Route guide

Salzburg → Hamburg

674 km · Austria to Germany · Fastest: 3h by flight · Cheapest: €26+ by bus

How to travel from Salzburg to Hamburg

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

🚄Train

€55–161

Duration: 5h 37m

via Railjet, ICE

~9.0 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€26–67

Duration: 9h 37m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus

~19 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

€62–201

Duration: 3h 24m

via Ryanair, easyJet, Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, Eurowings

~105 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚗Car

€81–148

Duration: 7h 29m

~115 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

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

Travel tips for this route

At 674 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 Austria into Germany. 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.

Salzburg to Hamburg — every option in detail

Salzburg to Hamburg by train

Trains link Salzburg (Austria) and Hamburg (Germany) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 5h 37m including one or two connections at major hubs.

Operators on this corridor include Railjet, ICE.

Train fares are dynamic — typical range is €55 to €161. 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 105 kg by flight — taking the train saves ~96 kg on this distance.

Salzburg to Hamburg by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Salzburg and Hamburg with a typical journey of 9h 37m. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Fares start from around €26 when booked in advance, rising to €67 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.

Salzburg to Hamburg by flight

Flights between Salzburg and Hamburg take around 1h in the air, but plan on roughly 3h 24m door-to-door once you add airport transfers, check-in and security.

Airlines on this route include Ryanair, easyJet, Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, Eurowings.

Typical fare range is €62–201. Low-cost carriers offer the cheapest base fares but charge separately for bags and seat selection.

Climate footprint: approximately 105 kg CO₂ per passenger for this flight.

Salzburg to Hamburg by car

The driving distance from Salzburg to Hamburg is approximately 775 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 7h 29m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €81–148 range for a typical car. Toll roads may apply, especially in France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland — budget extra accordingly.

Crossing the Austria–Germany 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 115 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Salzburg and Hamburg is approximately 674 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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