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Table of Contents:
How to get to Innsbruck from Innsbruck Airport
How to get to Innsbruck from Munich
Maria Theresia Street and the Golden Roof
Innsbruck City Tower and Hofburg Palace
When to travel to Innsbruck
Innsbruck, along with Vienna and Salzburg, is considered to be one of the largest cities in Austria. In addition, Innsbruck is also the administrative center of the Tyrol region, famous for its ski resorts. For tourists, Innsbruck is, first of all, a historical city and at the same time a winter sports center. Surrounded by mountains and forests, Innsbruck boasts not only its landscapes, but also all the conditions for skiing.
The developed infrastructure, coupled with natural resources, makes Innsbruck an exceptional resort for all winter sports lovers. In the summer, Innsbruck offers its guests opportunities for rock climbing and mountaineering, as well as traditional excursion holidays. In the historical part of the city, many interesting monuments from different periods have been preserved.
After some research, I decided to put together information I have previously found out and create a complete guide on how to organize a holiday in Innsbruck. I figured out how to get to the town, where to stay & what to do there. I really hope this detailed information will help you plan your trip to Innsbruck.
Choose wisely a season to visit Innsbruck. A winter time suits best for skiing; there may be snowy and a bit frosty this time of the year. Innsbruck is also good for Christmas celebration, because a colorful Christmas Fair takes place here as well as other interesting events. In the summer Innsbruck is an excellent choice for those who love hiking. The natural landscapes are unbelievably colorful during the summer and autumn seasons. The period from April to October incl. also suits best for sightseeing and for long distance walking as the weather is quite mild this period of the year.
How to get to Innsbruck
Where do you fly into to get to Innsbruck? Innsbruck has its own airport. However, there are not many direct flights from all over the world, so tourists often come to Innsbruck from other cities in Austria, for instance, from Vienna or Salzburg. Neighboring Munich is also a good choice to fly, because there are many more flights from various cities of the world arriving daily. You can check the flight schedule on the Aviasales service and other similar ones. In my point of view, Aviasales is a very helpful online service as it can compare and sort a huge number of flights. I usually narrow the results by various filters in order to find out the best suitable option for me.
How to get to Innsbruck from Innsbruck Airport
After some map examining, I discovered that the distance between Innsbruck Airport and the city center is about 6 km. You can get to the city by public transport, by taxi or by rented car.
By public transport: You can take a bus line F which departs every 15 minutes from the airport and get directly to the Innsbruck city center. The travel time is about 20 minutes. The bus stop is located in front of the arrival terminal.
By taxi: You also can take a taxi to get to Innsbruck. It`s a good idea if you arrive at night or take with you a lot of baggage pieces or ski equipment. You can find a taxi at the airport upon arrival or book a transfer service in advance. Kiwitaxi and other transfer cars run along the route. The travel time is approx. 15 minutes. I did some proper research and I can confirm that Kiwitaxi service has a lot of positive reviews so I can definitely recommend it.
By rented car: You also can rent a car at the Innsbruck airport. This option is very popular in Innsbruck because it lets you discover the whole region of Tyrol and explore other travel destinations on your own. I would recommend booking a car for renting in advance as it is a highly-demanded option among tourists. You can check available options on the various online services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings and others. To rent a car in Innsbruck you need to have a passport, a driver`s license and a bank card.
How to get to Innsbruck from Munich
After some research, I found out that the distance between Munich and Innsbruck is about 160 km. You can get from Munich to the capital of Tyrol in various ways: by public transport (train, bus), by transfer service, or by rented car. Each option has its own advantages.
By bus: The cheapest way to get there is to take a bus. Buses on the route from Munich to Innsbruck run almost every hour during the day. Transportation is provided by the bus company Flixbus. You can check the current timetable online on the Flixbus service. The travel time is about 2.5 hours, the fare is 10-12 euros one way. Buses depart from the Central Bus Station in Munich and arrive at the Main Bus station in Innsbruck. As far as I know Flixbus is a pretty popular bus service in Europe and designed for cheaper trips with affordable prices, so it is a true alternative to railway connection.
