Complete Guide to Visiting Zugspitze from Austria
I love the movie “The Sound of Music”.
The opening scenes where “Maria” is dancing around on an emerald green hill, with forest and mountains in the background, always give me a longing to travel to that part of Europe!
So while road-tripping through Austria, we wanted to take in the incredible beauty of the Austrian Alps firsthand.
And what better way to do that, than to find a really cool experience that would take us up, up into the clouds!
So, visiting Zugspitze from Austria was a no-brainer!
Located right on the Austrian-German border, Zugspitze offers incredible views, fun activities, and excellent facilities.
Curious to learn more? Here’s everything you need to know for a perfect visit.
Is Zugspitze Worth Visiting?
Yes, Zugspitze is absolutely worth visiting.
With gorgeous views over four countries, awesome year-round activities, and tasty food to be had, it was a pretty memorable experience for our family.
Besides, if you are going to climb only one mountain, why not make it the highest one?
Zugspitze, at 9,718 feet, is actually the highest peak in Germany.
How to Get to Zugspitze from Austria
Located in the Bavarian Alps, Zugspitze is bordered by both Austria and Germany.
However, on a nice, clear day, you can also see both Switzerland and Italy from the peak!
To get to the base of Zugspitze, you have several options:
By Car
Ehrwald, in Austria’s Tyrol region, is your gateway to Zugspitze.
If you’re driving from Innsbruck, it’ll take about an hour via the A12 and B187 roads.
Coming from Salzburg or Munich? Expect about a two-hour drive.
We found there to be plenty of parking at the base of the cable car station. Parking will cost you about €5 per vehicle for the day.
By Train or Bus
Prefer public transport? No problem! You can get to the base of the mountain by either train or bus, even when coming from Germany.
Take the train to Ehrwald-Zugspitzbahn station. Austrian trains are frequent and comfortable.
Once you get to the Ehrwald Station, it’s just a short walk to the cable car.
Buses also connect Ehrwald with nearby towns, making it easy if you’re staying somewhere else in Tyrol.
Zugspitze Cable Car (Tiroler Zugspitzbahn)
Once you have arrived at the base of the mountain on the Austrian side, you will then need to board the Tiroler Zugspitzbahn cable car to reach the peak.
As it happens, it is both less expensive and less busy to get to the summit from the Austrian side.
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased at the base of the mountain, a short walk from the parking lot.
If you purchase round-trip tickets for the Zugspitzbahn, as we did, the gondolas arrive every 20 minutes or so to take people up and back down to the base.
At around €52 per adult for a round trip, it is well worth it for you to stay awhile and take the time to explore all areas of the summit, including the various museum exhibits.
Riding the Zugspitzbahn
The kids really enjoyed riding the Zugspitzbahn!
Each fully panoramic car holds 100 people. And did I mention how impressive the views were all the way up?
We only had a few others sharing the gondola with us during our ascent, so we had plenty of space to move around and take photos.
The 10-minute ride to the top was amazing!
I found it hard to believe that we had actually ascended 1,725 meters in that time!
The trip up is both smooth and at a good pace, so perfect for kids who may otherwise be nervous on rides.
To avoid crowds, we would recommend arriving early or visiting later in the afternoon during the peak summer months.
The cable car usually runs from 8:40 AM to 4:40 PM.
The good-weather gods were not smiling down on us, however, so we did have some cloud cover.
We still enjoyed some fantastic views, both on the ride up and for a short time at the summit.
What to Do at the Summit
Now that you have made it to the top, there are plenty of family-friendly things to keep you busy.
1. Enjoy the Views from the Observation Decks
At the summit, there are 2 viewing areas, one for each country.
These viewing areas are connected by a passageway.
You are able to move freely between the two sides, which is nice, as they both offer great photo ops.
The huge observation decks are nearly 3,000 meters high!
From here, you can see Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy on clear days.
You will even find telescopes and signs pointing out major landmarks.
Unfortunately for us, we weren’t on the peak for long before the cloud cover rolled in and obscured our view.
The ticket booth where we purchased our gondola passes actually warns you of bad weather conditions.
But since we were only in Tirol for a day, we took our chances.
No worries, though, we got some great photos before the clouds set in.
2. Explore the Zugspitze Interactive Museum
Once our amazing views were obscured, we headed into the museum.
The “Faszination Zugspitze” museum is great for families.
