Planning for Your Stay in Salzburg

Please review the questions and answers below. We also encourage you to read “Planning Your Trip” on Schloss Leopoldskron's website, available in English and German.

If you cannot find the answer to your question, please contact a member of our Program Team assigned to your session.

How Can I Pay Session Fees?

If there is a fee for your session, you can pay by bank transfer or credit card through our payment portal. Details are provided on your proforma invoice, which you will receive via email once you have registered. 

When you pay for a session online using a credit card, you will receive an automatic payment confirmation via email. For both payment methods, you will receive an official receipt from our hotel reception when you attend your session in Salzburg. 

Does Salzburg Global Cover the Cost of My Travel to the Program?

For some programs, we can offer reimbursement of your return, economy-class flight/train/bus tickets. Program staff will let you know if reimbursement is available for your program and the reimbursement limit. 

You should book your economy-class travel tickets, and once the program has started, you can apply for reimbursement. The reimbursement instructions will be shared with you via the Forj Connect platform (see below). Please note that we are unable to reimburse business-class flight tickets.

What Should I Do if I Need a Visa?

If you require a visa for Austria, please register on Forj Connect (see below) as soon as possible and contact us at operations@salzburgglobal.org, so that we can provide you with an official letter of invitation for your visa application. 

What Should I Know About Salzburg?

Salzburg is a state in Austria. It is officially named Land Salzburg, colloquially Salzburgerland, to distinguish it from its eponymous capital, the City of Salzburg. With its centuries-long history as an independent Prince-Bishopric, Salzburg's tradition differs from the other Austrian lands.

Salzburg is the fourth-largest city in Austria and the capital of the federal state of Salzburg. Salzburg's "Altstadt" (Old Town) features internationally renowned baroque architecture and is one of the best-preserved city centers north of the Alps.

It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Salzburg is the birthplace of 18th-century composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and is famous for its attractive setting and scenic Alpine backdrop. It also hosts three universities and a large student population.

In the mid‑20th century, the city was a filming location for parts of the musical play and film "The Sound of Music." Several scenes were filmed at Schloss Leopoldskron, Salzburg Global's historic home.

Where Am I Staying in Salzburg?

Schloss Leopoldskron is both home to Salzburg Global and a hotel, the revenue of which directly supports our mission.

Schloss Leopoldskron has never been a museum or some historic jewel preserved in amber. Instead, it has always been a living, breathing, working space, ever-changing with the needs and desires of its occupiers and owners across its hundreds of years of history. In 2018, a group of young Salzburg Global Fellows protested about artworks in some rooms.

Since that 2018 protest, Salzburg Global has undertaken a comprehensive review of the artwork and other elements of Schloss Leopoldskron's cultural history, heritage, and representation.

Salzburg Global has put together a booklet about the Schloss titled Contested Histories & Cultural Heritage, which aims to ensure that everyone who visits our space now and in the future is provided with information about the complex history of the building and the sometimes difficult and contested historical and cultural layers that are part of the place.

Participants will also notice, when they are here, that many of the cultural objects referenced in the booklet are displayed with contextual information on placards throughout the building.

At the beginning of the program, a tour of the Schloss will introduce participants to the cultural heritage of the spaces where they will spend their next few days.

New artworks installed since 2018 are part of ongoing curation projects that aim to ensure the richness and diversity of Salzburg Global's programs and Fellows are made manifest throughout its facilities and to increase visual representations of its mission and values throughout the property.

How Can I Reach Schloss Leopoldskron?

By Car: Coming from the A1 motorway, take the exit "Flughafen Salzburg" and follow the Innsbrucker Bundesstrasse in the direction of the city center. 

At the traffic-lighted T-junction, turn right into Maxglaner Hauptstrasse. Follow this road until Gasthof Riedenburg, where you turn right into Moosstrasse. 

At the second traffic light, turn left into Nussdorferstrasse, which turns into Leopoldskroner Strasse. From there, it goes straight to Schloss Leopoldskron. 

Guests may use parking spaces within the property at no charge. Schloss Leopoldskron cannot be held accountable for any damage or theft.

By Taxi: Taxis are available at all main tourist destinations, as well as Salzburg Airport and Salzburg Hauptbahnhof. Most taxi drivers know our location. Please be mindful that not all taxis accept credit/debit cards.

By Bus: You can reach Salzburg by Flixbus from various locations in Europe. Once in Salzburg, take the number 22 bus from the city center to Firmianstrasse (a five-minute walk to the Schloss). 

