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Last updated on May 15th, 2026

An accommodation guide for the best hotel and Germany-style Gasthof you are looking for where to stay in Hallstatt to discover the world’s most beautiful lakeside town.

Hallstatt has been famous for centuries as the most beautiful town in Europe. Thanks to the postcard-perfect view, I had been dreaming of visiting Hallstatt for a very long time. The lakeside town is so dreaming, surrounded by Alps mountains and beautiful at every season.

The tiny town can be visited within a few hours of a brief visit. However, staying one night in Hallstatt is highly recommended for the best experience. While most of the day-trippers leave the town in the late evening. It is one of the most fabulous times to admire the serene town.

My pick on the best place to stay in Hallstatt whether you are a first-time visitor, traveling with kids, a budget traveler or just wish to find a quiet location for a laidback holiday.

Quick Tips: Where To Stay in Hallstatt

Due to limited accommodations available, it is not easy to find your best stay in Hallstatt. There are only a few places to stay in the old town. The price also might not so budget-friendly and can be easily cost 200 euro just for one night stay.

So, continue to read on our best pick hotels in the best place to stay in Hallstatt.

What is the best place to stay in Hallstatt?

Our Hallstatt accommodation guide concludes below the three best places to stay in Hallstatt is Hallstatt Old Town, staying nearby ATO Hallstatt Lahn, and Obertraun.

Should I stay overnight in Hallstatt?

We would definitely recommend staying one night in Hallstatt. The town is at its most magical after the day-trippers leave.

Any Budget Hotel in Hallstatt Old Town?

Gasthof Simony – Probably one of the best budget hotels in Hallstatt Old Town. It is a boutique historical building mostly made of wood.

How Much For A Room in Hallstatt?

Due to limited accommodation available, one night’s stay in Hallstatt can easily cost at least 200 euro per night.

Hallstatt Hotel Tips: When looking for the best price and biggest selection of hotels in Hallstatt check prices for Hallstatt Best Hotel from Booking.com. We found they are the best option and have a great cancelation policy.

Top Three Best Places in Hallstatt

Hallstatt Old Town: Best place to stay in Hallstatt. Look for rooms overlooking the Hallstatt lake.
Staying nearby ATO Hallstatt Lahn: Great option for those who prefer to stay in the old town but away from the tourist crush.
Obertraun – Across the lake with cheaper stay with 7-mins of bus ride from town.

Hallstatt Old Town

To get more of the secret charms, choose to stay in the Hallstatt Old Town. The old town is the best place to stay in Hallstatt. Look for rooms overlooking the lake if budget is not a concern. However, there are only two hotels in town where you’ll find all the best accommodations for your stay.

Seehotel Gruner Baum is the most romantic hotel in the old town, right in the middle of the historic center. It is probably the best lakeside hotel in Hallstatt. This 17th-century hotel offers a panoramic lake view in a historical ambiance with a spacious room. View from the room that overlooked the lake was very breathtaking.

Heritage Hotel – Great location with a gorgeous view from three renovated historical buildings in town. Haus Kainz, the main building while Haus Stocker and Haus Seethaler with 3 to 5 minutes walking distance from the main building.

There are not many accommodation choices at Hallstatt. One of the options is to stay at the Gasthof, a German-style guesthouse in a wooden building in the town. Most of them have a long history with rather few bedrooms. But you will find a wonderful stay from a friendly host.

Gasthof Simony – Probably one of the best budget stays in Old Town. It is a boutique historical building mostly made of wood. Located in the central town with ferry boat landing is just a 2-minute walk away. Some of the rooms overlook the lake with superb scenery. Remember to book early to secure the lakefront room.

Further Read on: Gasthof Simony: Best Budget Stay in Hallstatt

Seewirt Zauner – Situated right on the historic market square with rooms with mountain or lake views. A traditional yet modern accommodation.

Nearby ATO Hallstatt Lahn

Staying nearby ATO Hallstatt Lahn is a great option for those who prefer to stay in the old town but away from the tourist crush. Just a little further away from the main square is the ATO Hallstatt Lahn. This area is best to stay for those who love to spend a peaceful and laidback vacation. It is located out of the center but very close to the old town market square with less than 5 minutes walking distance.

