The Innsbruck Card is one of the best value-for-money city passes I’ve bought and used. It includes pricey attractions like the Nordkette cable cars, Swarovski Crystal Worlds, and several museums. This guide provides information on whether you need the card, how to maximize its value, and tips for planning your itinerary.
Innsbruck Card Price Overview
| Period | Adult | Child 5-16 yrs |
| 24 hours | €69,00 | €34,50 |
| 48 hours | €79,00 | €39,50 |
| 72 hours | €89,00 | €44,50 |
Unlike many other city cards, the Innsbruck Card is valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours from the time you first use it. Therefore, it can be valid from 11:00 to 11:00 or 17:00 to 17:00 on different calendar days.
The Innsbruck Card includes one free ticket for more than 20 attractions, cable cars, the hop-on-hop-off sightseer bus, a walking tour, and public transport in the city.
Popular Innsbruck Card Attractions
| Attraction | Regular Ticket Price |
| Nordkette Cable Car | €52,00 |
| Swarovski Crystal Worlds | €26,00 |
| Imperial Palace | € 9,50 |
| Court Church | € 9,00 |
| Museum of Tyrolean Folk Art | €14,00 (including Court Church) |
| Ambras Castle | €16,00 |
| Experience Tyrol Immersive Show | €24,00 |
| Bergisel Ski Jump | €11,00 |
| Tyrol Panorama + Imperial Infantry Museum | € 9,00 |
| Alpine Zoo | €15,00 |
| City Tower | € 5,00 |
| Patscherkofel Cable Car | €31,00 |
| Sightseer Bus (including city transport) | €23,00 |
Find the full list of attractions and activities here.
Where to Buy the Innsbruck City Card
The Innsbruck Card is available online here or from the following places in and around Innsbruck. If you buy it online, you can simply show a mobile voucher to get your Innsbruck Card in return.
- The Innsbruck Tourism offices in the city centre and at the train station.
- Most tourist offices in the holiday villages around Innsbruck.
- Participating cable car stations.
- Ticket offices of major attractions that are included on the Innsbruck Card.
- Most hotels in the city.
- The Trafik shop at Innsbruck Airport.
- Press & Books shop at the Innsbruck train station.
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Itinerary for 24-Hour Innsbruck Card
This is my proposed itinerary for 24 hours with the Innsbruck Card:
Begin your day early with a trip on the Nordkette cable cars to enjoy the mountain views from the top of Innsbruck. To fully appreciate this experience and leave enough time for other attractions, it is advisable to start no later than 09:00. Plan at least 3 hours for this excursion
If you are travelling with kids or enjoy wildlife, stop at the Alpine Zoo station of the Nordkettenbahnen when returning to Innsbruck. The Alpine Zoo, the highest lying zoo in Europe, features only Alpine fauna and flora. You can see 20 of the 80 alpine mammal species and various bird, reptile, amphibian, and fish species in this beautiful mountain setting.
By now, it should be around 14:00 to 14:30 when you arrive back at the Congress station of the Nordkette cable car. From here, it is a 3-minute walk to either the Imperial Palace or the Museum of Tyrolean Folk Art with Court Church.
You don’t need to spend much time at the palace or museum, but the Giant Hall is quite impressive. The 28 “black men” in the CourtChurch are also noteworthy.
Next up is a stroll through the Innsbruck old town in the late afternoon. Departing from the Court Church or Imperial Palace, you’ll reach the Golden Roof with its 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles in just three minutes. Admire it from the outside or visit the Golden Roof Museum.
When in the old town, climb the Innsbruck city tower near the Golden Roof. The 133 steps are easy and offer great views of Innsbruck’s rooftops and the Nordkette mountains in the late afternoon sun.
This itinerary represents a good combination of natural and historical attractions that can be experienced within 24 hours in Innsbruck. It provides a well-balanced overview to leave you with a lasting impression of the Tyrolean capital.
Tips:
- If the mountain is covered in clouds in the morning, swap your itinerary around. Start with the Innsbruck old town attractions and end with the Nordkette cable car trip and Alpine Zoo.
- Likewise, base your itinerary on the weather if you are using your Innsbruck City Card on an afternoon and morning of the next day.
| The total cost of activities and attractions on my 24-hour Innsbruck itinerary: €95,50 Total savings: €95,50 – €69,00 = €26,50 |
Itinerary for 48-Hour Innsbruck Card
If you have 48 hours to explore Innsbruck, you can use my 24-hour Innsbruck Card itinerary on day one or two – weather depending.
My suggested itinerary for the additional 24 hours is as follow:
Take the shuttle bus to Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens if this is something you are interested in. The chambers of wonder and the vast crystal park landscape can keep you busy for two to three hours. Kids especially enjoy the big play tower, labyrinth, and other outdoor activities.
