Innsbruck Transport
For more information on specific topics click the links below:
Innsbruck’s airport, Flughafen Innsbruck-Kranebitten, is located just three kilometres from the heart of the city and handles daily direct flights from every major Austrian city as well as many other European destinations. North American travellers, however, will need to make a connection somewhere in Europe before heading on to Innsbruck as there are no direct flights. Munich’s airport is the closest international connection and runs regular shuttle buses direct from the airport to Innsbruck. Tyrolean Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Finnair and EasyJet are the primary carriers operating out of Innsbruck.
Innsbruck’s airport has a small but tidy terminal complete with all the facilities a traveller would need upon arriving in Austria. ATMs and currency exchange kiosks can handle your money matters, while restaurants, bars and sundry shops will take care of any last minute necessities. There is an airport information desk in the main entry hall to help with any questions about transport or regional tourism.
There are only two options to get from the airport to Innsbruck. Taxis offer the most convenient mode of transport. They are reasonably priced and take just 10 minutes to get into town. The other option is to take public bus F, which departs from outside the Arrivals hall every 15 minutes. This bus drops passengers off at the city’s central train and bus station. It’s cheap but not convenient if you have a lot of baggage. All the major car hire firms have offices in the terminal if you prefer to rent your own vehicle and drive yourself.
Innsbruck has excellent rail and coach connections to most destinations across Europe. Direct trains roll into Innsbruck every day from Vienna, Zurich, Munich and Rome arriving at the city’s central train station, the Hauptbahnhof. Austria’s railway network is incredibly efficient, offering a quick and easy way to get to the city if you are already in or near Austria.
Long distance coaches run by Federal Railway Buses and Postal Buses stop at even the tiniest Austrian alpine village. These clean and comfortable coaches can get you to any place the train doesn’t go and are quite affordable. They are a popular means of travel, so be sure and book your ticket well in advance if travelling during the peak summer or ski season. Innsbruck’s main bus station is connected to the train station.
Renting a car in Innsbruck is an ideal way to explore the stunning Tyrolean countryside at your leisure The Autobahn provides fast direct access to the city, but there are plenty of more scenic (and slower) country roads that can also get you there. Within the city itself you won’t need a car, as most of the attractions are better accessed by foot or public transport due to parking issues.
Innsbruck has an excellent public transport system that is easy to use and takes you everywhere you’d want to go. Most of Innsbruck’s star attractions are located within the Old Town, which is best explored by foot. But you’ll need to use the public transport to get to key areas such as the Schlossberg.
The city’s buses and streetcars use interchangeable tickets and cover all of Innsbruck and the surrounding area. There are 25 bus routes and three streetcar routes, so you may be able to get around exclusively by this mode of transport. Tickets for the buses and streetcars can be bought at automated ticket machines at each stop or newsstands. If you plan to do a lot of travelling in a single day, the Tageskarte ticket is the best value.
Taxis are easily found in Innsbruck, offering the most convenient way to move greater distances around the city. Clearly marked taxi ranks can be found all over Innsbruck, or you can simply flag one down in the street. For a touch of Tyrolean class, consider taking a horse-drawn carriage known as a fiaker. These fun forms of transportation can be found in front of the Landestheatre and are best used as a sightseeing tool.
The best ticketing deal in Innsbruck is the Innsbruck Card, which combines free admission to every one of the city’s museums, the Alpenzoo, and the mountain cablecars as well as transportation on all of the city’s buses and streetcars. The card will also get you on the Sightseer tourist bus, which ferries visitors around the city on a tour of Innsbruck’s major highlights. The cards are valid for up to three days, and can be bought at the Tourism Office, in most museums and on the cablecars.
Travel Guide
Top Hotel Reviews
Hoch Innsbruck Hungerburg
Modern hotel, excellent staff, We originally reserved a non-smoking room, but at the check-in they explained that a smoking room was asked. But it took two minutes and they have changed and we were sa...
Modern hotel, excellent staff, We originally reserved a non-smoking room, but at the check-in they explained that a smoking room was asked. But it took two minutes and they have changed and we were sa...
Information
Newsletter Sign Up!
Special hotel promotions, calendar of events, and more. It’s free. Sign up now!
Tangent e-zine
Tom Racette
Alice Summers
Mark Patten