Where is Kitzbühel Austria?
Kitzbühel ski resort is predominantly in the Tyrol (Tirol) state of Austria midway between the wonderful cities of Innsbruck & Salzburg. The resort has increased in size over the years as it interconnects with other ski regions & now stretches across the range to the Pinzgau valley & the state of Salzburg (Salzburgerland) beyond Pass Thurn to Hollersbach-im-Pinzgau & Mittersill to form KitzSki.
By road, Kitzbuhel is only 130km (2hr in winter) south of Munich, 83km (1½hr) south-west of Salzburg & 90km (1½hr) east of Innsbruck. However, the resort has numerous railway stations close by & hence the train is the recommended mode of travel to the area, which also assists to POW (Protect Our Winters).
Airports & Flights
The best gateway airport for intercontinental travellers to Kitzbühel is Munich (MUC), plus either Salzburg (SZG) or Innsbruck (INN) for those coming from within Europe or UK. The train of a private transfer can be utilised to travel to Kitzbuhel from Munich airport. If looking to rent a car, we recommend doing so in one of the Austrian cities or airports
Search & book here for flights to Munich or another European airport.
Train Transport
The ski resort can easily be accessed by train, with travel times often better than by car. Three stations in the Tirol sector are near the ski lifts at Kitzbuhel main, Kitzbϋhel Hahnenkamm & Kirchberg in Tirol. In the Salzburgerland sector of the resort, a Pinzgau local railway station at Mittersill is close to the Hollersbach-im-Pinzgau gondola base, via the train station at Zell am See.
Travel times on the train from Munich & its airport can be less than 3hr via Wörgl Hbf. From Innsbruck central station (15min from the airport) travel times are between 1¼hr & 1¾hr depending on the service. From Salzburg station, the best service is the regional train (direction Wörgl Hbf), taking less than 2½hr via Zell am See. It goes through some splendid towns & countryside too! Services vary by type (EC, IC, RJX, REX), but essentially the differences are in the number of stations they stop at (EC stop at fewer than REX!), price (EC cost more than REX), time, plus whether they require a change at Wörgl Hbf.
The excellent Austrian railways (OBB) Railjet train service runs to Kitzbuhel & Kirchberg in Tirol from either Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck & Zurich. The train has a full restaurant service & is a pleasurable way to travel to the resort.
Search & book here for train tickets to Kitzbuhel or Kirchberg in Tirol.
Private Transfers & Airport Shuttle
The Powderhounds recommend taking the train from the airport to Kitzbuhel, as you can upgrade to the comfort of first class for most journeys. However, if post covid-19 public transport travel worries you, you are in a larger group of 3+ people or just have the cash to splash, the quickest way to Kitzbuhel from the airports or major cities can be a private transfer.
Search & book here for all airport transfers.
Driving to Kitzbühel, Kirchberg & Mittersill
Driving to Kitzbühel involves no major mountain passes or steep alpine roads so is generally a synch for most drivers. From Munich International airport the distance to either Kitzbuhel or Kirchberg is around the same about 160km via Kufstein and should take less than 2hr. To Mittersill or Hollersbach it is a further 30km (30min) and involves a gentle climb and descent over the 1,300m Pass Thurn.
From Innsbruck airport, the drive is straightforward through the Inn River valley until Wörgl, where the road narrows to single carriageway to Kirchberg (91km, 1¼-1½hr) & then Kitzbühel (an extra 6km & 5min drive). Further to Mittersill it is 130km (2hr+), again via Pass Thurn.
From Salzburg airport, driving to Kitzbühel & Kirchberg is 74-80km in distance driving briefly across the German border twice, and should take between 1¼-1½hr. For Mittersill or Hollersbach, from Salzburg the better route avoids Pass Thurn and instead goes via Saalfelden & Zell am See to enter the Pinzgau valley near Kaprun. The distance of 105km should take around 1¾-2hr in good traffic & weather.
Rental Cars
Car rentals are best undertaken from the airports at Munich, Innsbruck & Salzburg. If renting from Munich ensure the vehicle has quality winter tyres before departure (whilst winter tyres are a requirement in Bavaria, from our experience, rental cars are sometimes equipped with very poor-quality ones). Note also that rentals from Munich Germany (or other country) will require an Austrian highway 'Vignette' to drive legally on the motorway network. Vignettes can be purchased from most petrol stations.
Search & book here for all rental cars.
Car Parking
For day-trippers or anyone coming from outlying accommodation, there are around 5,500 car parking spaces available at the bases of the various feeder cable cars & chairlifts. With the exception of one car park at the base of Hahnenkammbahn, all are free for holders of a lift-pass.
The Hahnenkammbahn car park is convenient is arriving early, but unless one has business in the town of Kitzbuhel afterward, we suggest using the larger (and free) Fleckalmbahn carpark toward Kirchberg. The gondola provides more efficient access to the skiing as well.
The further one gets away from Kitzbühel, the better the parking becomes. Note though the valley station of the Panoramabahn I in Hollersbach, whilst having abundant parking, involves a time-consuming ascent plus a download at the end of the day. A better option is the smaller one near the mid-station at Breitmoos or further along at Pass Thurn. On busy powder days if you are running late (yikes!), we suggest using the outlying car parks at Skirast (for Pengelstein gondola), Jochberg (for Wagstätt gondola) or Pass Thurn (for Resterhöhe chair). Naturally it will all depend on where you are thinking of heading for the day, so plan ahead. And of course, if you can easily take a ski bus or train instead of a car, please do - POW (Protect Our Winters)!
Getting Around Kitzbühel & the KitzSki Region
Worth knowing that once at Kitzbuhel, buses labelled ‘SKIBUS’ are free when you have ski gear a lift pass, including long journeys from Mittersill, over Pass Thurn to Kitzbühel. See below for the free local ski-bus map.
Additionally, with a valid lift pass & ski gear, all trains labelled ‘STRIEFZUG’ are free between St Johann & Westendorf, which includes both Kitzbuhel stations plus Kirchberg as well. Super!
Nearby Ski Resorts
The massive Kitzski resort sits amongst two other Austrian skiing behemoths: Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm and the perpetually over-rated Ski Welt. The fantastic Zell am See ski resort is also nearby via the train. From Mittersill, Kaprun-Kitzsteinhorn is the most snow-sure ski area in the region and worth a look for the views alone.
Need More?
For hints, tips & warnings about getting to Austrian ski resorts in winter, see our Travel in Austria page.