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Table of Contents:
How to get to Zell am See from Munich
How to get to Zell am See from Salzburg
How to get to Zell am See from Innsbruck
When to travel to Zell am See
Zell am See is a large and popular ski resort in Austria, which is part of a united European Sports Region. The slopes for skiing in Zell am See have an excellent quality; the resort infrastructure is considered to be highly developed; in addition, the resort is located on the lake, so the place is also popular for hiking during the summer time. The town is also interesting in terms of architecture; it is pleasant to walk around it at any time of the year.
As entertainment, Zell am See offers its guests numerous restaurants, cafes, shopping places, wellness centers, as well as various events and festivals. You can find another ski resort near Zell am See which is called Kaprun. It is also part of the united European Sports Region and it means that ski passes are valid at both resorts. There is a glacier in the surroundings of Kaprun, which is also open for skiing.
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 Zell am See. 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 Zell am See.
You can visit Zell am See all year round. The best time for skiing and snowboarding is the period from December until April. The best season for hiking and sightseeing is the period from May until November. In the summer time you can try not only hiking around the lake, but horse riding, rock climbing, tennis, golf and other seasonal kinds of sport.
How to get to Zell am See
Where do you fly into to get to Zell am See? Zell am See is located 142 km from Innsbruck, 86 km from Salzburg and 167 km from Munich. All these cities have international airports, where direct and connecting flights from various cities of the world arrive. You can find a suitable flight from your city at the Aviasales booking service or other ones. Then from these cities you can get directly to Zell am See by public transport, by taxi, by transfer service or by rented car.
How to get to Zell am See from Munich
By public transport: You can get from Munich to Zell am See by train with a small change in the town of Worgl; the total travel time is approximately 2 hours 40 minutes, not counting the time of getting from the Munich Airport to the Railway Station. You can check the timetable and buy tickets online at the Raileurope booking service. I love this online service as it has a lot of various options that help to sort the results and choose the best suitable train connection for me.
By transfer service: You can get directly to Zell am See by taxi or transfer service. A taxi car can be found at the airport; a transfer service can be ordered in advance at specialized services, for example, at Intui.Travel, Kiwitaxi and other similar ones. The travel time by car is about 2,5 hours. This option is very convenient if you travel with a lot of luggage or with ski equipment. The advantage of a transfer over a taxi is that the driver will already be waiting for you by the time of your arrival, and there will be no need to look for a car upon arrival. 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: If you have an international driver’s license, then another convenient option to get to Zell am See from Munich is to rent a car. Rental offices can be found right at the airport or at the city center. You also can book a car in advance via specialized online services, which can significantly reduce the time for registration on the spot. You can use, for instance, Discover Cars, Economybookings services or other similar ones. Based on my experience, both services have a convenient search and a lot of options to sort the results.
The option of renting a car in Munich is very popular among travelers. Munich and Zell am See are connected with highway # A8; the average travel time is 2,5 hours (see on the map). Please note to drive to Austria from Munich, 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 from November until 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 can be rented at the car rental offices.
How to get to Zell am See from Salzburg
By public transport: Getting to Zell am See from Salzburg is somewhat easier, just take a direct train from the Salzburg railway station. Travel time is 1,5 hours, excluding the trip from the airport to the railway station. You can check the train timetable and buy tickets online at the Raileurope ticket service. It is a service that I can truly recommend as I use it pretty much often when planning my upcoming trips around Europe. The service has a convenient search and shows quite detailed information.
By transfer service: The taxi or transfer ride takes about 1 hour 20 minutes directly from the airport to Zell am See. You can order a transfer, for example, on Kiwitaxi and other services. This option is very convenient if you travel with a lot of luggage or with ski equipment. The advantage of a transfer over a taxi is that the driver will already be waiting for you by the time of your arrival.
By rented car: The car rental option is also suitable, especially since, having a car, you can use it not only for a ride from Salzburg to Zell am See, but also for moving between the resorts and natural attractions in Austria. You can book a car for renting at the Salzburg Airport in advance using Discover Cars, Economybookings and other booking services. The distance is 86 km and the travel time is 1 hour 20 minutes. You can use motorways No. B21 and B311 (see on the map).
◊ Please take a note that to drive on Austrian roads, you need to buy a toll sticker. You can either buy a sticker from a local tobacconist, as well as online. Between the period from November until 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 Zell am See from Innsbruck
By public transport: There are direct and interconnecting trains from Innsbruck to Zell am See. A change can be made in the town of Worgl. The travel time for both direct and connecting routes is from 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours. Trains run every hour throughout the day. You can check the timetable and buy tickets online at the Raileurope booking service. Using Raileurope, you can sort the results by the duration of the trip, departure and arrival points, number of changes, prices, etc. I like this service very much as it has a very convenient search.
