburg Card includes unlimited transport plus museum entries.
• Taxis start at €3.90 for pre-booked rides, with a 25% surcharge after 11pm. Uber exists but wait times are long - local taxis are more reliable. For ATMs, use bank-affiliated ones (Bank Austria, Erste Bank, Raiffeissen) and avoid Euronet or currency exchange booths at the airport.
• If you're planning day trips outside the city, consider renting a car.

Explore Salzburg with local guides and curated experiences.