Is Bad Gastein expensive to visit?
Bad Gastein is a quaint locale that appeals to a variety of visitors, each with different travel styles, spending patterns, and budget needs. Visitors can find a range of options for accommodation from high-end luxury hotels to mid-range places to budget-friendly hostels.
While Bad Gastein can be quite expensive if you let it be, there are ways to lower your spending, such as looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $66 (€64) per day, mid-range travelers spend $151 (€147) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $289 (€281) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Bad Gastein.
Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Bad Gastein is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Delft or Antalya.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Bad Gastein Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Bad Gastein?
The average Bad Gastein trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Bad Gastein travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Bad Gastein cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
To manage your travel budget, it's important to set realistic expectations. Many people think they can visit Bad Gastein on a cheap budget, but most don't enjoy the limitations of a tight shoestring budget. Consider how you like to travel. Do you enjoy hostels, resorts, hotels, or vacation rentals? Do you want to dine out and explore the major attractions? These decisions will determine your budget and itinerary.
What is a budget traveler, anyway?
You may believe you're traveling on a budget, but unless you're ready to give up some conveniences, you'll likely spend much more than the $66 daily average that backpackers get away with.
Younger budget travelers often stick to this low budget by staying in dorms, eating inexpensive meals, taking public transportation, and focusing on free activities and sights.
Thankfully, Bad Gastein is filled with plenty of hostels, such as Selina Bad Gastein. Staying in these hostels means you can enjoy low-cost dorm accommodation and a fun social atmosphere, although amenities may be basic.
Are You Considered an Average Traveler?
For couples or families traveling for enjoyment, opting for a mid-range hotel, dining at popular restaurants, and exploring major museums and attractions with entry fees is likely. Most tourists in Bad Gastein are inclined to explore its main attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. Remember, many activities do come with costs. So, you should realistically expect your daily budget to be around $151 per person, per day.
In Bad Gastein, you'll find a broad range of hotels and vacation rentals. If traveling with companions, you can share accommodations with a partner, friend, or your children, helping to cut costs. Families will want to look for hotels and restaurants that are kid-friendly. Villa Excelsior Hotel & Kurhaus is a fantastic option for families, and Das Regina Hotel Bad Gastein is also a great pick. For a delightful couple's stay in Bad Gastein, Comfort Rooms Bruckner is highly recommended. Explore more family and couple-oriented hotels in our hotel guide for Bad Gastein here.
Seeking a Stylish Getaway from the Daily Routine?
If you're looking for an all-encompassing vacation filled with luxurious amenities and higher-level service, prepare your budget for around $289 per day. Selecting nicer hotels, savoring meals at award-winning establishments, indulging in lavish adventures, and traveling around the destination with taxis or private drivers will call for a luxury budget.
Accommodation Budget in Bad Gastein
The cost of hotels in Bad Gastein can be quite surprising. Luxury accommodations come with higher prices and more amenities, especially during peak season. Off-season rates average $110, but peak season () average prices jump to $205. Overall, prices range from $72 to $384. Hostels are often the cheaper option, especially in dorms. You can save by booking early, traveling in the off-season, or taking advantage of promotions.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Bad Gastein for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $127 (€124). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $64 (€62) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Bad Gastein? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Bad Gastein include:
- Mondi-Holiday First-Class Aparthotel Bellevue starting at $107
- Hotel Salzburger Hof starting at $101
- CESTA GRAND Aktivhotel & Spa starting at $125
- Ski Lodge Reineke starting at $149
- Villa Excelsior Hotel & Kurhaus starting at $78
Choosing to travel in the shoulder or low season and avoiding will help you save on lodging costs and escape the tourist rush.
Food Budget in Bad Gastein
Food is a major attraction for travelers, so make sure you don't miss out on the local culinary delights.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Bad Gastein can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Bad Gastein is $62 (€60) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$62
€60
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Bad Gastein is around $62 (€60) per person, with previous travelers spending from $27 to $118. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Bad Gastein are as follows:
- Breakfast: $6 to $19
- Lunch: $9 to $25
- Dinner: $19 to $43
- Coffee: $5
- Fast Food or Street Food: $9
The cuisine of Austria varies depending on the region; however, dishes are generally composed of influences from throughout the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. Regional differences are usually significant from nearby nations like Italy, Hungary, Bohemia, Germany, and the Balkans, which have had an effect on Austrian cooking. In the Austrian state of Salzburg, where Bad Gastein is located, some local specialties include a kind of cheese dumpling called Kasnocken, freshwater fish (especially trout), as well as a meringue-like local dessert called Salzburger Nockerl. Some of the town's best restaurants as rated on TripAdvisor include Restaurant Rossalm, The Blonde Beans, Ginger n' Gin, Wirtshaus Jagerhausl, Bellevue Alm Mutter aller Hutten, Ristorante Pizzeria Angelo, Steak and Mehr, Silver Bullet Bar, Orania Stuberl, and Alpenhaus Prossau.
Lots of hotels throw breakfast into the room rate, but some will charge for it. The quality and price can differ by hotel. Understanding this in advance can help you figure out if you'll need to spend extra money. It may be worth splurging on the hotel buffet, or you could find a less expensive option at a nearby bakery or cafe.
Bring a reusable water bottle instead of purchasing drinks all the time. It's also a great way to help the environment.
Before booking a tour, make a point of knowing which meals are part of the package. You may be responsible for some of your food costs, which can increase your overall budget.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Bad Gastein
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Bad Gastein typically cost an average of $22 (€21) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$22
€21
Bad Gasteiner Wasserfall (Bad Gastein Waterfall) is a landmark of Bad Gastein, located in the center of town and plunging a total of 341 meters in three tiers down to the valley bottom. Along the Grabenbäckersteig and Wasserfallweg paths, visitors can view the waterfall from different perspectives.
The Stubnerkogel Suspension Bridge is another main attraction in town. One hundred forty meters long at some 2,300 meters above sea level, the bridge leads to the Glocknerblick viewing platform and Felsenweg path and is open year-round.
Then there are the spa locations that offer therapeutic treatments to all who visit. The Gastein Heilstollen Galleries, for example, contribute to health and energy from the depths of Bad Gastein's mountains. The unique healing climate at alpine elevations aids in the therapy of rheumatic conditions as well as aiding respiratory passages and skin. Felsentherme Gastein is another spa resort with different indoor and outdoor areas, featuring beauty and wellness treatments. The name "Bad" of Bad Gastein translates to "spa," reflecting the town's history as a health resort.
Other attractions of the mountainous town include churches like the 14th century St. Nicholas' Church, the 19th century Preimskirche featuring baroque and Neo Gothic sculptures, and the "Maria vom Guten Rat" pilgrimage church in Böckstein.
There are also a number of museums including the Gastein Museum which highlights the valley's hot springs, the history of the spa tradition, Gastein folk heritage, and a painting gallery. The Böckstein Mining Museum consists of an old salt warehouse and packhorse stable as well as an ore processing plant where visitors learn how gold-bearing ore is transformed into gold, while the Imhof Power Plant in Sportgastein displays models of machinery used during the gold-mining days.
Spa treatment in the area's thermal spring waters, hiking, and winter sports make up much of the activity there is to be had in Bad Gastein. The Bad Gastein and Bad Hofgastein ski resort is part of the larger Ski Amade network, a good location for skiing and snowboarding with plenty of chairlifts and gondolas. The town was also host to the 1958 World Championship in alpine skiing and is a regular scene of the snowboarding and boardercross world cup.
Bad Gastein, Austria
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.