Salzburg to Zell am See train with ÖBB | REX

Train Salzburg Zell am See

Trains from Salzburg to Zell am See are a popular and affordable way to travel between these destinations. Various services run every day of the week, with a slight drop in frequencies over the weekend. Trains start running early in the morning, operating all day until late in the evening. Services are operated by the same company, ÖBB, with a range of train types from intercity to high-speed to long-distance services. All routes run between the same stations. The distance covered between these cities is around 55 km (34 miles) and the average travel time is around 1h 40min, with the quickest route being around 1h 30min. The longest service takes close to 7 hours.

Salzburg to Zell am See Train Time: Daily Departures

Thanks to the popularity of this route, you'll be glad to know there are several trains from Salzburg to Zell am See every day. The schedule during the week is more frequent with close to 15 services a day, while the number of services on Saturdays drops to around 13, while Sundays usually have only 10 operations a day. During the week, departures start around 9:20 a.m. and stop around 10:15 p.m. Trains usually run from 9:10 a.m. until close to 11:00 p.m. on Saturdays, while services on Sundays start around 9:10 a.m. and end close to 10:15 p.m. The easiest way to get to the Daily Departures page is to navigate at the top of this page and choose your departure and arrival points; select the dates you want to travel, and click on the "Search" button to get to the results page. All of the consolidated results will be displayed with the ability to filter according to your needs.

Boarding your train Salzburg Zell am See

You'll want to arrive at the terminus 15-30 minutes before your departure time. The entrance to the station is located on Südtiroler Platz, near the trolleybus station. Keep your mobile or printed ticket handy and check the electronic indicators to see which platform your train will depart from. The best place to wait for your train is usually in one of the nearby cafes or the First Class Lounge. Once your train arrives, the electronic indicator will announce the arrival and display which platform to go to.

Salzburg: Beautiful view of the skyline of the city. Source: Shutterstock

Where do trains from Salzburg to Zell am See depart and arrive?

All trains from Salzburg to Zell am See depart from the same station in Salzburg and arrive at the same station. Salzburg Hbf is the departure point, located about 10 minutes north of the city centre and is well connected to the centre through local buses and taxis. The trolley bus is the most popular connection, with Lines 3, 5, and 6 leaving from outside of the station entrance. There are also bus connections to and from the airport that leave roughly every 15 minutes. The station is home to various facilities and amenities, including ticket offices and cash machines. If you need to grab a bit to eat, there are cafes nearby and you can grab a few things at the Spar mini-market in the passageway under the tracks.

The departure station is Zell am See Train Station, located in the centre of the town and the main access point to the town. The station has basic amenities like toilets and ticketing offices and is connected to the rest of the town through local buses and taxis. The station is the main point of call for all trains coming into the city.

When is the best time to book your train ticket Salzburg Zell am See?

The prices for the train from Salzburg to Zell am See are consistent, so there isn't a best time to book price-wise. If you're looking for more frequent options, the train schedule from Salzburg to Zell am See has more options available during the work week. The fewest services operate on Sundays. The best time to go is usually the weekends when it's a little busier in the city, so book tickets for a Friday or early Saturday. The fastest route usually departs around 10:15 a.m. every day and has a single stopover en route.

What to see between Salzburg and Zell am See

The train to Zell am See from Salzburg has 2 different route options. The first is a direct trip between the locations and doesn't offer an opportunity to jump out and explore other parts of the country. The second option is a stopover journey that runs through Schwarzach im Pongau, a quaint market town in Austria along the way. A few of the things worth seeing in Schwarzach im Pongau are the Museum Taurnbahn, Badeanstalt Lake and the Klostervon Bethlehem Kinderalm. The town and surrounding areas are also a hotspot with local hikers, and you can spend time hiking and walk at places like Parseen, Höllwand and Heukareck. When taking a direct route, you'll head past a few places well worth a visit if you're travelling in the area again, including the Sound of Music Trapp Villa, the Höhlen-Felswand and the Schloss Wiespach. Around halfway through the trip, when you're close to Werfen, you'll be down the road from the Sound of Music Trail Werfen, as well as the Erlebnisburg Hohenwerfen. Finally, the last thing you'll see before arriving at the station is the Zeller See Lake.

Information on Zell am See Train Station

Zell am See Train Station is the only train station in the town and the point of call for all services running in and out of the city. It's a small station located by the lake in the heart of the city centre and is well connected to the rest of the town via buses and taxis. Taxis are the easiest way to get around the town from the station. It's home to a few basic amenities, including a taxi rank, ticket sales, luggage storage and toilets. Unfortunately, there are no eateries at the station, but you'll be within walking distance of the town centre and there will be various restaurants and eateries available in the centre. The station also offers lifts to all of the platforms and step-free access for those with mobility issues.

