Bad Hofgastein.
Flight from TLV
3h 43m
Best season
ינו–דצמ
Avg temp
12°
Currency
€ EUR · 1=₪3.52
Time zone
שעה אחת פחות מת״א בחורף ובדרך כלל גם בקיץ
Language
גרמנית
Plug
C / F · 230V
Visa
אין צורך בוויזה לישראלים לשהייה קצרה של עד 90 יום, בכפוף לכללי שנגן
Safety
בטוח מאוד; יש להקפיד על כללי בטיחות בשלג, לבדוק תחזית מפולות ולרכוש ביטוח ספורט חורף
Overview
🇦🇹Bad Hofgastein
🇦🇹Austria
Bad Hofgastein is an Alpine ski town where excellent slopes meet genuine thermal-spa indulgence. Israeli travelers come mainly in winter to ski across the Gastein area, ride the Schlossalmbahn and end the day in Alpentherme Gastein's warm pools, with spa hotels and relaxed bars in the village center.
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Where to stay
Where to stay in Bad Hofgastein
Each area and who it suits best.
Bad Hofgastein Center
Alpine lanes, restaurants, and cafés within walking distance, plus easy access to Alpentherme and the Schlossalmbahn cable car.
Schlossalm and the Cable Car Base Area
The most practical base for a ski holiday, with lodging close to the gondola, bus hub, and thermal baths.
Badbruck
A peaceful hamlet south of the center, near the river and valley trails, with mountain-view guesthouses and a more local feel.
Bad Gastein
A steep spa town wrapped around a huge waterfall, with Belle Époque hotels, bars, and a livelier evening scene than Bad Hofgastein.
Dorfgastein
A compact Alpine village in the northern valley, with direct access to Fulseck and the Dorfgastein-Großarltal ski area.
Year-round weather
Year-round weather in Bad Hofgastein
Temperature averages
Real climate dataינו
5°
-5°
Cool
פבר
8°
-3°
Cool
מרץ
11°
1°
Cool
אפר
13°
2°
Cool
מאי
17°
6°
Recommended
יונ
24°
11°
Excellent
יול
24°
12°
Excellent
אוג
25°
13°
Excellent
ספט
21°
9°
Recommended
אוק
16°
5°
Recommended
נוב
9°
-1°
Cool
דצמ
7°
-4°
Cool
Most pleasant weather: יונ · יול · אוג
Peak season for Israelis (when everyone goes): ינו · פבר · מרץ · דצמ
Based on a 3-year average · measured in Bad Hofgastein · Open-Meteo
This week in Bad Hofgastein
Measured in Bad Hofgastein
14°
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Next 7 days
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Things to do
Things to do in Bad Hofgastein
On the map
Bad Hofgastein on one map
Every spot travelers love — tap a pin for photos, opening hours, navigation and booking.
Suggested plan
A perfect Bad Hofgastein itinerary
Day by day, so you can picture the whole trip.
- 1
Day 1
Town Center and Alpentherme
Start at Kirchenplatz, the Liebfrauenkirche, and the Alpine streets of the center, then stroll along the Gasteiner Ache. Spend the afternoon in the thermal pools, saunas, and family area of Alpentherme Gastein.
- 2
Day 2
Schlossalm and the Mountains
Ride the Schlossalmbahn to Schlossalm: in winter, ski the Schlossalm-Angertal-Stubnerkogel runs; in summer, choose a hiking route among the viewpoints and rock formations. Summer families can enjoy the Schlossalm-Angertal-Stubnerkogel adventure mountain, while experienced hikers can continue on a longer high-altitude trail.
- 3
Day 3
Bad Gastein and Stubnerkogel
Take the train or bus to Bad Gastein, see the Gasteiner Wasserfall, and explore the historic hotels climbing the hillside. In clear weather, ride the Stubnerkogel cable car and cross the suspension bridge at 2,300 meters; stay for an evening drink overlooking the waterfall or return to the thermal baths.
- 4
Day 4
Angertal, Sportgastein, and the High Valley
In winter, head to Sportgastein, the valley's highest and most snow-reliable ski area, or try cross-country skiing in Angertal. In summer, hike the Nassfeld trails at Sportgastein through meadows, mountain huts, and waterfalls, stopping for a simple Alpine meal after checking ingredients.
