Which place is cheaper, Flam or Salzburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salzburg or Flam, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Salzburg is a beautiful, musical, and cultural city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and shopping.
Flam is a breathtaking, beautiful, and natural village. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food and hiking.
Visitors will usually find more to do in Salzburg than Flam, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Salzburg is better known for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Flam is more popular for its hiking and small town charm. Salzburg is more touristy than Flam and is popular for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music. Also, Salzburg is famous for The Salzburg Old Town. Flam is well known for its beautiful fjords and natural beauty as well as its popularity as a cruise ship port.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Flam and Salzburg. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Salzburg is a great city for its historical sights. However, Flam is not known for its sights and museums.
Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Salzburg. There are many historic sights to explore including Mozart's birthplace, the Mozart Residence, the Salzburg Museum, and the many stunning churches and concert halls.
Flam offers a few options for museum-goers. Hiking and natural beauty is why you visit this area, but there is the Flam Railway Museum that you can visit as well.
Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Salzburg and Flam.
Dining out in Salzburg is an experience not to be missed. The old town is filled with charming restaurants that serve local specialties including schnitzel, tafelspitz, and strudel. The city is also known for it's impressive breakfast spread that is often served on a three tiered cake stand and includes cheeses, salami, fresh fruit, pastries, olives, jams and more.
The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Flam. Local restaurants make use of seasonal ingredients and local fish and meat. You'll also find many berries and a local goat cheese at many restaurants as well.
Salzburg is a good destination for nightlife. However, Flam is not known for nightlife and partying.
If you're looking for night time activities Salzburg has a few options to choose from. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.
Most people don't head to Flam specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. Most people visit as a day trip, so you won't find a huge nightlife scene in this small town. There are some local bars and breweries around town though.
Salzburg is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Flam is not a live music destination.
Salzburg is known as a music capital around the world. Although most people think of Mozart and the Sound of Music when they think of this city, there are also many music festivals, including the famous Salzburg Music Festival, as well as concert venues and an independent music scene that is excellent.
Flam is not a live music destination.
Salzburg is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. However, Flam does not have a historic old town.
With a famous historical old-town, Salzburg offers plenty to see. This beautiful old town is filled with cafes, restaurants, and churches. You can enjoy local music performed by street performers as you soak in the atmosphere and the regular chime of the church bells really gives the city personality. There are also frequent markets and shops to explore.
Flam does not have a historic old town.
Flam is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Salzburg is not a hiking destination.
Flam is a popular spot for hiking. There are many great hikes just outside of town that are varied in length and challenge level. Both tourists and locals enjoy hiking in the area, so you'll get some of the best advice on where to go from any locals that you meet. Popular trails include the FlÄmsdalen hike from Myrdal to Flam and the hike to Brekkefossen Waterfall.
Salzburg is not a hiking destination.
Salzburg is an unbeatable place for shopping. However, Flam is not known for its shopping opportunities.
People travel from around the world to go shopping in Salzburg. The city's historic heart is filled with boutique shops, chocolate markets, and charming local vendors. It's fun to peruse the many shops that line the streets while you shop for local souvenirs.
If you're looking to go shopping, Flam has some nice offerings. There are some shopping centers and malls near town where you can grab anything you may have forgotten.
Salzburg and Flam are both great destinations for the whole family.
Salzburg is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids who know the Sound of Music will enjoy visiting the setting of a number of scenes from the movie. There are even popular Sound of Music tours that take you to the gardens where they sang "Do Re Mi" and out of town to the church where Maria married the Captain. The city also offers Marionette Puppet shows, cooking classes, castles and more around town that everyone can enjoy.
Flam is a very family-friendly destination. The fjords and mountain beauty make this a great place for a family adventure. Myrkdalen is also just 45 minutes away by car and it's filled with many mountain activities.
Salzburg is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Flam is not as popular, but is still a nice village for its romantic activities.
Salzburg is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The town offers a romantic setting with elaborate breakfasts, beautiful architecture, live shows, and plenty that couples can enjoy. You can simply wander around old town or explore the many gardens around town. Couples will also enjoy the concerts and music that the city is so famous for.
Flam is a very popular place to visit for couples. Stunning natural beauty and dramatic fjords make this a great romantic destination. Couples who enjoy hiking and explore nature will enjoy days in this special place.
