Austrian Tyrol Rail Adventure

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.

We’ll take the public bus from Weidach Quellenhof to Seefeld where we’ll hop aboard the scenic Karwendelbahn railway. On the journey to Innsbruck we’ll encounter the Gurgelbach viaduct and spectacular views down into the Inntal valley.

Then we’ll travel to the highest point above Innsbruck on three different cable railways. Catch the Hungerburgbahn funicular to Hungerburg Station, and transfer to the Seegrubebahn cable car, transporting us further up Seegrube at 1,905 m (6,250 ft). Finally, the Hafelekarbahn takes us to Innsbruck’s highest viewpoint and Karwendel Nature Park. You can have coffee/early lunch at either the Seegrube Café or Hafelekar Restaurant, located at 2,256 metres.

You could also enjoy a short walk - the Seegrube Panorama Trail is an easy 25-minute walk, circling a small hill. And/or you can walk to the top of Innsbruck viewpoint, a 10 to15-minute climb from Hafelekar station. 

Once we descend into Innsbruck, you’ll have free time to explore and sightsee.

We’ll take the train to Innsbruck and board the sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus to Bergisel and the start of tram line six, also known as the ‘forest tram’, from Innsbruck to Igls. 

Enjoy fabulous views of the Nordkette mountains and Patscherkofel (2,246m above sea level) on the way. It was constructed in the 1900s, and tracks wind upwards for more than 280m through pine forest, past Ambras Castle, and up across verdant countryside to Igls.

We’ll get off at Tummelplatz where a short walk will lead us to Ambras Castlle. After exploring, we’ll get back on the tram to Igls for an optional ride up the Patscherkofelbahn cable car to the top of the mountain. Bus route J will take us back to central Innsbruck and our return journey on the train.

The day’s yours to explore, relax, or sightsee as you wish. Near the hotel, there are three golf courses and a variety of bike and walking trails. Or you could head further afield to spend more time in Innsbruck.

A coach will take us from the hotel to Zugspitzstation in Garmisch Partenkirchen where we’ll catch the cogwheel train to Zugspitzplatt. 

Here you have the chance to enjoy a short walk. You could head to the Karst cave (about 15 minutes), complete the Sonn-Alpin circuit (15-30 minutes) or cross the Zugspitze glacier to an observation deck overlooking Ehrwald (one hour). We’ll have lunch at the Sonnalpin glacier restaurant before taking the glacier cable car to the summit of Zugspitze (weather permitting). We’ll then descend to Garmisch Partenkirchen for our journey back.

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.

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. A short coach transfer will take us to our hotel before dinner at a local restaurant.    

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