INNSBRUCK FAQ`S

How do I get from the airport to my hotel?

Innsbruck`s airport, Flughafen Innsbruck-Kranebitten, Fürstenweg 180 (www.Innsbruck-airport.com), this is the largest airport in Tyrol located 2 miles west of the city. It offers regularly scheduled air service from all major Austrian airports, as well as from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Paris, and Zurich. Tyrolean Airways serves the airport exclusively, although some foreign carriers will charter flights.

If you have not booked a private transfer through us, you have a few options such as bus, taxi or a car rental. From the airport, bus F leads to the city center, departing every 15 minutes and on Sunday it departs every 30 minutes. This brings you to Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof (central station) in 20 minutes. A single journey costs about €3.00.

Taxis outside terminal building are available 24/7. It takes 10-15 minutes to reach the city center area from the airport. The fare is around €16 - €20 depending on the traffic.

There are six car-rental kiosks at the Innsbruck Airport: Budget; ARAC Autovermietung; Avis; Denzeldrive-National-Alamo; Hertz; and Sixt GmbH. To drive from the airport to downtown Innsbruck, take the Fürstenweg (which becomes Mariahilfstrasse) 1 1/4 miles, following the signs to Innsbruck Centrum.

Note that there is no railway station at the airport area. The nearest station is 1 ¼ miles away at Innsbruck Hotting.

Another option is the Munich Airport, 2.5 hours away. There are vans that will meet you at the Munich Airport and take you directly to your lodging in or around Innsbruck for the price of a comparable train ticket.

How do I get from the train station to my hotel?

The Austrian train system is operated by the Österreichische Bundesbahnen, OEBB. There are trains regularly from Venice, Zurich, Munich, Graz, Vienna, Salzburg and tons of other destinations.

The main station, Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof, is located at Südtiroler Platz (South-tyrolean square) in the east of the city center. It is a 10-minute walk from the city center. The station is a transport hub that serves the Innsbruck tramway network, regional and urban bus lines, and the narrow gauge Stubai Valley Railway.

The central station is equipped with amenities like ticket machines, luggage storage, assistance for people with reduced mobility, club lounge, waiting facilities for youths, cafes, tobacconists, ATMs and the `Mungos` service that helps with information, guiding with excess luggage issues as well as lost and found service.

If you choose to walk from central station to the city center, the classic walk into old Innsbruck is as follows: From the main station (Hauptbahnhof) to the city center is a relatively short and enjoyable 10 to 15 minute walk. Walk out of the Hauptbahnhof, cross the street at the train station cross walk, turn to your right, and go down to the next street to your left. Walk on this street until Maria-Theresien Strasse, then turn right toward the city center. Taking this street all the way leads to the pedestrian zone and the Golden Roof.

How do I get around Innsbruck using Public Transportation?

Public transport in Innsbruck is operated by the Public Transport Authority of Innsbruck or the Innsbrucker Verkehrsbetriebe (IVB). The main transport in and around the city area are buses and trams.

Bus: There are over twenty bus lines that serve Innsbruck throughout the day reaching out to almost every part of the city. Eleven night-liner routes operate from 11:00 pm to 5:00 am at an interval of 1 hour. The regional bus services are operated by VVT to connect the suburbs as well as other parts of Tirol. There are a few private operators as well. There is a hop on hop off bus line known as TS which is a good option for sightseeing tours. It covers different attractions like Schloss Ambras, Bergisel and Alpenzoo from city centre area. Innsbruck Card holders can ride free.

Trams: There are four tramlines that operate in and around Innsbruck city. Line 1 and 3 operate within the city area. Line 6 starts from where line 1 ends at Bergisel. This line has been operating since 1900 and is popularly known as the `Forest Tram`. It will take you to the mountain village Igls passing through the uplands covered with vast forests and offering wonderful scenic views. It has stops near Schloss Ambler and near the lake Lansesree. From Igls take a walk for 10 minutes to reach Patscherkofel Ropeway. Igls falls within the city zone so no additional ticket is required.

