Comparison · Salzburg vs Vienna · Austria
Salzburg vs Vienna
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jorge Franganillo, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
Choose Salzburg for Mozart and Hohensalzburg Fortress; choose Vienna for Schönbrunn Palace and Coffee houses. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 251 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 251 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Salzburg
- May–June and September
- Best time for Vienna
- April–June and September–October
Side by side
| Salzburg | Vienna | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Austria | Austria |
| Known for | Mozart, Hohensalzburg Fortress and Salzburg Festival | Schönbrunn Palace, Coffee houses and Klimt and Schiele |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September | April–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $180–$300 | $170–$300 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 25°C (77°F) | July, 26°C (79°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 3°C (37°F) | January, 3°C (37°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 6 | 4 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | SZG, MUC | VIE, BTS |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Salzburg for…
Mozart and Hohensalzburg Fortress. Salzburg's UNESCO-listed old town squeezes Baroque churches, archbishops' palaces and Mozart's birthplace between the Salzach river and the cliffs of the Mönchsberg, with Hohensalzburg Fortress on top. It is compact enough to see on foot in a day or two, and…
Choose Vienna for…
Schönbrunn Palace and Coffee houses. The Habsburgs ruled from Vienna for more than six centuries, and their palaces, museums and churches still define the city. Inside the Ringstrasse, the old centre holds St Stephen's Cathedral, the Hofburg and dozens of traditional coffee houses; just outside…
Top sights compared
| # | Salzburg | Vienna |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hohensalzburg Fortress | Schönbrunn Palace |
| 2 | Mozart's Birthplace | Tiergarten Schönbrunn |
| 3 | Mozart Residence | Hofburg Imperial Apartments and Sisi Museum |
| 4 | Mirabell Palace and Gardens | Spanish Riding School |
| 5 | Salzburg Cathedral | St Stephen's Cathedral |
Food compared
| Salzburg | Vienna |
|---|---|
| Salzburger Nockerl | Wiener Schnitzel |
| Mozartkugel | Tafelspitz |
| Bosna | Sachertorte |
| Cheese dumplings | Apple strudel |
Which is cheaper?
Salzburg and Vienna cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $180–$300 in Salzburg and $170–$300 in Vienna (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Vienna on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Salzburg and Vienna are about 251 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Salzburg and 4 in Vienna.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Salzburg or Vienna cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $180–$300 in Salzburg and $170–$300 in Vienna (estimates).
+Is Salzburg or Vienna better for a first trip?
Pick Salzburg for Mozart and Hohensalzburg Fortress, or Vienna for Schönbrunn Palace and Coffee houses.
+How far is Salzburg from Vienna?
About 251 km in a straight line.