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Table of Contents:
How to get to Ischgl from Innsbruck
How to get to Ischgl from Munich
How to get to Ischgl from Zurich
When to travel to Ischgl
The Austrian resort of Ischgl, located in a picturesque valley and surrounded by 3 mountains of 3 000 m high, is considered to be one of the largest ski resorts in Austria. The ski area, which is called the Silvretta Arena, is situated on the territory of two states – Austria and Switzerland, and if Samnaun town is considered to be the main ski resort on the Swiss side, then on the Austrian side it`s just Ischgl.
Ischgl is famous for its ski slopes, an equipped fan park for snowboarders, and opportunities for cross-country skiing. Ischgl has also been recognized as one of the most party places among the winter resorts in Austria, which means that tourists are provided with various activities of resort life. 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 Ischgl. I figured out how to get to the ski resort, where to stay & what to do there. I really hope this detailed information will help you plan your trip to Ischgl.
Ischgl is an all-year-round resort. In winter it`s one of the main ski areas in Austria. In spring, summer and autumn it`s a good starting point for hiking and sightseeing. If you love being in the countryside and prefer enjoying natural landscapes, the Silvretta Arena, where Ischgl is located, is a good place to do it. Winter season lasts from December until March incl. The period for hiking lasts from the end of April until October incl.
How to get to Ischgl
Where do you fly into to get to Ischgl? Most often, tourists get to Ischgl from Innsbruck, Munich or Zurich; all three cities have airports to fly into. Check the current flight timetable from your city at Aviasales booking service. I use this online service regularly to check out available flight options and often find out great deals so I can definitely recommend it. Ischgl is located 105 km from Innsbruck; 193 km from Munich; and 220 km from Zurich. You can get to Ischgl by public transport, by transfer services or by rented car.
How to get to Ischgl from Innsbruck
Ischgl is located on the border with Switzerland at some distance from the major Austrian cities that have arrival airports. The nearest such city with an airport is Innsbruck. The distance between Innsbruck and Ischgl is 105 km. Flights from around the world fly to Innsbruck all year round.
By public transport: You can get from Innsbruck to Ischgl by public transport by taking a train to the town of Landeck-Zams, and then taking a regular bus directly to Ischgl. The total travel time is about 2 hours, excluding the duration of a change. You can check the train timetable and buy tickets online at the Raileurope booking service. The public bus line is route #260. Buses depart from Landeck-Zams Train Station 2 times an hour during the day.
By transfer service: You can also get to the resort by taxi or transfer service. It takes you a little over 1 hour. This option is convenient because it does not require changes; in addition, it is more comfortable to use a car when transporting winter equipment. You can order a transfer service in advance at various transfer services, such as Kiwitaxi, Intui.Travel, etc. Based on my research, these online services have a lot of positive reviews that is why I can recommend them. For sure, there are a lot of other taxi services available at the airport.
By rented car: Another convenient way for travelers to get to Ischgl is to rent a car at the Innsbruck Airport. The rental process does not take much time and you can find rental offices everywhere, both at the airport of arrival and in the city center in Innsbruck. During the “high” season periods it is recommended to book a car for rental in advance, because the service is very popular here. You can book a car in advance on various international services, for example, on Discover Cars, Economybookings and others. Innsbruck and Ischgl are connected with highway # A12; the approximate travel time is about 1 hour 20 minutes (see on the map).
Please, note, that to drive on Austrian roads, you need to buy a toll sticker. You can buy a sticker from a local tobacconist, as well as online. Between the period of November to April, cars must be equipped with winter tires in Austria. Depending on weather conditions, snow chains may be necessary as well. In addition, it is mandatory to have one high-visibility vest per person on board.
How to get to Ischgl from Munich
Some tourists arrive in Ischgl from Munich, since flights to Munich are carried out all year round and several times a day. Munich is located 193 km from Ischgl.
By public transport: By public transport, the route is similar to that from Innsbruck (train + bus). The travel time is about 4-5 hours, depending on the duration of a change in Landeck-Zams. You can check the train timetable and buy tickets online at the Raileurope booking service. I often use this online service to plan my trips around Europe and I can say it has a very convenient search with a lot of options. The public bus line is route #260. Buses depart from Landeck-Zams Train Station 2 times an hour during the day.
