Exploring Sölden, Austria: Travel Tips And Tricks

how to get to soelden austria

Sölden, Austria, is a popular ski resort located near the end of the Ötz valley. The nearest airport to Sölden is Innsbruck Airport, which is 25.9 miles away. Other nearby airports include Munich Airport, which is 103 miles away, and Salzburg Airport, which is also a popular option for holiday charter flights. Travellers can also reach Sölden by train, with Ötztal Bahnhof railway station located at the entrance to the Ötz valley. The train journey from Munich to Sölden takes 5 hours and 14 minutes.

Characteristics Values
Nearest airport Innsbruck (INN) Airport
Distance from Innsbruck Airport 25.9 miles
Other nearby airports Bolzano/Bozen (BZO), Memmingen (FMM), Munich (MUC), and Verona (VRN)
Distance from Munich Airport 103 miles
Travel time from Munich Airport 5h 14m
Travel time from nearest train station 30 mins
Nearest train station Ötztal Bahnhof railway station
Train connections Zurich, Vienna, Germany, Switzerland, and within Austria
Luggage transport service Available through ÖBB

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Nearest airport is Innsbruck, but Munich and Salzburg are also options

The nearest airport to Sölden, Austria, is Innsbruck, which is just 80km away. The resort can be reached in under an hour by car in good conditions, and there is a good mix of scheduled and charter flights available at the airport. For this reason, Innsbruck is the best option for those booking a ski package or flights independently.

However, Munich and Salzburg airports are also options for those travelling to Sölden. Munich Airport offers a wide range of long-haul scheduled arrivals, and Salzburg is popular for holiday charter flights. Both airports are considerably further away than Innsbruck, though—287km and 260km, respectively—and involve lengthy transfers. The route from Munich to Sölden, for example, follows the motorway south to Kufstein and then the Inn valley motorway to the junction with Haiming. This journey can be even longer during busy periods or in bad weather. Similarly, transfers from Salzburg Airport often include stops at other resorts, meaning the route takes considerably longer than it would otherwise.

If you would prefer to travel by train, the nearest station to Sölden is Ötztal Bahnhof, which is 37km away. This station is on the Innsbruck suburban network, so you can take a train to Innsbruck and then change to a regional service.

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Train to Ötztal-Bahnhof, then public transport to Sölden

If you want to get to Sölden by train, you first need to get to Ötztal Bahnhof railway station, which is located at the entrance to the Ötz valley. This station is on the Innsbruck suburban network, with trains running on the main line between Innsbruck and Zurich. If you're coming from Innsbruck, you may need to change to a regional service to get to Ötztal Bahnhof. From there, you can take public transport to Sölden.

The resort is also accessible by air, with Innsbruck, Salzburg, and Munich airports being the closest. However, Innsbruck airport is the best option for a trip to Sölden, as the resort is under an hour away in good conditions, and there is a mix of scheduled and charter flights available on weekends. Salzburg and Munich airports involve lengthy transfers, and the journey from Munich can be even longer during busy periods or bad weather.

If you're hiring a car, you can follow the motorway south to Kufstein and then the Inn valley motorway to the junction with Haiming. Alternatively, you can take a bus or transfer service from the airport to the resort, although these journeys can be long, especially if travelling with holiday companies that make stops at other resorts.

It's worth noting that Sölden is located near the end of the Ötz valley, and its high altitude can make it challenging to access during heavy snowfall or bad weather.

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Door-to-door luggage delivery service available

If you're travelling to Sölden, Austria, and want to make use of a door-to-door luggage delivery service, there are a few options available to you.

Excess Luggage

Excess Luggage is a UK-based company that offers door-to-door luggage delivery services to Austria. They provide shipping services by air, road, and sea, and cater to those travelling with extra luggage or excess baggage. They offer different levels of luggage shipping services to suit your budget. You can calculate the volumetric weight of your shipment and compare it to its actual weight to get an idea of the price. Delivery time depends on the service chosen and can take between 3-10 working days.