Salzburg is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Flam is not as popular, but is still a nice village for backpackers.
Salzburg is very popular with the backpacker crowd. This is a popular city to visit, so there are plenty of amenities for backpackers. If you want to save a little money, you can stay and eat outside of old town where the prices are a little less.
Plenty of budget travelers visit Flam. There are a few hostels in the area that help keeps prices more affordable for backpackers and budget travelers.
Salzburg is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. However, Flam is not popular with students.
Salzburg is a very popular place to visit for students. International students appreciate the high quality of life, excellent educational opportunities and unique European setting that makes this city special. There are also a number of beautiful places just outside of town that you can explore, as well as many travel connections to other popular cities in Europe.
Flam is not popular with students.
Salzburg is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Flam is not as popular, but is still a nice village for its public transit.
Visitors to Salzburg can move around easily with public transportation. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get around town.
Flam has a few public transit options. There is a local bus service through the area.
Salzburg and Flam both are great when exploring on foot.
Salzburg is a very walkable destination. The old town is very walkable, but if you stay outside of the main tourist areas, you'll likely want to take a bus.
Flam is very walkable. There are many great walks in the area.
For even more information, also check out Is Salzburg Worth Visiting? and Is Flam Worth Visiting?.
You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Salzburg or Flam to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Salzburg than Flam because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Salzburg, and 1-2 days is enough time in Flam.
Families should spend more time in Salzburg than Flam. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Salzburg, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Salzburg than Flam. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Salzburg that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Salzburg than Flam if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Salzburg.
Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Salzburg. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
Flam is a small town where visitors enjoy the food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Salzburg is a fun place to experience. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Flam is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this village makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Flam, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historic destination of Salzburg. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.
Flam is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
The cultural city of Salzburg offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.
Flam is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This village offers something for everyone.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria, The Best Adventure Tours to Norway, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Norway.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Salzburg is €155, while the average daily cost in Flam is €104. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Salzburg and Flam in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Salzburg or Flam? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salzburg:
Prices for flights to both Flam and Salzburg change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Salzburg are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salzburg.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Salzburg are as follows:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salzburg:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Salzburg:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salzburg and Flam, we can see that Salzburg is more expensive. And not only is Flam much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Flam would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Flam and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Salzburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salzburg than you might in Flam.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salzburg Expensive? and Is Flam Expensive?.
Salzburg has a larger population, and is about 300 times larger than the population of Flam. When comparing the sizes of Salzburg and Flam, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
The summer brings many poeple to Salzburg as well as Flam. Many travelers come to Salzburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Flam in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Salzburg is a little warmer than Flam. Typically, the summer temperatures in Salzburg in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Flam averages at about 15°C (58°F).
It's quite rainy in Flam. Salzburg usually gets less rain in July than Flam. Salzburg gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Flam receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Flam and Salzburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Salzburg in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Flam for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Salzburg is generally a little warmer than Flam. Daily temperatures in Salzburg average around 11°C (52°F), and Flam fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Flam. In October, Salzburg usually receives less rain than Flam. Salzburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Flam receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Flam and Salzburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Salzburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Flam because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.
The weather in Flam can be very cold. Salzburg can be very cold during winter. Salzburg is much colder than Flam in the winter. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around -0°C (31°F) in January, and Flam fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).
Flam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Salzburg usually gets less rain in January than Flam. Salzburg gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Flam receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Salzburg and Flam. The spring months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the natural beauty. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Flam this time of year.
In the spring, Salzburg is much warmer than Flam. Typically, the spring temperatures in Salzburg in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Flam averages at about 6°C (43°F).
Flam receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Salzburg usually receives less rain than Flam. Salzburg gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Flam receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Salzburg | Flam | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | -0°C (31°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
Feb | 2°C (36°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
May | 15°C (59°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
Jun | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
Jul | 20°C (68°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
Aug | 19°C (67°F) | 93 mm (3.6 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
Sep | 16°C (61°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 283 mm (11.1 in) |
Oct | 11°C (52°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 271 mm (10.7 in) |
Nov | 5°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 259 mm (10.2 in) |
Dec | 1°C (35°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 235 mm (9.3 in) |