It’s interactive, with exhibits explaining the mountain’s history, geology, and climate.
Kids will love the hands-on activities and displays, making it educational and fun all at the same time.
Of course, we jumped at the chance to take our “cheesy tourist photo” when the opportunity presented itself!
3. Learn Something New at The Snow Crystal Exhibit
Did you know that snowflakes change their shape depending on the temperature?
This awesome exhibit is all about the formation of snow!
And considering how important snow is for tourism and winter sports in the area, this is the perfect location for this museum.
While found the exhibit to be pretty interesting, the building where it is housed is pretty incredible as well!
❄️ Fun Fact: There are only two other exhibits in the world dedicated to snow crystals, one being in Japan and the other in the USA.
4. Visit the Summit Cross
A visit to Zugspitze isn’t complete without seeing the iconic golden summit cross.
It’s just a short climb from the observation deck on the German side of the mountain.
The path is well secured, but you should still wear sturdy shoes and hold the railings.
The cross marks Germany’s highest point, making this the perfect spot to grab your photo for the ‘Gram!
During our visit, we chose not to climb to the “official Peak” marked by the gold cross, however.
The path to this peak is much like a Via Ferrata, where you are climbing on chain ladders and walking across very narrow walkways.
More so because of the kids (who were 8 and 10 at the time), rather than the cloud cover, we decided against this short trek. Instead, we admired the views from slightly below!
Especially since our youngest son was afraid of heights at this age (he managed fine in the Zugspitzbahn as it is a contained area).
Although the path is relatively safe to traverse, one wrong move could put you in a perilous position.
5. Hike Around the Summit Station
If you’re not up for a full ascent, there are short hiking trails around the summit station.
These paths offer fresh mountain air and excellent views without the need for technical gear.
They’re a great way to stretch your legs and enjoy the incredible views, and are even safe enough for families.
While the walkways had chains for barriers, some sections were a little on the steep side.
Another thing to be aware of, is that the steps on the trail are made from rock, which was a little on the slippery side when it got wet.
6. Pick Out the Perfect Souvenir
Our youngest son also happened to have had a gift shop addiction at that age!
So he had no qualms about heading indoors to start browsing for the perfect souvenir from Zugspitze!
You will find all the usual items, like magnets (which he collects), keychains, clothing items, and other tchotchkes.
However, the kids were on the hunt for the pressed coin machine, which they were able to locate in record time!
This was one of their favourite souvenirs from Austria!
7. Grab a Bite to Eat
If you are feeling a bit peckish, then head over to Panorama 2962, Germany’s highest restaurant.
Situated right near the observation deck, you will find everything from hearty meals to tasty snacks, along with Austrian and German specialties.
Items like soups, schnitzels, strudels and coffee will satisfy your every craving!
The restaurant also has large windows, so you can dine with amazing mountain views.
Important Tips for Visiting Zugspitze from Austria
Accessibility: The cable cars and observation deck are wheelchair accessible. Check ahead for details or any special assistance you might require.
Dress Warmly: Even in summer, temperatures at Zugspitze can be chilly. Bring layers! See below for details.
Best Time to Visit: Summer is ideal for clear skies and milder weather. Winter is perfect for snow sports. Spring and autumn are quieter, with fewer tourists.
What Should You Wear?
During our visit to Zugsptze in June, there was still snow at its peak.
So you really do need to keep this in mind and dress appropriately.
We layered up, so it was easy to make adjustments for how warm/cold we were feeling.
We decided to wear long pants, sweaters, and jackets, which ended up being perfect.
You should also wear shoes that are appropriate for hiking or walking over uneven ground.
Fun Facts About Zugspitze
Visiting Zugspitze from Austria – FAQs
Plan for at least half a day. If you include eating and activities, allocate about 5-6 hours.
Yes, you can cross into Germany at the summit area, making it an international day trip! No passports required!
Dogs are welcome but must stay leashed. Note that pets are not allowed inside restaurants or the museum.
Yes, there are several hiking routes to the summit from both the Austrian and German sides, but some require alpine experience and proper gear.
Final Thoughts
All in all, we really enjoyed our time at Zugspitze.
With easy access from Ehrwald, incredible views, plenty of activities, and good food, it offers something for everyone.
We would definitely recommend visiting when the weather is ideal, as it is on the more expensive side for a family excursion.
And definitely dress for the weather! It gets pretty breezy up there!
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