By transfer service: Zeel am See can also be reached by taxi or private transfer; the travel time is about 2 hours. Transfer services such as Kiwitaxi and others operate along the route. This option is very convenient if you travel with a lot of luggage or with ski equipment. The advantage of a transfer over a taxi is that the driver will already be waiting for you by the time of your arrival. After examining a lot of information, I can confirm that Kiwitaxi has a lot of positive reviews so I can recommend it.
By rented car: Such an option as car rental is also suitable for getting to Zell am See. You can rent a car directly at the Innsbruck Airport, where 9+ more different providers have offices. There are rental offices in the center of Innsbruck too. If necessary, you can book the desired car class in advance via specialized international services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings and others. Based on my experience, both services are good and have a decent search.
To rent a car, you need to have a passport, an international driver’s license and a bank card to pay for the services. Innsbruck and Zell am See are connected with highways # A12 and # B164; the distance is 145 km. The approximate travel time is 2 hours 10 minutes (see on the map).
◊ Please take a note that to drive on Austrian roads, you need to buy a toll sticker. You can either buy a sticker from a local tobacconist, as well as online. Between the period from November until 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.
Where to stay in Zell am See
In Zell am See there are a lot of places to stay for every taste. It can be hotels of various stars, apartments, chalets, guest houses, B&B`s, vacation homes and even hostels. As for the hotels, most of them are made in a typical Tyrolean style; many of them have additional options in their area, such as outdoor and indoor pools, spa areas, parking lots, restaurants, etc.
In addition, hotels in Zell am See usually offer breakfast included in the price, and hotels in the 4- and 5-star categories often offer half board meals. In order to find the perfect option in terms of price and quality, I would recommend booking a hotel in advance at least a few months before the expected travel date.
Renting apartments, which is often cheaper than staying in hotels, is also very popular. The main feature of the apartments is a kitchen area, where you can cook on your own. After some research, I found out that another accommodation option that is popular in Zell am See is renting a chalet. This option is more suitable for large companies or family vacations, since a chalet is a detached house, consisting of one or two floors.
If you plan to travel to the European Sports Region, you can also stay in neighboring towns, for example, in Kaprun (6.5 km), Piesendorf (4 km), Uttendorf (15 km) and some others.
Mavida Wellness Hotel&Sport Zell am See 4* – The hotel has a convenient location. There is a spa center with indoor and outdoor pools, as well as a fitness room. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories. Breakfasts can be included in the price or paid extra, depending on the type of room. Free private parking is available on site. Wi-Fi is provided free of charge;
Hotel Gruner Baum 3* – The hotel is located in the center of the resort. There are family rooms, a restaurant, a bar, parking area, and a fitness center nearby. You can stay in rooms of various categories; breakfast or half board is offered. Wi-Fi is provided free of charge;
AlpenHotel Tauernstuberl 3* – The hotel is located in a quiet area; the ski bus stops nearby. The hotel has a restaurant and a bar. You can stay in rooms of various categories, including family rooms; breakfast or half board is offered. Free public parking is available nearby. Wi-Fi is available free of charge;
Ski & Golf Suites Zell am See by Alpin Rental 4* – The complex is located 600 m from the nearest ski lift; you can stay in apartments of various categories. All rooms are equipped with a kitchen area; balconies have mountain views. Free private parking is available on site. Wi-Fi is provided free of charge.
What to do in Zell am See
The main focus of the resort is skiing in winter and water activities on the lake in summer. If we talk about Zell am See as a ski resort, then the length of the local slopes is about 77 km, the total altitude difference is 1250 meters, the cross-country skiing trails are 20 km. Based on my research, the resort has 23 lifts, toboggan runs, snowboard runs, a fan park and half pipes. Ski passes start from 72 EUR/day for an adult and from 36 EUR/day for a child.
You can relax after an active day in the spa center of Zell am See Leisure Complex. In addition to the standard services such as a swimming pool, a sauna and a relaxation area, the center offers water gymnastics courses, a children’s area, a Finnish sauna, an infrared cabin, a herbal bath, a lounge bar, water slides, etc.
- The entrance fee starts from 17,60 euros for adults and 9,50 euros for children.
In addition, most 4- and 5-star hotels in Zell am See have their own spa areas where you can experience various relaxation treatments without leaving the hotel.
In the summer, the central point of entertainment at the resort is the Zeller Lake, on the shore of which Zell am See is located. The lake is considered to be alpine; it was once formed from the waters of a melting glacier. The lake is located at a certain height; you can climb here either on your own along marked routes, or on a lift that will allow you to enjoy the local mountain landscapes.
Among active sports, in winter, in addition to downhill and cross-country skiing, you can try snowshoeing or mountain climbing on the glacier in Kaprun. In summer the main attraction is the local roller coaster. To my mind, this attraction brings fun to both adults and children. Thrill-seekers can also try paragliding in Zell am See. Zell am See can also please with its gastronomy. There are many restaurants of local Tyrolean cuisine.
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: wer mei
Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more about the author…