The Austrian city of Salzburg is promising to “revolutionise tourism” with the introduction of a new public transport ticket for all overnight guests.
The new Guest Mobility Ticket will start from May 1 and will provide all overnight guests to the historic city with a simple and sustainable transport solution – priced at just 50c per night.
This ticket grants free-of-charge access to all city and regional buses, S-trains, regional and long-distance trains, as well as micro-public transport throughout the province of Salzburg for the entire duration of their stay.
With the Guest Mobility Ticket, Salzburg is setting new standards for sustainable tourist transport, delivering real value to all overnight guests in the region.
The Guest Mobility Ticket is issued directly at check-in at your accommodation and is integrated into the guest registration system. Guests receive it as a PDF or wallet version without needing to install additional apps. For accommodations without hotel software, an online platform connected to the registration system is available.
Funding is secured through a small administration contribution of €0.50 per night during the initial phase, increasing to €1.10 per night from November 1, 2027. This contribution will be added to the overnight tax charged at your accommodation, with the revenue exclusively allocated to public transport development.
Benefits of the Guest Mobility Ticket
- Environmentally friendly and efficient: Reduces individual traffic by providing a seamless public transport solution across the entire Salzburg region.
- Sustainable flexibility for guests: Encourages visitors to explore Salzburg’s diverse leisure offerings.
- Competitive advantage for businesses and tourism: Enhances Salzburg’s appeal as a travel destination through a sustainable travel initiative.
- Improved mobility for locals: Increased public transport funding leads to better infrastructure and more frequent services, benefiting residents as well as tourists.
Stefan Schnöll, Deputy Governor: “The new guest ticket is a historic milestone. Salzburg is leading the way in sustainable tourism mobility, strengthening public transport while offering guests real added value. The enhanced flexibility will encourage visitors to explore the entire province, boosting regional economies. Since the funds are earmarked for public transport improvements, locals will also benefit from better infrastructure and expanded services, increasing public support for tourism.”
Astrid Steharnig-Staudinger, Managing Director of Austria Werbung: “Studies show that sustainable offerings are becoming increasingly important and desired by our guests. Sustainability has become a key competitive factor. The Guest Mobility Ticket is a major step towards strengthening Austria’s position as a sustainable holiday destination.”
Leo Bauernberger, Managing Director of SalzburgerLand Tourism: “From the start of the summer season we will become the first Austrian federal state to introduce the Guest Mobility Ticket, pioneering a stress-free, environmentally friendly way for visitors to experience Salzburg. Our long-term goal is to shift tourist transportation to trains and buses, reinforcing our leadership in sustainable tourism. This initiative not only strengthens our image but also provides a significant competitive advantage for the future.”
Johannes Gfrerer, Managing Director of Salzburg Verkehr: “Our public transport will become even more attractive with the Guest Mobility Ticket. The ease of use and the extensive transport network allow guests to travel comfortably and sustainably. At the same time, locals will benefit from an improved services, as public transport will be further expanded through increased usage. We are excited to open a new chapter in sustainable mobility with this innovation.”
Sustainable Impact
Thanks to the Guest Mobility Ticket, 16,699.67 tons of CO₂, 61,181.96 kg of NOx, and 902.68 kg of fine dust will be saved annually – a significant step towards a climate-friendly future in Salzburg. This impact is equivalent to the annual CO₂ absorption of approximately 1.3 million trees or the elimination of emissions from over 110 million car kilometres. The ticket thus not only contributes to reducing environmental impact but also improves air quality and quality of life for both residents and visitors.