In addition, the 11 bus runs between Salzburg Messe and Akademisches Gymnasium (a two-minute walk from the Schloss). In the summer (May to September), the 23 bus stops at Leopoldskroner Freibad (the public pool next to Schloss Leopoldskron).

By Plane: If you are flying into Salzburg Airport, please take a taxi from outside the terminal to Schloss Leopoldskron. The cost is approximately €15.00. However, many international travelers find it more convenient to fly via Munich, Germany, or Vienna, Austria, and take the train.

By Train: Salzburg's central train station, also known as Salzburger Hauptbahnhof (Salzburg Hbf), is located on a main rail route between Vienna and Munich and is served daily by frequent trains. 

For train times to Salzburg, please visit the Austrian National Railways (ÖBB) or the German Railway (Deutsche Bahn) if you are traveling to Salzburg from Germany.

By Foot: Download a Walking Map

What Electric Current Does Austria Have?

The electric current is 220 volts. Please bring your own adapters.

What Is the Best Way To Make Telephone Calls?

The following options are available for making telephone calls at Salzburg Global:

• Directly from your room, tab payable upon departure (the most expensive option)
• WhatsApp, FaceTime, Skype, or similar VoIP services
• From your own mobile, although we ask that you turn it off during the formal Salzburg Global events (roaming charges may apply)

The main telephone number at Salzburg Global is +43 (662) 839 83-2000. In addition, a staff member at Reception can transfer calls and/or take messages.

How Can I Pay in Austria?

The local currency is the Euro (EUR €). Local banks have ATMs that accept most international banking cards for cash withdrawals. This option will give you the most favorable exchange rate. A PIN is required to utilize the ATMs. Most stores and restaurants in Austria accept payments with credit and debit cards.

What Clothes Should I Bring Along?

Dress at Salzburg Global is generally informal. However, some programs include a concert and farewell meal on the final evening, during which semi-formal clothing or national dress is encouraged. Participants are also encouraged to bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes for excursions into town. We also recommend wearing the name tag we'll provide you to help others know who you are!

Winter temperatures in Salzburg average around two degrees Celsius. Participants coming to winter sessions (October–March) should bring warm winter clothing. Salzburg is infamous for its year-round damp weather; participants are encouraged to bring a raincoat or umbrella, regardless of the season. View the latest forecast.

An ironing station is located on the second floor of the Meierhof. In the Schloss, all suites are equipped with an ironing board and an iron.

What Social Activities Are Planned, and What Can I Do During My Leisure Time?

Social activities during the program may include a concert in the Schloss, a farewell dinner, and time to explore the historic city of Salzburg. 

Informal evening gatherings offer participants a space to network and unwind through music and dancing. Guests can also borrow bicycles from Reception to explore the city.

There is a small fitness center on-site, and many walking and running trails are nearby, with jogging maps provided by Reception. Towels and water are provided in the fitness center all day, and at Reception between 05:00 and 08:00. Please bring appropriate attire if you wish to take advantage of these options.

What Happens if I Get Sick?

If a medical problem should arise, the program staff in Salzburg will assist you in finding an appropriate doctor. Please notify us of any medical conditions you may have that could require attention during your stay. You should bring with you any personal prescription medicines you usually take. 

Austria has reciprocal agreements with the national health insurance organizations of some countries. Please bring the appropriate documentation if this applies to you (participating countries: Australia, Canada, EU countries, Japan, Singapore, USA; or check with your local insurance provider before departure).

Can I Share Discussion Points From My Sessions Externally?

We strongly encourage all participants to shed their professional personae and to speak as individuals during the meetings. Truly open exchange can only be achieved if all are secure in the knowledge that their remarks are considered "off the record," and thus, all our meetings are covered by the Chatham House Rule.

No direct attribution of any statement may be made in print, online, via social media, or in any broadcast without the express prior permission of the statement's author.

How Can I Engage Online With Other Participants and Fellows?

Salzburg Global uses an online engagement tool (Forj Connect) to create space for our participants and Fellows to interact, share ideas, and stay updated on specific programs and the Salzburg Global community as a whole. Ahead of a session, you should receive an invitation to join the platform from a member of Salzburg Global's Program Team.

Please note that the platform is open only to participants and Salzburg Global Fellows, and specific groups within the community are open only to confirmed participants of the respective program.

While Forj Connect has an app for smartphones and tablets, we recommend registering first on a desktop or laptop and ensuring the browser is up to date. If you have problems registering with a specific email account, please try a different one. 

Business accounts often include restrictions as to which programs the account holder can register for. If you encounter problems that restrict you from registering on Forj Connect, please get in touch with info@salzburgglobal.org.