Another line is STB line. The route length is 11 miles and it is probably the best scenic tram route of them all. The line passes through a fantastic flowering meadow with mountains in the back drop, over the bridges with stunning views and through picture perfect villages up to Fulpmes in the Stubai Valley. This route also comes within the core zone (Kernzone), so no additional ticket is required. Note that there are no trams late at night.

S-Bahn: Verkehrsverbund Tirol or VVT operates commuter trains (S-Bahn) in association with OBB (national railway) to connect different parts of Tirol with Innsbruck. There are 5 lines S-1 to S-5 that connect Innsbruck with Landeck, Kufstein, Kitzbuhel, Mittenwald, Brennero etc. Trains operate from early morning to late night. Frequency varies depending upon lines and time of travel.

How do I get around by taxi?

Innsbruck`s metered taxis have yellow taxi signage on the roofs. Multiple companies operate taxi services in and around Innsbruck. You can find taxi stands at the important places like outside the airport or at Hauptbahnhof. You can also book a taxi over the phone. The base fare is €6.25 and thereafter €2 per kilometer. Expect to pay more on Sundays and public holidays.

How do I get around by bicycle?

There are many bike paths in Innsbruck and you can easily rent a bike and get around the city (if you don`t mind a little exercise). The biking lanes have been improved recently, making it easier to get around by bike. There are plenty of scopes for adventure biking like mountain biking as well.

IVB has its own bike rental system known as `Stadtrad`. You need to register online or at a docking station. A credit card is required for this registration process. It costs around €1. Up to 30 minutes the rental rate is about €1, up to 1 hour is around €3, and about another €3 for every additional hour. You can visit IVB`s official site stadtrad.ivb.at/ for further information and registration.

Is Innsbruck a walking city?

Yes, several major attractions in Innsbruck are within easy walking distance. From Innsbruck city center or Innsbruck Tourismus the Golden Roof, Tirol Folk Museum are all within easy walking distance. There is a free guided walking tour daily for Innsbruck Card holders. There are a few hiking trails as well for nature lovers.

If I have a car in Innsbruck, where can I park?

You need a valid driving license along with your passport and you must be 18 or above to drive in Austria. All major car rental companies are present at Innsbruck. You will find their desks at the airport and offices within the city. Rental rates vary depending upon model, the minimum per day rent starts from around €20.

Parking in central Innsbruck area is restricted. You can park here for a maximum for 3 hours during shop hours. The parking is indicated by a blue line. Parking garages (such as the one under the old town) will cost around €2.50 per hour and around €20 per day. For longer visits, it is highly recommended to park off-site and use public transportation.

Should I get an Innsbruck Card?

The Innsbruck-Card is a great value, but it depends on what you plan to do. You can buy the cards at Innsbruck Information or tourist offices and they come in different lengths of 24, 48, or 72 hours. The cost is around €31, €39, and €45 Euros respectively.

The Innsbruck card includes:

-Free entrance to all of Innsbruck`s sights

-Free use of public transportation (including the TS line)

-A one-time ascent and descent to Nordkette, Patscherkofel and Axamer Lizum

-Free entrance to Swarovski Kristallwelten in Wattens

Can I pay/tip in US dollars?

The currency in Austria is the euro (€). Once you`re in Austria you`ll have to use the euro in most places. It is recommended to exchange at least some money before you leave home so that you can avoid lines at airport ATMs.

What is the weather like in Innsbruck? When is the best time to visit?

Since Innsbruck is located almost at the center of Europe and surrounded by the Alps, it sees a lot of temperature variation over the year compared to the other destinations in central Europe. Summers can be really warm and winters much cooler and snowy.

The best times to visit Innsbruck are in the summer and the long winter. This is a winter-sport enthusiast`s paradise and the rates are relatively cheaper here at that time of year than at other skiing destinations of comparable size. In the summer, visitors comfortably stroll around Old Town and enjoy extended hours at the best attractions. It`s also a great time for the mountaineering enthusiasts. Fall is the cheapest time to visit, but you`ll obviously miss out on all the excitement of winter or the gorgeous scenery of summer. Below is a breakdown of each season:

Summer (June to August) is the high tourist season… a great time for nature hikes, taking a dip into the lakes for a refreshing swim, city & sightseeing tours… Innsbruck bustles with tourists during this time and hotel rates soar. However there can be rains at times, so carry an umbrella or a raincoat.

