Hello all,
My wife and I will be staying in Berchtesgaden for two nights, and want to make a day trip to Salzburg. We have a rental car, so making the 30 minute drive will be no problem. However, parking, I have read, may be another story. Coming from Berchtesgaden, what would be our best bet for parking? I would like to park within walking distance of the old town. Is there a large parking garage under Monchsburg? or a more convenient one? If not, I have read about the park and ride service. Has anyone ever done that, or had experience driving around the city? Comments would be much appreciated.

Thanks

>I have read about the park and ride service. Has anyone ever done that?<

Yes, we did exactly that. On the way into town from Berchtesgaden, we came upon the Park & Ride. Easy and simple...

There is a large underground parking lot very close to the old center. We just followed the signs with no problems. Can't remember the cost but it was reasonable.

dgassa may have been referring to the parking lot directly across the street from the Mirabell Gardens. Very convenient to the old town, Mozart's house and the Marionettentheater.

Have fun.

There are quite a few places where you can park in Salzburg. The park garage in the Mönchsberg is a good one. You should not experience problems. All the best in Salzburg!

While in Salzburg be sure to have lunch at the St. Peter's restrauant. (Next to St Peters church and cemetary) What a neat place. Eat outside and then go in and up to see the many formal dining rooms. We were told that food has been served there for 1230 years.

Yes, it is the oldest restaurant in Central Europe and has pretty good food.
Also do not forget to go into the church, in my opinion it is the most beautiful church in Salzburg (Iam a Salzburg native). In the church of the St. Peter monastery, Mozart's c-minor-mass (KV 427) was presented for the first time in 1789, as his wife Constanze sang one of the soprano solo parts.

You might consider taking the bus to/from Salzburg. It takes about 40 minutes, drops you off at Mozartsteg by the Altstadt, or across the river near Mirabel, with no traffic or parking hassle for just a few Euro.

Will this be the only driving you'll be doing in Austria? If so, then forgo the IDP and take the bus.

Parking areas are well marked in Salzburg so you will have no trouble finding a parking lot but they were very full when we were there. If I remember correctly the price was 20 Euro per day but it was very close to old town so very easy to park and wander this beautiful city. I second the suggestion to take the bus from Berchtesgarden as you will not need a car while you are in Salzburg at all. Old town is very compact and easily walkable and they have a wonderful, and cheap, bus system if you want to go further afield. Have fun.

no, we are also driving from berchtesgaden to telfs, while takinga detour to see Krimmler wasserfalle. Also, we'll be driving through tyrol again on the way from telfs to lucerne (stopping at Mt. Rigi!!). Thanks so much for all your comments. We will definately check out the restaurant by St Peters (and the church). It sounds really interesting.
As for driving, we'll probably do the park and ride, or park under the mountain.

To find the underground parking lot, just follow the signs "Altstadt Mitte" or "Altstadt Nord". The cost ist indeed high. However, if you buy or consume something in the Old Town, just show your parking ticket. Many shops and restaurants will mark your ticket with a special device, and you'll get a reduced parking fee.

On the other hand, it is true that the bus is very convenient as well. The next stop to the Old Town is "Mozartsteg". You only have to cross the river to get to the Old Town.

We parked at Schloss Helbrunn, toured that, then took a bus into the central part of the city.

The parking garage in Salzburg is a fun experience in and of itself. We always head for "Aldstadt Parkplatz Mitte" and from there it is a short walk to the "getriedegasse". The large pedestrian only zone. Where else can you go and park inside a mountain?
The very best advice is to get there early in the morning. Salzburg is always jammed with day trippers and the city really fills up quickly! Where are you staying in B'gaden?