By transfer service: The transfer from Munich Airport to Ischgl is also relevant. Travel time is approximately 3,5 hours. You can order an individual transfer on special services like Kiwitaxi, Intui.Travel and other similar ones. The transfer will be very useful for transporting ski equipment. I examined both services and found out that they have a lot of positive reviews. For sure, there are a lot of other taxi services available at the airport.
By rented car: Tourists with a driver’s license can also rent a car in Munich to drive to Austrian ski resorts. Munich and Ischgl are connected with the A95 highway; the travel time by car is about 3-3,5 hours (see on the map). Car rental is another convenient way to transport ski equipment, if needed. You can book a car for renting in advance on various international services, for instance, on Discover Cars, Economybookings and others. Please, note, to drive to Austria from Munich (which is in Germany), you may need to register a cross-border insurance.
Also, take a note, that to drive on Austrian roads, you need to buy a toll sticker. You can either buy a sticker right at the border or from a local tobacconist, as well as online. Between the period of November to April, cars must be equipped with winter tires in Austria. Depending on weather conditions, snow chains may be necessary as well. In addition, it is mandatory to have one high-visibility vest per person on board.
How to get to Ischgl from Zurich
You can also get to Ischgl from Zurich. The distance is 220 km. Direct flights arrive to Zurich from different cities of the world all year round. Then you can get to Ischgl by public transport, by transfer service or by rented car.
By public transport: To get to Ischgl by public transport, you need to take a train from the Zurich Railway Station to the town of Landeck-Zams. Travel time takes 2 hours 45 minutes. Trains run every two hours. You can check the timetable and buy tickets online at the Raileurope ticket service. Next, you need to take bus # 260 directly to Ischgl.
By transfer service: Ischgl resort can also be reached by car transfer. You can order transfer services in advance on various international services, such as Kiwitaxi, Intui.Travel and other similar ones. Travel time from Zurich Airport to Ischgl takes about 3 hours.
By rented car: Such an option as car rental is also suitable for getting to Ischgl from Zurich. You can rent a car directly at the Zurich Airport or in the city center. If necessary, you can book the desired car class in advance on special services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings and others. Based on my experience, I can recommend both services as they have a good search with a lot of settings to narrow the results as you may need.
To rent a car, you need to have a passport, an international driver’s license and a bank card. The distance between Zurich and Ischgl is 220 km. The approximate travel time is 3 hours (see on the map). Please note you may need to register for cross-border insurance.
Also, take a note that to drive on Austrian roads, you need to buy a toll sticker. You can either buy a sticker right at the border or from a local tobacconist, as well as online. Between the period of November to April, cars must be equipped with winter tires in Austria. Depending on weather conditions, snow chains may be necessary as well. In addition, it is mandatory to have one high-visibility vest per person on board. All additional equipment may be booked in advance as well and taken at the rental offices.
Where to stay in Ischgl
Ischgl has a highly developed hotel infrastructure, so you can consider various options for living here, including hotels of different star categories, guest houses, B&B`s, vacation homes, chalets, country houses and more. Remember, when looking for accommodation, that the resort of Ischgl is very popular among the tourists during the winter period (from November to March), so it is worth booking places to stay in advance.
Based on my research, hotels in Ischgl can be in different star categories from luxurious five-star rooms to budget hostels and standard hotels. The price category also varies significantly depending on the star rating of the hotel. However, the big advantage of the resort is that here you can find various accommodation options from standard to fashionable. 5-star hotels usually offer additional options such as spa areas, relaxation terraces with mountain views, swimming pools, saunas, solariums, ski storage, games rooms, private parking, half board meals.
It is best to book a room or an apartment at least a few months in advance, this will give you the opportunity to choose from the largest number of available places of accommodation. Popular hotels in Ischgl include:
Astellina Hotel-apart 4* – This aparthotel is located in a peaceful area around Ischgl. The free ski bus stops in front of the hotel. The hotel has a spa area with a sauna and a sauna. Rooms are studios and apartments. The hotel provides free private parking and free Wi-Fi;
Hotel Garni Castel 4* has a convenient location close to the ski lifts. The hotel offers rooms of various categories, also free Wi-Fi, parking services and ski storage;
Hotel Akp-Larain 4* – The hotel is located in a quiet area and the free ski bus stops nearby. The nearest ski lift is 600 meters from the hotel. You can stay in rooms of various categories, including family rooms. There is a terrace for relaxation and ski storage. Parking and Wi-Fi are provided free of charge.
