The Alps by Train: Zurich, Innsbruck, and Salzburg (2/3)

It’s so easy to explore the Alps by Train. Keep reading if you want to find out how I visited Zurich, Innsbruck and Austria – taking the train between each of the cities.

If you’ve not already, I’d suggest starting with my overview of the whole London to Rome by train trip.

Or why not start with part one: London To Paris: Starting An Epic Interrail Trip To Rome.

There, you’ll find out more about the planning that went in to the trip, the decisions I made around which Interrail pass to buy, and what I’d do differently if I did it again (I do!).

At this point, 700 miles into my journey, I’m about to embark on the second leg of the trip, having arrived into Zurich HBF mid-afternoon on our TGV Lyria high-speed train from Paris.

The next few days will see us crossing the Alps from Zurich in Switzerland, through Innsbruck and Salzburg in Austria, before heading down to Italy on a very special night train.

I hope you enjoy the practical advice and insight, and perhaps you can start planning a trip of your own in the very near future!

Visiting Zurich

We were only here for a few hours, as part of our journey to Innsbruck. But it seemed a shame to go straight through this beautiful city without at least exploring a bit.

Arriving at Zurich Hauptbahnhof, the main railway station, we were immediately struck by how clean and beautiful the city is. It was exactly how I imagined Zurich would be.

We stored our bags in the luggage lockers and set off on foot to explore. 

We only had a limited time so spent most of it around the Limmat River, which flows right through the heart of Zurich. Genuinely the most crystal-clear water we’ve seen anywhere on this trip!

There was just about time to explore some of the old town and enjoy a beer at the Rheinfelder Bierhalle on Niederdorfstrasse. 

We wished we could have stayed longer, but this day was mainly about travelling from Paris to Innsbruck.

My reflection is that Zurich is a city that seems tailor-made for a short break, with its beauty, great choice of restaurants and fantastic transport links to the Alps. I’ll be back!

Zurich to Innsbruck Train

Our OBB train took us from the bustling city of Zurich to the equally charming Innsbruck. We departed at 16:40, arriving at our destination 3h30 later.

It was a really great train ride. Comfortable and scenic, with stunning views of the Swiss and Austrian Alps from both sides of the carriage. 

The only downside being that the 1st class coaches were out of action due to an electrical fault – which rendered our 1st class Interrail pass useless – but these things happen!

This leg of the trip covered a distance of 282 km (175 miles). The perfect short journey if you’re looking to discover the Alps by Train.

What about Innsbruck?

Innsbruck was one of our favourite places on this trip. I’d never been there before, so didn’t quite know what to expect. But you can’t really go wrong with anywhere in Austria!

Stepping off the Railjet from Zurich, we were greeted by a deluge of rain, a familiar companion on this journey. 

We were hungry by this point, and headed for a great pizza and pasta restaurant – L’Osteria – on the recommendation of the hotel staff. 

The restaurant lived up to its reputation, offering generous portions at really affordable prices. 

In a nice touch, the menu even highlighted that their pizzas are large, so they’re happy to provide two plates if you want to share one. How many places do that!?

Hotel Central, Innsbruck

Although we were only here for one night, we’d chosen Hotel Central carefully. 

It was a great place, close enough to the train station to walk, and with easy access to the city the following day.

Our twin room cost 140 euros, which was pretty good value. The room was a decent enough size, but most importantly, clean and with super comfy beds.

It’s rated as a 4 star hotel and we’d agree with that. 

There wasn’t time to explore but the hotel offers free use of the small spa area including a sauna, infrared cabins, a steam bath and a fitness centre.

Save money: I spotted an 8% cashback offer on Quidco when I booked this hotel. Saving me roughly £11 for simply clicking on a link. Join Quido here

Things to do in Innsbruck

With only a day here, it was up and out to start exploring early. It’s actually fairly surprising what you can do in just one day, when you know you have a deadline!