- 5
Day 5
Dorfgastein or a Salzach Valley Day Trip
For a relaxed valley day, visit Dorfgastein and ride the Gipfelbahn Fulseck for winter skiing or summer hiking and views. Travelers with a car can instead spend the day at Zell am See and Lake Zell, adding the Grossglockner High Alpine Road in summer when it is open and weather conditions allow.
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Budget
How much does Bad Hofgastein cost?
Real ILS price ranges, so you know what to expect.
Round-trip flight from TLV
₪900-2,200 (to Salzburg)
Mid-range hotel night
₪550-1,050 (double room)
Restaurant meal
₪65-130
Local beer
₪18-27
Cup of coffee
₪12-20
Short taxi ride
₪45-90
Rental car per day
₪180-350 (before fuel)
Daily budget per person
₪450-850 (excluding skiing)
Good to know
Good to know before Bad Hofgastein
Getting around
From the airport
Salzburg is the most convenient airport, about 90 km from Bad Hofgastein. A rental car or prebooked transfer takes roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes; shared transfers generally cost ₪180-320 per person, while a private taxi is around ₪650-950 per vehicle. By public transport, take a bus to Salzburg Hbf and then a direct train to Bad Hofgastein, for a total of about 2 to 2 hours 40 minutes and ₪90-180 per person; the railway station is outside the center, so continue by local bus or taxi.
Need a car?
A car is not essential if you stay in the center or near Schlossalmbahn: ski buses, trains, and cable cars cover the Gastein Valley towns well. It is worthwhile for families carrying equipment, guests staying in Badbruck or a remote apartment, and summer day trips such as Zell am See or the Grossglockner; in winter, factor in snow, parking, and winter tires.
Tips
Check whether your accommodation provides the Gastein Card, which offers discounts on selected attractions and transport. In winter, use the free ski buses with a valid ski pass; in summer, check cable-car schedules in advance because operating days vary by season and weather.
Kosher & Jewish
Chabad / community
Bad Hofgastein has no permanent Chabad house, active synagogue, or local Jewish community offering regular services. There is also no permanent kosher infrastructure in the Gastein Valley towns; the nearest Chabad is in Salzburg, about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes away by car, and travelers should contact it in advance regarding prayers, Shabbat, and possible food arrangements.
Kosher food
There is no certified kosher restaurant in town. Kosher-observant Israelis usually book an apartment with a kitchenette, bring supplies, or buy basics at SPAR and BILLA while checking every package for certification; a wider kosher selection may be available in Salzburg with guidance from Chabad. Travelers comfortable with kosher-friendly but uncertified food can request simple vegetarian dishes, whole fish, or meat-free pasta, but kitchens and utensils are not kosher, and ingredients such as stock, sauces, and cheese should be checked.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance for Bad Hofgastein 🇦🇹
A hospital day in Bad Hofgastein can cost thousands. Full coverage with Hebrew support.
- Medical + hospital 24/7
- Trip cancellation
- Baggage
- Ski & winter sports add-on
Currency & rates
Live rateCurrency & rates
Quick conversion at today's rate
Convert
You get
351.8
1 EUR
₪3.52
100 EUR
₪351.8
1,000 EUR
₪3,518
Source: exchangerate-api · updated Sep 14 · refreshes daily
Visa & documents
Visa & documents for Bad Hofgastein 🇦🇹
What you need before you fly
- אין צורך בוויזה לישראלים לשהייה קצרה של עד 90 יום, בכפוף לכללי שנגן
- Passport valid 6 months
- Travel insurance, leave details for a quote
Local tips
Good to know about Bad Hofgastein
- 📍For a car-free ski holiday, stay between Kaiser-Franz-Platz and the Schlossalmbahn station so the lift, restaurants and Alpentherme are all within walking distance.
- 🎿Buy the Ski amadé pass online as early as possible, as prices are dynamic and purchasing on arrival can cost more during popular weeks.
- 🚌The valley ski buses are convenient but run less frequently in the evening, so check the final departure before heading to Bad Gastein for dinner or drinks.