By train: You can get to Innsbruck a little faster by train. Trains along the route also run throughout the day. The travel time is about 1 hour 45 minutes, the fare is from 30 euros one way. Trains depart from Munich Main Railway Station and arrive at Innsbruck Main Railway Station. You can check the schedule and purchase tickets online at the Raileurope booking service. I really like the Raileurope service as it has pretty much convenient search with detailed information on each train connection.
By transfer service: If you travel with a lot of luggage or ski equipment, then you can get to the resort by individual transfer car. The cost of such travel is higher, but there is no need to move things from Munich airport to the railway station and then travel by public transport. The travel time in this case is usually about 2 hours. You can order a transfer in advance via various international services that provide transfer cars. These include Kiwitaxi, Intui.Travel and others. Based on my research, both services have a lot of positive reviews and I can definitely recommend them.
By rented car: A rented car is also a suitable travel option. Car rental in Munich is very popular; you can rent a car directly at the airport. To register a car for rent, as a rule, a standard package of documents is required, including a passport, a driver’s license and a bank card. Munich and Innsbruck are connected with highways #A8 and #A12; the distance is 162 km; the travel time is approximately 1 hour 50 minutes (see on the map). Car renting is very convenient if you plan to move around a lot during your trip. You can check available car options at the different online services, including Discover Cars, Economybookings and others. I personally often use these services when planning my own trips as they can do a decent search and a lot of settings which help me to sort the results and narrow them.
Where to stay in Innsbruck
As online booking services provide tourists reviews, I figured out that upon arrival in Innsbruck, tourists can stay in a variety of hotels, apartments, guest houses, hostels, depending on your preferences and budget. Innsbruck is a popular tourist destination almost all year round, so I would recommend booking accommodation in advance.
The following hotels in Innsbruck get high ratings from tourists:
Maximilian Stadthaus Penz 4* – This family-run hotel is located in the historical center of the city, within the walking distance of the main attractions. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories. Depending on the room type, breakfast may be included in the room rate or available at an additional cost. Wi-Fi is provided free of charge. Paid public parking is available nearby. Bicycles can be rented from the 24-hour front desk. There is also an area for storing skis;
Best Western Plus Hotel Goldener Adler Innsbruck 4* – the hotel is located in the city center. The hotel has a restaurant. You can stay in rooms of various categories, including family rooms. Depending on the room type, breakfast may be included in the room rate or available at an additional cost. Wi-Fi is free. Paid public parking is available next to the hotel. The front desk serves the guests 24 hours a day. There is an area for storing skis;
Hotel Mondschein 4* – the hotel is located in a picturesque place on the river bank. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories, including family rooms. Breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is available free of charge throughout the hotel. There is an area for storing skis. Guests can also relax in the hotel bar. Paid private parking is provided nearby. The reception is open 24 hours a day;
Hotel Zach 3* – the hotel is located in a quiet area of the city, within walking distance from the center of Innsbruck and from the railway station. You can stay in rooms of various categories, including family rooms. Breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is free of charge. Ski storage can be found at the reception. Private paid parking is available nearby;
Hotel Huberhof 3* – the hotel is located in a picturesque place in the closest surroundings of Innsbruck. The hotel has a restaurant, a bar and a terrace for relaxation. A seasonal swimming pool is open in summer. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories; many of them are with balconies. Depending on the room type, breakfast may be included in the price or be paid separately. Wi-Fi and parking are provided free of charge. There is an area for storing luggage.
What to see & do in Innsbruck
Innsbruck is located in a very picturesque place and is surrounded with impressive mountain slopes. In addition, the city is ready to offer many attractions for everyone who decides to visit the “heart” of Tyrol. Here you will find medieval streets and squares, cathedrals and palaces, towers, arches, museums. You also can take a ride on the panoramic cable car, go to the Alpine Zoo or botanical garden, see the picturesque surroundings, and ski on the local mountain slopes.
Maria Theresia Street and the Golden Roof
Maria Theresa Street can be called the main street of the old part of the city. All routes to the city attractions stretch from here. Maria Theresia Street is the main pedestrian avenue, where you can sit in cafes with the best views, go shopping or explore architectural sights. The Baroque palaces of Gumpp and Trapp, the Arc de Triomphe and the Column of St. Anne will attract your attention here. But, in my opinion, the main highlight is certainly the so-called Golden Roof and the Alpine panorama around.