ÖBB Luggage Transport Service

The Ötztal-Bahnhof train station is located at the entrance to the Ötz valley and is the nearest train station to Sölden. The ÖBB luggage transport service offers an inexpensive and easy way to transport your luggage to Sölden. The service includes luggage collection from your specified address and delivery to your defined destination address in Sölden. If your luggage is not delivered directly to your accommodation, you can call a specified phone number and arrange delivery within a 2-hour window.

Soelden Lounge

Soelden Lounge offers a range of services to enhance your stay, including luggage storage. You can store your luggage and change your clothes before check-in or after check-out, allowing you to make the most of your arrival and departure days.

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Munich route is longer and slower, especially in bad weather

The Munich route to Solden, Austria, is longer and slower, especially in bad weather. The distance between Solden and Munich is approximately 192 km, and the drive time in normal traffic is about 2 hours and 30 minutes. However, the journey can take even longer during busy periods, poor weather conditions, or heavy snowfall, making it a less favourable option for travellers.

The route from Munich typically follows the motorway south to Kufstein and then the Inn Valley motorway to the junction with Haiming. This route can be subject to delays, especially during winter, due to other road users who may not have adequate winter equipment. The journey can become even more challenging if you are travelling with holiday companies that add stops along the way, making it a slower and more tedious trip.

In contrast, the route from Innsbruck to Solden is a more popular and efficient option. Innsbruck is only about an hour's drive from Solden and offers a more direct connection to the resort. The road from Innsbruck follows the main Inn Valley motorway to Haiming and then heads south into the Oetz valley. While this road is narrow and mountainous, local taxi and bus drivers are experienced in navigating it safely.

Additionally, choosing Innsbruck airport as your flight destination is advisable for a trip to Solden. The resort is easily accessible from the airport, with a travel time of under an hour in good conditions. Innsbruck also offers a good mix of scheduled and charter flights during the weekends, making it a convenient option for travellers.

Therefore, while the Munich route is a viable option for reaching Solden, it is important to consider the potential challenges, especially during unfavourable weather conditions or busy travel periods. The Innsbruck route, both from the airport and the city itself, offers a faster, more direct connection to Solden, making it a preferred choice for travellers looking to minimise travel time and avoid potential delays.

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High altitude means bad weather and heavy snow can be problematic

Sölden is located near the end of the Ötz valley, a long side valley heading south from the Inn valley. Its high altitude means that bad weather and heavy snowfall can make the resort difficult to access.

In good conditions, the resort is under an hour's drive from Innsbruck airport. This airport is the best option for a trip to Sölden, with a good mix of scheduled and charter flights at the weekend. However, the high altitude of the resort means that bad weather can cause lengthy delays. The journey from Munich airport, for example, is much longer and can be further impacted by poor weather.

If you are travelling to Sölden by car, the easiest route is to follow the motorway south to Kufstein and then take the Inn valley motorway to the junction with Haiming. Alternatively, you can take a train to Ötztal Bahnhof railway station, located at the entrance to the Ötz valley. This station is on the Innsbruck suburban network, so you may need to change to a regional service.

The high altitude of Sölden means that snow conditions are generally good, even in years with low snowfall. For example, despite the relatively low snowfall in 2024, one visitor reported that "the resort is high so the snow held up well". The resort offers a snow forecast and current weather conditions on its website, allowing visitors to plan their trip accordingly.

Frequently asked questions

The best way to get to Sölden depends on your preferences and where you are travelling from. The nearest airport is Innsbruck Airport, which is 25.9 miles away. However, Salzburg and Munich airports also offer flights to the area, although they are further afield. You can also travel to Sölden by train, with the nearest station being Ötztal Bahnhof, which is located at the entrance to the Ötz valley.

The resort is under an hour away from Innsbruck Airport by car in good conditions. You can also take advantage of the airport transfer services offered by companies such as Ski-Lifts.

Ötztal Bahnhof station is located at the entrance to the Ötz valley and is the nearest train station for Sölden. Trains run on the main line between Innsbruck and Zurich, and you can get to Sölden from the station by public transport, which runs every half hour.

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