Generally, the accommodation nearby ATO Hallstatt Lahn will be cheaper and more spacious compared with the old town. If you’re traveling by car, the pensions or guesthouses just outside the old town are your best options.

Gasthof Bergfried is located only 150 meters from the shore of the lake. Everything is accessible by walking including the supermarket and bus stop which is located 200 meters away. Free private parking is available on site.

Hallstatt Lakeside provides accommodation with a private beach area and garden facing the wonderful lake. These apartment units are included a fully equipped kitchenette, washing machine, and dryer free to use. One of the top picks for families with kids.

Gasthof Hirlatz – Family-run guesthouse within 10 minutes walking distance from town. Suitable for couples and families who prefer a comfortable quiet stay and friendly staff.

Obertraun

Consider staying at Obertraun if you wish to save some of the money. It offers a cheaper stay and most budget accommodation in town. Moreover, Obertraun is located three miles away from town across the lake. It offers accommodation to stay at a cheaper price compared with the center of town. Besides, Obertraum can be easily reached by bus or train. It takes only 7-mins of bus ride to Obertraun from the old town.

Seehotel am Hallstätter See – Located directly at the lake with panoramic views and impressive Dachstein Mountains. The room is comfortable with a lovely view. One of the popular stay in Obertraun.

Dormio Resort Obertraun – Well equipped chalets with balcony and terrace, wood-burning stove, and solid wooden furniture. Spacious room with an amazing view. A family-friendly stay in nearby Hallstatt.

Staying One Night in Hallstatt

Spend one night in this fairy tale town truly amazing. Moreover, it is rumored to be the inspiration behind Frozen’s Arendelle. Staying at least one night in Hallstatt is highly recommended. The alpine village with dramatic landscapes is worth slowing down your pace to discover the hidden gem. Make sure to reserve your stay in advance as a popular room running fast. Enjoy your best stay in Hallstatt!

Read next:
If you’re traveling to Central Europe for the first time, here are more helpful guides to help you plan your trip.

Last updated on May 16th, 2026

Which is the best Kyushu transport pass for you? Here is the complete Kyushu budget guide on Kyushu transport pass that helps you travel around Kyushu on a budget with Kyushu JR Pass, SunQ Pass, and other city passes.

Generally, transportation is always one of the highest expenses when traveling in Japan. The great thing about visiting Japan is there are many options and transport passes available to plan for your trip. Depending on your Kyushu itinerary and preferences, there are many transport pass in Kyushu to make your hassle-free journey. The key is to understand where you want to go and which is the best Kyushu transport pass that best suits your itinerary.

In this Kyushu budget guide blog, we will break down all these options to help you figure out the best transport pass for your Kyushu itinerary.

Traveling Around Kyushu On Budget

How to Travel in Kyushu - By Bus or Train

Thanks to the good connectivity transport system in Japan. Traveling in Japan can be hassle-free if you do your homework ahead of your trip. All transport options are departed and arrive on time due to their strict compliance with punctuality. So it is very easy to plan for a Kyushu budget trip by using public transport. Fully make use of websites such as HyperDia.com and YahooTransit.com when traveling around Kyushu on budget. The most important is to understand where you want to visit and allocate some buffer time when connecting from one place to another.

There is only three major transport options to travel around in Kyushu:

Self-driving with rental car.
By public transport by using trains or buses.
Metros, trams, buses within the cities.

If you planning to self-driving in Kyushu, check for your best rental car from RentalCars.com.

To plan for the best transport option to travel around in Kyushu, we’ll provide a detailed description of each option and the reason. So you easily see the difference and know which one is suitable for your Kyushu itinerary.

JR Kyushu Rail Pass

Kyushu Transport Ticket Overview: Kyushu Rail Pass (JR Kyushu Pass) is a valuable rail pass ticket for foreign visitors to travel around Kyushu with an unlimited JR train ride. This train pass is covered for Kyushu Shinkansen (Fukuoka-Kagoshima) and limited express trains.

However, take note that it can not be used for Sanyo Shinkansen (Fukuoka-Osaka including Hakata and Kokura) which is operated by JR West. Seat reservation is free for Kyushu JR Pass holders at any Kyushu JR counter.

