Parking regulations for cars and coaches in Salzburg

Cars

Street Parking in Salzburg

On weekdays during working hours, street parking in Salzburg is generally limited to a maximum of three hours. The rate is €1.50 per hour, or €4.50 for the whole three-hour period. Parking ticket machines are conveniently located approximately every 50 meters along the streets. Make sure to place your ticket clearly under the windshield so it’s visible to parking attendants.

Street parking is free from 19:00 to 9:00 (7:00 PM to 9:00 AM) on weekdays, and all day on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.

Free Parking Zones in Salzburg

Free parking zones as well as paid parking zones are limited to three hours. They are typically located farther from the city center. To use the free parking zones, you must display a parking clock behind your windshield to indicate your time of arrival. Parking clocks can be purchased at any petrol station or tobacconist. Alternatively, you may write your arrival time clearly on a piece of paper.

On the map, the light blue area represents the free three-hour parking zone, while the purple area denotes the paid three-hour parking zone.

Important Parking Reminder:
Pay close attention to road signs. Areas marked "Zone 1" or "Zone 2" are for residents only. Parking violations charged by state authorities can cost between €30 and €85. Avoid parking under no-parking signs or blocking driveways, as this may lead to towing. If your vehicle is towed, expect to pay €200 to retrieve it, plus a fine.

Be Cautious When Parking Near Office Buildings or at Supermarkets

When parking in areas like office complexes or supermarket lots, stay alert and pay close attention to all signage, even to the smallest printed sheets. Always display a parking clock showing your arrival time. Be aware that, especially on weekends and holidays, you should be careful with parking your car in a commercial area when the shops are closed.  

Some parking space owners or those who rent them employ individuals to photograph parked vehicles whose owners, even for a minute, left their cars. These images are then sent to their law company, and weeks later, you might receive a letter demanding payment, often up to €450 in legal fees, plus an additional €80 fee for the service of the photographer. It is a literal scam; however, disputing it is nearly impossible. 

Salzburg Old Town Traffic Regulations
The old town of Salzburg is a pedestrian zone, closed to traffic by retractable bollards. Delivery cars can access the area until 11:00 on weekdays, but permission is still required to enter the pedestrian zone. After 11:00, the barriers are lifted, and only taxis and residents are allowed in.

If you’ve booked a hotel in the old town, you’ll need to get a code from your hotel to lower the barriers. Do not attempt to drive through the lowered bollard behind another car, as this will damage both your vehicle and the bollard. Breaking the bollard could result in the repair costs of hundreds of euros.

Several car parks and garages are available in Salzburg's city center, offering convenient options for parking. Rates are current as of 2025

Mönchsberggarage - Hildmann Platz 5. The cost is 3,30 euros per hour. 24 hours - 24.20 euros.
Mirabell Garage - Mirabellplatz 5b. The cost is 3.90 euros per hour.
Parkgarage Raiffeisen - Schwarzstrasse 15. The cost is 4.80 euros per hour.
Parkgarage Linzergasse - Glockengasse 4a. The cost is 3.00 euros per hour.
Rot-Kreuz-Parkplatz - Franz-Josef-Kai 10. The cost is 3.30 euros per hour.
Garage Barmherzige Brüger - Kajetanerplatz 1. The cost is 3.86 euros per hour.
CONTIPARK Wifigarage - Julius-Raab-Platz, 5020 Salzburg. The cost is 3,20 euros per hour.
Augustiner Bräu parking lot - Lindhofstrasse 6. The cost is 2 euros per hour.
Parkplatz Petersbrunnhof - Petersbrunnstraße. The cost is 2,10 euros per hour. 

During peak tourist season (July-August), it can be challenging to find parking in the center of Salzburg, so it is recommended to park at the entrance to the city:

Park & Ride Parking Lot - Salzburg Süd, 5020 Salzburg and Park & Ride Am Messezentrum 1, 5020 Salzburg

The € 15 parking fee includes a P&R Combo Ticket, valid for 24 hours and valid for up to 5 people on all public buses. Buses 3, 8, and 1 run every 15 minutes and take 20-25 minutes to reach the city centre. The P&R Combo Ticket must be purchased at the parking machine before boarding the public bus. Read about public transport in Salzburg.

Caravan Parking in Salzburg
Caravans are only allowed to park in the city center during the day. Overnight, they must be parked at designated caravan sites located on the outskirts of the city.

Tourist buses

Salzburg has two official tourist bus terminals where groups can be dropped off and picked up. These stops are: 

Bus Terminal Nonntal is located at Erzabt-Klotz Street 5 and Bus Terminal Paris-Lodron Street 5

To access the official tourist bus terminals, the bus company must book a time slot for 70 euros on the Salzburg Tourist Department's website. A 45-minute window for arrival and departure times is tolerated. This fee includes drop-off, pick-up, and free bus parking 15 minutes away from the terminal.

Important Notice for Bus Drivers:

• Arriving at the terminal without a reservation: fine 90 euros
• Picking up the group without a reservation: fine 90 euros
• Releasing a group in an improper area: fine 150 euros

Bus drivers should be aware that streets along the river Salzach, including Imbergstrasse, Rudolfskai, Franz-Josef Kai, and the central bridge Staatsbrücke, are prohibited for tourist buses from 8:00 to 18:00. Any violation of this restriction will result in a 150-euro fine directly imposed on the bus driver.

As a Salzburg resident, I know several life hacks to help you find cheaper or even free parking in the city. I’d be happy to share these valuable tips with my clients to make your visit even easier and more affordable.

Tags: Public transportation in Salzburg, Driving and walking tour of Salzburg, Tourist Card - SALZBURG CARD, Transfer Service in Salzburg