Renting apartments in Ischgl is a relatively popular option too and interest in it is growing every year. The advantage of this accommodation option is that you can choose a studio, apartment or even a whole house. True, you will have to cook by yourself, or eat in restaurants, since the option of included meals is not provided in the apartments, but there is a kitchen equipped with everything you need.
In addition to Ischgl, you can also look for housing in neighboring towns; the prices may be lower, but then you should think about how to get from a particular town to Ischgl, because the ski slopes, lifts and the main resort infrastructure is located exactly in Ischgl. I would recommend to take a closer look at such towns as St. Anton (14 km), Kappl (9 km), Samnaun (Switzerland, 9 km), Galtür (10 km), in case you prefer to stay out of Ischgl.
What to do in Ischgl
Ischgl is both a ski resort and a popular party place, so there are a lot of activities and entertainment here. Moreover, Ischgl in the summer is also a popular place to stay. If in winter people come here mainly to go skiing and snowboarding, then in summer the resort becomes a center for rock climbing and other sports. You can find tennis courts, equipped here; golf clubs; water parks, etc. In addition, the area is great for hiking and cycling in natural landscapes.
Based on my research, I discovered that the total length of pistes in Ischgl is about 240 km, with a vertical drop of almost 1500 m, and the number of lifts is 45. In addition to 40 km of pistes for beginners, 130 km of pistes of medium difficulty and 45 km of difficult pistes, Ischgl boasts 20 km of ski trails and a fan park with a half-pipe. In general, it is believed that Ischgl is one of the five best equipped resorts for snowboarding.
You can ride on the slopes of the mountains here, both in the wooded part and in the treeless part. Among other things, Ischgl is a paradise for freeriding; not only special freeride tracks are equipped here, but also jumps of different difficulty levels. You can improve your skills in the specialized ski schools. Group and individual lessons are held here, for adults and children; for skiing and snowboarding.
One of the attractions of Ischgl is the sport complex of Silvretta. You can find here a water park with many original water effects, among which water massage stands out; various types of saunas from traditional Finnish to infrared; ice grottoes; a pool with hydrotherapy; various relaxation areas; The complex also provides massage and spa treatments, a restaurant, a billiard area, a bowling alley. The complex of Silvretta claims to bring all possible sports entertainment under one roof.
You can also find spa services in Ischgl at the Trofana Royal Hotel and Hotel Madlein (available not only for guests). In the area of these spa complexes, you can find swimming pools, gyms, saunas, relaxation areas, massage baths, artificial waterfalls and much more. Both spa complexes are open all year round. I visited some thermal spas in Europe and I can definitely recommend such a nice activity to try.
Nightlife in Ischgl is quite intense. So, for example, you can take a gondola to the top of the mountain to dine in a restaurant with a panoramic view of the resort. Restaurant complex, called Idalp – Panorama, is located at an altitude of 2300 meters, isn’t that romantic? The “mountain” restaurants also include Pardorama, Alpenhaus, Höllboden, Schwarzwand, where the brightest and most colorful evenings in the resort take place.
In the town center, you can find many bars and night discos, the music in which does not stop until the sunrise. If you are already in one of these places, then be sure to try the Tyrolean delicacies. Although if you wish, you can find English bars, American restaurants, French bakeries, etc. in Ischgl.
In general, a holiday in Ischgl is considered to be one of the most fun and relaxed in Austria. In my point of view, people come here not only for the sake of skiing itself, but also for a fun pastime, including visiting bars, restaurants, sport and spa complexes and relaxation areas.
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: Eric de Redelijkheid
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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…
You mention needing to get a toll sticker to drive the roads in Austria. Do the rental car companies provide this automatically or at least offer this when you pick up the car?
Hello!
Yes, they offer it.
Cheers,
Julia
I’ve not heard of Ischgl before. It seems like a wonderful place in Winter or Summer. The restaurants and nightlife sound great too.
Ischgl looks like an interesting spot to visit in Austria – even if we don’t normally look for party places to visit! Good to know there are some good options to get there from different local airports. We would definitely want to check out the sport complex of Silvretta and love the different type of saunas offered. A great spot any time of year.
Hello!
I would definitely recommend visiting local thermal baths. In my opinion, they are truly awesome! There is a wide range of different services from swimming pools and saunas to massage and spa procedures.
Cheers,
Julia