Innsbruck is a very small city, and it doesn’t have the wide selection of tourist attractions that you might find elsewhere. But it’s breathtaking, nestled in amongst the Alps.

Bergisel Ski Jump – Our Favourite Attraction

We loved our time here. If like me, you’ve grown up watching Ski Sunday, you will (perhaps without knowing it) have already come across the Bergisel Ski Jump.

This iconic ski jump towers high above Innsbruck on the wooded Bergisel Hill and offers breathtaking views of the city. It has a rich history, having hosted the third competition of the prestigious Four Hills Tournament each January. 

It has undergone many changes since the first ski jumpers raced down its slopes in 1927. Today, the ski jump is a world-class facility that has hosted numerous international competitions, including the Winter Olympics.

From the moment you arrive, the jump looms over you. But you only appreciate how high and steep it is when you take the funicular to the very top.

Here, there is a bar and restaurant, with amazing panoramic views of Innsbruck.

Ski jumpers are employed by the slope to do ‘practice jumps’ throughout the day, for visitors. It’s incredible to watch them zoom down the slope before gliding through the air with Innsbruck as a backdrop. Fearless!

There’s also some great photo spots on the way down, and a gift shop at the bottom of the slope where you can pick up a nice memory of your trip. We bought a snow globe (as you do!).

The Golden Roof

This popular attraction should definitely be on your list of things to see here. 

Located in the heart of the Old Town district, this landmark is hard to miss and you can view it for free.

Built for Emperor Maximilian I between 1497 and 1500, the Golden Roof is a late Gothic oriel with a loggia that is adorned with 2,657 fire-gilt copper tiles. These tiles shimmer in the sunlight and make for a truly stunning sight.

Today, more than 500 years later, the Golden Roof still attracts thousands of visitors every day and is Innsbruck’s most famous sight – far beyond the borders of Austria.

Nordkette Cable Car

If you’re looking for breathtaking views of Innsbruck and the surrounding Alps, a ride on the Nordkette Cable Car is a must. 

The first section is the Hungerburgbahn funicular, which takes you from the city centre up to the Hungerburg station. 

Here you can enjoy panoramic views of Innsbruck and the surrounding mountains. The station also features a restaurant and a viewing platform.

Book online: Top of Innsbruck – Round Trip Cable Car Ticket

The second section is the Seegrubenbahn cable car, which takes you from the Hungerburg station up to Seegrube at an altitude of 1905 metres. From here, you can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Seegrube also features a restaurant and a sun terrace.

The third and final section is the Hafelekarbahn cable car, which takes you from Seegrube up to Hafelekar at an altitude of 2256 metres. 

From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of the entire region, including Innsbruck, the Inn Valley, and the surrounding mountains. Hafelekar also features a viewing platform and a restaurant.

The Nordkette Cable Car is open year-round, and each season provides a unique experience. 

Innsbruck to Salzburg by Train

The train service from Innsbruck to Salzburg is mainly operated by ÖBB, the Austrian Federal Railways. 

But we spotted a Westbahn train on the timetable, which did the same journey in the same time, for a fraction of the cost.

Save money: There are around a dozen Westbahn services every day – we saved more than €25 by booking one of them, rather than an OBB.

The trains are modern and well-maintained, with comfortable seating and ample legroom. There is also plenty of space for luggage, making it easy to store your bags and belongings.

We departed from Innsbruck at 16:31 and arrived at Salzburg at 18:21, taking a total of 1 hour and 50 minutes. And the train was on time.

The train journey from Innsbruck to Salzburg is a picturesque one, passing through stunning mountain landscapes and charming Austrian villages. 

Our Time In Salzburg

We had a really great time in Salzburg. It’s one of our favourite cities and has a great feel about it. This was the first time we’d visited in Summer though, and I have to say I really enjoyed it.

It’s no surprise that it felt clean, tidy and very very safe. This is Austria after all! 

