Day trips from Niederau: 7 outings with route and programme

Innsbruck: old town and mountains in one day

Drive time about 60 minutes via Wörgl and the A12. Spend the morning in the old town: the Goldene Dachl, the narrow lanes and perhaps the Hofburg. Park in a car park. After lunch, take the Hungerburgbahn uphill; the Alpenzoo, with animals from the Alps, lies at the intermediate station. On a clear day, carry on with the Nordkettenbahn to Hafelekar at 2,256 m. When it rains, choose museums and shopping streets over the mountain. Suits families with children from about 6. In Advent there are Christmas markets; check times beforehand.

Kitzbühel: town, Horn and Schwarzsee

Drive time about 55 minutes via Wörgl and through the Brixental valley. Stroll through the car-free old town in the morning, with its colourful facades and terraces. After lunch, take the Hornbahn up the Kitzbüheler Horn; in summer the Alpenblumengarten at about 1,880 m has more than 300 plant species and a climbing trail for children. Finish at the Schwarzsee for a swim or a walk. If it rains, stick to the town and a long lunch. Kitzbühel is busier and pricier than the villages in the valley. Suits families who want a mix of town and nature; cable cars run seasonally.

Kufstein: fortress and Heldenorgel

Drive time about 35 minutes via Wörgl and the A12, the shortest of the seven trips. Spend the morning wandering through the old town and along the Inn, then visit Kufstein Fortress, which stands on a rock about 90 m above the river. At 12 noon the Heldenorgel plays, from April to October according to the fortress website. After lunch you can see the museum in the fortress or walk a little at the foot of the Kaisergebirge. When it rains, the museum is a good alternative. Parking in the centre can be busy. Suits families with children of all ages; allow half a day to a full day.

Rattenberg and Alpbach: glass and a flower village

Rattenberg is about 35 minutes by car from Niederau, and so is Alpbach; the drive between them is short. Visit Rattenberg, Austria's smallest town, in the morning, with its car-free core, glass workshops and shops. In the afternoon, drive to Alpbach at about 1,000 m, a village of timber houses. The Wiedersbergerhornbahn takes you up to Lauserland and its playground; the Lauser-Sauser toboggan run can be open all year, so check beforehand. In wet weather, the Augustinermuseum in Rattenberg and the Bergbauernmuseum in Inneralpbach remain. Suits families who want a relaxed day and enjoy crafts and playgrounds.

Achensee: steam train and boat trip

Drive time about 45 minutes (estimate) via Wörgl and the A12 to Jenbach. In the morning, take the Achenseebahn, Europe's oldest steam cog railway, running since 1889. It covers just over 6 km to the lake and operates from early May to the end of October; check the timetable. At Seespitz you board the boat to Pertisau, where you can walk or picnic on the shore. Come back by boat and train, or go by car. If it rains, the train ride is an outing in itself. Suits families with children who love trains and water; in winter things are much quieter.

Zillertal: Zell and Mayrhofen

Zell am Ziller is about 60 minutes from Niederau and Mayrhofen about 65 minutes, via Wörgl, the A12 and the Zillertaler Straße; it can be busy in high season. Stop in Zell in the morning, for example at the Rosenalm with its Fichtenschloss or the Goldschaubergwerk. After lunch, drive on to Mayrhofen and take the Ahornbahn to the Ahorn plateau (about 2,000 m) for a walking loop with viewing platforms and a birds-of-prey show. The Penken has a summer toboggan run and a playground. The lifts run roughly from late May to mid-October in summer. Suits families and active guests.

Munich: a city day in Bavaria

Munich is the long trip on this list: about 1.5 to 2 hours by car, depending on traffic and border queues. The train is easier: about 20 minutes' drive to Wörgl, then a train to Munich Hbf taking a little over an hour. Start at the Marienplatz, where the Neue Rathaus carillon plays around 11 and 12; check the times. Then pick one main visit, such as the Deutsches Museum or Hellabrunn Zoo, and end in the Englischer Garten by the Eisbach wave. In rain, the museum is the best choice. Leave early; a long day is wise.

Frequently asked questions