The golden roof of one of the medieval houses of Innsbruck is considered to be the hallmark of the city. It has been here for no less than six centuries. The roof really dazzles with its magnificence, because there are 2657 plates covered with gold. Alpine peaks which are visible on the horizon of the house with a golden roof, gives tourists truly unbelievable impressions.
Innsbruck City Tower and Hofburg Palace
Another hallmark of the city is the Innsbruck City Tower. Having a height of 31 meters, the tower cannot but attract the attention of tourists. The construction of the tower dates back to the mid-15th century, and on its façade, it is impossible not to notice the huge clock mechanism. You can explore the tower not only from the outside, but also from the inside, and even go up to the observation deck, which offers wonderful views of the old city center. I found out some information for visiting:
- The entrance fee to the observation deck is 4,5 euros;
- The tower is open every day, seven days a week.
Of course, the Hofburg Palace in Innsbruck cannot be compared with the Vienna Hofburg Palace, however, the local palace is also impressive. Literally everything here makes an impression, from the snow-white facades, the baroque style, the landscape park located next to the palace, to the palace chambers, huge halls decorated with paintings, sculptures, tapestries, crystal, etc. There is some useful information for visiting that I discovered:
- The palace is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm;
- The entrance ticket costs 9,50 euros per adult, children under 18 years old are free to visit.
The Hofgarten Botanical Garden is located near the Hofburg Palace and is more of an exquisite landscape park, although not without some exotic species of plants and flowers. Walking here is quite pleasant, because you can stroll along the paths and around ponds with water lilies, along alleys and past flower beds. Here you can also sit in a local restaurant or visit the Greenhouse, made entirely of glass.
- Entrance to the garden is free;
- it is open daily.
The local zoo in Innsbruck is notable for being the highest altitude zoo in the world, located at 727 meters above the sea level. The Innsbruck Zoo cannot be called the largest or most ambitious in Europe, but it is home to 150 species of various animals, birds and fish; it also has its own aquarium; the conditions in which the animals live are close to natural. You can stroll around the zoo all day; its territory is very vast. I found out detailed information for visiting the zoo:
- The zoo is open daily from 9 am until 6 pm (April – October) and until 5 pm (November – March);
- The entrance ticket costs 13 euros for an adult and 6,5 euros for a child (under 15 years old).
The Ambras Castle may not be the most elegant building in all of Innsbruck, but it will certainly amaze you with its collections if you decide to go inside. The thing is that the castle exhibits the collections of the famous Archduke Ferdinand II of Austria, who collected art objects during his life. Now in the castle you can see rooms dedicated to weapons, paintings, sculptures, etc. I did some research to collect practical information for visiting the castle and here it is:
- The castle is open to visitors daily from 10 am to 5 pm;
- In November the castle is traditionally closed for restoration.
- The entrance ticket costs 16 euros per adult, admission for children under 18 is free.
If we talk about the natural attractions of Innsbruck, the best way to see them all is to take the Nordkette cable car. The cable car passes through three stations, each of which offers panoramic views of the mountains and Innsbruck from a bird’s eye view. The highest point of the cable car is 2334 meters high, from where you can see the Grossglockner peak, located at an altitude of 3800 meters.
Despite the fact that most tourists immediately rush to the highest of the three stations, it is worth paying attention to the two lower ones, since the view of the highest of the stations is often obscured by clouds, while at the two lower ones you can calmly view the countryside. Please, note, that each segment of a ride is paid separately.
As you can see, the attractions of Innsbruck are very diverse, not to mention the skiing and other winter sports. There are several designated areas for skiing in the surroundings of Innsbruck, including Aksamer Litsum, Glungeser, Patscherkofel, Ranger Kopfl, Mutterer Alm and Nordpark-Seegrube. These areas are located a few kilometers from Innsbruck. There are resorts located at a greater distance, for instance, Seefeld, Mayrhofen, Zirl, Zell am Ziller and others, which I would also definitely recommend to keep in mind.
Take a note! When going on a trip to Austria, do not forget to take out travel insurance, which is useful for receiving a tourist visa and for solving emerging medical problems when travelling in another country. You can purchase insurance via online services, for example, via EKTA and others. You can choose from different modes, including quiet, active or extreme rest.
Photo above the article: Feli García
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Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more about the author…