Fall (September to November) is when day time starts shrinking and leaves change colors to orange and yellow, cattle return from the Alpine pastures, and nature turns to its most picturesque form. This is a great time in Innsbruck for musical events and savoring local delicacies.

Winter is the period from December to February when the city and surrounding areas turn into a winter wonderland with a white blanket of snow. This is the time for winter sports… you can see hundreds of skiers at the winter resorts.

Spring (March to May) is when the temperature starts climbing again to comfortable levels. Snow starts melting and the meadows get covered with colorful flowers. This too is a great time to visit Innsbruck when the tourist rush hasn`t begun, hotel rates are lower and the weather is great.

I don`t speak German. Will many people speak English?

The official language of Austria is German and is widely spoken by everyone in Innsbruck as well. This is the language predominantly used in different official publications as well as in schools However, English is also understood by the people of the city and most restaurants have menu cards printed in English.

Most of the employees working for hotels, restaurants, and shops that are aimed at tourists can speak the English language at a competent level. We suggest you get a good English-German guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.

What is the food like?

No trip to Innsbuck (and the Tirol area) is complete without experiencing the local cuisine such as the Tiroler Gröstl (potato and meat fry up, topped with an egg). If you love cheese, then you will love it here because the dairy produce of alpine cows of Innsbruck are one of the best in the world. You`ll also want to be sure to try the strudel, it`s a rite of passage! What to eat in Innsbruck is easy, but choosing where to go from the vast choice available can be hard.

Try out the simple dish Marend, a mix of smoked meat and sausages and served with slices of alpine cheese and bread. Another one is Kasspatzln, noodles baked in cheese and served with fried onions. Another absolute must try is Kaspressknödel, a form of fried flat dumplings made with potatoes and cheese, and served in a warm broth. However there is much more than cheese based cuisine. The delicious Speckknödel is a dumpling made of bread, filled with bacon and usually served in a broth.

There are several cozy restaurants in and around the city center where you can enjoy these authentic Tyrolean cuisine. The city also offers a number of restaurants and eateries serving Asian food including Indian, Thai, Chinese and even Nepalese.

What is the nightlife like in Innsbruck?

Innsbruck is a university town and its nightlife is quite lively and varied. You can find hundreds of locals gathering towards Maria Theresien street and the alleyways of the Old Town where there are a number of cafes, pubs and bars. For a livelier scene, there`s the Viaduktbogen railway arches where you`ll find local pubs, clubs and live music bars. Like all Austrians, Innsbruckers take classical music seriously and nowhere does it in better than the neoclassical Landestheater. And you can always try your luck at the Casino Innsbruck that offers several gaming options like poker, black jack, roulette as well as 84 slot machines. They also have dining options.

What are the best areas for shopping?

Small shops line the streets and a colorful variety of products fill the windows of the beautiful medieval buildings. Innsbruck`s historic old town offers a great selection of souvenirs, mementos and delicious local delicacies. There are also lots of enticing little shops in other parts of the city so don`t forget to venture out of the center to see just how much there is to discover.

Centrally located shopping centers, such as the Rathausgalerien and Kaufhaus Tyrol, provide a modern shopping experience just a few steps away from the charming little shops in the old town. Other places in the area around Innsbruck also offer plenty of shopping facilities, for example the shopping centers CYTA, Inntalcenter or telfsPARK. Local food and produce can be found at the farmers` markets throughout the area or at the market hall in Innsbruck, which is located on the River Inn near the historic old town.

Note: Value-added tax (VAT) rate is 20% in Austria which applies to supplies of goods or services registered in Austria, including hotel and restaurant bills. There are no other special taxes.

What should I do if I need medical assistance or need to go to the hospital?

Landeskrankenhaus The Universitätklinik (University Clinic) at the city’s main hospital has emergency services.

Police Emergency Number - 133
Ambulance / Medical Emergency - 144
Fire Department - 122