Have lunch at Swarovski or return to Innsbruck to grab lunch at the Market Hall next to the market square.
Then catch the hop on hop off sightseer bus to Ambras Castle. On the way, you will pass other attractions and learn a lot about Innsbruck via the headphones. The castle sits in a beautiful setting and features impressive chambers of armour.
Next, get back on the hop-on hop-off bus to visit Bergisel. Take the lift to the top of the Olympic ski jump and see the Tirol Panorama, Tyrol’s largest oil painting of the Third Battle of Bergisel.
| The total cost of activities and attractions on day 2 of the 48-hour Innsbruck Card itinerary: €79,00. Total savings over 48 hours: €174,50 – €79,00 = €95,50 |
Itinerary for 72-Hour Innsbruck Card
After following the itineraries for 24 and 48 hours in Innsbruck, I will recommend a 72-hour Innsbruck Card to explore more of the area around Innsbruck.
During summer, use the extra day with the Innsbruck City Card to ride the Patscherkofel cable car and hike a part of the Zirbenweg trail. This easy hike offers stunning views of the Inn Valley and the Nordkette mountain range. The tram to Igls, where you get the Patscherkofel cable car, is also included in the Innsbruck Card.
If you´re not sure how far to hike before turning back, a good reference is to hike up to the Boscheben snack bar. This is a lovely spot to have something to eat and drink before returning to the cable car station.
Once you are back in Innsbruck, end your 72 hours with the Innsbruck City Card by watching the Experience Tyrol Immersive Show in the Kaufhaus Tyrol.
| The total cost of activities and attractions on day 3 of the 72-hour Innsbruck Card: €55,00 Total savings over 72 hours: €229,50 – €89,00 = €140,50. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Innsbruck Card?
Yes, the Innsbruck Card saves you money if you enjoy riding cable cars and visiting tourist attractions. It also includes free travel on Innsbruck public transport and the hop-on-hop-off sightseer bus, which stops at 18 key locations around the city. Audio guides, including a kids’ version, are available on the bus to provide important information. If your time in the city is limited or if you prefer not to take the Nordkette cable car to the summit, it may be more advantageous to purchase individual tickets.
What is the difference between the Innsbruck Card and the Innsbruck Welcome Card?
The Innsbruck Card is designed for visitors looking to maximize their experience by accessing numerous attractions and services. It provides free entry to many museums, cable cars, and other tourist landmarks while including free public transport and the hop-on-hop-off sightseer bus. It’s ideal for those who plan to explore extensively within a short timeframe and enjoy bundled savings.
On the other hand, the Innsbruck Welcome Card is typically offered free of charge by participating accommodation providers. It is more limited in scope, focusing on discounts for specific activities and free participation in guided hikes and regional bus services. While it doesn’t include the extensive access to attractions that the Innsbruck Card provides, it serves as a cost-effective option for those staying in the area for longer periods and seeking a more relaxed itinerary.
How does the Innsbruck Card work?
The Innsbruck Card is very easy to use:
- You choose a duration: 24, 48, or 72 hours.
- The card is activated the first time you use it—whether that’s a museum, bus, or cable car.
- Once activated, it’s valid for consecutive hours, not calendar days.
- Simply show the card at participating locations or on public transport—it acts as your entry ticket and travel pass.
You’ll receive a guidebook and map with all included attractions when you purchase the card, so it’s easy to plan your day.
How do I get my Innsbruck Card purchased online?
Purchasing the Innsbruck Card online is straightforward. Visit the official Innsbruck tourism website or authorized resellers offering the card. Select the card type and duration that suits your itinerary, complete the payment process, and you’ll receive a confirmation email. Typically, you can either print the card or present the digital version at participating attractions and services. Alternatively, once in Innsbruck, you can exchange your emailed digital voucher for a physical card at any pick-up point, like the Innsbruck Tourist Information Office or designated partner hotels. Make sure to bring a copy of your voucher and a valid ID when collecting your card.
What can I do with the Innsbruck Card on a rainy day?
On a rainy day, the Innsbruck Card allows you to explore indoor attractions like museums or other cultural landmarks. Here are great indoor options included with the card:
- Tirol Panorama Museum
- Imperial Palace (Hofburg)
- Swarovski Crystal Worlds
- AUDIOVERSUM Science Centre
*Disclosure*
Having fun in Austria, and then writing about it is hard work 😆 . That’s why some links in this article are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you use any of them to make a purchase. It’s totally cool if you don’t. I love to help anyway. If you do, it will help us discover another part of Austria to write about.
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Thank you so much! Very good and useful site especially for me now because I’m first time will visit this country, city…Good luck!