Where is Hintertux Glacier, Austria?
Hintertux Glacier is in the Tyrol (Tirol) region of Austria, deep in the Tuxertal (Tux valley), an offshoot of the ski resort rich Zillertal.
Only 87km by road or rail/bus south-east of the world’s best ski city of Innsbruck, the nearest major centre to Hintertux Glacier is in the Ziller valley, 20km by road north of the resort at Mayrhofen.
Best Airports for Hintertux Glacier Ski Resort
If flying to ski Hintertux Glacier from within Europe or the UK, Innsbruck (INN) airport is the best option. For skiers & snowboarders from other international origins, the best gateway airport is Munich (MUC) in Germany or at a stretch, Zurich (ZRH) in Switzerland. Rail connections to Innsbruck from Munich or Zurich and then on to Hintertux are straightforward via Jenbach.
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Flights into Innsbruck Airport
Innsbruck (INN) airport is serviced by flights from mainland Europe, Scandinavia, and the UK. Flights numbers and options increase during the winter season. The airport is conveniently located close to the centre of Innsbruck.
The Innsbruck city centre and central bus & train station is a 20min bus ride from the airport via the Route F bus at the terminal. Taxis offer an alternative.
If you are wanting to stay overnight near the Innsbruck airport stay in a fantastic hotel or guesthouse in the centre of the old town & simply get a taxi or bus to the airport. For the best options, see our Innsbruck Accommodation Info page.
Flights into Munich Airport
Munich (MUC) international airport is rated as one of the world’s best. It receives a vast number of flights every day from worldwide destinations.
Munich airport is well served by efficient train transport which link quickly with train services to ski hubs like Innsbruck. Take the S8 line from the main terminal (trains every 10min) to the major Ostbahnhof for trains direct to Jenbach where one can catch a Zillertalnbahn to Mayrhofen and a hence a bus toward Hintertux. Total travel time is under 4hr.
At least 8 major car rental companies are available at Munich airport, however the vehicles may not be set up for winter driving (i.e. snow tyres, chains), and one may be better served hiring a car closer to the ski destination. Search for & book here for all rental cars.
Airport & Hotel Transfers
For a fast & efficient transfer from Munich, Innsbruck, Zurich or other locations direct to Hintertux Glacier, a private transfer is the best method. It does come with a financial cost, but for groups of 3 or more people it can work out quite reasonably. To save on costs, organise a transfer from a major train station closer to your accommodation, like at Innsbruck or Jenbach.
Search & book private transfers to Hintertux & the Zillertal.
Train & Bus Transport to Hintertux Glacier
One of the best ways to access the Zillertal and Hintertux Glacier ski resort is by train. In fact, Powderhounds recommends taking the train & bus to Hintertux for all kinds of great social & environmental reasons.
From Innsbruck Hbf (central station), trains leave for Jenbach (direction Wörgl, Kufstein or Salzburg) every 15 to 45min between the hours of 6.10am and 7.20pm. The journey generally takes around 26min.
At Jenbach station, change to platform Z3, where a Zillertalbahn will likely be waiting for you. Trains leave for Mayrhofen (& hence Hintertux Glacier) every 22 to 60min (depending on time of day) from 6.30am to 7.56pm every day during the ski season (refer timetable). The 32km journey from Jenbach to Mayrhofen takes about 50min.
From Mayrhofen station, buses & taxis await to take you to Hintertux (or wherever you are staying). The local transit bus route 4104 from Mayrhofen to Hintertux Glacier stops everywhere and is usually quite empty. The cost is a few € one way. Around 10 to 12 services run per day from about 6am to 7.15pm. There is room for luggage in the bus. Buy your ticket on the bus.
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Driving to Hintertux Glacier
Driving a rental car to Hintertux Glacier from all points of the compass is easy. From either west (Innsbruck) or east (Salzburg/Vienna) or south (Italy), one needs to get on the main A12/E45/E60 motorway and then take the B169 into the Zilllertal and continue past Mayrhofen, where a right turn toward Persal/Finkenberg will get you to Hintertux in less than 30mins. Total journey time from Innsbruck should be less than 1½hr.
If you don’t have a car and wish to rent, the closest agencies are in Innsbruck, either at the airport or city centre. Search & book car rentals.
Getting Around the Hintertux Glacier Ski Resort
The Hintertux Glacier base area is quite small and so walking is all that’s required to get around.
If you need to go further afield, the local public transit bus between Hintertux Glacier base and Tux (Rastkogelbahn) is free for skiers and runs regularly through the day.
For Mayrhofen, the Green Line is a free bus for skiers and stops at Finkenberger Almbahn, Rastkogelbahn and Mayrhofen train station.
If not in ski gear, the 4104 public transit bus to Mayrhofen is your best bet. Around 10 to 12 services run per day from about 8am.
Travel to Nearby Ski Resorts
Whilst a feast of ski resorts are within 2 hours of Hintertux Glacier, in the Zillertal below Hintertux several great resorts are within an easy day trip and are part of the Zillertaler SuperSkiPass area. The Zillertaler SuperSkiPass includes Mayrhofen, Zillertal Arena and Hochzillertal ski resorts.
Mayrhofen ski resort is the closest of the resorts. If you don’t have a car, Mayrhofen is accessible by various buses from Hintertux. The Green Line bus from Hintertux to Mayrhofen to is free. The Green line bus only drops off at the train station in Mayrhofen, so a short walk or bus ride (for the lazy) is needed to get to the Penken and Ahorn gondolas. If heading to other ski resorts in the Zillertal, you can then board a train to head further down the valley.
Two alternatives to the Green Line bus exist. The local Tux public transit bus between Hintertux Glacier base and Tux (Rastkogelbahn) is free for skiers. From Tux you could have a great ski and après journey to Mayrhofen via Rastkogel and Penken. Otherwise, the local transit bus route 4104 from Hintertux Glacier to Mayrhofen stops everywhere, is usually quite empty but isn’t free. If in ski gear the bus driver will ask if you are on the correct bus as they just expect skiers to take the free Green Line bus.
Hochzillertal ski resort is the last (or first!) resort in Zillertal, & is closest to Innsbruck. Easy to access by train from Mayrhofen. Get off at Kaltenbach station (refer schedule in right column). A short walk will get you to the Kaltenbach gondola base, above which the best skiing is to be had.
Zillertal Arena ski resort is a huge ski area combining diverse towns from Krimml, Wald-Königsleiten to Gerlos and Zell am Ziller. Zillertal Arena is accessible via train or bus from Mayrhofen to Zell am Ziller (refer schedule in right column). If going by train, a bus or taxi will get to the resort base at Zell am Ziller (or it’s a considerable walk). Note that buses are infrequent (refer schedule in right column).
Outside the Zillertal, to the west are the 13 ski resorts of Innsbruck’s Ski+City Pass region (i.e. Stubai Glacier, Schlick, Axamer Lizum, Nordkette, Kuhtai, Patscherkofel) plus the sensational St Anton and vast Ski Arlberg interconnected ski region. To the east are Alpbach, SkiWelt, KitzbĪhel, the superb SkiCircus Saalbach, Zell am See and Kaprun-Kitzsteinhorn.