Kyushu JR Pass (More info about the validity, price, and coverage):

Northern Kyushu Area: 3-Days Pass at ¥12,000 and 5-Days Pass at ¥15,000
Southern Kyushu Area: 3-Days Pass at ¥10,000
Fukuoka Wide: 2-Days Pass at ¥3,060
All Kyushu Area: 3-Days Pass at ¥20,000, 5-Days Pass at ¥22,500, and 5-Days Pass at ¥25,000

Kyushu Special Sightseeing Trains (Design & Story) – Yufuin no Mori

One of the best things about JR Kyushu Pass is special sightseeing trains (Design & Story) are covered. Including the Yufuin no Mori (ゆふいんの森), Ibusuki no Tamatebako (指宿のたまて箱), Umisachi Yamasachi (海幸山幸) and remaining.

Due to limited availability and high popularity, you should make reservations online for these trains as soon as you exchange the e-voucher for the pass. Reservation online costs ¥1,000 per adult but you are opted to try your luck with a free reservation once arrived in Kyushu.

Do you need this Kyushu Rail Pass?
JR Kyushu Pass can be a huge money-saving pass if you are getting around in Kyushu by train. For example, a one-way train ride from Fukuoka to Kumamoto already costs more than ¥4,500. Some of the travelers even fully make use of the Kyushu JR Pass and travel extensively from Fukuoka with day trips within the validity period.

Kyushu SunQ Pass

Kyushu Transport Ticket Overview: Kyushu SunQ Pass, Kyushu’s most budget transportation ticket for an unlimited bus ride in the Kyushu region. Nearly 99% of highway buses, city passes, and some ferries in Kyushu are covered by SunQ Pass. It even can be used in the Shimonoseki area of Yamaguchi Prefecture on Honshu island.

SunQ Pass Ticket For Unlimited Bus Ride in Kyushu:

Northern Kyushu 3-Days Pass (¥9,000)
Southern Kyushu 3-Days Pass (¥8,000)
All Kyushu 3-Days (¥11,000) and 4-Days Pass (¥14,000)

Similar to Kyushu JR Pass, SunQ Pass also offers All Kyushu, Southern, and Northern Kyushu SunQ Pass options. It is valid for 3 or 4 consecutive days with prices ranging from ¥8,000 to ¥14,000. The Northern Kyushu pass is only valid in Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Oita, and Kumamoto prefectures in Kyushu and the Shimonoseki area in Honshu.

While the Southern Kyushu pass is only valid in Kumamoto, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima prefectures in Kyushu.

Do you need this Kyushu Pass?
In Kyushu, the highway bus is an alternative solution to trains. It is cheaper and sometimes can be equally fast as a train except for Shinkansen. Moreover, some of the top attractions such as Takachiho Gorge (高千穂), and Kurokawa Onsen (黒川温泉) can be accessible by bus only. It is very worthwhile to get the SunQ Pass if you are traveling to and fro as the one-way ticket already cost ¥2,500.

Kyushu Transport Pass Travel Tips: If you are planning to travel around Kyushu by bus, consider to get the SunQ Pass from Klook with further discounted. It is cheaper compared with purchase in Japan. Choose from All Kyushu, Northern or Southern SunQ Pass as per your itinerary. Easy redeem at Fukuoka Airport.

JR Kyushu Rail Pass vs SunQ Bus Pass

Generally, most travelers are confused about which is the best Kyushu transport pass that suits your Kyushu budget trip. Below are some of the pros and cons of using JR Kyushu Pass vs SunQ Pass:

Traveling by rail will usually have a more frequent departure time, probably every half hour. But highway buses mostly with every hour or less frequently compared with a train.
For a similar distance, trains are usually faster compared with a bus. Especially buses have possibly run into traffic jams and stop at traffic lights.
Almost all Kyushu highway buses are required for reservation. But still, you can board the highway bus without reservation but priority will be given to those with reservation. While on the train you can jump to a non-reserve seat car at any time. But bear in mind, that you might also need to stand if the seats are fully occupied.
However, the bus will run into rural areas like onsen town where the JR train is not accessible. The Kurokawa Onsen, and Takachiho Gorge, are some of the attractions that can be getting there by using a bus.

