Austrian Tyrol Rail Adventure

Turquoise Achensee lake near Innsbruck at peaceful and dramatic autumn, Tyrol alps, Austria
Duration: 9 nights
Interests: Discovery tours
Type: Rail Adventures
from £2,389pp

For snow-capped peaks, glaciers, and waterfalls, Austria never fails to impress. We’ll travel there by rail from London St Pancras and explore the scenic highlights of the Tyrol by train, tram, cable car, and boat. There’ll be excursions to the Zugspitze to ascend Germany’s highest mountain by cable car and to ride the cogwheel train from Jenbach to the turquoise waters of Lake Achen. But the real showstopper is reaching the highest point in Innsbruck on the Nordkette Cable car to breathe in invigorating mountain air and gaze out over pure Alpine scenery.

What you’ll love

  • Riding the historic Stubai Valley Railway  
  • Exploring Innsbruck’s charming Old Town  
  • The mountain and river views of the walkways in the Leutasch Gorge  
  • Soaking up the scenery from Seefeld to Innsbruck on the Karwendal railway 
  • Staying on the Seefeld plateau in an adult-only spa hotel with rooftop pool

What’s included

  • Return rail travel from London to Austria
  • Fully escorted travel with an HF Holidays Tour Manager
  • 7 nights' accommodation in Leutasch & 2 nights in Cologne
  • 9 breakfasts & 9 dinners
  • All sightseeing and entrance fees (as per itinerary)
  • All in-destination transport

Trip Notes

Easy to download as a PDF, our trip notes provide detailed information for every holiday. Please click below to find the trip notes for your departure date.

All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.

Meet your HF Holidays Tour Manager and fellow travellers at London St Pancras International railway station. After check-in, baggage checks, and passport control, we’ll wait in the departure lounge for our train to Brussels.

Once we’re there, we’ll disembark the Eurostar and change to the high-speed service to the cathedral city of Cologne. We’ll walk to our hotel, after which we’ll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.


After breakfast we’ll make our way back to Cologne train station where we’ll join the high-speed service to Munich. In Munich, we’ll change trains and travel across the border into the Austrian Tyrol to Innsbruck. Once there, we’ll transfer by coach to Hotel Kristall.


Today we’ll explore the natural beauty of the Seefeld Plateau with a walk around the Wildsee and a visit to the Mosern Peace Bell, which is swung daily at 5pm. From here, there are fantastic views down to the Inn Valley over Telfs.


This morning sees us take a train to the city of Innsbruck. Here, we’ll visit the charming Old Town with its sophisticated mixture of Gothic and Baroque architecture. We’ll stop at the famous Golden Roof – or Goldenes Dachl – and will have plenty of time to stroll through the city’s many interesting alleyways as well as Hofgarten Park.


Each week there is a free day when no guided walks are offered. This is an ideal opportunity to relax around the hotel, walk independently, or visit local places of interest.

Options include:

Wellness Centre: Take full advantage of the hotel’s wellness centre relaxing in the sauna, Jacuzzi, tepidarium and steam bath and swimming in its two pools. You could also book yourself a massage or beauty treatment.

Seefeld: Take time to wander the many restaurants, bars and shops; it’s an ideal place to buy souvenirs and gifts. You can take the funicular ride up the mountain to Rosshutte or a horse drawn carriage ride to local attractions.

Leisure facilities: If you are feeling energetic, in Seefeld there is the large indoor and open-air (heated) pool and leisure complex, tennis courts and the Wildmoos Plateau golf course. In Weidach the Alpenbad is a short walk away with its modern leisure pool facilities. You could also go for a bike ride using the hotel’s complimentary mountain bikes.

Mittenwald: Known for house paintings and its violin museum, this is an excellent place to visit, with shops, cafés and a cable car/chair lift to the mountain top. You can get a direct bus from Weidach at an additional cost.

Innsbruck: This is an attractive, compact city with its famous Golden Roof and beautiful, historic buildings and museums. It offers excellent shopping and a wide selection of restaurants. It is possible to have a two-hour guided tour of the city, visit the Swarovski displays or travel on the funicular/cable car up the mountain. Travel to the city requires a 35-minute railway journey from Seefeld; the scenery alone makes the journey well worthwhile.


