Route guide

Rome → Salzburg

658 km · Italy to Austria · Fastest: 3h by flight · Cheapest: €25+ by bus

How to travel from Rome to Salzburg

There are 4 ways to travel between Rome and Salzburg — compare duration, price and operators below.

🚄Train

€54–158

Duration: 5h 29m

via Railjet, EuroCity

~9.0 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€25–66

Duration: 9h 24m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus

~18 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

€61–199

Duration: 3h 23m

via Ryanair, easyJet, ITA Airways, Austrian Airlines

~103 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚗Car

€79–145

Duration: 7h 19m

~112 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

Rome and Salzburg highlighted among the 50 European cities we cover. Map is schematic, not to scale.

Travel tips for this route

At 658 km this is a comfortable weekend trip — train or flight both work.
Both train and flight options exist. Trains often beat flights door-to-door under 600 km once you count airport overhead.
This route crosses from Italy into Austria. Check passport/ID requirements with your operator before booking.
Long-distance coaches (FlixBus and similar) are typically 30–50% cheaper than train, but 2–3× slower.

Rome to Salzburg — every option in detail

Rome to Salzburg by train

Trains link Rome (Italy) and Salzburg (Austria) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 5h 29m including one or two connections at major hubs.

Operators on this corridor include Railjet, EuroCity.

Train fares are dynamic — typical range is €54 to €158. Advance-purchase tickets (1–2 months ahead) almost always beat walk-up prices.

Climate footprint: about 9.0 kg CO₂ per passenger by train vs roughly 103 kg by flight — taking the train saves ~94 kg on this distance.

Rome to Salzburg by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Rome and Salzburg with a typical journey of 9h 24m. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Fares start from around €25 when booked in advance, rising to €66 for last-minute travel.

Most modern coaches offer Wi-Fi, USB charging and reclining seats. Overnight services exist on longer corridors and can save a hotel night.

Rome to Salzburg by flight

Flights between Rome and Salzburg take around 1h in the air, but plan on roughly 3h 23m door-to-door once you add airport transfers, check-in and security.

Airlines on this route include Ryanair, easyJet, ITA Airways, Austrian Airlines.

Typical fare range is €61–199. Low-cost carriers offer the cheapest base fares but charge separately for bags and seat selection.

Climate footprint: approximately 103 kg CO₂ per passenger for this flight.

Rome to Salzburg by car

The driving distance from Rome to Salzburg is approximately 757 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 7h 19m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €79–145 range for a typical car. Toll roads may apply, especially in France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland — budget extra accordingly.

Crossing the Italy–Austria border by car is straightforward within the Schengen Area; check current rules with the operator or border authority if either country is outside it.

Climate footprint: approximately 112 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Rome and Salzburg is approximately 658 kilometres. Direct or connecting trains link the two cities through the European rail network. Both cities have international airports with regular flight service. Long-distance coaches offer a budget-friendly alternative on this route. Estimates below reflect typical operator schedules and fare ranges; book in advance for the best prices.

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