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Table of Contents:
How to get to Semmering from Vienna
When to travel to Semmering
Semmering is a ski and thermal resort located near Vienna. The ski area here is not so large – only about 40 km, but the combination of ski opportunities with traditional recreation in thermal complexes makes the place very popular. Add to this the relatively easy access from Vienna and you have the perfect weekend getaway!
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 Semmering. 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 Semmering.
Having examined a lot of information, I can confirm that tourists can visit Semmering at any time of the year depending on their preferences. In winter time you can try skiing and relaxing in a thermal spa. In summer time you can try hiking, rock climbing and other seasonal activities. Thermal complexes operate during the summer time as well. Semmering is one of the closest to Vienna skiing resorts which is why it is so popular among locals and tourists. As far as I know, other skiing resorts of Salzburg and Tyrol regions are located much further from Vienna.
How to get to Semmering
Where do you fly into to get to Semmering? The nearest major city is Vienna, which has an international airport. You can find suitable flights to Vienna on the search services of Aviasales and some others. I usually use Aviasales when planning my trips, because it can compare a great variety of available flight options. The distance between Vienna and Semmering is just 100 km. You can get to the ski resort by public transport, by taxi or by rented car.
How to get to Semmering from Vienna
By public transport: Semmering is approximately 100 km from Vienna. An undoubted advantage of the resort is that there is a railway station, which means it is quite easy to get here by public transport. Direct trains run between the city and the resort several times a day. In the mornings, trains depart every hour – at 07.58, 08.58, 09.58, then every 2 hours. Departure takes place from Vienna Main Station. The travel time takes a little over an hour. You can check the schedule and purchase tickets online at the Raileurope ticket service. I use Raileurope regularly to check out the current train timetable throughout the whole of Europe. In my opinion, it is a very convenient service, because I can compare different routes, duration of the train journey, number of changes if applicable, etc.
By taxi: If you want to get directly from the Vienna Airport to the resort, you can order a taxi or a transfer service. You can find a taxi on site upon arrival, but it is recommended booking transfer services in advance. In this case, the fare will be fixed, and the driver will already be waiting for you at the time of arrival. The travel time from Schwechat Airport (Vienna) to Semmering takes about 1 hour. Kiwitaxi, Intui.Travel and other transfer services operate along the route. 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: You can also rent a car at the Vienna Airport to get to Semmering. To rent a car, you need to have a passport, an international driver’s license and a bank card. Rental offices at the airport are located in the terminal of arrival, in the “Car Rental Center” area. The required class of car can always be booked in advance via the international online services, for example, on Economybookings, Discover Cars and others. The distance between Schwechat Airport and Semmering is almost 100 km. Route No. E59 leads from the airport. The travel time is about 1 hour (see on the map).
Where to stay in Semmering
Having analyzed numerous reviews, I can conclude that Semmering has a fairly large number of accommodation options. You can choose from apartments, hotels of different star categories, holiday homes, guest houses, B&B`s. If you are planning to visit Semmering during the winter holidays, I would recommend booking your accommodation in advance, since the Viennese are big fans of this resort.
Belvedere 3* – the hotel is located in the center of Semmering and within walking distance from the ski lifts. The hotel has an indoor pool and a sauna, as well as a restaurant. You can stay in rooms of various categories. Breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and is free of charge. Free private parking is provided on site. There is storage area for luggage and skis at the reception;
Gasthof Berghof 3* – the guest house has a convenient location relatively close to the ski lifts. It features a restaurant, a bar, a garden and a terrace. There is also a children’s playground on site. You can stay in rooms of various categories. Some rooms have balconies. Breakfast is included in the price. Free private parking is provided on site. At the reception you can find an ATM, as well as ski and luggage storage;
Pension Central Semmering – the hotel is located within the walking distance to the ski lifts. Hotel guests can stay in rooms of various categories, including family rooms. Breakfast, depending on the room type, may be included in the price or paid separately. Wi-Fi is provided throughout the hotel and is free of charge. Ski and luggage storage facilities and an ATM are available at the reception;
Gasthof Edelweiss – this mini-hotel is perfect for skiing due to its location. It offers a restaurant, a terrace for relaxation, and family rooms. Buffet breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is available in the hotel rooms free of charge. Free public parking is provided on site.
What to do in Semmering
Semmering is a small but popular resort in Austria. Located near Vienna, Semmering attracts a considerable number of ski lovers in winter, and in summer it becomes a center for balneological recreation. There are two ski areas in Semmering called Hirschenkogel and Stuleck. There is some useful information for visiting that I discovered:
- The total length of the slopes is about 40 km;
- The altitude difference is from 777 m to 1774 m;
- The resort is served by 12 ski lifts;
- A snowboard park, halfpipe, quarterpipe, and border cross track are also available;
- A total of 20 km trails belong for cross-country skiing.
In addition to the actual skiing, the resort in Semmering also offers activities such as ice skating, curling, snowshoeing and tobogganing. One of the most interesting entertainments in the evening is the 3-kilometer toboggan run with night illumination. Of course, the resort also has traditional restaurants, cafes, bars.
In addition to skiing, Semmering also has thermal springs, which makes the resort a worthy balneological holiday destination. Popular places to relax after a busy day are the Linsberg Asia (Bad Erlach) and Fischauer Thermalbad (Bad Fischau). Here you can find thermal baths, indoor and outdoor pools, various types of saunas, and steam baths. I visited some thermal spas in Europe and can definitely recommend such a nice activity to try.
- Linsberg Asia is open daily from 09.00 to 22.00.
- Entrance fees for the whole day start from 42,50 euros (including the sauna area).
- Fischauer Thermalbad is open from 09.00 to 20.00.
- The entrance ticket price starts from 10 euros (pool area) and from 14 euros (sauna area).
In general, we can say that Semmering is a “light” style resort. There are no alpine peaks or many kilometers of slopes here, but there is a developed infrastructure and excellent transport accessibility. Semmering is a good choice for a weekend getaway. In addition, you can enjoy not only winter sports, but also relax in thermal complexes.
By the way, as far as I know, travellers can also find a suitable thermal complex for relaxation in the surroundings of Semmering; there are a huge number of sports centers for every taste. It is more convenient to travel between villages in the region by car, but it is also possible to use public transport (buses). In the summer, life in Semmering does not stop; thermal complexes still operate here, and there is also the opportunity to explore the local countryside along numerous marked hiking routes.
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: Uwe Brodrecht
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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…