Today’s unforgettable itinerary begins with a ride on the steam-powered rack and pinion railway to Achensee. The 128-year-old railway is the oldest of its kind in Europe, still carrying passengers to this day. Once we’ve disembarked from the train, it’ll be on to the boat for a relaxing lake cruise.


A gentle walk through the Leutasch Valley awaits today as we follow the course of the river to view the impressive Leutasch Gorge . We’ll also stop at the beautiful Bavarian town of Mittenwald, known for colourful houses and its violin-making museum. We will also take a ride up the Karwendelbahn Cable car and explore the beautiful panoramic views of the foothills of the Alps and the Zugspitze and Wetterstein Peaks.


We’ll get the train to Innsbruck where we’ll board the Stubaitalbahn tram for an hour-long journey of steep climbs and curves into scenic Stubai valley. At Fulpmes you’ll have time to explore before ascending Kreuzjoch mountain (2,136m) by cable car. At the top, you have panoramic hiking trails and restaurants to enjoy. Return to Innsbruck by tram to catch our train connection to Seefeld.


After breakfast we’ll transfer by coach to Innsbruck to begin our journey home by rail. We’ll make our way to Munich to join the high-speed train to Cologne. We walk to our hotel (about 800 metres) before dinner at a local restaurant.    


There’s time in the morning for a short stroll before we walk back to Cologne railway station for our late morning train to Brussels. Here we change trains and check in for our Eurostar service to London. 


Courtyard by Marriott, Cologne

A stylish and contemporary hotel, the Courtyard by Marriott is well located close to the railway station, the iconic cathedral and other sights of the city.   The comfortable bedrooms are air-conditioned and facilities include a safe, hairdryer, tea/coffee maker and satellite tv.  The hotel has a restaurant and bar and a fitness centre.   Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.  

Hotel Kristall, Leutasch

With a focus on wellbeing and nature, the adults-only Hotel Kristall is comfort at its best. Located on the Seefeld plateau, you’ll have views towards the Karwendel Mountains from all angles, but they’re especially spectacular from the panoramic mountain sauna and rooftop infinity pool. A nature retreat at heart, the hotel recently underwent a complete renovation providing sophisticated, modern, and luxurious accommodation in the heart of Tyrol. 

Essential information

It's best to be prepared for all weather conditions. To make it easier, here is a list of items you should consider packing.   

Essentials  

  • Walking boots 
  • Waterproof jacket 
  • Waterproof trousers 
  • Insulated jacket/top 
  • Walking clothing  
  • Walking socks (plus spares)  
  • Sunhat 
  • Gloves/mitts and warm hat
  • Water bottle (minimum 2 litre capacity)  
  • Headtorch 
  • High-factor sunscreen (minimum SPF 30)  
  • Sunglasses with a dark lens 
  • Rucksack (15-30 litres)  
  • Mobile phone 
  • Personal first aid kit (containing your medication, blister plasters, etc.) 
  • Passport 
  • Visa (if applicable) 
  • Copy of your travel insurance policy 
  • UK Global Health Insurance Card (formerly known as EHIC

Recommended

  • Collapsible walking poles 
  • Swimwear and travel towel
  • Snacks
  • Dry bags
  • Rubbish bags
  • Insect repellent

Optional extras

  • Camera 
  • Sit mat
  • Flask for hot drinks 
  • Durable lunch box
  • Gaiters 
  • GPS device 

Guest reviews

All holidays are subject to availability. Supplements may apply.

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Holiday prices

Advertised rail prices are based on trains departing from London St Pancras.

Date (Start - End) Itinerary Double / Twin Room Single Room Notes / Offers Trip Notes Book
2025

14 Jul - 23 Jul 2025

9 nights

Itinerary

Single Call to Enquire

Double from

£2,389 pp

from

£2,389 pp

Call to Enquire Trip Notes
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Duration:
9 nights
Interests:
Discovery tours
Type:
Rail Adventures

9 nights from £2,389pp
includes rail

or call 020 3974 8865

For group bookings of 10+ guests click here

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Carbon Footprint 289Kg of CO₂e

Average carbon footprint per person Learn More