Independent guide to Innsbruck, winter and summer
Christmas markets under the Nordkette, twelve ski areas on one pass and a cable car from the old town to 2,256 metres. The tickets worth booking and the hotels we would choose.
Cable cars from the old town to alpine trails, lakes ten minutes from the centre, Swarovski’s gardens and open-air concerts. The tickets worth booking and the hotels we would choose.
When are you coming?
Data: GeoSphere Austria (data.hub.geosphere.at), Land Tirol (Lawinenwarndienst Tirol), MET Norway. CC BY 4.0. Values converted and summarised. Mountain readings are from single stations; check the lift companies before you go.
Innsbruck in winter is a city break and a ski trip at once. The Christmas markets open on 13 November 2026, the Nordkette cable cars climb from the old town to 2,256 m from 20 November, and one SKI plus CITY Pass covers 12 ski areas and 23 city sights from 162 euros for two days (2026/27 adult price). Between those, there are palaces and museums for cold days, toboggan runs, thermal pools and a big New Year's Eve.
In summer Innsbruck is a city with the mountains on its doorstep: the Nordkette cable cars climb from the edge of the old town to the Hafelekar at 2,256 m, and the summer 2026 season ran from 25 April to 1 November (return €56 for adults). Spend the days hiking the Zirbenweg or joining the free guided hikes, swimming at the Baggersee or Natterer See, rafting and paragliding, and the evenings at the Promenade Concerts, the Early Music festival or a Tyrolean evening. Summer 2027 dates and prices are not published yet, so the figures on this page are summer 2026.
GetYourGuide · 4.8/5 from 1194 reviews
The one mountain trip almost every visitor should make: from the old town to 2,256 m in about 20 minutes, with the whole of Innsbruck below you and the Karwendel behind.
Departs from Hungerburgbahn station, next to Congress Innsbruck, Rennweg 3 · Valid for one day; the ride up takes about 20 minutes, allow half a day
GetYourGuide · 4.4/5 from 2039 reviews
For independent travellers who want a guaranteed entry time at Neuschwanstein, especially in busy months when the official tickets sell out.
Departs from International Ticket and Travel Center, Füssen station, Bahnhofstrasse 12, 87629 Füssen (Germany)
GetYourGuide · 4.7/5 from 1163 reviews
The classic night out in Innsbruck for anyone who wants to hear yodelling, see the slap dance and listen to instruments you will not meet anywhere else, all in one evening.
Departs from Alpensaal an der Messe, Ingenieur-Etzel-Strasse, Innsbruck (first floor); tram 1 or S-Bahn to Messe · Show about 1.5 hours (20:30 to about 22:00); 3 hours with dinner
GetYourGuide · 4.5/5 from 1544 reviews
The right ticket if you are driving, already staying near Wattens or have your own way there: it is entry only, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Departs from Swarovski Crystal Worlds, Kristallweltenstrasse 1, 6112 Wattens · Valid for one day; most visits take 2 to 3 hours
GetYourGuide · 4.6/5 from 817 reviews
The easy way to see Swarovski Crystal Worlds without a car: entry and a return seat on the shuttle bus from Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof on one ticket.
Departs from Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof, Südtiroler Platz · Valid for one day; allow half a day including the bus
GetYourGuide · 4.7/5 from 576 reviews
The best-value way to see Innsbruck if you plan a full day or two of sightseeing: the Nordkette cable cars, Swarovski Crystal Worlds with its shuttle, the museums and all the city buses and trams on one card.
Departs from Innsbruck Information, Burggraben 3, at the entrance to the old town
GetYourGuide · 4.8/5 from 1194 reviews
The one mountain trip almost every visitor should make: from the old town to 2,256 m in about 20 minutes, with the whole of Innsbruck below you and the Karwendel behind.
Departs from Hungerburgbahn station, next to Congress Innsbruck, Rennweg 3 · Valid for one day; the ride up takes about 20 minutes, allow half a day
GetYourGuide · 4.4/5 from 2039 reviews
For independent travellers who want a guaranteed entry time at Neuschwanstein, especially in busy months when the official tickets sell out.
Departs from International Ticket and Travel Center, Füssen station, Bahnhofstrasse 12, 87629 Füssen (Germany)
GetYourGuide · 4.7/5 from 1163 reviews
The classic night out in Innsbruck for anyone who wants to hear yodelling, see the slap dance and listen to instruments you will not meet anywhere else, all in one evening.
Departs from Alpensaal an der Messe, Ingenieur-Etzel-Strasse, Innsbruck (first floor); tram 1 or S-Bahn to Messe · Show about 1.5 hours (20:30 to about 22:00); 3 hours with dinner
GetYourGuide · 4.5/5 from 1544 reviews
The right ticket if you are driving, already staying near Wattens or have your own way there: it is entry only, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Departs from Swarovski Crystal Worlds, Kristallweltenstrasse 1, 6112 Wattens · Valid for one day; most visits take 2 to 3 hours
GetYourGuide · 4.6/5 from 817 reviews
The easy way to see Swarovski Crystal Worlds without a car: entry and a return seat on the shuttle bus from Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof on one ticket.
Departs from Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof, Südtiroler Platz · Valid for one day; allow half a day including the bus
GetYourGuide · 4.7/5 from 576 reviews
The best-value way to see Innsbruck if you plan a full day or two of sightseeing: the Nordkette cable cars, Swarovski Crystal Worlds with its shuttle, the museums and all the city buses and trams on one card.
Departs from Innsbruck Information, Burggraben 3, at the entrance to the old town
A hand-picked 34: the old town for the markets and walking everywhere, the centre for value and trains, Igls and the villages for the mountains, Hall in Tirol for a smaller medieval town.
Both, for different reasons. From mid November to Christmas the old town has seven Christmas markets and from December the Nordkette, the Patscherkofel and ten more ski areas are open on one pass. From May the same cable cars carry hikers, the lakes open and the city fills with open-air concerts. Switch the season at the top of any page to see what is on.
The Nordkette. A funicular from the old town and two cable cars take you from 574 metres to the Hafelekar at 2,256 metres in about 30 minutes, with the city spread out below. It runs all year, so it works for skiers, walkers and anyone who simply wants the view.
If you plan the Nordkette and one or two museums or Swarovski Crystal Worlds in a day or two, usually yes: it includes a return ride on the Nordkette cable cars, the Patscherkofel, Swarovski with the shuttle, 22 attractions, the Sightseer bus and city transport. Our Innsbruck Card page works through the sums.
The old town for the Christmas markets and walking everywhere; the city centre near the station for value and easy trains; Igls for skiing on the Patscherkofel and quiet; Hall in Tirol for a smaller medieval town 15 minutes away. Our where-to-stay pages pick hotels for winter and for summer.
No. Tickets and tours are booked with GetYourGuide and hotels with Expedia, at their prices. Their links carry a code so this site is paid a commission, at no cost to you.