SALZBURG — Austrian authorities have implemented a ban on non-local vehicles entering Salzburg's historic Old Town for July and August, taking effect Wednesday as the city seeks to curb summer traffic congestion in one of Austria's most visited destinations.
Only vehicles registered in Salzburg, the surrounding Salzburg Land region, Hallein and the Rupertiwinkel area, which includes parts of neighboring Bavaria, will be permitted to drive in the restricted zone during the two-month period, according to the city administration. The zone covers the Salzachkais riverside area, the Staatsbrücke bridge and the Neutor tunnel entrance, with the ban applying to access roads via Müllner Hügel, Imbergstraße and Schwarzstraße.
Salzburg Mayor Bernhard Auinger said the measure responds to recurring traffic breakdowns during peak tourist months. "We've let tourists drive right into our living room," Auinger said, adding that the city did not want a repeat of previous summers' congestion.
City officials said the restriction is expected to reduce daily vehicle traffic through the area by about 1,000 cars, out of roughly 12,000 that currently pass through the Neutor entrance each day. Visitors arriving by car will be directed to park-and-ride facilities on the outskirts of the city, where more than 4,000 parking spaces are available at four locations, including near the exhibition center, Salzburg South, the airport and an outlet center.
A combined parking and public transportation ticket will cost 7.50 euros per day during July and August, covering up to five people and unlimited use of the public transit network for the day, according to the city. Exemptions from the driving ban apply to residents, people employed within the zone, taxis, delivery services, tradespeople, individuals with disability parking permits and hotel guests with valid booking confirmations.
Police will conduct checks at entry points to the restricted zone, while signage at highway exits will inform arriving visitors of the restrictions, city officials said. The city has cited traffic-limitation schemes used in Italian cities, including Rome, Florence, Bologna and Verona, as a model for the new zone.
The restriction follows an earlier city initiative aimed at managing day-trip visitor numbers without imposing entry fees or visitor caps. City officials have not announced whether the summer driving ban will be extended beyond August or made permanent in future years.