Generally, the train is much more convenient. However, the bus is the only option for some of the attractions. It depends on your Kyushu itinerary. Sometimes, taking the bus works better compare with trains. In fact, as a foreign traveler, you can make use of a combination of the JR train Pass and SunQ bus pass which you are traveling around. It is the most budget transport option for foreign visitors.

Kyushu City Pass

When traveling within Kyushu, there is also a variety of transport passes that are designated in individual cities for different transport types. Here are some of the valuable Kyushu city passes that are worth recommending to visitors when traveling around Kyushu.

Do note that most of the bus ride is covered with SunQ Pass. Added, please buffer some time due to the infrequent of the bus schedule.

Northern Kyushu Transport Pass

Fukuoka City Pass
The Fukuoka Subway Unlimited Pass (1-Day at ¥640 and 2-Days at ¥740). One single subway ride costs more than ¥210 and above. We strongly recommended the 2 days pass as it only costs an additional ¥100 compare with a 1-day pass.

Fukuoka City One-Day Free Pass (Nishitetsu)

All-you-can-ride ticket for a day for Fukuoka city local buses at ¥900.
All-you-can-ride ticket for a day for Fukuoka city local buses and Dazaifu Liner Bus “Tabito” (between Hakata St./Fukuoka Airport and Dazaifu area) at ¥1,500.
Unlimited ride on Nishitetsu trains and buses in Fukuoka for one day at ¥2,600.

Oita City Pass (Beppu and Yufuin)
When traveling in Beppu, the bus is the only public transport option to get to attractions such as Hell Valley, Myoban onsen, and more. Get the Beppu bus pass to save on the bus ride.

My Beppu Free Pass: 1 Day ¥900 and 2 Days at ¥1,500 (Within Beppu City central)
Wide Beppu Free Pass: 1 Day ¥1,600 and 2 Days at ¥2,400 (Cover up to Yufuin)

Nagasaki City Pass
Nagasaki can be visited by buses or trams/streetcars.

One Day Bus Pass at ¥500: Unlimited rides on buses within the designated area in Nagasaki City.
One Day Tram Pass at ¥500: Use on all tram lines in Nagasaki city. One tram ride costs has ¥120.

Kumamoto City Pass
Kumamoto city is well connected with various transport, including trams and city buses. So there are various types of transport pass available.

Kumamoto City 1-Day Tram Pass at ¥500. One tram ride with a flat price of ¥170. Take the 1-Day Tram Pass if you intend to take at least 3 tram rides within the day.
Wakuwaku 1-Day Pass: Price from ¥700 to ¥2,000 depending on the coverage area. Good for those plans to take unlimited rides on buses and city trams in Kumamoto Prefecture.

Southern Kyushu Transport Pass

Miyazaki City Pass
The Miyazaki 1-Day City Pass (¥1,500) for unlimited travel on public buses within Miyazaki cities. This is the best value transport pass if you planning to visit Miyazaki’s attractions by bus. The one-way bus fare from Miyazaki city to sightseeing attractions along the Nichinan coast easily costs more than ¥1,000.

Overview: The Best Kyushu Transport Pass

All in all, these convenient discounted tickets can be very useful when traveling around Kyushu as well as for the sightseeing in a single city. Again, depending on your Kyushu itinerary, you should consider taking either a self-driving, train or bus. Bear in mind that Kyushu is very huge. It is recommended to plan ahead of time for your transport option. We also advise you to slow up your pace to explore Japan’s hidden gem Kyushu.

Here is the useful Kyushu Transport Guide to making a reservation for train and bus:

Lastly, if you don’t have a Kyushu itinerary yet, check out our Kyushu travel blog. We also include the best Kyushu transport pass that you should get for your itineraries.

How To Plan Your Kyushu Itinerary: Ultimate Guide

Planning to travel to Takachiho Gorge and Kurokawa Onsen with SunQ Pass? My Kyushu SunQ Pass itinerary as below:

Kyushu SunQ Pass itinerary: From North To South By Bus

Northern Kyushu (Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Aso, Nagsaki, Kurokawa Onsen, Beppu, Yufuin):

Southern Kyushu (Kagoshima, Miyazaki, Takachiho Gorge):

Where To Stay in Hallstatt [Top 3 Best Places in Hallstatt]