Trains, Innsbruck

We did this trip some time ago (and actually contined on through to Switzerland; Zurich, I think). Our daughter was 5 at the time. Room for some luggage by the doors of the train. So it is certainly something that can be done with a younger child - just don't expect them to enjoy the scenery, so take some things along for the child to play with or be entertained by.

On the run through Austria the train operated as an inter-city train and when we crossed over into Switzerland, it seemed to run as a more regional service. The scenery on the Austria run was okay, but nothing special. The Swiss part of the journey was stunning. The 1st class car we were riding in belonged to the Swiss, rather than Austrian railway and had large observation windows you could look up and out through.

I suspect that the issue in Austria was that as an express train, the routing was along a fast, flat and but boring coridor. Once we got to Switzerland and it ran as a local train, we wound through the mountains and got into more scenic areas. We had the same thing happen on a more recent trip in Japan - high speed Shinkansen = boring route; regional and local trains - much more interesting routing.

This is something you might want to keep in mind when you do your booking.

We did this trip some time ago (and actually contined on through to Switzerland; Zurich, I think). Our daughter was 5 at the time. Room for some luggage by the doors of the train. So it is certainly something that can be done with a younger child - just don't expect them to enjoy the scenery, so take some things along for the child to play with or be entertained by.

On the run through Austria the train operated as an inter-city train and when we crossed over into Switzerland, it seemed to run as a more regional service. The scenery on the Austria run was okay, but nothing special. The Swiss part of the journey was stunning. The 1st class car we were riding in belonged to the Swiss, rather than Austrian railway and had large observation windows you could look up and out through.

I suspect that the issue in Austria was that as an express train, the routing was along a fast, flat and but boring coridor. Once we got to Switzerland and it ran as a local train, we wound through the mountains and got into more scenic areas. We had the same thing happen on a more recent trip in Japan - high speed Shinkansen = boring route; regional and local trains - much more interesting routing.

This is something you might want to keep in mind when you do your booking.

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The train station is a modern and bright facility and easy to figure out...from what I could see..and the regional bus station is conveniently situated right next door to the train station...There are a few train stations in the vicinity of Innsbruck however the main station in the downtown core is referred to as Sudtiroler Platz....

The train station is a hub for local transportation with city buses and trams stopping by here on they're various routes...The platforms and stores and WASHROOMS are located in the lower level...just down the stairs from the street level entrances doors.

Just outside is the drop off and access to trams,buses,and bicycle racks....

Austrian train service is fast and efficient and connects Innsbruck to all areas of Europe through international rail inks.

The central train station is easy walking distance to the old town...and has ample parking .....we parked here and walked into Old Town,an easy twenty minute walk.

You can get to Innsbruck by train aswell, of course. I will give you the approximate time distances from some bigger cities:

VIENNA to Innsbruck: approx. 5 hours with the fastest nonstop train (Eurocity - indicated with an 'EC'in the schedules). Salzburg is in the middle on the way from Vienna to Innsbruck, so you might consider a stop there for a few days.

SALZBURG to Innsbruck: approx. 2:30 hours

MUNICH to Innsbruck: approx. 2:30 hours

ZURICH to Innsbruck: approx. 3:20 hours

See schedules on the website of the Austrian railways (=OEBB). I personally would NOT recommend to book on the website of the Austrian railways as the website is simply ***. I once happened to book a train from Innsbruck to Venice. What I got was a ticket from Salzburg to Venice with a completely wrong fare class. The best is to inform yourself at the information desks at the railway stations because there are lots of different discount possibilities that you cannot really check on the website.

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This is a busy and pleasant railroad station, with trains going to Italy, Switzerland, Germany and of course all parts of Austria.

Second photo: Trains in the Innsbruck station.

Third photo: Inside the station.

Fourth photo: The departure board, showing the next trains leaving for Munich, Vienna, Basel, Graz, Milan, etc.

Fifth photo: Looking up at the mountains from the station stairs.

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I arrived in Innsbruck on a EuroCity train from Verona, and left twenty-four hours later on the same train bound for Munich.

The journey took three and a half hours from Verona to Innsbruck, over the Brenner Pass, and not quite two hours from Innsbruck to Munich, going down the Inn Valley most of the way.

These are not the most modern trains in the European railway system, but they are fast and dependable, and run several times per day in each direction. I don't suggest eating in the dining car on this run, but otherwise it's a good way to travel.

Second photo: A view from the train above Innsbruck.

Third photo: Landscape near Bolzano, as seen from the train on the way from Verona to Innsbruck.

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The newly constructed train station was finally finished this spring - it is located on the left side of the old one and is all made out of glass...it is very handy that right next to it is the bus station where you can travel in the country and all the surrounding valleys where the train won't take you.

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Innsbruck is an international city, on the long western tip of Austria. The narrow stretch of Austria where Innsbruck lies is just a stone throw to Germany and Italy. It's no surprise then to find it has good connections throughout these countries, in addition to Austria. From the main station you can get direct trains to a number of major cities, including Vienna, Graz, Verona, Munich, Stuttgart and Dortmund.

When arriving by train in Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof it is quite easy to reach the very centre of town and even the famous "Goldenes Dachl" within a walk of just 15-20 minues.
Innsbruck is quite small and when you leave the station you simply go straight on and will get to Salurner Strasse that will take you directely to the Triumpf-Pforte. From there you simply walk down Maria Theresienstrasse and will get to the citytower and Goldenes Dachl.
That way it might even make sense to interrupt a trainride for 1 or 2 hours in order to explore Innsbruck !!

It's about 6 hours by train from Graz, we had to change in Bischofshofen. You pass through Zell am See & Kitzbuehel.

Coming back, we stayed up til 2am to catch the Zurich train that would take us all the home to Graz.
This is a picture of Zell-Am-See, taken from the Innsbruck-bound train. And thats just the view from the train station!