- ♨️Swimwear is worn in Alpentherme’s pool areas, but Sauna World follows the Austrian no-swimwear sauna tradition, so do not wander in by mistake.
- ✡️Bad Hofgastein has no permanent kosher restaurant, so kosher-observant travelers should book an apartment with a kitchen, bring supplies from Israel and supplement them with sealed products from local supermarkets.
- 💶Keep €50 to €100 in cash for mountain huts, lockers and tips, even though hotels and most businesses in town accept credit cards.
מאיה רוזן
Senior agent · Greece for 12 years
"For me, Bad Hofgastein offers the best balance in the Gastein Valley: a welcoming Alpine town, serious skiing and thermal baths you can enter as soon as the ski boots come off. Israelis particularly fall for the moment they sit in Alpentherme’s warm outdoor pool while snow is falling all around."
Loves
I love taking the Schlossalmbahn early, skiing before the pistes fill up and finishing at Alpentherme after 18:00, when families begin to leave and the pools become noticeably calmer. It is the local après-ski ritual I will always choose over a noisy bar.
Skip
Do not book a cheap hotel on the edge of the valley without checking the ski-bus stop, because a 20-minute walk in ski boots quickly becomes a daily mistake.
Boutique pick
I would design a day that begins with the first Schlossalmbahn ascent, continues with a long ski session across the Schlossalm area and includes lunch facing the peaks at a mountain hut. In the afternoon, return to town for Alpentherme’s outdoor pools, then finish with a relaxed dinner around Kaiser-Franz-Platz.
Client stories
What returning travelers say about Bad Hofgastein
"We started the morning skiing from Schlossalmbahn and ended in Alpentherme’s warm outdoor pools facing the snowy mountains, exactly the romantic winter escape we had imagined."
Noa and Elad, Tel Aviv
Couples’ ski escape
"The children loved their ski lessons in the Schlossalm area and later refused to leave Alpentherme’s slides and family pools."
The Levi Family, Modi'in
Family snow week
"We covered the Ski Gastein slopes, stopped for a beer at Weitmoserin on the mountain and finished each evening with fun, low-key après-ski in central Bad Hofgastein."
Omer, Roi and Daniel, Haifa
Friends’ ski trip
FAQ
Common questions about Bad Hofgastein
Do Israelis need a visa for Bad Hofgastein?
Israeli passport holders do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days in Austria, but before visiting Bad Hofgastein they should check whether ETIAS has entered into force.
When is the best time to visit Bad Hofgastein?
The best time for Bad Hofgastein is January to March for reliable skiing, or June to September for hiking, cable cars and relaxed thermal-spa days.
How many days should you spend in Bad Hofgastein?
For a ski holiday in Bad Hofgastein, plan five to seven nights, while three to five nights are enough in summer for mountains, Alpentherme and valley excursions.
Are there direct flights from Israel to Bad Hofgastein, and how long is the flight?
Bad Hofgastein has no airport, so the easiest option is a seasonal nonstop flight of about four hours from Tel Aviv to Salzburg followed by a roughly 75-minute transfer, or a flight to Munich with a longer onward journey.
How do you get around Bad Hofgastein, and is a car necessary?
A car is unnecessary for a ski holiday in Bad Hofgastein because ski buses connect the hotels, town centre and Schlossalmbahn, though it is useful for wider Salzburg-region day trips in summer.
How much does a holiday in Bad Hofgastein cost?
A couple in Bad Hofgastein should budget around ₪1,100 to ₪1,800 per winter day for accommodation, food and ski passes, excluding flights, equipment and lessons.
Is Bad Hofgastein safe, and what is there to do besides skiing and beaches?
Bad Hofgastein is very safe and quiet, has no beaches, and its standout attractions include Alpentherme, Schlossalmbahn, valley trails and the waterfall in nearby Bad Gastein.
Is Bad Hofgastein better for families or couples, and what about nightlife and kosher food?
Bad Hofgastein suits families and couples who prefer spas and relaxed après-ski to clubs, and as it has no permanent kosher restaurant, kosher-observant visitors should book a kitchenette and stock up in Salzburg or Munich.