Night trains Salzburg Zell am See

In recent years, night trains have become a popular choice of travel for many passengers because they're made for comfort and offer a convenient way to rest on your journey. Unfortunately, because the train Salzburg - Zell am See covers such a short distance, no night trains operate along these routes. There are, however, a couple of trains travelling at night. During the week and on Sundays, the last trip departs around 10:15 p.m. and takes close to 1h 40min. If you're taking the last train on a Saturday, it'll leave around 11:00 p.m. and take closer to 7 hours with 4 stopovers en route.

ÖBB Salzburg to Zell am See

ÖBB is the main train company operating in Austria and the only provider of the fast train from Salzburg to Zell am See. There are 5 different train services on this route every day. The most frequent service every day is the REX, a regional train running between the cities. The second most frequent is the ÖBB S-Bahn, which is the suburban commuter rail service. The high-speed train from Salzburg to Zell am See is the ÖBB Railjet operator, which has the quickest travel time around 1h 30min.

Trains from Salzburg to Zell am See: Sustainability Travel

When talking about reducing your carbon emissions, many climate activists suggest that choosing more sustainable means of travel is one of the best ways to better your carbon footprint. Train travel can lower your emissions by almost 70% compared to cars, buses and planes. Trains only contribute around 3% of global transport emissions and offer more efficient use of space compared to other transport modes. Better use of space means more people can travel on a single trip, reducing the number of emissions per person. ÖBB is a company that prioritises sustainability and some of the company's environmental guidelines include using resources sparingly, ensuring sustainable mobility and climate protection, and paying great attention to waste separation and waste avoidance.

Train Salzburg to Zell am See: Services on Board

ÖBB is the only provider for these routes and offers the same onboard services on all of their trains.

• The only train that has different ticket classes is the EC train. First Class on this train gives you extra legroom and in-seat dining. The other trains only offer Standard Class tickets and you'll be able to buy food on the journey.
• The baggage limit for these routes is 30kg and a maximum of 2 bags, excluding the carry-on handbag or rucksack.
• You can travel with pets on these routes and they must be in a carrier. These may incur additional costs.
• You must purchase a bicycle ticket to take your bike on the train.
• Accessible travel is a priority for ÖBB and they offer various services for those with mobility issues and other disabilities. Contact the company ahead of time to arrange the help you need.
• Seat reservation is available on these routes

When to book your train tickets from Salzburg to Zell am See

There are a couple of ways to ensure you get the cheapest train from Salzburg to Zell am See. One of the best ways is to search with flexible dates in mind; companies often have different deals on different days and you may find better prices if you search this way. Book your trip as far in advance as possible. The Salzburg to Zell am See train cost increases gradually the closer you get to the departure date. The prices for these routes are usually consistent, regardless of the train type, but there are times when travelling over the weekend is a little cheaper than during the week. The longest route leaves around 11:00 p.m. on a Saturday and takes almost 7 hours, so you might want to avoid that if you want to get to your destination quickly. If you have a student card or you're a senior citizen, you might be able to take advantage of the discounts.

To Zell am See by train — travel tips

Zell am See is an Austrian town situated on Lake Zell and is a favourite holiday destination with locals and visitors alike. You can have a look at the Austrian Window Seat page to find out about other things to do in Austria if you want to travel around. The picturesque setting alongside the lake with a mountainous backdrop creates an idyllic setting for holiday-makers and the town offers some exciting attractions and various things to do and see in and around the town. Some of the best things to do in the town include exploring ancient architecture, spending time in local bars and restaurants, or going walking through the historic old town pedestrian zone. Here are a few ideas for your next visit:

• Visit the Old Town
• Explore the Grand Hotel
• Have a look at the incredible view from the Mitterberg Viewpoint
• Check out the Schmittenhöhe Mountain
• Mirror Lake at Plettsaukopf
• Take a boat trip on Lake Zell
• Kitzsteinhorn Glacier is a popular nearby destination to do a road trip to.

Zell-am-See: Aerial view during summe. Source: Shutterstock

What are the other cities you can go to from Zell am See?

This town is a quaint holiday destination that's growing in popularity so there are various connections to other international destinations. One of the most well-travelled routes here is the route to Venice, which happens every day and takes close to 6 hours with a few stopovers. You could also jump on a Deutsche Bahn train to Munich and explore the Bavarian capital in under 4 hours. Milan is another popular choice for many travellers, with a train time of under 10 hours.