But there’s more to Salzburg than other Austrian cities. It’s got a unique charm, lots of interesting things to see and do, and an incredible history

We arrived into Salzburg from Innsbruck, early evening, and of course it was raining! 

Luckily we’d chosen a hotel that was not too far from the station. So after a short walk, well actually a run in places, we arrived and settled down for the night. 

The next couple of days we explored and enjoyed everything that Salzburg had to offer.

Hotel Imlauer and Brau, Salzburg

We stayed at Hotel Imlauer and Brau, just a short walk from Salzburg train station in one direction, and from the old town in the other. It was the PERFECT location!

The hotel itself was really great as well. Our room was clean, big enough and modern. But the real benefit to staying here is the adjoining restaurant and beer garden where we spent our first evening.

This 4 star hotel cost us just under 400 euros for two nights, which was one of the more expensive hotels of the trip. But it still felt good value for money given the location and quality of accommodation.

Save money: I spotted an 8% cashback offer on Quidco when I booked this hotel. Saving me roughly £32 for simply clicking on a link. Join Quido here

My Top 3 Things to do in Salzburg

Nestled in the Alps, Salzburg offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains, making it a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts. Salzburg is also known for being the birthplace of Mozart, and his legacy is still felt throughout the city today.

There is no shortage of things to do in Salzburg, whether you’re interested in history, art, music, or nature. The city’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s easy to see why. 

The narrow streets are lined with beautiful Baroque buildings, and there are plenty of museums, galleries, and churches to explore. 

You can also take a stroll through the Mirabell Palace and Gardens, which were featured in the movie “The Sound of Music.”

Hohensalzburg Fortress

⭐️ RATING: 4.6/5 Stars
⏳ TOUR LENGTH: Day ticket
✅ Book it!

If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience in Salzburg, look no further than Hohensalzburg Fortress. 

From its lofty perch overlooking the city, offering it offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the city below. 

To reach the fortress, we took the funicular, which is the quickest and most comfortable way to get to Salzburg’s most dominant landmark. You can walk though.

Once you arrive, you can explore the many museums, including the Fortress Museum. Or sit and have lunch with great views of the city below (which is what we did!).

Book Online: Salzburg: Hohensalzburg Fortress Admission Ticket

The Sound of Music Tour

⭐️ RATING: 4.7/5 GetYourGuide
⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4 hours
✅ Book it!

When visiting Salzburg, a must-do activity is the Original Sound of Music Tour. This coach tour takes you through the city to see all the filming locations, and then Austria’s picturesque Lake District, where you can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

You also get to go to Monstee, to see the church where Captain Von Trapp married Maria. The town itself was quite a good place to visit, with some really cool buildings and enough to do for the couple of hours you spend here.

Throughout the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to sing along to songs from the movie’s soundtrack, adding an extra touch of fun and nostalgia to the experience. 

This immersive tour allows you to see all the iconic sights from the film, making it an enjoyable and memorable adventure for fans of “The Sound of Music.”

Book online: The Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg

Mirabell Palace and Gardens

If you’re looking for a beautiful place to visit in Salzburg, the Mirabell Palace and Gardens should be on your list.  We spent our final evening hanging out here, and it was so great!

One of the main attractions of the Mirabell Palace and Gardens is the Pegasus Fountain. It’s featured in the famous movie “The Sound of Music”. You can take a stroll around the fountain and imagine yourself singing “Do-Re-Mi” just like the von Trapp children.

The gardens themselves are a work of art, with geometrically shaped flower beds, statues, and fountains. You can take a leisurely walk through the gardens and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Want To Keep Reading?

I hope you’ve enjoyed this second blog post from our 2023 London to Rome Interrail Trip. As I mentioned right at the start, it’s just one of three posts telling the story of an amazing summer trip.

The first part of the journey – London To Paris By Train: Starting An Epic Interrail Trip To Rome – is well worth reading, even if you’ve already finished this leg.

And for the final instalment, check out Leaving Austria: And Catching The Sleeper Train to Italy.