7 best day trips from Innsbruck

Day trips compared

The day trips

10 km · About 10 minutes by train

1.Hall in Tirol

Hall has the largest preserved old town in North Tyrol, built on salt-mining wealth, and the Hasegg Mint where the silver Guldiner of 1486, a forerunner of the thaler, was struck. Its medieval lanes are quieter than Innsbruck's.

Getting there

ÖBB train from Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof

Best for

Culture, Quiet stays, Couples

20 km · About 25 minutes by shuttle bus

2.Swarovski Crystal Worlds

Swarovski's attraction in Wattens has art installations in chambers beneath a grass-covered giant's head, a crystal cloud over a pool in the garden and a large playground tower for children.

Getting there

Shuttle bus from central Innsbruck, or train to Wattens

Best for

Families, Shopping, First-timers

25 km · About 35 minutes by train

3.Seefeld in Tirol

A high plateau resort at about 1,200 metres known for cross-country skiing in winter and gentle walks in summer, such as the loop around the Wildsee lake. The train ride up the Karwendel railway is scenic.

Getting there

Train on the Karwendel line from the Hauptbahnhof

Best for

Families, Quiet stays, Couples

40 km · About 1 hour 15 minutes by bus

4.Stubai Glacier

At the head of the Stubai valley, cable cars climb to the glacier ski area, where skiing usually runs from autumn into early summer. The 'Top of Tyrol' viewing platform looks across the Alps at around 3,200 metres.

Getting there

Stubai valley bus from the Hauptbahnhof

Best for

Families, First-timers

45 km · About 1–1.5 hours by train and bus

5.Achensee

Tyrol's largest lake is a deep, turquoise fjord-like basin surrounded by the Karwendel and Rofan mountains, with boats, lakeside walks and cable cars from Maurach.

Getting there

Train to Jenbach, then a regional bus up to the lake

Best for

Families, Couples, Quiet stays

185 km · About 1 hour 50 minutes by train

6.Salzburg

Mozart's Baroque city has Hohensalzburg Fortress, the cathedral, Getreidegasse and the Mirabell Gardens, all walkable from the station in a long day.

Getting there

ÖBB Railjet from Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof

Best for

Culture, First-timers

160 km · About 1 hour 45 minutes by train

7.Munich

Bavaria's capital has the Marienplatz and the Frauenkirche, the Residenz, the Alte Pinakothek, the English Garden and its beer halls, all reached from Munich Hauptbahnhof.

Getting there

Direct train from Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof

Best for

Culture, First-timers, Shopping

Day-trip tips

• Leave early: most trips are more relaxed with a morning departure and a return before dinner.
• City buses serve districts such as Igls and Amras, and regional and ski buses reach the surrounding ski areas and valleys.
• ÖBB trains from the Hauptbahnhof reach Hall in Tirol in about 10 minutes, Seefeld in about 35 minutes, Salzburg in under two hours and Munich in about 1 hour 45 minutes.
• For trips over about 150 km, an overnight stay or an organised tour saves a lot of travelling.

Questions travellers ask