Compare the two options
City pass · calculator
City passes look impressive when the marketing adds up dozens of included attractions. But if you will actually visit four, the useful comparison is those four — plus the transport and conditions you genuinely expect to use.
The calculator below uses your current prices. It does not preload data for a specific city because prices, inclusions and validity rules change.
Compare the two optionsCity-pass price (€)Mandatory extra fees attached to the pass (€)Separate tickets for the places you plan to visit (€)Transport included in the pass that you would otherwise buy (€)Planned costs the pass does not cover (€) I checked that the pass validity covers my planned visitsComparefunction money(n){return Number(n).toLocaleString('en',{minimumFractionDigits:2,maximumFractionDigits:2})}function calculatePass(){const passPrice=Number(document.getElementById('passPrice').value),fees=Number(document.getElementById('fees').value),tickets=Number(document.getElementById('tickets').value),transport=Number(document.getElementById('transport').value),nonincluded=Number(document.getElementById('nonincluded').value),validityConfirmed=document.getElementById('validityConfirmed').checked,out=document.getElementById('result');if(![passPrice,fees,tickets,transport,nonincluded].every(Number.isFinite)||passPrice<0||fees<0||tickets<0||transport<0||nonincluded<0){out.innerHTML='<p><strong>Check the inputs. Prices and fees cannot be negative.';return}const separateTotal=tickets+transport;const passTotal=passPrice+fees+nonincluded;const delta=separateTotal-passTotal;let verdict='The two options are about the same price';if(delta>0.01)verdict='The pass is cheaper with these inputs';if(delta<-0.01)verdict='Separate tickets are cheaper with these inputs';const validity=validityConfirmed?'':'<p><strong>Before deciding: check validity, timed-entry rules and required reservations.';out.innerHTML=`<h3>${verdict}<p>Separate tickets + transport: ${money(separateTotal)} € · pass option: ${money(passTotal)} € · difference: ${money(Math.abs(delta))} €${validity}<p><strong>Do not count value for something you would not otherwise buy.`}calculatePass();
What belongs in the comparison?Add only the attractions you genuinely want to visit. If a museum costs €20 but you would not go without the pass, it has not suddenly “saved” you €20 just because admission is included.The same applies to transport. Count its value only if the exact transport product is included and you would otherwise have bought it separately.
A real example: Salzburg CardThe Salzburg Card is a useful example of why memorizing one price does not work. The official Salzburg tourism site publishes different prices for 24, 48 and 72 hours, and the 2026 prices also vary by season. From April through October 2026, adult prices are €38, €45 and €49 respectively; winter-period prices are lower.The official FAQ adds another detail that changes the math: the card is valid for 24/48/72 hours from first use, rather than simply “until the end of the day.” That can make an itinerary work well — or make the pass poor value if your visits do not fit into the window.This is not a recommendation for Salzburg Card. It is a concrete example of the fields you should verify for any city pass.
When the cheaper option is not automatically the better optionReservations: an included attraction may still require a timed slot.Opening hours: three “free” museums do not add value if they cannot realistically fit into one day.Geography: a scattered itinerary can turn savings into hours of extra travel.Discount-only inclusions: some services are reduced, not fully included.Pace: if the pass makes you add attractions simply to “get your money's worth,” it may make the trip worse rather than better.
Six checks before you buyOpen the official page for the exact pass.Check the price for your dates and age category.List only the places you genuinely plan to visit.Mark what is fully included, discounted only or reservation-dependent.Check the validity window and how activation works.Compare the result with the separate tickets and transport you would otherwise buy.The most common mistake: comparing the pass with the theoretical maximum value of every advertised inclusion instead of your real itinerary.
SourcesSalzburg.info — Salzburg Card PricesSalzburg.info — Salzburg Card FAQChecked September 7, 2026. For an actual trip, use the official prices and conditions that apply to your dates.
